How was Seoul, South Korea? Female Solo Travel

🇰🇷 Seoul Solo Trip
December 27–31 | Jongno District
A first solo trip, executed with calm, adaptability, and self-trust.

🏨 Accommodation
Hostel Tommy (호스텔 토미)
📍 2F, 66 Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Verdict: Hands down the right choice. Central, calm, reliable.

🗓️ December 27 — Arrival & Containment
Theme: landing · gentleness · low demand
✈️ Arrival at night
Flight into Seoul (via Haneda)


Customs & baggage


🚕 Transit to hostel
Taxi from airport


Note: Likely overcharged — lesson learned


🏨 Check-in at Hostel Tommy
Quick unpack


Charged phone


Minimal mental load


🍵 Light food nearby
7-Eleven


Warm drink + simple food


🛌 Sleep early
No pressure to “start the trip”


Priority: safety, warmth, rest



🗓️ December 28 — Palaces, Hanbok, Evening Joy
Theme: presence · elegance · quiet wonder
☀️ Morning
🍽️ Breakfast
Hostel Tommy (included)


🏯 Changdeokgung Palace
📍 99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu
🌿 Changdeokgung Secret Garden
🎟️ Pre-booked
Slow walking


Frequent pauses


Deep presence



🍽️ Midday
🥐 Brunch — 오뉴 창덕궁
📍 84 Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu
Warm, grounding, unhurried



👘 Afternoon — Hanbok Day
Hanbok Lina
📍 4F, 101 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu
📝 Reflection:
Royal hanbok was beautiful but difficult to move in


For future: traditional prince/queen styles are more practical


🏯 Gyeongbokgung Palace
📍 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu
Slow roaming


Let the hanbok exist without performing



🌙 Evening
🍲 Dinner — 도담1988
📍 30-16 Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu
🎤 Norebang (Karaoke)
Seventeen Coin Singing Room
📍 110 Nagwon-dong, Jongno-gu
✨ Unplanned joy, chosen freely.

🗓️ December 29 — Urban Flow & Adaptation
Theme: movement · curiosity · adjustment
🍙 Light food from 7-Eleven
Near hostel


Simple, functional


🚶‍♀️ Long walking day
Route unfolded naturally:
Gwangjang Market

📍 88 Changgyeonggung-ro


Cheonggyecheon Stream


Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

📍 281 Eulji-ro


Continued on toward Seongsu-dong (성수동2가)


📝 Lesson:
DDP deserved more time inside — exhibits and fashion events were happening


🚕 Taxi (needed, used correctly)
Legs were exhausted


Good call


💃 1MILLION Dance Studio
Beginner class with SUNSET
📍 33 Ttukseom-ro 13-gil, Seongdong-gu
🍱 Dinner
7-Eleven (Seongsu-dong)


🎤 Karaoke again
Then back to hostel



🗓️ December 30 — Comfort, Shopping, Closure
Theme: softness · ease · integration
🍽️ Light meals
7-Eleven throughout the day


🚶‍♀️ Walk to Myeongdong
🍜 Late Lunch — Needs
📍 13 Mareunnae-ro, Jung-gu
🛍️ Myeongdong Shopping Street
📍 Myeong-dong 2-ga
🐱 Cat Café — Cat’s Sarangchae
📍 3F, 19-3 Myeongdong 10-gil
🚕 Taxi back to hostel
🍦 Ice cream stop at 7-Eleven

🛒 Purchases
Convenience Stores (7-Eleven)
📍
140-1 Waryong-dong


66 Donhwamun-ro


Items:
Power cord converter


Hand warmer


Chocolate milk


Sandwiches


Korean girl hanbok keychain


Pink bunny keychain



Clothing & Accessories
한웨이브리미티드
📍 144 Waryong-dong
Pink gloves, scarf, hat


Myeongdong Shopping Street
Hair accessories (Bling Box)


🚕 Transportation
Kakao-T
⭐ Highly recommend
Reliable


Removed friction when tired



📱 Apps That Actually Mattered
Kakao-T — taxis


NAVER Maps — essential (Google Maps unreliable)


ChatGPT — quick translation & thinking partner


Google Translate — photo translation


Airalo — unlimited 3-day eSIM (excellent)


Booking.com — accommodation



⚠️ Mistake (Noted, Not Repeated)
Exiting baggage claim too quickly → taxi solicitation


Result: likely overcharged


Lesson learned for future arrivals



🏁 Final Verdict
First solo trip: yes


Handled like a beginner? no


Adapted intelligently? absolutely


Where to stay in Seoul?
👉 Hostel Tommy. No hesitation.