Travel Tips For South Korea: A Comprehensive Guide To Safety
Read on for the best travel tips for South Korea!
Visiting South Korea is an unforgettable experience for any tourist, but it is essential to be aware of travel safety tips before you head off to one of the most amazing countries in Asia.
Famous for its vibrant, youthful culture as well as having an incredible history, South Korea has become an increasingly popular destination for tourists, especially the big cities like Seoul and Busan.
But how safe is South Korea and what do you need to know before visiting? I was fortunate enough to travel there a few years ago and in my experience it was an extremely safe country to visit.
In this travel blog post, I’ll cover everything I learnt in terms of safety aspects, from crime rates and natural disasters to health and transportation.
Hopefully this comprehensive guide of South Korea’s safety will help you make an informed decision for your next adventure!
Travel Tips For South Korea
When it comes to travel advice for South Korea, there are several topics that are worth learning about before your trip, including:
- Local customs – what are some well known common local customs that you should be aware of in South Korea?
- Using public transportation – what are the etiquette procedures when catching a subway, bus or train in South Korea?
- Crime rate – what is the crime rate in the major cities of Seoul and Busan?
- Political situation – Are there political tensions during the time of your trip to South Korea – especially with its neighbour North Korea?
- Natural Disasters – What are the chances of a natural disaster happening during your trip to South Korea?
I’ll be covering each of these topics in detail in this blog post, so let’s dive into the main topic – how safe is South Korea for tourists?
Is South Korea Safe For Tourists?
South Korea is considered to be one of the safest countries to visit and I have rarely felt safer when travelling abroad.
It is ranked the 43rd most peaceful country in the world, which is quite a high figure – especially compared to it’s neighbouring country north of the border North Korea, which ranks at a lowly 149.
Although it’s not considered as safe a country as it’s other neighbour Japan, which is one of the safest countries in the world. But, don’t let this fact put you off visiting South Korea, it is overall extremely safe to visit.
I spent three weeks travelling around South Korea, mostly Seoul and Busan, and didn’t feel threatened or in danger at any point during my stay whatsoever. In fact, I felt very safe.
There was a strong presence of police in the central parts of Seoul especially, which was a reassuring sign.
Despite the obvious language barrier, everyone seemed very friendly towards me and were more than happy to help with any problems I may have had.
Crime Rates and Safety in Major South Korean Cities
South Korea’s major cities, including Seoul and Busan, are generally safe for travellers. Violent crime rates are low, and incidents of theft and pickpocketing are infrequent compared to other major cities around the world.
However, it’s a good idea to remain vigilant in crowded areas and tourist hotspots, as these places do attract petty criminals. Pickpocketing is the most common crime that occurs in major Korean cities to tourists.
Other common crimes include stealing of bags, phones and even scams do happen, so it’s definitely not a crime free country by any means.
It’s always a good idea not to travel in a tourist hotspot carrying lots of cash and to remain vigilant at all times.
Political Stability in South Korea 2024
South Korea has enjoyed a relatively peaceful and stable political environment in recent decades.
Of course, their relationship with North Korea is tricky and tensions can escalate every once in a while when the North decide to hold nuclear weapon tests, which is always a worrying development.
👉 Pro Tip: Protests and demonstrations occasionally occur in major cities in South Korea, but they are generally peaceful affairs and don’t pose any threat to tourists.
However, as a tourist abroad I would strongly advise not participating in any political gatherings or protests.
Natural Disasters in South Korea 2024
South Korea is susceptible to some natural disasters, such as typhoons, earthquakes, and heavy rains and being aware of when these may happen is a must before travelling there.
Typhoons
Typhoon season usually occurs from July to September, so it’s important to keep an eye on weather forecasts when visiting to be aware of any potentially dangerous developments.
It’s unlikely you will be in a lot of danger from a typhoon and it shouldn’t be a cause for concern for you. Since 2012, only 42 people have died from typhoon related incidents in South Korea.
Downpours during rainy season
The country does experience a lot of downpours during it’s rainy season every year, with 65 people have died from downpours since 2012. Rainy season typically begins in mid to late June and can last through to the end of August.
Downpours during this time can cause major flooding, with certain areas of the country experiencing more than 30 inches of rain during this period. This can lead to travel disruptions, landslides and building damage.
I actually experienced a downpour when visiting Busan. Rainy season had just started (it was mid June) and during my last stay in the city there was a torrential downpour that lasted the entire day and night.
I was never in any danger at all, but it’s worth noting that if you do visit certain parts of South Korea in the summer months, then don’t forget to take an umbrella with you – and maybe a poncho too!
Earthquakes
Earthquakes happen in South Korea up to 26 times a year. This may sound a surprisingly large number, but keep in mind that they are all pretty much fairly low on the Richter scale, around 3.0.
That’s a relatively low amount compared to Japan, which can experience anywhere between 1,500 to 2,000 earthquakes every year.
