Seoul, South Korea, is an exciting destination year-round, but Seoul winter travel offers something really unique – if you can withstand the chilly temperatures!
From snow-covered landscapes to quirky winter activities, there’s plenty to explore as a family! But, dressing warmly is essential, with temperatures dropping as low as -13°C when we visited. We opted for waterproof ski jackets with hoods to help keep the kids warm. And had them layered with plenty of winter thermals if we were planning on spending a long time outdoors.
But, don’t stress if you happen to be a little unprepared. Seoul is famous for its many shopping options, where you can easily pick up gloves, scarves, thermals, and winter boots.
If you’re looking for the best Seoul day trips to enjoy with kids, here are some top winter experiences in South Korea that you shouldn’t miss!
Tour to Nami Island, Gangchon Rail Bike and Petite France
If you want to make life a little easier on yourself, particularly when it’s so cold out, consider booking an organised tour. Pick up is early (around 7.45 a.m.), and don’t expect to return to Seoul until around 8 p.m.
Many tours let you squeeze in multiple activities and site visits in the one day, so they’re a great way to see a lot in a short amount of time. We booked a tour to visit Nami Island, Gangchon Rail Bike and Petite France tour in one day via Klook, a great site that offers plenty of options and discounts for foreigners visiting Korea. The tour is also customisable, with slightly different packages available, so you can select the most appealing options. Tickets are around USD$70 per person, depending on the specific tour you choose and include transport, entry tickets, and an English-speaking guide, making travel hassle-free.
Gangchon Rail Bike: A Fun Start to the Day
Our first stop was Gangchon Rail Bike, about 1.5 hours from Seoul. This pedal-powered ride takes you through the countryside, offering scenic views of the river and snow-covered landscapes. The random highlight, especially for the kids? The themed tunnels featuring disco lights and music — it was kind of like a mini-rave on wheels!
Bikes are available for either two or four people (or five if you add in a toddler on your lap!). If you’ve got more than 4 in your family, check with the tour operator first to make sure you can all do the ride together. You need to have a bit of strength to pedal so you obviously need adults with kids.
👉 Tip: Rail bike slots can fill up quickly. Book your tickets in advance to secure your spot.
Nami Island: A Winter Wonderland
Most tours will offer you the chance to experience a delicious and authentic chicken lunch of Chuncheon Dalgakbi, prepared in a spicy sauce with various vegetables. The dish is cooked on an individual hot plate right on your table. The meal isn’t included on the tour and is completely optional.
It’s then a short ferry ride to Nami Island (there is also a zipline available if you’re an adventure seeker!). Famous for its tree-lined paths and Korean drama filming locations, it’s a pretty spot for leisurely walks and some quirky family photos. Like many activities in Korea, it’s a little bit kitsch!
👉 Tip: If visiting during peak season, consider purchasing a combo ticket with Nami Island and nearby attractions to save money.
Petite France: A Taste of Europe in Korea
Our final stop on the tour was Petite France, a charming French-themed village with colourful buildings, antique shops, and Christmas decorations that added to the festive spirit. If you’re visiting Korea during the holidays, this stop is perfect for getting into the Christmas mood!
Snowy Land
If you’re looking for an alternative to skiing, SnowyLand at Vivaldi Park is a great option for kids. We booked our day visit via Trazy, which included round-trip transportation from central Soul, entry tickets to the park, and a gondola pass.
Gear Rental & Essentials (for Seoul Winter Travel)
Before heading up the slopes, we rented snow gear for about $100 USD for all five of us. You can find affordable rental options at the base of the mountain or book in advance via Trazy.
Top Activities at SnowyLand
SnowyLand offers four main sledding areas with plenty of options for kids of different ages and confidence levels. Some options have height restrictions, and for little ones, you’ll need to ride with them, but that’s half the fun!
Rafting Sleigh Slope
A great option for large families – the five of us fit in this ride easily. Sitting in a big yellow inflatable boat, you head down the slope a little faster than expected! An extra bonus is friendly staff who offer to take pics at the top before you head down.
