South Korea

8 Things to Know Before Visiting South Korea with Kids

As I was prepping my Seoul with Kids post, I realized just how much there is to know before visiting South Korea as a family.  While none of these things are strictly necessary (except visa info, of course), they are the kinds of tips that make a trip smoother. 

Having gone a little blind ourselves on our maiden trip in July 2025, we learned plenty the hard way.  Hopefully, these will save you some of those headaches as you plan your next family trip to South Korea with kids.

South Korea marked country #51 for us, and we are not new to traveling with kids.  However, each country has its quirks (including our now home country of Portugal) and a little information can go a long way in preparing for a new place.

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1. South Korea Loves Families

One of the best surprises?  South Korea is wonderfully family-friendly.  I felt a lot more welcome here with kids than I did in Japan (although we still love you, Japan!).  We found the culture to be a bit more relaxed and western while still maintaining strong roots.

While the country’s birth rate is famously low, kids are loved and welcomed.  From food stalls to subway rides, we consistently felt warmth and patience toward our children.

2. We LOVED the Food in South Korea… Kids Included!

Our kids dove right into Korean food.  We quickly joked that KFC definitely shouldn’t mean Kentucky Fried Chicken here — it should be Korean Fried Chicken! 

Fried chicken dominates markets and casual eateries, and it is unbelievably good. 

Other kid-approved favorites included fluffy soufflé pancakes, kimchi pork rolls, candied fruit skewers and saucy breaded chicken from the Myeongdong night market.

Pro Tip: Korean food can be spicy, but you can ask for mild:
👉 Anjeo maepge (안 매운 거 주세요) = “Please make it not spicy.”

3. Where You Stay in Seoul with Kids Matters

Family-friendly accommodations exist in Seoul and other big cities, but don’t expect sprawling space.  Like much of Asia, hotel rooms and apartments can be small.

We stayed at the Koreana Hotel downtown.  The building is a bit older, but the location was excellent, and the rooms were more spacious than many others we saw.  We booked two adjoining rooms, each with two queen beds, a desk and a roomy bathroom — a win for a family of seven.

Other good places to consider with a family: 

Jamsil is a favorite for families, thanks to the incredible Lotte World complex with its indoor theme park, massive shopping mall and one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world.  Balance the thrills with a relaxing stroll or boat ride around scenic Seokchon Lake, making Jamsil the perfect mix of excitement and calm.

Myeongdon is a must for families with teens who love fashion, beauty, and food. The bustling streets are packed with cosmetic shops, trendy boutiques, and endless street food stalls. It’s a lively district where shopping sprees and snack-hopping go hand in hand.

Dongdaemun For older kids and adventurous families, Dongdaemun offers a one-of-a-kind, high-energy experience. Famous for its late-night shopping scene and the futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) This district comes alive after dark, making it an unforgettable stop on your Seoul adventure.

4. Getting Around with Kids in Seoul: Public Transport, Maps & Cards

Airport Transportation with Kids in Seoul

When we landed in Seoul, we discovered the Airport Limousine Buses — luxury coaches that whisk you directly from the airport to downtown hotels. 

After a long flight, sinking into a spacious seat instead of wrangling taxis was a gift.  We also used them to get back to the airport — stress-free and affordable.  

Tip: Book your round-trip ticket when you arrive in Seoul.  I only booked the ticket to our hotel, not knowing really what we were getting into.  Thankfully, our hotel offered the tickets at their counter (I found it impossible to figure out online), but they only had adult tickets, so we paid more than we should have.

Public Transit with Kids in Seoul

Seoul’s subway system is safe, efficient and affordable.  Sidewalks are wide and stroller-friendly, although be aware that many subway entrances require stairs.  A lightweight, foldable stroller works best.

• Kids under six ride free on subways and buses.
  
• Ages 6–12 get discounted fares with a child T-Money card.  These are found at convenience stores, and you need cash.

Pro Tip: Can’t find an ATM that works?  I had the same problem. 
Try the ATMs in the train stations!

T-Money Cards with Kids in Seoul

These T-Mondey cards are essential.  You need one card per person (including kids), which you can buy and reload with cash at convenience stores. 

Pro Tip: Remember to tap as you exit buses if you’re transferring to another — otherwise, you’ll be charged extra.

Navigation Apps (Google Maps Doesn’t Work) in Seoul

Google Maps is nearly useless for directions in South Korea because of government restrictions on mapping data. Instead, use:

• Naver Map (네이버 지도): Available in English, Korean, Chinese and Japanese.  Great for walking, driving and transit.
  
• KakaoMap (카카오맵): Also in English; especially good for finding cafes, restaurants and detailed walking routes.
  
• Subway Korea / KakaoMetro: Easy subway planners.
  