The worst earthquake that South Korea has experienced in modern times was the 2016 Gyeongju earthquake.
This was the most destructive earthquake the country has ever experienced, causing serious damage to buildings, roads and local infrastructure.
Health and Hygiene in South Korea
South Korea maintains high standards of hygiene and healthcare, more so than some Western countries. No specific vaccinations are required to enter the country, and face masks are not as commonly used as they are in Japan.
The country’s tap water is completely safe to drink as well, and hygiene standards in restaurants and hotels are overall of a high standard.
Transportation Safety in South Korea
South Korea has a very well-developed and efficient transportation system which includes buses, subways, and trains. These different types of transport are generally extremely reliable – more so than in England for sure!
I was really surprised by how precise all the trains and subway trains were during my stay in South Korea.
Everything was on time and very clean, modern and comfortable, with wi-fi readily available on all of the subway trains that I used in Seoul especially.
When it comes to etiquette on public transportation in South Korea, it’s the same as what you would expect in most countries – people are very polite and quiet. Playing of loud music is looked down upon, as is eating hot food.
👉 Pro Tip: It’s worth bearing in mind traffic rules, especially in busy cities in South Korea. Koreans can be known for being somewhat aggressive drivers, so pay extra attention when crossing roads.
There’s always a lot of traffic in cities such as Seoul throughout each day, especially during rush hours in the early morning and late evening.
Travel Tips For South Korea FAQs
Still uncertain if South Korea is safe to travel to? Let’s take a look at some common, frequently asked questions about travelling to the country:
What are some local customs in South Korea?
Respect for local customs and traditions is something to consider when travelling in South Korea. The country places a strong emphasis on politeness and etiquette.
For instance, it’s customary to remove shoes when entering homes and bowing is a common form of greeting.
To be honest I found South Korea to be more relaxed compared to it’s neighbour Japan. The Japanese are known to be more formal when it comes to courtesy, but it’s worth bearing in mind all the same.
Is it safe for women to travel to South Korea?
South Korea is definitely considered safe for female travellers – incidents of harassment and assault are relatively low.
Nonetheless, it’s always wise to take precautions such as avoiding poorly lit areas at night and remain vigilant, especially if travelling alone.
This advice applies to solo male travellers as well; people in South Korea are generally very warm and friendly and happy to help, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
When to visit South Korea?
The spring and autumn months are generally considered to be the best months to visit South Korea.
During these seasons most of the country experiences above average temperatures, especially compared to a Western Hemisphere countries like the UK.
If you visit Seoul anytime between June to August, then the weather can be hot and overly humid, with air conditioning used pretty much everywhere you go.
Walking around a big city like Seoul with humid weather can be an exhausting experience, so be sure to stay hydrated.
These months are also the wettest period of the year, when the rainy season begins from mid June to late August. So don’t be surprised if you experience a few downpours if you visit South Korea during this time.
Winter time can get considerably cold, with temperatures plunging below zero for extended periods of time. Seoul can experience temperatures as low as minus 15 in the winter months, so be sure to wrap up warm!
Is South Korea expensive?
Yes, depending on where you stay. If you visit Seoul then it can be quite an expensive place to visit in terms of hotels, which are particularly pricey.
However, eating out doesn’t have to be so expensive, as there are plenty of small bars and restaurants down quiet alleyways away from the central parts which offer great food at cheap prices.
Street food is very popular in South Korea and is really cheap too. It’s a great way of experiencing local cuisine that you might not try in restaurants.
If you visit other cities outside of Seoul then prices for generally cheaper and more affordable when it comes to food and accommodation.
Conclusion: Travel Tips For South Korea
So that concludes everything you need to know when it comes to travel tips and safety in South Korea.
In my experience, I would say that South Korea is one of the safest countries I have been to, without fear of any danger whatsoever.
With its low crime rates and strong policing, you honestly don’t have much to worry about. As long as you stay informed, use your common sense and respect local customs then you’ll be fine.
Now that you know all the travel tips about South Korea you can go ahead and experience one of the most amazing countries in Asia – it is a fantastic place with fantastic people that I can’t recommend highly enough!
You may also enjoy reading these blog posts about South Korea:
➡️ Seoul In One Day: The Ultimate Itinerary For South Korea’s Capital
➡️ Seoul vs Busan: Which South Korean City Is Better For Tourists?
➡️ BEST Food Tour in South Korea 2024: The Ultimate Foodie Guide!
➡️ 2 Days in Seoul: A Full Itinerary For South Korea’s Capital
➡️ Planning your trip? Here are my favourite resources:
🏨 Accommodation: I recommend using Booking.com
🚙 Rental Car: Use Discover Cars for the best car rental prices
❤️ Travel Insurance: I recommend using Visitors Coverage
✈️ Flights: Use Kiwi.com for the best prices on flights