Snowy Racing
There are two Snow Racing slopes on offer. The lowest level is 20 degrees and less speedy. If you’re with older kids or an adrenaline junky, I highly recommend the 30-degree option. You sit on a blow-up tyre for this one and can connect with another, making it fun with one child and one adult. This one is height-restricted for both the small and larger slides.
Kids Sleigh Slope
This one is great for kids aged 3 and up. If your kids are over 110cm-high, they can sled by themselves. Otherwise, you get to have a go too!
Family Sleigh Slope
This is a great one for little kids. Children over 130cm can enjoy the slope themselves.
The Snow Village
You can spend time in the Snow Village building your own snowman or playing with the Pororo little mini house and car displays. Nearby is some outdoor seating and food vans if you need a pit stop.
👉 Tip: Lockers are available for storing personal items, and restaurants are on-site serving hot soups, pizza, and snacks.
Details: The trip from Seoul takes around 1 1/2 hours each way – price includes pick up from central station in Seoul.
Other Seoul Winter Travel Ideas
Garden of Morning Calm Winter Light Festival
If you love winter illuminations, the Garden of Morning Calm hosts a spectacular light festival. While we skipped it due to the freezing temperatures at night, it’s a great choice for visitors looking for a romantic or family-friendly evening activity.
👉 Best way to visit? Book a Garden of Morning Calm & Nami Island tour via Klook or Trazy.
You can also get there yourself by taking local transport from Seoul
By Bus:
- Direct Bus: From Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (Gangbyeon Station, Line 2), take a bus to Cheongpyeong Bus Terminal. You’ll then need to catch a local bus (numbers 31-1, 31-7, or 31-17) or book a taxi to the Garden of Morning Calm. Purchase a T-money Card, which is the most widely used transportation card in Korea. You can buy and top it up at various convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven) or subway stations.
By Train:
- ITX Train: Depart from Yongsan Station or Cheongnyangni Station to Cheongpyeong Station. From there, you can also take a local bus or a taxi to the garden.
Cost:
- Unless it’s the busy season you can just buy a ticket on arrival. You can also pre-purchase tickets online during peak seasons (Lighting Festival is typically busy so it is worth considering buying ahead of time).
- The price is around AUD$12 for adults, $AUD$10 for teenagers and AUD$8 for kids (under 12). Kids under 3 are free.
DMZ Tour: Visit the North-South Korea Border
Many companies offer half-day or full-day tours, some allowing children under 12. If you’re interested in history and geopolitics, this is an eye-opening experience. But depending on your kids it may be a bit much as it’s a long day.
Tours include all entry fees, a roundtrip shared transfer, a licensed English-speaking guide, and hotel pick-up (if the hotel is centrally located in Seoul). Food and drinks are extra. The tour lasts around 7 hours.
Ticket prices are approximately AUD$75 for kids and AUD$90 for adults.
👉 Where to book? Trusted providers include GetYourGuide and Klook.
Best Things to Do in Seoul During Winter with Kids
While this post focuses mainly on the best day trips outside Seoul to do during winter, there are also plenty of winter travel options in the city itself.
Here’s your ultimate Seoul travel guide for families, including details on each activity, costs in AUD, and how to get there:
1. Ice Skating at Seoul Plaza
Seoul Plaza transforms into a beautiful ice rink in winter. Perfect for families, this outdoor activity is a great way to enjoy the chilly weather while having fun with your kids
Admission is only about $2, which includes skate rental.
How to Get There:
- Subway Line 1 to City Hall Station, Exit 5.
- The rink is directly in front of the station.
2. Snow Sledding at Ttukseom Han River Park
There is a fun snow sledding hill at Ttukseom Han River Park, where kids can zoom down the snowy slopes. It’s a great way to burn off energy while enjoying the winter weather.
Cost is about $7 per person for sledding.
How to Get There:
- Subway Line 7 to Ttukseom Resort Station, Exit 2.
