I hadn’t been back to South Korea since I left as a baby, and viewed it through an American lens, not a Korean one, having had little, if any, cultural connection to Korea. My husband had been twice before (Air Force days), but this was our first time as a family.
After a few years of tracking ticket prices, our vacation days and affordable airfares aligned. Last month, the four of us—my husband, our 14-year-old son, our 7-year-old daughter, and I boarded a 15-hour direct flight to Seoul during Spring Break in economy. Add in a TSA strike, and the adventure started before takeoff!
Paperwork Prep
You’ll need a valid passport, and I always triple-check the kids’ passports since they expire more quickly than adults. I keep the family passport, TSA, and frequent flyer numbers handy for the different forms that need to be filled out. We completed Korea’s digital entry form three days before departure (paper forms still exist, but I wasn’t willing to risk delays with the kids).
Good news: the K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) isn’t required for U.S. citizens until the end of December 2026.
Traveling with Medication and Food Allergies
South Korea requires pre-approval for some medications, not just a doctor’s note and prescription in original packaging. Definitely check before you travel.
I made business card–sized allergy cards with translations and visuals for our peanut allergy, a literal lifesaver. We quickly learned that peanut flour shows up in unexpected places (fried chicken!) and peanuts are often on tables. That being said, we ate many delicious meals, expanded our palates, and became proficient with chopsticks (though utensils are also available).
We also packed medications in their original packaging, along with the doctor’s notes and documentation for oral immunotherapy and epinephrine—a lot, but worth the peace of mind.
Packing Pointers
As a mom and fashion stylist, the first thing I do is check the weather and plan our activities to pack accordingly. Seoul has weather similar to ours in Westchester. Still, it can vary by 10 degrees or more, so layering to adjust to different temperatures and bringing clothes that can be easily interchanged are key. You will most likely take advantage of the many Korean boutiques and shops, so don’t overpack. Check baggage limits carefully as every ounce counts.
Lithium batteries must go in carry-ons and be packed one per clear bag. Surprise: our airline didn’t allow their use mid-flight, and there was no WiFi. We survived on seatback screens, naps, and sheer willpower once downloaded content ran out.
Bring Korean outlet adapters (easy to find there, but I like being prepared).
Arrival Win
Seoul customs has a family line. After a full day of travel, it felt like winning the lottery.
Apps to Download
- Google Translate + Papago
- NAVER Map (better than Google Maps there)
- Kakao T (taxis/transit)
- Klook (activities)
- Duolingo (I should have tried harder here…)
We also used Uber—shockingly affordable—a 25-minute ride for four costs about $8.
Money and Tipping
Credit cards and Apple Pay work almost everywhere. We only withdrew a small amount of cash (for better local rates). The exchange rate is pretty great right now.
Tipping isn’t customary, even with dining and cabs, but great service is always appreciated.
Staying Connected
We have T-Mobile, but after 5GB, speeds crawled. Next time, I’d rent a portable WiFi egg at the airport (~$5/day). Easy and reliable.
Jet Lag Is Real
Keep the first few days flexible. My youngest was up before sunrise, and we were all done by early evening. By the end, we adjusted—so we saved structured plans for later.
About Korean Spas (Jjimjilbang)
I FANTASIZED about all the beauty treatments I would get — until I learned they’re gender-separated and mostly nude. Not happening with kids.
That said, there are plenty of clothed options: facials, scalp treatments, manicures, and even high-tech skin analysis, but I wanted to see as much as possible with the time we had.
What We Bought (Pack Light!)
- Korean skincare (sheet masks travel well)
- Personalized name stamps
- Seaweed, sweets, sauce, soju
- Art: calligraphy art, crafts made by us, and caricatures
- Celadon ceramics
- K-pop, Sanrio, anime finds
- Exclusive to Korea sneakers, sportswear, and eyewear
- Vending machine toys everywhere (your kids will be obsessed)
What We Did (a busy week!)
- Han River: Starbucks and stroll, bike, snack, picnic, and people-watch. Also, caught the light show at Banpo Bridge.
- Hongdae: artsy, college vibe. Great place for Korean fried chicken and beer—also, the cutest caricatures.
- Lotte World Mall: Huge mall in Jamsil attached to Lotte World Tower, the 5th tallest building in the world. Also home to the Lotte Aquarium, where my son was thrilled to see an arowana, as they are illegal in the U.S.
- Lotte World: Also in Jamsil, this is an indoor/outdoor amusement park with optional school uniform rentals for free entry. Attached is the Lotte Korean Museum, where we learned about Korean history and traditions
- Gyeongbokgung Palace: We rented hanboks for fun and to get in for free. I hired a photographer for the memories and kid torture, though it is very common with tourists.
- Insadong: Jogyesa Buddhist Temple, lunch in a traditional restaurant, and artisanal shopping.
- Bukchon: We made our own Korean folk crafts + toured hanok homes
- Seongsu-dong: The “Brooklyn of Seoul” with trendy shops, cafés, and pop-ups.
- COEX Mall: We ate at the Intercontinental Hotel buffet. Words cannot describe the gluttony.
- Cherry Blossom Season: Walk around and enjoy the blooms.
Before You Fly Home
If you can, stay at the Paradise City Hotel, which is a 5-star resort with heated pools and hot tubs, a jjimjibang, a little kids’ play area, a video gaming center, a bowling alley, a casino, high-end shopping, and restaurants, and a free shuttle to nearby Incheon.
Otherwise, arrive at Incheon Airport two to three hours early. Between check-in, last-minute duty-free shopping, and tax refunds, you’ll want the time. There’s even a kids’ play area in the Korean Air terminal.
Final Thoughts
Traveling halfway across the world with kids isn’t easy, but it’s absolutely worth it. It was an amazing way for all of us to experience our Korean heritage and feel a personal connection to the country of my ancestors. Family time, always precious, is even more dear with a soon-to-be high school freshman who is stepping out into the world with his own agenda and responsibilities.
And from one Westchester mom to another: if you are lucky enough to take a trip, any trip, pack great walking shoes, and go!
