One Week in Seoul as a Solo Female Traveler: Everything You Need to Know
- Vero
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
1. Seoul as a solo female traveler: my real take after visiting twice
Seoul was one of those destinations I kept pushing back on my list and then, when I finally went, I understood immediately why everyone talks about it the way they do. It's enormous, it's efficient, it's incredibly beautiful in a way that mixes ancient and ultramodern without apology and yes, it's one of the safest cities I've ever traveled to as a solo woman.
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But Seoul also has a side nobody really warns you about: it can be overwhelming, expensive if you're not careful, and dangerously good at making you spend money you didn't plan to spend. More on that later.
I visited Seoul as a solo female traveler twice, the first time as a complete first-timer at the beginning of September (high season, which taught me a few things), and the second time with a bit more confidence and a completely different area to explore. This post is everything I'd tell a friend before their first week there.
2. Where to stay: my two recommendations
Getting your neighborhood right in Seoul matters more than in most cities, simply because the city is so big. Here's where I stayed across my two visits.
Myeongdong: best for first-timers
For a first visit, I'd choose between Insadong and Myeongdong, both have a great balance of atmosphere, access to public transport, and proximity to the main things you'll want to see. I personally went with Myeongdong and I have no regrets.
One important caveat though: make sure you're not staying right in the middle of the main tourist street. Myeongdong's shopping strip is fun to visit, but living in the thick of it, especially in September when the city is packed, can feel genuinely overwhelming. Look for something slightly set back from the main drag.
I stayed at Space Guesthouse and felt very lucky to find it. Perfectly located, quiet despite being close to everything, and a genuinely lovely place to come back to after a long day of exploring. The room was small and fair warning: this is what you get for a mid-range budget in Seoul, almost everywhere in the city. Space is at a premium. Adjust your expectations and you'll be fine.
Dongdaemun: best for a second visit
On my second trip, I wanted to explore a different side of Seoul and stayed close to Dongdaemun metro station. A completely different energy, more local, less tourist-facing, and a great base if you already know the city a little.
I booked through Trip.com for this stay, and I'd genuinely recommend using it for Seoul specifically. I found it offered more and better options than Booking.com, especially for this city, so if you're struggling to find something good, it's worth checking both platforms before you book.
Book early, seriously
I went in early September, which is high season in Seoul. Finding good accommodation at a reasonable price was genuinely challenging, and the options shrink fast. Start your search early and book in advance otherwise you'll end up choosing between overpriced or underwhelming, and neither is fun.
3. Getting around: the metro is all you need
Seoul's public transport is exceptional. I spent an entire week there without ever needing a taxi or Uber, which says everything.
The T-money card is what you need to use the metro, and you can pick one up at any convenience store (there are GS25 and CU stores everywhere). You can top it up with cash at any metro station or at the convenience store itself, so keep some cash on you, as the top-up machines don't take cards.
Naver Maps is your essential app for navigating Seoul. Google Maps works, but Naver is far more accurate for Korean public transport, shows you real-time bus and metro options, and is also brilliant for discovering restaurants, cafés, and local spots. I used it constantly. It's also how I found some of my favorite places to eat, though my best recommendation is to get lost and walk into wherever looks good. I never once had a bad meal anywhere in Korea. The food culture is simply on another level, and there are cute cafés and laptop-friendly spots everywhere if you need to get some work done.
One exception to the metro rule: the airport transfer. You can absolutely get to Myeongdong from Incheon Airport by metro, but I took the airport limousine bus via Klook on my first visit and found it completely worth it. After a long flight, not having to figure out the metro, get a T-card, and withdraw cash before you even get to your hotel is a small luxury that costs very little. Klook is also the go-to app for booking buses between cities and trains if you're planning to travel beyond Seoul, I used it for everything.
4. The tours I recommend
Northern Seoul & Gwangjang Market walking tour
This tour is my top pick for anyone visiting Seoul for the first time. It gives you a real sense of the city and its culture, not just the highlights, but the layers underneath them. The Gwangjang Market stop alone is worth it (more on that in the food section).
