South Korea is a great family destination. It offers a great mix of modern (and often quirky) attractions, cultural experiences, and some absolutely breathtaking natural landscapes!
Whether visiting busy Seoul, relaxing in nature on Jeju Island, or immersing yourself in historical sites, Korea is safe, family-friendly, and offers plenty of unforgettable experiences.
Here’s everything you need to know before travelling to South Korea with kids.
Why Travel to South Korea with Kids?
- Safe & Clean: Korea is one of the safest countries in Asia (if not the world). There are low crime rates and a strong emphasis on cleanliness. If you accidentally leave something behind in a cafe or even on the street, chances are it’ll be there when you come back for it.
- Efficient Transport: The public transport system is easy to navigate and stroller-friendly in most places.
- Kid-Friendly Attractions: From theme parks to interactive (often random and quirky!) museums and nature trails, Korea has heaps of options for all types of families.
- Lots of Food Options: Lots of people RAVE about Korean dishes, which are pretty much found all around the world these days. Many options are nutritious and kid-friendly, and there are lots of mild options like bibimbap and kimbap.
- Unique Cultural Experiences: Kids will love trying on hanbok, visiting ancient palaces, and exploring Korea’s high-tech attractions.
Getting Around South Korea
- Public Transport: The subway systems in Seoul, Busan, and other major cities are efficient and affordable. Buy a T-Money card from a local convenience store and top it up when needed. You can also use it for other purchases at stores, so you won’t waste money on your card if you don’t use it for travel. Subway stations usually have elevators, so they’re accessible if you’ve got a stroller with you.
- Taxis & Rideshares: Taxis are reasonably priced, and apps like Kakao Taxi make booking easy. Uber (branded UT on the app) is also available in major cities.
- Trains & Buses: The KTX bullet train is the fastest way to travel between cities (like Seoul to Busan), while express buses are a great budget-friendly option.
- Car Rentals: Renting a car is a great way to explore Jeju Island or rural areas. If you’re sticking to major cities though, it’s probably more effort than it’s worth due to challenging traffic and parking limitations.
Accommodation Tips for Families
- Hotels: While many Korean hotels cater to families, they’re typically better for smaller families (no more than two kids). Most will, however, offer options for connecting rooms, baby cots, and play areas.
- Hanok Stays: Experience traditional Korean culture by staying in a hanok (traditional Korean house) in places like Bukchon Hanok Village.
- Airbnb & Serviced Apartments: These are your best bet if you’re a bigger family (anything more than 2 kids) or if you’re after more space and a kitchen for preparing meals.
- Family-Friendly Resorts: Jeju Island, Sokcho, and other vacation spots offer resorts with pools and kids’ programs. Just be aware that pool open times can be very limited. Even if you think it’s warm enough, chances are if it isn’t within the official ‘swim season’ the pool will be closed.
Read more: Ultimate Guide for Booking Family-Friendly Accommodation
Budgeting for Your South Korea Trip
- Accommodation: Budget hotels start at around 50,000 KRW per night (about $55 AUD), while mid-range options cost 100,000–200,000 KRW ($110 to $220 AUD). Options that include traditional floor mats instead of beds are a great way to keep your costs down. They also give you more room during the day in the room, because you roll up the mattresses and pop them out of the way. And they’re usually a hit with young kids who get to sleep side by side.
- Transport: The subway and buses are very affordable, with fares around 1,250 KRW per trip (less than $1.50 AUD). But if you’re travelling with big families it can often be easier and similar prices to grab a taxi.
- Food: Eating out is budget-friendly, with meals at casual restaurants costing around 10,000 KRW (about $12 AUD) per person.
- Attractions: Many cultural sites and parks are free or low-cost, while theme parks and special attractions may cost 30,000–60,000 KRW per ticket (between $39 to $60 AUD per person).
Safety, Visas & Vaccinations
- Safety: Korea is extremely safe, even for solo travellers and especially for families. Crime rates are low, and medical care is top-notch, although English speaking doctors may be limited to Seoul and other major tourist areas.
- Visas: Many nationalities, including travellers from the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, can enter Korea visa-free for up to 90 days. Make sure to double-check visa requirements before you travel as this is expected to change from December 2025, where you’ll need to apply for a K-ETA visa before arriving.
