South Korea

8 Things to Know Before Visiting South Korea with Kids

8 Things to Know Before Visiting South Korea with Kids

Trying drinks in Seoul

▶Seoul drinks 6 sec

Trying drinks in Seoul — a moment from the July 2025 family trip.

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.  Not every entry step applies to every traveler, but checking the requirements is essential. Check the visa, K-ETA, and e-Arrival Card requirements separately for each traveler’s nationality, passport, age, and travel date through the official Korea Visa Portal, K-ETA site, and e-Arrival Card Navigator. Do not assume a visa, K-ETA, and arrival declaration are interchangeable.

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.

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! 

We loved the Korean fried chicken we tried in Seoul. 

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:
👉 An maeun geo juseyo (안 매운 거 주세요) = “Please give me something that is 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.

Our favorite part of hotel downtime in Seoul? Sampling every Korean snack and drink in sight!

Original family clip: Trying drinks in South Korea (MOV) · Open the original drinks clip on Vimeo.

Other good places to consider with a family: 

Jamsil is an option to consider for families, with the Lotte World complex, shopping, Lotte World Tower, and a stroll around scenic Seokchon Lake. Check current schedules, access, and ticket details before visiting.

Myeongdong may be worth considering for families with teens interested in fashion, beauty, and food. Check current shop and street-food options before you go.

Dongdaemun can be an energetic option for older kids and adventurous families, with shopping areas and the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). Check current opening hours and activities before visiting.

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. The operator lists scheduled routes between Incheon Airport and Seoul stops; check the current route and timetable for your lodging.

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: Check the operator’s current ticketing instructions and child-fare terms for each direction before traveling. On our July 2025 trip, I booked only the ticket to our hotel, not knowing what to expect. Thankfully, our hotel sold return tickets at its counter, but had adult tickets only, so we paid more than we should have. At the time, I found the online information impossible to figure out.

Public Transit with Kids in Seoul

We found Seoul’s subway system efficient and affordable for our trip. Check current fares, transfers, and station access for your route. Sidewalks can be wide and stroller-friendly, although many subway entrances require stairs. A lightweight, foldable stroller works best.

• Free travel for young children depends on the service and accompanying adult. Seoul city buses allow up to three under-six children per adult guardian; check the subway and airport-coach rules separately.
  
• Ask the seller to confirm the correct child or youth fare and any age registration needed for a Tmoney card. Cards can be bought at participating convenience stores; check accepted payment and top-up methods.

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

Tmoney cards can be convenient.  Paying passengers generally need their own valid fare medium. Check whether a young child qualifies for free travel before buying a separate card, and confirm current purchase and top-up options. 

Pro Tip: Tap when boarding and leaving the bus, and check the current transfer conditions for your route; a missed tap can affect the fare or transfer discount.

Navigation Apps for Seoul

Navigation features and coverage can change. Test your planned routes before the trip and compare the current walking, driving, and transit options. These apps are worth checking:

• 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.

Check each attraction’s current family pricing and ticket terms. Advance purchase may help with entry planning, but policies vary.

Original family short: Traditional hanbok at the Seoul palace. We rented traditional hanbok costumes to enjoy the palace in Seoul!

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.

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

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