top of page

You Might Also Like

Subscribe to our newsletter

🇰🇷 South Korea Family Trip: Seoul and Busan


Introduction


Are you planning to travel to South Korea with your kids or maybe with your parents?


Here we prepared a small guide for this country that symbolizes resilience, innovation, and offers plenty of inspiration for all ages.


ree


We were impressed by how clean and safe it is. Safety levels are so high that many people leave their belongings on the coffee shops table/seats without worry (similar to Taiwan).


The city infrastructure we experienced was both functional and modern, for e.g. there were parasols for waiting areas to cross the road, and the lights to signal when you can cross to those who are looking at their smartphones, etc.


Umbrella/parasol to shield those waiting to cross the road!
Umbrella/parasol to shield those waiting to cross the road!

South Korea’s rapid transformation from a war-torn country in the 1950s to one of the world’s most technologically advanced nations is often called the “Miracle on the Han River.”


Another major turning point in South Korea’s modern history was the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, which severely impacted its economy (Anyone else watching or watched the "Typhoon family" K-drama? 🤭). The country had to seek a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), leading to significant corporate and financial reforms. Yet, from that hardship emerged a stronger, more resilient Korea: fueling the growth of major conglomerates like Samsung, Hyundai, and LG, now global icons of innovation.


In recent decades, South Korea has also seen a remarkable cultural rise, with K-pop, cinema, and Korean dramas (K-dramas) captivating audiences worldwide.


I still remember some interesting facts our Korean friend shared with us about the Korean language: Hangul, which was created in the 15th century by King Sejong the Great to make literacy accessible to everyone. And it’s now considered one of the most efficient writing systems in the world!



Impressive views from the Express Train from Incheon Airport to Seoul
Impressive views from the Express Train from Incheon Airport to Seoul

After years of travel restrictions due to COVID-19, our first family trip abroad was to South Korea. We visited the two largest cities: Seoul in the north and Busan in the south.


One thing that stood out to us was that English is not as commonly spoken, even among those working in the hospitality industry (hotels, airports, restaurants). So make sure you download those translator apps and get an eSim or local Sim to translate the restaurant menus!


Whether you’re planning a Worldschooling trip, are interested in the country’s culture and history, or simply love K-pop and K-dramas… here are our travel tips to help you make the most of your visit.


ree





Before You Go: Entry & Travel Essentials



What is K-ETA?


K-ETA is an electronic travel authorization required for many visa-free foreign visitors who plan to enter South Korea for tourism, visiting family, attending meetings or events, basically short-term stays under certain conditions.



Key Details:

  • You apply online (via website or mobile app) and submit travel information, passport details and a photo.

  • Fee: 10,000 KRW (or the equivalent) for many applicants.

  • Validity: Typically multiple entries during its validity period.

  • Application timeline: Generally at least 72 hours before boarding is recommended (though you might apply earlier).

  • Be careful of non-official websites/agents charging extra fee or claiming to be “official”. The only official site is www.k‐eta.go.kr.


If your country is not on the list of nations eligible for the K-ETA, you will need to apply for a tourist visa.


Other practical prep


  • Travel insurance: recommend if you don't have as a benefit of your credit card/bank (check the conditions)


  • Power adapters (Type C/F)


    ree



Practical Tips for Parents

  • Bring or buy mosquito repellent and sunscreen, or go to Olive Young to get some (Japanese/Korean brands are great).

  • Carry cash (some markets don’t take cards).

  • Use baby rooms (nursing/changing rooms) available in malls and airports.

  • Learn basic Korean phrases, even simple greetings go a long way!

  • Stay connected: rent portable Wi-Fi or Korean SIM card/eSim.

  • Respect local customs: remove shoes indoors, quiet in public transport.



When to Visit South Korea


It will depend on what you’re looking for — flowers? autumn landscapes? snow? beach? South Korea offers all of that through its clearly defined seasons:


🌸 Spring (April–June): cherry blossoms and great weather!


🍂 Autumn (September–November): parks filled with golden leaves, also great weather!


☀️ Summer (July–August): water activities, but with heat and the rainy season between June and September. We went in August and honestly, it was great!


❄️ Winter (December–February): snow and ice festivals — perfect if you like skiing, but not ideal if you’re not used to the cold!


💡 Tip: Avoid weeks with long holidays such as in May and October, and Chuseok (around September), if you don’t enjoy large crowds of tourists.


Sunny days in August (Busan)
Sunny days in August (Busan)


How to Get There & Transportation in Korea


Arriving:


  • Direct flights from many of the Asian main cities (Taipei, Hong Kong, Tokyo, etc.)

  • Seoul, Incheon International Airport (ICN)

  • Busan, Gimhae International Airport (PUS)


Kids' Zone at the Terminal 2 - Incheon Airport
Kids' Zone at the Terminal 2 - Incheon Airport


Getting around:


  • KTX (bullet train): Fast and comfortable. Connects Seoul with major cities like Busan (2.5 hours), Daegu (1.5 hours), Gwangju, Daejeon, and more.


