Is Seoul Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Seoul is generally safe for solo female travelers. The crime rate is relatively low and the locals are highly respectful. The city is also very clean and public transportation is reliable. It's common to see women walking alone late at night. However, like anywhere, it's always important to stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Safety index

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How safe is Seoul?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Safe

Seoul, exhibits a high level of safety at night. The city is well-lit and the morning hours are lively with people, so even late into the night the roads aren't completely deserted. Public transports like buses, taxis, and subways are available at night. Still, like any other city, it's always recommended to stick to main roads, avoid dimly lit or deserted alleys. It's also wise to stay mindful of your belongings and your surroundings.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Very safe

Public transportation in Seoul is excellent and remarkably safe. The city offers an extensive subway system, bus routes, and taxis. The subway system is very efficient, clean and the signs are available in multiple languages, including English. Buses are accessible and taxis are affordable. It's common to see women using these systems at all hours of the day or night. All vehicles are equipped with security cameras and emergency call buttons. Remember to keep your belongings close to you and be aware of your surroundings as you would in any other big city.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Low

Seoul is generally a safe city for solo female travelers. Street harassment is quite low compared to many other major cities across the globe. The locals are usually polite and respectful, and instances of open hostility or unwanted attention are uncommon. Despite this, it's always advisable to stay alert and follow common safety precautions, particularly during late hours.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Low

Seoul is considered quite safe with regard to petty crimes. Although pickpocketing and bag-snatching can occasionally occur in crowded areas such as markets or public transportation, these instances are relatively rare. As in any large city, maintaining awareness of your surroundings and keeping personal belongings secure can further minimize such risks. The local police are generally responsive and many officers speak English. Security cameras, or CCTV, are also staples throughout the city, contributing to a lower crime rate.

Is Seoul worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.4 /5

based on 28 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.5/5

Safety

4.6/5

Food

4.6/5

Budget-friendly

3.2/5
Anna

Anna

Switzerland

Solo travel

Traveling solo for 3 weeks turns out to be a challenge to me. I sometimes feel isolated even if there are so many people around me. I booked some guided tours and explored places on my own but to me it seems like I am the only older woman traveling solo. Sometimes I can talk with locals (at least I try since a am a beginner at Korean). This week I had I dinner with another solo traveling woman and had a cheerful and inspiring evening with her which made me very happy - thank you, Mari :-)

Posted: October 4, 2024Experienced: October, 2024
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Emy

Emy

Germany

Solo travel

Seoul was fascinating in a way that I haven’t experienced before. Because it is a capital, you just realize after a while that it’s impossible to see all the places and find all the communities there. I stayed for 10 months and had the best time of my life! It felt much safer than Europe, but of course, no place (that I know of) qualifies as 100% safe. I lived in itaewon, a place with lots of tourists and night clubs, but going out at night was fun and if one place didn’t have the right energy, I could just move on to the next. My friend visited me while I lived there and she liked it as well :)

Posted: September 21, 2024
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Pru

Pru

Germany

Group travel

It was my first travel so I went with an agency. Seoul is very lively! There is always entertainment in the street. Even the shops are open until late at night. I felt really safe there. I didnt try clubs and bar.

Posted: August 24, 2024Experienced: July, 2019
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Nicole

Nicole

United States

Solo travel

My experience in Seoul was incredible. I felt safe at all times even after 10pm walking alone. I took the train and bus everywhere which was really cheap. My main issue was finding places who catered to solo diners. I went to all the main tourist attractions but really loved the museums most, and also sitting in cafes and people watching!

Posted: August 22, 2024
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Solo travel

Seoul was one of my favorites. I stayed at a very nice hostel, which was also a shared flat for local students. So it was very easy to connect to locals. Everyone was so friendly and as a female solo traveler I felt safe. There also have been good vegetarian and vegan options. 😊

Posted: August 12, 2024Experienced: May, 2020
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Kate

Kate

Canada

Solo travel

Travelled here alone for 2 weeks. I stayed in Hongdae in a hostel. I walked and used the public transit system to get around. Very easy and convenient. Tourist friendly place. I felt very safe. Just went back again earlier in 2024 and had a great time too. Amazing food!

