Solo in Seoul: Finding Freedom in Familiar Streets 💫 Travel writer Wahida Asrani opens up about her journey from hesitant overthinker to confident solo traveler in Seoul. Despite visiting Korea 16 times, it wasn’t until recently that she found the courage to explore the city alone. What started as a spontaneous decision became her personal form of "me time" therapy. From sipping matcha lattes in Instagram-worthy cafés to joining guided day trips to hidden gems like Pocheon, Wahida shows that solo travel in Seoul, especially for women, can be both safe and soul-refreshing. With the help of apps like Naver Map and KakaoMap, plus a trusty tripod, she’s documenting her adventures and encouraging others to take the leap. Planning your first solo trip? Let Wahida’s experience be your guide, Seoul might just be the perfect place to start. ✨ 👉 Ready to travel on your own terms? Find inspiration in Wahida’s solo journey! ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Out of my 16 visits to Korea so far, I have only traveled solo there three times. Some have said I should have started earlier since I’ve been returning to the country so frequently. However, having the guts to do so wasn’t easy for me, even though I can confidently say that I’m quite familiar with many areas in Korea (particularly Seoul) after several visits. I would say that I wasn’t confident enough to travel alone because I tend to overthink. Would I be safe? What if this happens? What if that happens?—all these questions kept popping into my mind whenever the idea of going alone crossed my mind. I have always been amazed by those solo travelers (especially females) who can go to many countries alone, yet manage to explore many areas while they are there. I started my solo journey back to Seoul last year during summer. It was a short trip as I had no confidence to stay longer there since I was just a ‘newbie’ solo traveler. The idea to start exploring Korea alone came out of the blue, when I had just come back from my recent trip with friends a week earlier (which was at the end of the spring season). Yes, it was so random that I just went ahead and purchased the flight tickets for the following month and booked the accommodation. Before I knew it, I was already boarding the flight to Korea as a solo traveller for the first time. The writer during her first solo trip to Seoul From being an overthinker, I started to feel the excitement of traveling alone. It’s not just because Seoul is a familiar city to me, but also because the freedom of going anywhere at my own pace is something I truly treasure during my solo trips. Of course, I still love traveling with friends, but I believe that sometimes, you need your 'me-time' too. And I think the best place to start your solo journey is somewhere you’re already familiar with. I’m sure some readers have been doing this often, as they’ve been traveling solo to other countries for a while. However, for those who are considering going to Seoul alone—especially females!—I hope some of my insights here will be helpful to you. Is Seoul a safe city for solo female travelers? I’m sure this question is on the minds of many solo female travelers, whether you’re considering Seoul for your next solo trip or you're a returning visitor looking to explore the city (or other parts of the country) alone for the first time. You’ve probably done some Googling, and many solo travelers have highlighted that Seoul is one of the safest cities to travel alone. I also came across articles mentioning that the city has a low crime rate, but I won’t go into detail on this, as safety can be quite a subjective topic. For me, it doesn’t matter which country or city we go to; safety is always the priority. As a solo female traveler, I will ensure that the areas I plan to visit are considered “solo-friendly places,” which means I can freely walk around without having to worry about my safety. Not sure whether you will agree with me on this or not, but personally, I always feel that some places I go naturally give me the ‘vibe’ that they are safe. Being a solo female traveler shouldn’t limit your Seoul adventure, as you can always research places to visit beforehand If it’s your first solo trip to Seoul, I advise you to avoid exploring less crowded areas at night and make sure the places you plan to visit are easily accessible by public transportation like subways and buses. I wrote in my previous article in April about useful apps like Naver Map and KakaoMap, which