Seoul is top solo traveler destinations by Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards
Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel platform, selected Seoul as the top destination, citing its unique blend of historical palaces and modern skyscrapers, traditional markets and shopping centers, offering a glimpse into both the past and present. The city’s convenient and safe 24-hour public transportation infrastructure was also highlighted as a major advantage. Following Seoul in the top 5 were Kathmandu (Nepal), Cusco (Peru), Bangkok (Thailand), and Osaka (Japan).
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that Seoul ranked first in the “Solo Travel” category of the “Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best,” an award given by Tripadvisor to the top 1% of travel destinations based on reviews and opinions from travelers worldwide. The “Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best” awards rank the top 25 destinations, restaurants, and accommodations that have received high ratings from tourists over the past 12 months.
According to data released by the Korea Tourism Organization this past January, 8 out of 10 (84%) foreign tourists visiting Korea are traveling independently without a separate guide. Most travelers gather travel information through specialized travel websites.
Tripadvisor describes Seoul as a city where the past and present harmoniously coexist, praising its world-class subway system in particular. The well-organized route map and efficient operation of the subway help travelers explore the city with ease, and the “Owl Bus,” a late-night bus service, allows for transportation to various parts of the city after midnight. The intercity bus system is also well-established, making day trips to nearby areas convenient.
Foreigners who have actually traveled to Seoul have expressed similar thoughts. Robert, an American tourist who visited Gyeongbokgung Palace, shared his experience: “I was worried a lot because it was my first time visiting Seoul, but the tourist attractions and public transportation had detailed English guidance for foreigners, and the safety was so good that I could sightsee safely until late at night.”
In 2016, Tripadvisor even recommended that if you visit Korea, taking the Seoul subway is a must-do, calling it “the one thing tourists should do in any country around the world.”
The Seoul Metropolitan Government emphasized that the selection of Seoul as the most noteworthy “solo travel destination” is largely due to the creation of a “tourism infrastructure that is convenient and safe to enjoy even when visiting alone,” which reflects the latest trends and is a top priority of the “3·3·7·7 Tourism Era” vision announced by Mayor Oh Se-hoon in 2023.
The “3·3·7·7 Tourism Era” aims to achieve ▴30 million foreign tourists ▴3 million won in spending per person ▴7 days of stay ▴70% revisit rate by 2026 and create a “high-quality, attractive city where you want to stay longer and visit again.”
The convenient and safe public transportation system, as well as the “Climate Companion Card” that allows unlimited use of public transportation, convenient taxi-hailing systems, carrier delivery and storage services, and easy payment systems, have all contributed to Seoul’s appeal. In addition, various accommodation options tailored to solo travel styles, such as urban homestays, shared accommodations, and hanok stays, are also popular, in addition to existing accommodation facilities such as hotels and hostels.
The “Climate Companion Card Short-Term Pass,” launched last July, has been charged a total of 487,000 times as of December, and the foreign language charging rate accounts for 75% of the total, establishing itself as an essential item for foreign tourists. Since September, it has also been possible to use the card for travel from Seoul Station on the Airport Railroad Line to Incheon International Airport Terminals 1 and 2 without additional charges.
The festivals and events held 365 days a year add to Seoul’s charm. First of all, the “Hangang Festival,” filled with healthy relaxation and enjoyable experiences, is held year-round, adapting to the characteristics of each season. The Seoul Winter Festa, which attracted 5.39 million domestic and foreign visitors last winter, has established itself as a representative global winter festival.
Despite recent domestic political issues, the “2024 Seoul Winter Festa,” which ran from the end of last year, attracted 5.39 million domestic and foreign tourists (cumulative). Major foreign media outlets such as Qatar (Al Jazeera), China (Xinhua News Agency), and Japan (NNA) also highlighted the Seoul Winter Festa as a “representative festival where you can enjoy a safe and vibrant winter in Seoul.”
Koo Jong-won, director of the Tourism and Sports Bureau of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, said, “As individual travel, also known as ‘honhaeng’ (traveling alone), is establishing itself as a new tourism trend, we will pay more careful attention to the convenience and safety of foreign tourists so that they can feel impressed by Seoul.” “At the same time, we will actively introduce Seoul’s unique and attractive tourism content to create a ‘high-quality, attractive tourism city Seoul’ and accelerate the achievement of the 3·3·7·7 tourism era.”
In addition, Seoul ranked 9th in the top 25 trending travel destinations. Jeju also made the list, ranking 11th.
