Travel to South Korea with Kids: a Guide for Foreigners
Travel to South Korea with Kids: a Guide for Foreigners
To travel to South Korea with your children, you must either obtain a South Korea travel authorization, K-ETA, or a visa. Whether you need an electronic permit or a consular visa depends on your nationality.
Traveling to South Korea with kids is perfectly safe and can be a hassle-free experience if you know the steps needed to cross the border.
Nationals from 103 countries are eligible for the electronic authorization, which takes a few minutes to obtain.
Find all the information you need for your family trip to South Korea in this article.
How do I get a South Korea ETA for my child?
All passengers who wish to enter South Korea are required to have an ETA or a valid visa, including children. However, rest at ease, getting your child’s electronic permit is a fairly easy process.
To apply for the K-ETA for your kid, you will need:
As their parent, you may complete the K-ETA online application on their behalf, and you may provide your email address.
Once their application is processed, you receive notification of its approval via email.
All applicants are required to pay an application fee, which you can cover by using a debit or credit card.
Are there additional requirements for families traveling to South Korea?
No, there aren’t any additional fees or entry requirements for families traveling to South Korea.
Families with children should have a valid passport, and an approved ETA or visa to enter the country.
IMPORTANT: Due to the COVID-19 additional requirements are in place for all arrivals, some of which include a PCR test, quarantine, and vaccination certificates. However, note that this varies depending on the country where you spend the last 14 days before arriving in South Korea.
Is South Korea Safe for Families?
South Korea is a safe country for families. It’s a first-world country that offers visitors with several advantages: modern transportation, shops, affordable accommodation, and more.
What makes South Korea safe for families?
South Korea has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. Furthermore, it has excellent hospitals and medical care.
Drop-in medical care in available in every neighborhood. Therefore, in case of an emergency, travelers have access to good, affordable care.
Nevertheless, it is always advisable to get travel insurance, and beware of your surroundings when in a new country. Be mindful when in crowded places or while crossing highly busy streets.
Is Korea Child-Friendly?
South Korea is an accessible destination for families. For instance, stations, museums, and shopping malls offer parents a nursing room. Additionally, museums are adapted for people with reduced mobility and families traveling with strollers.
A lot of museums now offer interactive and educational exhibitions, designed with children in mind.
Moving around in South Korea also makes it a child-friendly place, as it’s extremely well-connected and organized.
The country features some of the fastest trains in the world, which means trips are shorter and children are less likely to get bored on the ride.
South Korea for Families: A Kid-Friendly Country
There is a great variety of attractions and activities available in South Korea.
Outdoor activities for a family vacation in South Korea
South Korea is a country where families can enjoy from being outdoors. For instance, the Children’s Grand Park in Gwangijn-hu, Seoul, features amusement rides, playgrounds, botanical gardens, picnic areas and even a zoo.
Another popular attraction ideal for parents and children is the Asan Spavis Hot Springs. The hot spring boasts several water park attractions, a golf course, and an outdoor pool.
Nami Island is a perfect location for families to connect with nature and walk in the woods. Travelers can rent bicycles and explore the island this way too. During spring, you can’t miss the stunning cherry blossoms, but all seasons are worthy of a visit.
There are more opportunities to practice outdoor activities with your kids while in South Korea. For example, you can head to Anseong Farmland, a farm situated in a hill where kids can feed and look after animals.
Museums for Kids in South Korea
A great number of museums in South Korea have dedicated interactive exhibitions for children.
Some museums worth mentioning include: Gyeongju National Museum, Poo Museum in Suwon, Korean Folk Museum and the War Museum both in Seoul.
There are plenty of highly manual and playful activities (dress-ups, puzzles, etc). Despite not speaking Korean, children can participate in most activities.
Additionally, there are fun museums like the Hello Kitty Museum or the Teddy Bear Museum on Jeju Island.
Korean Food: what can kids eat in South Korea?
One area that at times worries parents while traveling to a new country is food. However, South Korea offers travelers local and international cuisine. Picky eaters will have no trouble finding things to eat as most cities have several restaurants, snack stands, and cafés.
South Korean food is flavorful and there’s a wide range of options to choose from. When in a restaurant, these are some Korean dishes that most kids tend to like:
- Gogi-gui – Korean barbecue, which customers grill on their own. It’s a fun experience for the whole family.
- Bindae-tteok – a fried pancake made from mung beans, green onions, peppers, and kimchi (it’s not spicy).
- Mandu – they’re the Korean dumplings filled with meats or vegetables.
- Bibimbap – a bowl of rice, sautéed and seasoned veggies, Korean pepper paste and raw beef.
What can families do in Seoul?
Seoul is a modern and stroller-friendly city. Parents of young children and toddlers will find it to be one of the more stress-free places to visit.
Supermarkets across town will be able to offer baby oatmeal and snacks, and you’ll find baby rooms and even sleeping rooms with baby cots in multiple locations (try department stores, for example).
Here are a few things that families can enjoy in Seoul:
- Baby and theme cafes
- Children’s Grand Park with a zoo and an amusement park
- Lotte World Aquarium
- The Royal Palaces
- Traditional Hanok villages
- Non-verbal theaters
When visiting Seoul with toddlers, be sure to travel light and pack smart. Take the essential, and if you need something, you’re likely to find it in shops in the city.
What To Do in South Korea When Traveling with Older Children?
One of the advantages of traveling with older children is that you don’t have to take the stroller or a diaper bag anymore. You’ll have more freedom to move around South Korea, and even participate in certain activities that are not appropriate for small children.
For instance, every July, people in Boryeong celebrate a Mud Festival, which also features concerts, raves, and fireworks.
Another activity that families with older children may be able to do is the Jeju Olle Trail, a network of 26 half-to-full days routes around the island’s coast. This is the perfect way to see the island and its impressive volcanic landscapes.