can assist travelers in moving around Seoul and other cities easily using public transportation. So, make sure you install any of the apps (yes, it can be both too) before traveling to Korea. Another thing you should take note of as a solo female traveler is to find a “safe” accommodation too. There are quite a number of female-friendly accommodations (such as guesthouses, Airbnb, and hotels) in Seoul that you can Google, which are affordable as well. In fact, many affordable accommodations can be found in central areas of Seoul, such as Myeongdong and Dongdaemun. Worry not, these areas are definitely safe for solo female travelers as they are also tourist spots. Just make sure that if you stay in a dorm with other travelers, you keep your belongings safe! As for me, whenever I travel alone, I normally like to stay in hotels that I’ve never tried before with friends, preferably in areas that are easily accessible by public transportation, even if they are not located in central areas. I prefer a single room just for myself because I have to admit that I’m the type of person who doesn’t travel ‘lightly’ even for a short trip. And yes, a not-so-extroverted person like me may be more suited to staying in a private room rather than a shared one. Whatever it is, it depends on your travel preference (and your budget too, of course) because there are plenty of accommodation options around Seoul to choose from anyway. Traveling solo in Seoul has become part of the writer’s 'me time' therapy these days, but of course, she still loves coming back with friends too Enjoying solo experience in Seoul So, what’s good in Seoul if you travel alone? Rather than me listing down places to visit as a solo traveler (which you can definitely include common tourist spots or refer to my previous articles for other spots to visit 😊 ), I prefer to share my experiences of exploring the city at my own pace. Perhaps as a returning traveler, it is somehow an advantage for me as I don’t have to worry much about which places to go and how to reach them. However, for first-timers too, it won’t be that difficult to roam around the city alone because you will definitely do some research as well. Plus, with the help of the apps that I mentioned earlier, you will be fine. I’m sure many solo travellers may agree with me that at times, enjoying our own company is a satisfying experience. As someone who loves to travel with friends to Seoul, I can’t deny that solo trips did give me a sense of 'freedom,' especially on days when I just feel like wandering around the city and seeing where I would end up, which most of the time might be hard to do with a big group of friends. My routine whenever I go back to Seoul alone is just to explore the city without a specific itinerary. And of course, one of my favourite activities is visiting Instagrammable cafes—sipping my favourite matcha latte and eating a slice of cake or any pastry while watching people walk outside the café from the window are true Zen moments for me. As a solo traveler, whether it's street food, café pastries and drinks, or a famous brand of beverage, just enjoy whatever you like at your own leisure I would also try to go for at least a day trip tour out of Seoul, which I think is quite an interesting activity not only for solo travelers but also for those traveling in groups. This is especially great if you’ve already covered a lot of places in the city and want to explore areas outside Seoul that are harder to reach by public transportation or take longer to get to. Last winter, I went to Pocheon, where I visited Baegun Ice Valley, Herb Island, and Sanjeong Lake and I tell you, these places offer absolutely stunning views! If you are concerned about reaching areas like this as a solo female traveler (since they’re quite far from Seoul), opting for a day-trip tour can be a good option. You can check travel sites like Klook and Trazy, which offer many day-trip packages from Seoul (and even from cities like Busan) at affordable prices. At least this way, you won’t have to worry much about transportation or language barriers since the tour guide can speak English. In fact, you might even make new friends through this kind of tour. That’s how I met my Korean chingu , Chloe, who was the guide for my Pocheon trip and whom I still keep in touch with until now. I have also started documenting my journeys in Seoul through simple vlogs after my first solo trip last year. Of course, all this while, I have been uploading