DMZ & Third Tunnel tour
I was genuinely hesitant about this one it felt almost too heavy for a holiday. But I went, and I'm so glad I did. The guides are incredibly knowledgeable and the experience of understanding the real history between the two Koreas up close is something that stays with you. Highly recommended if you want to go beyond the surface.
5. Neighborhoods worth exploring
Beyond your base, these are the areas I'd make time for:
Seongsu: often called Seoul's Brooklyn, and you'll understand why immediately. Independent shops, incredible cafés, and, if that matters to you, the largest Olive Young in the world.
Hongdae: the young, creative, university district. Great for wandering, shopping in independent stores, and eating well. Very alive at any time of day.
Gangnam: yes, exactly what you're thinking. Modern skyscrapers, luxury boutiques, and a completely different energy to the rest of Seoul. Worth a half-day. And while you're there, visit the Starfield Library just know that, like many places around the world, the reality is slightly different from what Instagram suggests.
Changgyeonggung Palace: my personal favorite, and I'd take it over the more famous Gyeongbokgung any day. Quieter, more atmospheric, and feels less like a tourist attraction and more like a real glimpse into something ancient.
Bugak Skyway: the best panoramic views of Seoul, full stop. For hiking, I'd head to the mountain trails rather than taking the cable car, a short hike rewards you with views that feel genuinely earned.
6. Food: I could write an entire post (and I will)
Korean food deserves its own dedicated post, and I promise that's coming. But I can't write about Seoul without mentioning two places you absolutely cannot miss:
Gwangjang Market: go for the handmade noodles and dumplings from the lady who became famous on Netflix. The market itself is an experience, but this is the one thing I'd put on everyone's non-negotiable list.
Myeongdong Kyoja: I still think about these dumplings and noodles. Simple, perfect, unforgettable. Go.
7. Skincare, beauty treatments, and a word of warning
If you're into skincare, Seoul will feel like arriving in a parallel universe where everything is better and cheaper. Olive Young and Daiso are everywhere, and both are worth (many) visits, I personally found Daiso's quality-to-price ratio impressive, though it really depends on what you're looking for.
I also took the opportunity to try a facial while I was there. I went to PPEUM in Myeongdong, flashy interiors, free coffee, comfortable waiting area. But my facial felt rushed. It had the feeling of a place optimized for volume, with a clientele there primarily for botox, fillers, and other high-ticket treatments rather than a relaxing skincare experience. Which is fine, just not the kind of vibe I was after.
My advice: do your research before booking any beauty treatment in Seoul. There are many great options depending on your budget, especially around Myeongdong and Gangnam, but the quality varies enormously and some places prioritize throughput over experience. Read recent reviews and go in with clear expectations.
8. The thing nobody warns you about: the spending trap
This is the piece of advice I'd want someone to give me before I went.
Seoul is a genuinely brilliant shopping city and it knows it. Between the beauty stores, the fashion, the Daiso everything-for-cheap rabbit holes, and the general atmosphere of consumption that hums through certain neighborhoods, I found myself buying things I didn't need simply because I felt influenced by the environment, or because something seemed like a bargain compared to home.
My advice: before you go into any shop, think about what you actually need. Not what looks good under fluorescent lighting at 11pm in Myeongdong. What you actually need. It sounds simple, but it makes a real difference to how you feel, and to your bank balance, at the end of the week.
9. Final thoughts
Seoul is one of those cities that earns its reputation completely. Safe, efficient, beautiful, endlessly interesting and with food that will ruin you for everywhere else. A week is enough to get a real feel for it, but I guarantee you'll leave wanting more.
Go to the palaces, get lost in Seongsu, eat at Gwangjang Market, figure out the metro, and let the city surprise you. Just keep an eye on your wallet.
Have you been to Seoul? I'd love to hear about your experience in the comments. Planning a longer trip to Korea? I'll be sharing more about traveling between cities, the food, and other destinations beyond Seoul, stay tuned, or subscribe to Nomad Notes so you don't miss it.
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