Where to Stay in Seoul as a Solo Traveler (Hostel, Safety, Areas)

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Find your Perfect Hostel in Seoul

Seoul is the sort of city that offers 24-hour dumplings, mountain trails inside its skyline, and free Wi-Fi even under bridges. 

This guide jumps straight into what solo travelers in Seoul actually need: clear advice on neighborhoods, safety, and how to book a social bed without torching your travel fund.

Top Picks: The Best Hostels in Seoul

Best for Hostel Newbies

Original Backpackers9.8

from ₩ 19,465 | More Details

Best for Female Solo Traveler

Hostel Haru8.9

from ₩ 27,660 | More Details

Best Party Hostel

Crossroad Backpackers H...9.5

from ₩ 17,769 | More Details

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Why Seoul Is a Must-Visit Destination

Here, royal palaces share fences with LED billboards, and quiet temples hide behind coffee shops that sculpt latte foam into cartoon bears.

The subway speaks English, buses take the same transit card, and convenience stores cook ramen for you at 2 a.m. Solo travel in Seoul means independence without hassle: eat alone at counter grills, join a free walking tour on a whim, then soak in a sauna that never closes.

Add river parks, mountain viewpoints, and a street-food scene that costs pocket change—suddenly a long weekend feels too short.

No wonder searches like “best neighborhoods in Seoul” and “solo travel in Seoul” trend year-round.

Top Neighborhoods to Stay in Seoul

Hongdae (Mapo-gu)

• Street art, live buskers, thrift stores, and dessert cafés open past midnight.
• Pros: budget hostels, airport express stop, endless nightlife.
• Cons: weekend noise could wake hibernating bears.
• Best for: party lovers, budget travelers, creatives.

Itaewon (Yongsan-gu)

• International food row, LGBTQ+ clubs, rooftop bars with skyline views.
• Pros: diverse menus, chatty crowds, late buses.
• Cons: steeper hills and steeper drink prices.
• Best for: extroverts, food explorers, solo female travelers who like busy streets.

Insadong & Jongno

• Tea houses, antique shops, four palaces within walking distance.
• Pros: culture classes, calm nights, easy sightseeing.
• Cons: limited dorm beds; shops close early.
• Best for: history fans, quiet walkers, first-time visitors.

Seongsu-dong

• Warehouse cafés, indie boutiques, riverside bike paths.
• Pros: relaxed vibe, strong coffee, good coworking spots.
• Cons: nightlife ends early, fewer hostels.
• Best for: digital nomads, designers, chill travelers.

Gangnam

• Skyscrapers, underground malls, K-pop agency HQs.
• Pros: spotless streets, endless shopping, late metro trains.
• Cons: higher prices, rush-hour crowds.
• Best for: shoppers, business backpackers, people chasing K-drama sets.

The Best (and Worst) Areas to Stay in Seoul

• Best neighborhood for nightlife lovers: Hongdae—live music, cheap drinks, hostel pub crawls every night.
• Best neighborhood for culture buffs: Insadong—palaces at sunrise, calligraphy at noon, lantern lanes by dusk.
• Best neighborhood for budget travelers: Hongdae or Seongsu—€20 dorms, €3 kimbap, free street shows.
• Best neighborhood for female solo travelers: Gangnam around Sinnonhyeon—bright lights, constant foot traffic, CCTV at every turn.
• Areas to watch your step: Back alleys of Itaewon after 3 a.m.; stick to main roads lined with taxis and cameras.
• Insider tip: If a hostel sits near Line 2 (the green loop), you’ll spend less time transferring and more time exploring.

Safest Area to Stay in Seoul as a Solo Traveler

• Hongdae Station Zone: Student energy, 24-hour cafés, police patrols on festival weekends.
• Insadong Main Street: Tourist police kiosks, low traffic, plenty of well-lit guesthouses.
• Gangnam (Sinnonhyeon–Samseong): Wide boulevards, constant CCTV, late-night buses every 15 minutes.

General safety hacks: keep your hostel address in Korean for taxi drivers, use cross-body bags in festival crowds, and join others when walking after midnight.

Short and crisp: The Best Hostels in Seoul

1. Stay Korea Homestay - best for Family-Friendly Hostel, Solo Traveller
2. Namsan Guest House - best for Family-Friendly Hostel, Solo Traveller
3. Holiday in Korea Hostel
4. Backpackers Inside Hostel - best for Solo Traveller
5. Grape Garden House - best for Family-Friendly Hostel, Solo Traveller

Stay Korea Homestay

9.0

"…It has a warm and hospitable atmosphere, thanks to the friendly owner. She speaks French because more

Namsan Guest House

8.1

"…The staff was very, very helpful. They recommended restaurants to go to, picked us up at the more

from

$10.90

Holiday in Korea Hostel

8.7

Jongno District

"…There weren't many people staying at the time I visited, so I don't know how great of a place it more

Backpackers Inside Hostel

8.8

Jongno District

"…Common Spaces Common spaces are quite small and are only in the first level of the hostel. Here more

Grape Garden House

8.0

Mapo District

"Clean and affordable, helpful staff - Very clean, bathroom located within dorm room. Helpful staff more

Tips for Booking Social Hostels in Seoul Without Overpaying

Hostels are a solo traveler’s best friend—cheap beds, instant friends, and free city tips. Always check photos for a big kitchen or rooftop; those spaces signal easy mingling. I start every search on hostelz.com.

One click compares Booking.com and Hostelworld prices and lets me filter for women-only dorms, party vibes, or “best for solo travelers.”

Review the events calendar—movie nights, kimchi classes, or free walking tours can save cash and spark friendships.

Backpacking Seoul? Here’s What You Need to Know

These are the guides I wish I had before visiting. I’ve been there, had fun, did some minor mistakes, and now I’m passing the best tips on to you. Safe travels!

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About the author: Nour De Wilde Salhab

A Lebanese-Congolese-French-Belgian girl as likely to be found climbing a volcano in Indonesia or reading a sci-fi book by the sea in the South of France. Always on the hunt for remarkable experiences. My two favorites so far: volunteering in emergency medical services in Lebanon and solo backpacking around the world. Life is enjoyable in all its facets, from its healthy extremes to its mundane slows.