photos and videos on my Instagram, but after experiencing the difficulties of taking photos alone, I bought a selfie stick and tripod. That’s how I started developing an interest in producing short reels and videos of my Seoul journeys (although so far, I am only confident enough to upload the content on my personal Instagram). It’s a new interest I never thought I would have—recording myself with a selfie stick and tripod alone in the middle of streets, in cafés, and even while donning a Hanbok at Gyeongbokgung Palace. At least I’ve built up my confidence in this area; perhaps I just need more training to produce better-quality videos next time J. For the writer, exploring Seoul isn't hard for a solo traveler because all you need are just basic Korean words and relevant navigation apps. You will definitely experience and learn something new if you embark on a solo trip because, when you’re alone, you need to be independent. That’s when having at least some basic 'survival skills' becomes important, especially if you’ve never traveled alone to Korea before. Trust me, exploring Seoul alone isn’t that hard. Learning simple Korean words and familiarizing yourself with navigation apps are enough to help you get around the city. So, start planning your first solo adventure (if you haven't done so yet) and make it one of your most memorable trips. Have fun in Seoul in advance! *The writer’s colleagues gifted her a new tripod for her 43rd birthday earlier this year. The reason? They wanted her to document her solo journeys in Seoul properly without struggling to set up her 'amateur' tripod whenever she explored the city alone 🙂. A thoughtful gesture and perhaps a sign for the writer to take more solo trips in the future! *Kawan-Kawan, if you'd like to share your own Korea travel stories, we'd love to hear from you! Drop us an email at [email protected].

✈️🎉[CONTEST ALERT] Wander with Us: Share Your Busan Picks! ✈️☁️ it's time to Wander with Us and you might just win a trip to your dream destination in Korea*! 🇰🇷💙 Follow these simple steps to enter: 1️⃣ Follow @kto_malaysia , @vietnamairlines & @visitbusan.en 2️⃣ In the comments below: ☁️ Check out Slide 3 and tell us — what’s your top pick in Busan? ☁️ True or False: Vietnam Airlines flies from Kuala Lumpur to BOTH Seoul (ICN) & Busan (PUS) via Vietnam? ☁️ Tag 2 friends you'd love to explore Korea with! 🌟 BONUS ENTRY: Post your fave Busan photo/video on your feed! Use the hashtags: #VisitKorea #VisitBusan #VietnamAirlines #WanderWithKTO and tag @vietnamairlines @visitbusan.en @kto_malaysia 📢 Three (3) lucky winners will be selected to win a Vietnam Airlines return flight ticket*! ✈️💙 📌 *Terms & Conditions apply. 📅 Contest period: 1 July 2025 - 15 July 2025 🎉 15 lucky winners will be chosen! 📣 Make sure your profile is public during the contest period! Ready to fly? Let’s gooooo 🛫💙 #KTO_Malaysia #VisitKorea #VisitBusan #VietnamAirlines #WanderWithKTO #KTO_Contest #AnnyeongKawan Wander with Us: Share Your Busan Picks! Contest Terms and Conditions 1. The ' Wander with Us: Share Your Busan Picks !' Contest (the “Contest”) is hosted by Korea Tourism Organization Malaysia (the “Organiser”). 2. The Contest will run from 1 July 2025 to 15 July 2025 for a period of 15 Days (“Contest Period”). For clarity purposes, the Contest Period will end on 15 July 2025, 11.59 pm. 3. The Organiser reserves the right to amend the contest period at any time without prior notice. 4. The Organiser reserves the right to disqualify any participants without notice at any point of the Contest or after should he/she be found to have not fulfilled the prerequisites of the Contest prior to participation. 5. To participate in the Contest, participants (the “Participants”) must be residing in Malaysia during the Contest Period. 6. To enter the Contest, Participants must: (a) Follow the Organiser’s Instagram account KTO (@KTO_Malaysia), Vietnam Airlines (@vietnamairlines) and BTO ( @visitbusan.en) on Instagram; (b) In the same comment of the KTO Post on Instagram, • Check the Busan Map on Slide 3 and tell us which attraction would be your top Busan pick? • “True” or “False”? Vietnam Airlines flies from Kuala Lumpur to both Seoul (ICN) and Busan (PUS) via Vietnam. • Tag two (2) friends in the same comment of the KTO Instagram Post; and Bonus Entries : Post a photo or video of your favourite Busan attraction on your Instagram feed. Include the hashtags #VisitKorea #VisitBusan #VietnamAirlines #WanderWithKTO and tag @vietnamairlines , @visitbusan.en and @KTO_malaysia. (“Post”). (c) Ensure your profile is set to public during the Contest Period (i.e. not set as “hidden” or “private”). 