• Kakao T: For booking taxis (like Uber).
  

Pro Tip: Download both Naver and Kakao, switch to English, and practice before your trip.  Also check out my Apps for Travel In Asia!

5. Eating Out with Kids in Seoul

Food in South Korea is an adventure, and kids may surprise you with what they love.  Our kids loved the food in Seoul and we all loved the night markets.  We’ve visited night markets all around Asia and Seoul has one of the best!

• Korean BBQ: Cook meat at your table with endless side dishes.  Kids love the novelty, but be mindful of hot grills if you have little ones.  I would only recommend this for ages 5+ (or older, depending on your kids).  Fresh and healthy!
  
• Street Markets: Don’t miss Myeongdong (our favorite — we went twice), Gwangjang Market (more traditional), and Namdaemun (a mix of food + goods).
  
• Seafood: It’s everywhere, but if your kids aren’t fans, there are plenty of alternatives.
  
• High Chairs: Not guaranteed.  Bring a travel booster or be ready to use your stroller at the table.
  
• Cultural Etiquette: Never stick chopsticks upright in rice — it symbolizes death.
  
• Kid Favorites to Try: dumplings (mandu), kimbap rolls, Korean pancakes (pajeon) and fried chicken

6. Essentials to Bring with Kids in Seoul

• Strollers: Sidewalks are wide, but markets and palaces may have stairs.  Use a lightweight, foldable stroller.
  
• Changing Rooms: Found in malls, airports and some subway stations — but not everywhere.  Carry a portable mat.  Thankfully, we are out of this stage now, but I’ve changed many diapers around the world!!  Bring a bag in case you have a hard time finding a trash can.  It’s not as hard to find as Japan, but also not easy.
  
• Family Restrooms: Look for them in large venues, such as train stations.
  
• Convenience Stores: Lifesavers for snacks, milk, diapers and wipes.  We gave our teenagers our leftover cash at the end of our stay, and they created a “tasting session” for their siblings out of new and cool-looking drinks and snacks.  The kids loved it!

7. Family Activities in Seoul with Kids

South Korea has no shortage of kid-friendly attractions:

• Theme Parks: Lotte World (indoor + outdoor, perfect for mixed ages) and Everland (larger, with rides and animals)
  
• Animal Cafes: Cat, dog, raccoon and meerkat cafes.  Choose carefully; some are more ethical than others.  Also pay attention to the minimum age requirements!  We LOVE animal cafes and have visited many around Asia.
  
• Museums & Play Spaces: Children’s Grand Park, Seoul Children’s Museum, and Coex Aquarium
  
• Nature: Namsan Seoul Tower cable car, Seoul Forest and parks along the Han River with bike rentals
  

I’m working on a comprehensive guide of what to do with kids in Seoul. 
There is a ton to do!!

8. Booking Travel & Logistics with Kids in Seoul

Booking travel in South Korea can be tricky because many hotels don’t have English-friendly websites.  We relied on Booking.com for most of our stays.

Many attractions offer discounts for families and kids, so check ticket pricing ahead of time. Buying online in advance also saves time in queues.

Other Things That Surprised Us with Kids in Seoul

• Guides on the Street: In Seoul, we often found volunteer “guides” stationed in tourist areas, eager to help with directions or recommendations.  Such a thoughtful touch for visitors.
  
• Crowds: Popular areas (Myeongdong, palaces, subways at rush hour) get packed. Hold hands with younger kids and avoid rush hour if possible.
  
• Seasons: Summers are hot, humid, and can bring typhoons. Winters are cold. Spring (cherry blossoms) and autumn (fall foliage) are more comfortable.  Pick what works best for you!  I was a lot more sweaty on our summer visit than I would have liked!
  
• Cash Still Matters: Cards are widely accepted, but keep cash for markets and small restaurants.

• Stay Central: Families recommend Myeongdong or Dongdaemun for easy food + transit.
  
• Plan for Indoor Days: Seoul’s aquariums, museums and malls save the day in bad weather.
  
• Pace Yourself: Build in downtime — Seoul can bring on sensory overload.
  
• Hanok Stay: A night in a traditional Korean house is a highlight for many families. Heated floors (ondol) are especially cozy in winter.  I’d be nervous to try this, but I can stay overnight in Thailand, I could take this on also!

South Korea is an incredible destination for families.  It’s safe, modern and endlessly fascinating, yet full of quirks that can trip up unprepared travelers.  We would love to get back to South Korea and dig into the culture more.  We loved everything about it.

Additional Readings

Chiang Mai with Kids

Siem Reap for Families: Top Things To Do with Kids

Hong Kong with Kids: A Family Adventure You’ll Never Forget

Eating Your Way Through Portugal – Traditional Food You Can’t Miss!