  • T-money Card or Korea Tour Card: Used for subway, bus, some taxis, and purchases at convenience stores. The basic card costs ₩3,000-4,000 and can be recharged at subway stations and stores.


💡Tip: If you're traveling with a stroller, look for exits with elevators on the maps (for example, you can configure Google Maps for routes that need wheelchair accessibility).




Where to Stay (Family-Friendly Areas & Hotels)


Seoul: Myeongdong, Insadong, or Jamsil. Safe, walkable, near attractions. Some recommend Hongdae, but for us as a family with young children we found it a bit overwhelming! Our younger, child-free selves would have surely liked it. We also really loved the area near Namsan close to Seoul Tower.


We stayed in Koreana Hotel 코리아나 호텔 and Crown Park Hotel Seoul. Good locations, very basic hotels but you have everything you need for a short-stay.


Who else still loves a good old-fashioned paper foldable map?
Who else still loves a good old-fashioned paper foldable map?

Busan: Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli. Seaside vibe and playgrounds.

Seomyeon for more of a city vibe.


There's a coin-laundry downstairs. Very basic apartments but we had all we needed as we spent almost all day out in the beach anyways!


Haeundae has such a cool vibe, high-rise buildings, lots of restaurants by the sea, traditional markets close by.
Haeundae has such a cool vibe, high-rise buildings, lots of restaurants by the sea, traditional markets close by.

  • Amenities to look for: family rooms, laundry (for longer stays), kitchenette, nearby convenience stores/supermarkets to save on food, playgrounds nearby.


  • Some well-known family friendly chains in South Korea: Lotte Hotel, Novotel Ambassador, Shilla Stay.




Food & Dining Tips


  • Restaurants/Cafeterias often provide high chairs and utensils for kids.

  • Bring snacks, not all dishes suit young children’s palates and some maybe too spicy for little ones.

  • Use Apps like Naver Map for reviews.

  • For picky eaters: plenty of Western or chain restaurants in major cities.



It can be tricky to order in some small restaurants! We (adults) liked it, but too spicy for our kids.
It can be tricky to order in some small restaurants! We (adults) liked it, but too spicy for our kids.

If you don't speak Korean like us, you could consider keeping a note in your mobile with some phrases like this one:

"아이 먹을 거라서 안 맵게 해주세요" (a-i meog-eul geo-ra-seo an maep-ge hae-ju-se-yo)

"A child will eat it, so please make it not spicy"

This might not be always possible as they may already have prepared it before-hand, but you can try.




In Seoul there are so many restaurant options, the key is to search on Google Maps/Naver Maps and read the reviews. Our kids love Korean food! Top 5 dishes?:


  1. Korean Barbecue

  2. Bulgogi

  3. Korean Fried Chicken

  4. Kimchi jjigae

  5. Mandu


And of course all the great coffee shops and dessert stores!


ree



In Busan we really enjoyed ending the day by the beach eating at "Spain Club".


ree


It was also super fun to walk by the Haeundae Traditional Market, so many food options.






Top Things to Do in South Korea with Kids



Seoul


First things first, we like to start by exploring the surroundings of our accommodation. Those are the dates we usually end up doing 15.000 - 20.000 steps, totally worth it! You get a first idea of what the city is like.


Seoul Plaza
Seoul Plaza


Hoping they don't fall into the water 😅 - Cheonggyecheon 청계천
Hoping they don't fall into the water 😅 - Cheonggyecheon 청계천



The most mentioned are usually these: (but honestly the tickets are a bit pricey in our opinion and we prefer to visit other attractions):




Museums: more suitable for teens/adults





Our favorites:




Seoul Animation Center (Closed now)
Seoul Animation Center (Closed now)

Views from Namsan
Views from Namsan


In Busan:





Others we didn't visit but worth considering:





Final Thoughts


I personally loved exploring Seoul and Busan. I really appreciated the great infrastructures, how safe it is, it's a country that is pretty easy to navigate despite some language barriers.


And to be really honest, I loved going into Olive Young and just go through all the amazing stuff they have, even if I just end up buying like only two things 😅.


ree

It was a perfect first trip abroad after long time of COVID quarantines. We recommend dedicating at least 1-2 weeks to this country and try the bullet trains to explore other cities or towns.


Our kids were 8 and 5 years old then, so some of the memories of this trip might not be as clear as time passes. But some things they remember are our walks on Namsan Park and hiking to the Namsan Tower. We saw so many roly poly (pill bugs) and they loved searching for more!


They also remember a cicada that was in its final hours of life outside the Gyeongbokgung Palace.




ree


They definitely remember this one meter candy (looks longer in the picture, but it was about the size of our 5yo):


ree


We hope you've enjoyed reading this blog post and it serves you as inspiration or you get some useful tips for planning your own South Korea Trip!


Follow us on Instagram and feel free to share these resources with friends and family.


ree

Comments

bottom of page