7. Each Participant may submit multiple posts during the Contest. However, each Participant is only eligible to win one (1) prize throughout the Contest. 8. The Organiser reserves the right to disqualify, at its sole and absolute discretion, the eligibility of any participant and/or revoke or forfeit any prizes at any stage of the Contest if: (a) entries submitted are incomplete or fail to fulfill any of the Terms and Conditions stipulated herein; (b) there is a violation any applicable laws or regulations; (c) for any reason whatsoever the Organiser have reason to believe that a participant has attempted to undermine the operation of the Contest in any way whatsoever, including but not limited to fraud, cheating or deception. Winners Selection and Announcement 9. A total of 15 (Fifteen) winners (“Winners”) will be selected based on the creativity of their submissions, adherence to contest rules, and alignment with theme of #WandersWithBusan 10. The prizes ("Prizes") shall be as follows:- Grand Prize i) Vietnam Airlines return tickets to South Korea - 3 (Three) Winners Runner-up i) Visit Busan Pass (Big 3 Attractions) - 5 (Five) Winners Consolation Prize i) BTS Memories 2021 DVD - 3 (Three) Winner ii) SEVENTEEN [GOING] Magazine Vol.2 - 2 (Two) Winners iii) Cassette BTS Dynamite - 2 (Two) Winners 11. Winners will be announced on KTO Malaysia's Instagram page on 22 July 2025 and will be contacted via Instagram Direct Message. 12. In order to respond to the participants’ entries or fulfil the contest mechanics, it may be necessary to ask for personal information such as Winner’s name, contact number, passport details, email address, and mailing address. 13. In the event that the Organiser is unable to contact the Winners within 2 working day from the date of the Instagram Direct Message, the Organiser reserves the right to select another winner based on the judging criteria. 14. The Organiser’s decision on matters relating to the Contest (including, but not limited to the selection of the Winners) shall be final and absolute. No discussion, correspondence, enquiry, appeal or challenge by any of the participants in respect of any decision of the Organiser shall be entertained. 15. Grand Prize Winners, the Organizer will request passport details and preferred travel period to process the prize. The prize will be sent to the winner via email. 16. Runner-up winners, the Organizer will request the travel period and necessary details, and the prize will be sent to the winner via email. 17. The Winners can choose to pick up their prize at Korea Plaza, Ground Floor, Menara Hap Seng, Jalan P. Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur from 28 July - 11 August 2025, 10 am - 5 pm on weekdays, except for Public Holidays OR opt for mailing delivery to their preferred address. Winners are to refer to KTO Malaysia's Instagram page for any updates in operating hours. All unclaimed prizes will be forfeited. 18. The Organisers will not be held responsible for the loss or damage of the Prizes. 19. Prizes are strictly non-negotiable, non-transferable, non-exchangeable and non-refundable. No cash alternative is available. 20. By taking part in this Contest, the Participant understands and accepts without condition that the Organiser may elect to use the Participant’s personal information for marketing purposes in a manner that deems fit whilst according to the Participant’s privacy or confidentiality with the highest priority. 21. The Organiser, shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever suffered (including but not limited to loss of opportunities and any indirect or consequential losses) or personal injury suffered or sustained by any participant in connection with or arising from participation in the Contest. 22. The Terms and Conditions of the Contest shall be construed, governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Malaysia. 23. The Organiser may, with or without prior notice, terminate any of the rights granted by these Terms and Conditions. Any changes are effective immediately upon posting to Organiser's website and release of notice of the such change. The Organiser reserves the right to cancel, suspend or amend the rules and prizes of the contest without prior notice. Any changes will be posted either on the Organiser’s Website or in the Terms and Conditions.