11-Day Family-Friendly South Korea Itinerary

  • Day 1: Gyeongbokgung Palace
    10 minutes (4.5 km) from Myeongdong

    Gyeongbokgung Palace is one of the most beautiful palaces and well-preserved historical sites in Korea. Visitors can enjoy traditional architecture and watch the royal changing of the guard ceremony. The palace also houses the National Palace Museum of Korea.

  • Day 2: Lotte World
    20 minutes (10 km) from Gyeongbokgung Palace

    Lotte World is a massive amusement park with rides, museums, an ice-skating rink, and a folk museum. Families can enjoy the theme park, shopping, and the Lotte World Aquarium located at the same location.

  • Day 3: Jeju Island
    1 hour 10 minutes flight (450 km) from Seoul

    Jeju Island boasts natural wonders such as pristine beaches, waterfalls, and stunning lava formations. It also has a number of activities to keep families entertained, including water parks, theme parks and museums dedicated to teddy bears and chocolate.

  • Day 4: Nami Island
    1 hour 30 minutes (63 km) from Seoul

    Nami Island is known for its beautiful seasonal foliage, particularly in autumn when the greenery turns to reds, oranges, and yellows. Visit the island to enjoy a relaxing walk and a picnic or try zip-lining, biking or riding the rail bike.

  • Day 5: Busan Aquarium
    3 hours (325 km) from Nami Island

    The Busan Aquarium is a great place to visit with children. Visitors can see over 35,000 marine creatures, including beluga whales and penguins. The aquarium also features a 3D animation theatre and a touch pool.

  • Day 6: Haedong Yonggung Temple
    30 min (18 km) from Busan Aquarium

    Haedong Yonggungsa temple is a rare example of a temple located near the seaside. The scenic views of the temple's oceanfront setting are spectacular. Visitors can also relish traditional street food and snacks near the temple.

  • Day 7: Dongdaemun Design Plaza
    4 hours (320 km) from Haedong Yonggung Temple

    Dongdaemun Design Plaza is a stunning venue dedicated to art, design, and creativity, featuring exhibitions, interactive zones, and shopping facilities. The LED rose garden is a popular photo spot for visitors.

  • Day 8: Seoul Children's Museum
    20 minutes (6 km) from Dongdaemun Design Plaza

    Seoul Children's Museum offers a fun and interactive experience for kids of all ages. Children can explore science, culture, music, and arts through various exhibitions and activities.

  • Day 9: Gwangalli Beach
    4 hours (325 km) from Seoul Children's Museum

    Gwangalli Beach is a popular attraction in Busan for its clear blue water, soft sand, and breathtaking night view. In the summer, the beach offers a range of water sports, including kayaking, skin diving, and jet skiing.

  • Day 10: Everland Resort
    4 hours (350 km) from Gwangalli Beach

    Everland Resort is Korea's largest theme park and offers a range of attractions, including thrilling rides, zoos, and botanical gardens. The amusement park is divided into five sections - Global Fair, Zoo Topia, European Adventure, Magic Land, and American Adventure.

  • Day 11: Myeong-dong
    1 hour (36 km) from Everland Resort

    Myeong-dong is a bustling shopping district in the heart of Seoul. Visitors can shop for trendy clothes, cosmetics, and accessories in Myeong-dong's many stores. Myeong-dong is also a great spot to try street food and traditional Korean restaurants.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Gyeongbokgung Palace (2 hours, 3000 KRW)
  • Lotte World (6 hours, 60,000 KRW)
  • Jeju Island (2-3 days, 300,000 KRW)
  • Nami Island (4 hours, 30,000 KRW)
  • Busan Aquarium (3 hours, 29,000 KRW)
  • Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (2 hours, free entry)
  • Dongdaemun Design Plaza (3 hours, free entry)
  • Seoul Children's Museum (2 hours, 5000 KRW)
  • Gwangalli Beach (4 hours, free entry)
  • Everland Resort (6 hours, 54,000 KRW)
  • Myeong-dong (6 hours, variable)

  • Total Estimated Costs: 451,000 KRW

Transportation

The most convenient way to travel between the major cities in South Korea is by using the train system. For shorter distances, buses and taxis are available. For the visit to Jeju Island, domestic flights must be used. Multi-day travel passes are available for both train and bus, which can be cheaper for longer stays. Luggage delivery services are also available between major cities, which offer a convenient way to travel without having to carry large luggage. Estimated total transportation costs would be 300,000 KRW for the trip.

Useful Tips

For trips with a shorter duration, days can be combined with other items on a schedule or eliminated. Some suggestions that can be added to the trip are the traditional village of Andong Hahoe, the Jeonju Hanok Village where Korean traditional cultural experiences can be found or the Jeju Folk Village where visitors can discover the history of Korea. For families traveling with young children, KidZania Seoul, a mini city for kids to role-play or the Seoul Sky Observatory, a viewing platform, and tourist attraction can be added for more fun.

Airports

South Korea's main airport is Incheon International Airport, located on the west coast of the country, approximately 48 km from Seoul city center (ICN). Gimpo International Airport is the second-largest, mainly handling domestic flights, located near the Han river, approximately 20 km west of Seoul (GMP). Jeju International Airport is on Jeju Island where passengers would land for any flights from Seoul (CJU).

0