- Vaccinations: No special vaccinations are required for Korea, but routine vaccines, such as measles, hepatitis A, and flu shots, are recommended.
Packing List for South Korea with Kids
- Clothing: Layers for changing weather, comfortable walking shoes, rain jackets.
- Travel Essentials: Passports, travel insurance, T-Money card for transport (available at almost all convenience stores within Korea), a universal adaptor for Korean outlets.
- Toiletries: Sunscreen, wet wipes, hand sanitiser, basic medications.
- Kids’ Essentials: Baby carrier or stroller, snacks, reusable water bottles, small toys for entertainment.
- Tech & Apps: Phone with Kakao & Naver Maps installed and set up if possible. A portable charger is a good idea. You can organise a prepaid travel SIM before you arrive or pick one up from the airport or many convenience stores.
- Special Items: Lightweight blanket for naps, any must-have comfort items for kids.
Top 10 Things to Do in Korea with Kids
- Explore Gyeongbokgung Palace: Watch the royal guard changing ceremony and rent a hanbok for a fun cultural experience.
- Visit Lotte World or Everland: Korea’s top theme parks offer lots of rides, shows/parades, and kid-friendly attractions.
- Relax on Jeju Island’s Beaches: Soft white sand, clear blue waters, volcanic landscapes, and family-friendly resorts. It doesn’t get much better than Jeju’s beaches!
- Discover the Trick Eye Museum in Seoul: This interactive 3D art museum is perfect for fun family photos. There’s also one on Jeju Island.
- Hike to Namsan Tower: Enjoy the cable car ride and stunning panoramic views of Seoul.
- Try Street Food at Gwangjang Market: This is a great spot to introduce your kids to Korean food like tteokbokki and hotteok. It won’t cost you much if they’re not a fan!
- Explore Children’s Grand Park: This free park is great if the weather is fine – with a zoo, botanical gardens, and playgrounds.
- Visit the War Memorial of Korea: You can easily spend an hour or so at this museum which offers some educational, interactive exhibits about Korea’s history.
- Walk Along the Cheonggyecheon Stream: This peaceful urban walk with bridges and fountains in the heart of Seoul.
- Gamcheon Culture Village: If you visit Busan, explore Gamcheon Culture Village for its colourful terraced houses (you’ll feel more like you’re in South America than South Korea!) along the mountainside.
Korea with Babies and Toddlers
Travelling with little kids? Here are some tips to make your trip easier:
- Stroller Accessibility: While subways and shopping centres (malls) are stroller-friendly, some older streets and small restaurants may not be. A lightweight, foldable stroller is ideal.
- High Chairs & Baby Facilities: Many restaurants don’t have high chairs, so consider bringing a portable travel seat.
- Nappies & Baby Supplies: Easily available in large supermarkets and convenience stores, but specific brands may be different from home (though Huggies is widely available).
- Baby-Friendly Cafés: Korea has many play cafés with safe spaces for toddlers to roam while parents enjoy a coffee.
- Baby Carriers: Useful for crowded areas, subway stations without elevators, and hiking spots.
- Nap-Friendly Attractions: Parks, large shopping malls, and some museums have quiet spots for naps on the go.
Family Travel Tips for Korea
- Use a T-Money Card: Makes using public transport easier and offers slight discounts.
- Download Kakao & Naver Maps: Google Maps doesn’t work well in Korea.
- Learn Basic Korean Phrases: Helpful for ordering food and asking for directions. Even just learning to say hello ‘annyeonghaseyo’ and thank you ‘gamsahabnida’ can make a world of difference.
- Pack Layers: Korea’s weather changes quickly, so dress in layers, especially in spring and autumn.
- Bring a Stroller or Carrier: Many attractions are stroller-friendly, but some areas have stairs or cobbled streets.
- Check Attraction Opening Hours: Many museums and palaces close on Mondays. And things don’t usually open very early in Korea. If you’re there before 11am you’re likely to have the place to yourself!
Whether planning your first trip to Korea or looking for new family-friendly experiences, hopefully, this guide will help you make the most of your adventure. Enjoy exploring South Korea with your kids!
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