Seoul for travelling couples: night-time safety, getting help and public bath etiquette

Seoul pairs a huge nightlife scene with a very orderly public culture. This guide is informational travel education; it does not recommend venues and contains nothing explicit. The safety facts come from the UK government's travel advice (FCDO), consulted on 7 November 2026; the public bath section reflects what several tourist guides agree on and should be confirmed at each establishment.

Crime and the night

The FCDO says most reported crimes are thefts and advises keeping passports, cards and cash secure in crowded areas and places popular with foreigners, such as Itaewon. Assaults, including sexual assaults, have also been reported, mostly around bars and nightlife areas. The advice is to avoid travelling alone at night and to use only legitimate taxis or public transport. Many drivers speak little English, so carry your destination written in Korean, ideally with a map.

Drugs, alcohol and ID

Possession, use or trafficking of drugs can bring long prison sentences and heavy fines, including for small amounts of marijuana, and foreigners have been detained solely on the basis of drug tests. The legal blood alcohol limit for drivers is less than half of England's, with prison and fines as penalties. You are legally required to carry some form of ID, although police rarely ask for it.

Helplines

• 112 police; 119 ambulance and fire.
• 1330, the Korea Tourism Organization travel hotline: help in several languages including English, and three-way calls with emergency services. The FCDO lists its hours as 7:00 to midnight.
• Dasan: +82 2 120, Monday to Friday 9:00 to 18:00, with interpretation.
• Danuri: 1577 1366, 24 hours, with interpretation.

Public baths (jjimjilbang): basic rules

Seoul tourist guides agree on the essentials: shower before entering the pools, bathe without a swimsuit in sex-segregated areas, do not use phones or cameras in the bath, tie up long hair and do not eat in that area. Common areas are mixed and everyone wears the uniform the venue provides. Some places restrict visible tattoos, so call ahead. This is an everyday activity and has no sexual character: respect modesty and other people's privacy.

Sources

• GOV.UK, Foreign Travel Advice South Korea: Safety and security and Getting help.
• Seoul Tourism, jjimjilbang guide (commercial site; details to be confirmed at each venue).