Is Seoul safe to visit?

Seoul travel advisory: the short answer

There is no separate advisory for Seoul; it falls under South Korea's. The US State Department lists South Korea at Level 1, its lowest level, and the UK Foreign Office carries no warning against travel to any region. The FCDO notes that tension on the Korean Peninsula can rise after missile tests and during military exercises, but daily life in Seoul carries on normally. Check both pages in the week you fly.

For the national picture, including drug laws, driving and typhoons, see our South Korea safety page.

Taxi overcharging: the most common problem

Overcharging by a minority of taxi drivers is the most reported problem for foreign visitors in Seoul. A lawmaker's data published in October 2026 counted more than 6,000 overcharging reports from foreign passengers in five years, and in 2026 Korean media covered cases of tourists charged hundreds of thousands of won for rides from Myeongdong and to the airports. The city now issues bilingual receipts and, according to a February 2026 report, suspends a driver's licence for 30 days on a first overcharging offence.

• Use the meter or an app. Seoul's standard base fare is 4,800 won for the first 1.6 km; a fixed price quoted at the kerb is a warning sign.

• Take the train from the airport. The AREX and airport limousine buses are fixed-price; see our Incheon airport guide.

• Keep the receipt and report it. Complaints go to the 120 Dasan Call Center or the QR codes in taxis and at Incheon and Gimpo airports.

Nightlife: Itaewon, Hongdae and Gangnam

Seoul's nightlife districts are busy and generally safe, but the FCDO says assaults, including sexual assault, mostly happen around bars and nightlife areas, and it singles out foreigner hotspots such as Itaewon for extra care with passports and cards. Watch your drink, take only licensed taxis or the subway home, and agree any club charge before you go in.

The subway stops running around midnight to 1am, so late nights end in a taxi. Choosing a base on a central line, such as those in where to stay in Seoul, keeps that ride short.

Crowds, Halloween and the Itaewon crush

In October 2022, 159 people died in a crowd crush in an Itaewon alley on Halloween weekend. Since then Seoul's police and district offices run special crowd controls each Halloween in Itaewon, Hongdae, Seongsu and Myeongdong, with thousands of officers, barriers, one-way pedestrian routes and road closures. Large festivals, fireworks on the Han River and concerts get similar treatment.

If you are in a crowd that becomes too dense to move freely, leave early, move diagonally toward open space, keep your arms in front of your chest and follow officers' directions.

Civil-defence drills and North Korea

South Korea holds civil-defence exercises signalled by air-raid sirens; vehicles may be stopped and people directed into subway stations or basements for a short time. The drills are routine and announced in advance in Korean media, and officials' instructions are what to follow. The FCDO advises caution near the DMZ, which is a day trip from Seoul, and says foreigners should not take part in political demonstrations, which are common around Gwanghwamun and City Hall at weekends.

Monsoon floods, heat and fine dust

The summer monsoon, usually from late June to July, brings very heavy rain; in August 2022 flash floods in Seoul killed several people, including residents trapped in a semi-basement flat in Gwanak District, while streets in Gangnam flooded. Avoid underpasses, streams and basement spaces in heavy rain and follow the government's emergency text alerts on your phone. We were in Seoul in June and July 2023, in that rainy window.

From late winter to spring, fine dust and yellow dust can push air quality to unhealthy levels on some days. Check an air-quality app and wear a KF94 mask on bad days if you have asthma or a heart condition; masks are sold in every convenience store.

Solo travel and emergency numbers

Seoul is a comfortable city for solo travellers, including women travelling alone; see solo travel in South Korea. Dial 112 for police and 119 for fire and ambulance. The 1330 Korea Travel Helpline answers tourists in English, Japanese and Chinese. A T-money card covers the subway, buses and many taxis. For the sights, our 3 days in Seoul guide has a day-by-day plan.

Frequently asked questions