ElizabethPlanning a trip to Korea with your family? Here’s our simplified itinerary based on our recent trips. This guide will help you navigate Seoul, make necessary reservations, and, hopefully, enjoy your trip.
Day One: Arrival in Seoul
- Flight: We flew from Narita to Incheon on Air Seoul. The flight was amazing, but navigating their website to book the tickets was a bit challenging.
- Leaving Narita: Don’t forget to make your parking reservation if you are driving, we like to park in P5.
- Arrival in Incheon: After arriving, it took us some time to get everything sorted and make our way into town.
- Get Cash: The ATM’s and Money Exchangers are all in the arrivals hall. You will need cash to load up your transit cards. We couldn’t find an ATM in the train departure area, so get cash before you leave the main airport.
- Transit Cards: We purchased transit cards from the convenience store next to the customs exit. If you have kids, get children’s cards here using their passports for a 50% discount on transit fares. It’s well worth it.
- Loading Transit Cards: You can buy the cards at the convenience store, but you’ll need to load them with cash at the train station. To get there, take the underground passage instead of walking outside (we got lost the first time).
- Train to Seoul: It’s about an hour ride into the city.
- Navigation: We were glad to have a transportation map on our phones and used Naver Maps for accurate directions. (Google Maps doesn’t work properly in South Korea.)
Accommodation:
We stayed at the Dragon Hill Lodge, a military facility that may not be accessible to everyone. For alternative accommodations, consider booking a hotel in central Seoul for easy access to major attractions. Dragon Hill Lodge was a nice base for us and had room for our family of five. There is a bit of a walk to and from the gate.
Evening Activity:
- Dinner and Show: That night we stayed at the hotel and got dinner there, but you can walk to the Banpo Bridge for the Rainbow Fountain Light Show. The schedule is every 30 minutes between 19:30-21:00, with each show lasting 20 minutes. It’s free and located near Express Bus Terminal Station (line 3/6/9, exit 8-1), about a 15-20 minute walk. After the show, take a 10-minute walk to the Jamsu Bridge (below Banpo Bridge) to watch the next show.
Day Two: Exploring Gyeongbokgung Palace and Insadong
- Transportation: We took a cab to our first location, but the subway might have been just as fast. We had trouble getting cabs in Seoul a few times, so keep this in mind.
- Hanbok Rental & Palace Visit:
- 9am Hanbok Rental: We reserved our Hanbok rental at 3355 Hanbok (http://go3355.net/default/guide/). The rental was for 2 hours and included entry to the palace. Make sure to make a reservation in advance.
- I was very on the fence about doing this but it ended up being an amazing experience and I’m so glad we did it.
- Two hours was more than enough time.
- They store your stuff in the shop while you are out and about
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Visit: The palace is beautiful, and the changing of the guard ceremonies are at 10 am and 2 pm.
- It was hot so we popped into the National Palace Museum after getting some outdoor photos. There is a kid’s educational room on the bottom floor.
- 9am Hanbok Rental: We reserved our Hanbok rental at 3355 Hanbok (http://go3355.net/default/guide/). The rental was for 2 hours and included entry to the palace. Make sure to make a reservation in advance.
Don’t leave the palace without getting your photos with the palace guards. Changing of the guards happens twice a day, but its well worth waiting in line to get a photo, even if your not dressed up.
- Lunch: There are so many good places in the area to grab lunch after you return your Hanbok. Just use maps to find something or wander around
- Make Your Own Cell Phone Case: The Big Little had his heart set on doing this so Jeff took him to DB Story to create his own phone case. I’m not sure it should be high on your list. The case is a bit weird, but he loves it. It took a full three days to dry.
- easy walk from lunch/Hanbok rental
- National Museum of Korean Contemporary History: The Children’s Museum on the 1st floor and interactive exhibits upstairs make it a great family visit. The rooftop offers views over Gyeongbokgung Palace.
- easy walk from Hanbok rental
- Jogyesa Temple: The walk to the seal engraving workshop will take you right through Jogyesa Temple. This is the main temple for Jogye Korean Buddhism, there is a large seated Buddha statue and a big tree that is often decorated with lanterns.
- At dusk and dawn they bang the giant Dharma Drum and ring the temple bell. Its amazing if you can catch it.
- Seal Engraving Workshop:
- YHLAYUEN Seal Engraving Lab: We booked a seal engraving workshop through Creatrip. The package included a seal, bookmark, and stamp pouch.
- The address is 34 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 2nd Floor. The stairs are to the right of the accessories shop.
- Make sure to book this in advance.
- YHLAYUEN Seal Engraving Lab: We booked a seal engraving workshop through Creatrip. The package included a seal, bookmark, and stamp pouch.
- Ugly Project Caricature: We walked right up and had caricatures done. These are very popular in Korea, and there are lots of places to get them done. Our place included a printed copy and a digital print.
- Insadong Shopping Street: A wonderful place for shopping and experiencing traditional Korean culture. We browsed a bit and poked into some shops.
Visit Line and Friends Characters. The kids loved finding these and taking our photos along the way.
Don’t miss the chance to get your fortune from a large gashapon machine and crack it open with a hammer!
Other Activity Options:
At this point, we were super hot and wanted to go back and take a swim in the pool. I had on the literary a few other things to do in the area.
- Bukchon Hanok Village Walk:
- I did this on the girl’s trip to Seoul. Have a plan before you head out or you might feel disappointed. It’s not the most kid-friendly putting but my littles would have tolerated it.
- Traditional Tea House Visit:
- Shin Old Tea House: Located at 47-8, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul.