Posted: July 28, 2024
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Vicki

Vicki

United Kingdom

Family travel

Our trip to Seoul, South Korea was enjoyable. We made it just in time for the cherry blossoms. There is a variety of activities to do from a range of budgets. The cultural facilities such as museums, palaces, and temples were either free or exceptionally affordable. The hanbok rentals were fairly priced and allows you to get into the palace free of charge when one is worn. Please note renting a hanbok is more than getting paying to enter the palace. Overall we did feel safe. We visited various areas of Seoul and even did a nature hike up one of the mountains. Gyeongbokgung Palace was a lovely visit and Myeongdong market was extremely busy but fun. The gangnam area in the evenings has adult entertainment fliers spread across the floor so you will see inappropriate fliers whilst walking. Unfortunately, for my experience being plus size (Trousers: US size 9/UK size 12) was not the greatest. I had an underground shop employee in Gangnam be extremely rude to me and didn't let me try on clothing (a cardigan). I left holding back tears and cried in the hotel room while my husband comforted me. I have never been treated so terribly. I also had multiple locals remark on my weight and how I would look better if I lost some weight. Unfortunately this is a cultural thing and it was not my first trip to Korea but was my 1st trip at my current size.

Posted: June 25, 2024Experienced: March, 2024
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Solo travel

Safe, clean and cheap. Every meal can be under 10usd each person. But some traditional cuisine serves only large size, single person cannot order it. Activities are interesting. There are several exhibitions in the city and some ancient buildings. People can rent traditional dress nearby. U can also reserve a K-pop makeup service and experience a new, beautiful, gorgeous face of yourself 😍. Taking a ride to countryside for 2hour, you can enjoy snowfall or skiing.

Posted: June 14, 2024
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Solo travel

If I were to visit South Korea again, it definitely wouldn’t be Seoul but instead probably Jeju or a beach city like Busan. Seoul is cool for a day, but anything more than that is redundant. It’s a mountain town, so the views are very cool. The food is amazing. I felt very safe walking around at night in the center of the city. However, unless you’re big into Korean pop culture like k-pop and k-dramas, you should make Seoul only a stop on your South Korea itinerary. Amazing café’s though! Super Instagramable. :p

Posted: June 10, 2024
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Hasnaa

Hasnaa

Morocco

Family travel

My experience was nice but I felt like I missed a lot of things as I couldn’t enjoy to the fullest being with my family (night life) But I was also glad because I was young and dumb. I sometimes went by myself to meet “friends” but you should not trust Korean men you met online easily. Some where clingy to the point it was creepy and wanted me to go to some places with them, some also tried to make me drunk on purpose even though I didn’t want to, which was very suspicious. Korea was safe overall, they have CCTV almost everywhere but always be careful.

Posted: April 9, 2024
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Is Seoul safe for women?

Safety index

3.3 /5

Based on 4 local experiences

Crime index

1.3 /5

Based on 4 local experiences

Should be cautious of hidden cameras in public ladies room and sexual harassment by glance at breast and legs of women. Must be careful to drink anything in clubs or so. Mind to take public transportation on commuting time because it would be packed and disgusting boys get closer and touch.

Posted: August 26, 2024
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Attacks and assault in public do not happen as often as they do in other places, but when they do the law always favors the man’s side and you cannot protect yourself so in that sense it is unsafe, a lot of men here think they are entitled to your attention and will be very pushy because they think foreign women are “easy”.

Posted: July 4, 2024
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Is Seoul safe right now?

Before your visit to Seoul, it's essential to check travel advisories for South Korea, including your home country's official travel advisory. These advisories can provide up-to-date information on safety, health, and any specific considerations for travelers.
🇺🇸

United States Travel AdvisoryTake normal security precautions

The United States government advises exercising normal precautions in South Korea. Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: July 24, 2023
🇨🇦

Canada's Travel AdvisoryTake normal security precautions

The Canadian government advises travelers to take normal security precautions in South Korea. Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: September 24, 2024
🇦🇺

Australia's Travel AdvisoryTake normal security precautions

The Australian government advises exercising normal safety precautions in South Korea. Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: July 9, 2024

Meet locals in Seoul

Jun

Jun

About Me

I'm outgoing person and like meet people. I'm studying English these days. So I want meet some people who can exchange languages.

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Chloe

Chloe

About Me

I'm Chloe, and I'm from Dublin, Ireland 🇮🇪 But I spent 5 years living in London, before moving to Seoul in 2022 🇰🇷 I travel a lot out of Korea, exploring as much of Asia as I can while I'm here. I'd love to meet up/couch surf with some fun girlies for some culture and some good food while I travel ✨️

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Stay with locals in Seoul

Aigul

Aigul

Seoul

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hi! I’m Aigul, from Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 Studying in South Korea🇰🇷🤍 Im open to new meetings, cultural and language exchanges!

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Upcoming visitors to Seoul

Barbara

Barbara

About Me

I love to travel the world and explore the nature, try new food and meet people.

Speaking

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Sabrina

Sabrina

About Me

I’m Sabrina. I’m French but I’ve been living in Asia for almost 20 years. I’m currently based in Hong Kong where I teach French. I love traveling, meeting new people, speaking different languages, cooking, reading, walking and yoga. Recently, I got interested in photography, and I like art too !

Speaking

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Safety in South Korea