- The park is a short walk from the station. Remember to use Kakao maps or NAVER as Google maps don’t work in Korea.
3. Visit Lotte World’s Indoor Theme Park
Lotte World is a HUGE indoor theme park that’s got lots of action-packed rides, character parades, and an ice-skating rink. Given its variety, it offers lots of for kids of all ages.
Approximate one day pass costs in Aussie dollars:
- $70 for adults
- $60 for teenagers (ages 12 to 18)
- $50 for kids age 4 to 12
- Kids under 3 are free
How to Get There:
- Subway Line 2 or 8 to Jamsil Station, Exit 4.
- Lotte World is directly connected to the station.
4. Explore Everland’s Winter Festival
Korean’s love a theme park! Everland is Korea’s largest theme park. It hosts a magical Winter Festival with Christmas parades, festive illuminations, and fun attractions. It’s another great option for families to enjoy the holiday season.
Approximate cost in Australian dollars:
- $60 for adults
- $50 for kids
How to Get There:
- From Gangnam Station (Subway Line 2), take Bus 5002 to Everland.
- Alternatively, from Jamsil Station (Subway Line 2), take Bus 5700.
5. Visit a Jjimjilbang (Korean Sauna)
Jjimjilbangs are traditional Korean saunas that offer a relaxing experience for the whole family. Many jjimjilbangs have special rooms for kids and families, and they’re a great way to warm up after exploring the cold.
Cost:
- Entry fees range from about $8 to $15 depending on the facility
How to Get There:
- Dragon Hill Spa: Take Subway Line 1 to Yongsan Station.
- Siloam Sauna: Take Subway Line 1 to Seoul Station.
6. Try Winter Street Food at Gwangjang Market
You can try to warm up with Korean street foods like hotteok (sweet pancakes), tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), and odeng (fish cakes) at Gwangjang Market. Depending on how open your kids are to trying new foods, this can be a fun and tasty experience! Where you can get snacks from $1.
How to Get There:
- Subway Line 1 to Jongno 5-ga Station, Exit 8.
- The market is a short walk from the station.
7. See the Snow at Namsan Seoul Tower
Namsan Seoul Tower offers incredible views of the city blanketed in snow – if you happen to time your visit with snowfall. Take the cable car or hike up to the top, where you can enjoy the winter wonderland and spectacular panoramic views.
Cost:
- $10 AUD for adults
- $7 AUD for children (round-trip cable car tickets)
How to Get There:
- From Myeongdong Station (Subway Line 4), Exit 3, walk to the Namsan Cable Car station.
8. Hit the Slopes at a Ski Resort – Perfect Seoul Winter Travel Fun!
If your family is into skiing, there are plenty of ski resorts perfect for beginners and kids. Resorts like Yongpyong, Bears Town, and Vivaldi Park offer skiing, snowboarding, and sledding.
Cost:
- Day passes range from $77.00 to $110.00 AUD, including equipment rental
How to Get There:
- Many ski resorts offer shuttle buses from Seoul.
- Check specific resort websites for shuttle bus details.
9. Visit COEX Aquarium
If you want to escape the cold, COEX Aquarium is a great option! Explore aquatic life through interactive exhibits, a walk-through shark tunnel, and plenty of marine creatures to fascinate kids.
Cost in approximate Australian dollars:
- $30 for adults
- $28 for teenagers
- $25 for children
How to Get There:
- Subway Line 2 to Samseong Station, Exit 5 or 6.
- The aquarium is located within the COEX Mall.
Final Thoughts: Is Seoul Worth Visiting in Winter?
Absolutely! Whether you’re visiting Nami Island, experiencing SnowyLand, or taking in the festive Petite France decorations, winter in Korea is pretty magical.
Just remember to dress warmly and book tours and activities in advance to avoid disappointment.
MORE KOREA TRAVEL TIPS
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. There is no additional cost to you. If you click on the link to purchase I receive a small commission.