- Secret Garden: Located on the 2nd and 3rd floors at 30-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul.
- Tea Therapy: I went here on my girl’s trip to Seoul and it was amazing.
Day Three: Lotte World Adventure and Gangnam Exploration
Morning: Lotte World
- Getting There: We took the train and found the replica Trevi Fountain in Jamsil Station (exit 4). Get to Lotte World right when it opens and make sure to purchase your tickets in advance to avoid long lines.
- About Lotte World: Lotte World, located in Sincheon-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, is one of the world’s largest indoor theme parks, featuring an outdoor amusement park called Magic Island and an indoor section named Adventure. The park is open all year long, with no holiday closings.
- Our Experience: We had a crazy day full of rides and food. In the morning, the lines were short, and we hardly waited for any rides. By the afternoon, it got more crowded, and we waited over an hour for the Tomb Raider ride. It would have been better to have a plan, but we still had a great time.
- Tips for Lotte World:
- Arrive Early: The park gets more crowded in the afternoon, so arriving early can help you avoid long lines.
- Plan Your Day: Prioritize popular rides in the morning when the lines are shorter.
- Ticket Purchase: Buy your tickets in advance to save time.
- Rides and Attractions: Popular rides include Atlantis, Gyro Drop, and the indoor roller coaster. The park also offers parades and performances throughout the day.
- Food Options: There are numerous dining options within the park, including Korean and international cuisine
Afternoon: Gangnam
- Departure: We left Lotte World by 3pm (some of our group stayed later) and took a bus over to Gangnam.
- Starfield Library and Mall: We explored the Starfield Mall and its impressive library. It’s a great place to have dinner in the mall’s food court and enjoy some quiet time in the library.
- Starfield Library: Located inside the COEX Mall, the Starfield Library is a large, open space filled with books and comfortable seating. It’s perfect for a relaxing break and some quiet reading. There is a bakery to get a treat. It was quite crowded when we visited.
- Gangnam Style Statue: After the mall, we headed outside to the Gangnam Style statue—two large gold statues of hands making the “horse dance” pose from Psy’s famous song. There’s a small TV playing the song and showing the dance, which the kids found incredibly amusing.
- Location: The statue is located near the COEX Mall in the Gangnam District. It’s a fun photo spot and a must-visit for fans of the song.
Evening: Return to Hotel
- Cabs Back: We caught cabs back to the hotel just in time for bedtime. It was a long but exciting day, and everyone was ready for a good night’s sleep.
Day Four in Seoul: A Diverse Itinerary
Seoul, a city bursting with culture, history, and endless activities, offered us a memorable day filled with a variety of experiences. Here’s a detailed breakdown of our fourth day in this vibrant city:
- Breakfast at Local Villa Bagel: Started our day with delicious, freshly baked bagels. A perfect spot for a filling breakfast to fuel up for a busy day ahead.
- Seoul K Medi-Center: Took the train to this wellness center museum where we indulged in a relaxing footbath and participated in a craft workshop. The center is equipped with interactive exhibits, many of which are in English, making it a great educational experience for both kids and adults. No advanced reservation is required unless you’re visiting with a group.
- Gyeongdong Market: Next, we explored this traditional market known for its wide array of food and medicinal herbs. Fresh from learning about these herbs at the Medi-Center, we could identify many of them at the market, enhancing our understanding and appreciation of Korean herbal medicine.
- Cheonggyecheon Stream: Returned to the city center and strolled along this urban park stream. Cheonggyecheon is a revitalized waterway that hosts various events and is a fantastic place to see the blend of Seoul’s modern and traditional life.
- HiKR Ground: Stopped by this interactive exhibition about Seoul. The kids had a blast making their own K-pop video and learning about Korean traditions in a dynamic setting. This was an unexpected win. I thought it would be a quick stop and instead we spent over and hour learning in an incredibly fun way.
- Seoul City Hall and Seoul Metropolitan Library: Visited these iconic buildings in the heart of the city. The library’s glass elevator took us to the top floor for a refreshing drink and a chance to relax. Don’t miss the robot barista! The basement houses several art galleries that showcase contemporary and historical artworks.
- Seoul Plaza: Enjoyed some playful moments at Seoul Plaza, taking photos with creative inflatables and soaking in the lively atmosphere of the city’s central public space.
- Bank of Korea Money Museum: This museum, located in a former bank building, offers fascinating insights into the economies of the world, including rare exhibits of North Korean money. The museum is free to enter and is a hit with kids and adults alike, thanks to its engaging displays.
- Myeongdong Market: Ended our day in this bustling market area, trying various street foods like tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), hotteok (sweet pancakes), and odeng (fish cake skewers).
- The highlight for the kids was Wappen House, where they created custom clothing with iron-on patches—an activity that they thoroughly enjoyed and still cherish the products of. (There are several locations around the city.)
Seoul is a city where the historical coexists seamlessly with the trendy, and where every corner promises a new discovery. We’re already eagerly planning our next trip and would love to hear from you! If you have favorite spots or must-do activities in Seoul, drop a comment below—your suggestions might just shape our upcoming itinerary.
Stay tuned for more exciting content as we continue our journey to Busan. There’s much more to share, and we can’t wait to bring you along through our detailed itineraries and fun finds. For the latest updates and a real-time peek into our travels, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram. Your next travel inspiration might just be a scroll away!
When we visited Seoul, we used GetYourGuide to help plan some of our favorite activities. It’s a great resource for finding family-friendly tours and unique local experiences. As a GetYourGuide affiliate, I may earn a small commission if you book through the links or widget below, at no extra cost to you. Here are some Seoul experiences you might want to check out!
