POV: I only took my first solo trip at 25 because I felt it would be more satisfying to use my own money

Turning 25 in 2026 was an important milestone in my life, and I wanted to find a way to commemorate it.

After graduating from university and finding a job, I was looking for a more special way of celebrating the occasion.

I had been toying with the idea of a solo trip since early 2025 in my final year of university, and was excited to fulfill this bucket list item as I had never travelled alone before.

Throughout the year, I shortlisted places to visit in South Korea as that was my ideal destination.

However, I put the idea aside, as I could not afford to travel alone as a student.

While I could have definitely asked my parents for some help with the finances, I wanted to pay for it myself when I actually went, as that would be more satisfying and actually feel like adulting.

This was supposed to be something of a solo-traveller guide, but I am not wholly confident that I did everything/anything perfectly, so here are some of the stuff I did to prepare, and some of the stuff that backfired tremendously.

Previous Korea trips with family

In my previous family trips to Korea in 2023 and 2024, I did not have to worry about money since my parents covered all expenses and my sister navigated directions for most of the trips.

But now that I was going alone, I knew I had to be prepared.

Maps

I started by downloading Naver Maps, an application similar to Google Maps, but more commonly used in Korea.

I also created a Google spreadsheet to come up with a budget of S$2,000 for my entire trip.

Then I planned out some places to visit and was off to the airport.

Waiting for my plane, I was sure everything would go well.

Almost fell down the stairs on day 1

Before boarding my budget flight, I had forgotten how long a six-hour flight could feel without in-flight entertainment and did not download any shows on my phone.

Worse still, I forgot to pack a neck pillow and slept in a weird position the entire flight.

After landing at Incheon airport with a stiff neck in the morning, I was still quite far from my accommodations in Seoul.

In my previous trips with family, we simply took a taxi to our hotel, but I was not prepared to splurge on the start of my trip.

I decided to take an express train from the airport to Seoul station before transferring to Myeongdong and then walk eight minutes to my accommodation.

Choosing your luggage

A pertinent issue for me was the choice of luggage. You will understand why later.

In previous trips, our family had taken the cab because of the number of people, as well as a larger budget.

I did not have the luxury of numbers in terms of people or cash, so I found myself taking the train instead.

Which was absolutely fine, of course, but it was the infamous last-mile journey that led to problems.

I had to carry my luggage up and down multiple flights of stairs and on uneven ground until I reached my room.

I nearly fell down the stairs a few times as I made the mistake of picking a luggage at least half my height (I am 151cm), so I could barely see the ground in front of me.

And here's the tangible result of unsuitable luggage.

Creative safety measures

One of the things I was quite worried about all by myself was how to make sure I remained alive.

Make sure your lock will work for multiple room configurations

After checking in, I went about boobytrapping the place in case someone broke into my room at night.

It might seem like a silly worry, but I knew I would easily lose most fights, so I was not taking any chances.

I thought I was smart for preparing a portable lock to secure the door, and I even practised locking my own room door at home.

Unfortunately, the lock did not work at my Korean accommodation, and I had to improvise.

Using the hangar provided, I hooked it around the door in multiple positions until it could balance against a nearby ledge.

It was a chaotic few minutes, and in my panic, I forgot to take a picture of how it looked as the hypothetical intruders were getting closer in my head, but I managed to recreate the contraption back home.

Also, though I bought travel insurance, I really did not want anything to go missing during the trip.

While I initially worried about items in my luggage getting stolen,  the fear evolved into a hypothetical situation where my entire luggage was stolen when I left the room.

If I were a thief, and taller, dragging the entire luggage out of the room seemed an easier option.

So I prepared a bicycle lock and chained my luggage to a curtain blind whenever I left my room.

My editor laughed at my decision, but I still have my luggage with me, so I consider that a win.

Food delivery

Over the next few days, it was quite easy to find places to dine in as a solo traveller, although I must have seemed quite a lonely sight. I would have clarified that I was on a trip celebrating my independence, but my language skills had not yet caught up with my aspirations.

Still, very good food.

That language barrier soon heavily impeded my late-night cravings.

Apps and requirements

I was too lazy (and scared) to walk to a convenience store in the dark.

So I decided to order food delivery. Easier said than done.

I quickly found out through a Google search that most delivery apps require a Korean phone number.

Since I bought e-SIM data for my entire trip, I found myself left with these options — the Yogiyo app and the Creatrip app.

I opened the Yogiyo app feeling very hopeful, and this was what I saw:

Creatrip it was.

Changed plans

Perhaps the most useful tip for solo travellers I can think of it to be adaptable to change.

For most of the trip, I stuck to the plan and visited cafes and shops I had shortlisted in my Google spreadsheets.

That was until the fourth day of my trip. I was going to visit an art museum, and the plan was to change trains twice before walking for about nine minutes.

Everything was going well until it was time for my nine-minute walk.

I must have done something wrong because at minute six, that short stroll became a 21-minute journey.

Now I was faced with a 21-minute walk or bus ride, which I would most definitely get lost on.

Change of plans time.

So I went to Insadong instead for a nice lunch at a two-generation restaurant and cafe-hopped afterwards.

I also wandered into a nearby shopping street and bought this:

It was a good day.

Met family friends

This last hack is an absolute privilege that some solo travellers might not have access to, but if you do, I would highly recommend you utilise it.

Family and friends

One of my family friends realised before our trips that our dates coincided, though she was travelling in Jeju before coming to Seoul.

We decided to hang out together with her parents for half a day and explore the city.

It was nice talking about the food items vendors were selling, with other people out loud, instead of keeping the thoughts in my head.

But the best part was finally taking a taxi to Mangwon market for dinner.

I think I had the best sleep of my trip, slumped in the backseat without having to worry too much about my surroundings.

It was my first late night on the trip where I had company and didn't have to worry less about safety.

I also (very sincerely) asked for my share of the expenses for the day out, but they very kindly told me it was their treat.

End of the trip

The next morning, I woke up early to catch an afternoon flight home and made it to the airport with quite a bit of time to spare.

Not wanting to bruise my knees again, I took a taxi this time.

Most tax refunds applied immediately

With a handful of tax refund receipts, I headed for the tax refund kiosk and was excited to save some money from discounts.

However, it turns out tax refunds are mostly applied immediately, but I still managed to claim a small amount.

And bonus, I didn't go over my budget at all.

It was a slightly more complicated trip because I was alone. I had no one but a map to consult over wrong turns, and I had more wrong turns because I wasn't cabbing to the locations. Still, I have no regrets about waiting till I could afford this trip, and paying out of my own pocket.

It might sound weird, but I felt a deeper ownership of the highs (late-night chicken, anti-theft inventions), as well as the lows (injuries and failed anti-theft inventions). And I had gotten 1,000 won (close to S$1) from the tax refunds, score.

Top photos by Mothership, Gracia's family friend