Traveling to South Korea with a Toddler
Are you traveling with your toddler to South Korea for the
first time? Here are some tips that may come in handy:
Money
Most travelers exchange foreign currency from their country of origin. This is a good idea, especially if you do not want to stop to have your money exchanged any time during your trip. I haven’t done this in a long time because I do not want to end up with excess foreign currency after a trip. I normally have some cash on hand; the rest I withdraw from a local ATM. It is important to note that you need to check with your bank if you need to have your account activated for international withdrawal. I found that the exchange rates – even with the addition of the bank charge – is much better most of the time.
Most travelers exchange foreign currency from their country of origin. This is a good idea, especially if you do not want to stop to have your money exchanged any time during your trip. I haven’t done this in a long time because I do not want to end up with excess foreign currency after a trip. I normally have some cash on hand; the rest I withdraw from a local ATM. It is important to note that you need to check with your bank if you need to have your account activated for international withdrawal. I found that the exchange rates – even with the addition of the bank charge – is much better most of the time.
Accommodations
If possible, I pick one home base in every country and plan
the itinerary from there. Because it is so easy to go around Seoul, it was okay
to pick a home for more than a week. We stayed there and just went on day tours
to the farther places.
Supplies
Adaptors
Electric sockets in Korea are different. They are round, as opposed to ours that are flat. This might not be a concern for the bigger hotel chains but if you are staying in an Airbnb, you might want to ask if they have an adaptor. We work on mornings and evenings, and it is a must for us to plug in our computers. I bought our adaptors at the 7Eleven in Insadong for 5,500.00 Won but I also saw some for sale on the side streets of Myeongdong.
Electric sockets in Korea are different. They are round, as opposed to ours that are flat. This might not be a concern for the bigger hotel chains but if you are staying in an Airbnb, you might want to ask if they have an adaptor. We work on mornings and evenings, and it is a must for us to plug in our computers. I bought our adaptors at the 7Eleven in Insadong for 5,500.00 Won but I also saw some for sale on the side streets of Myeongdong.
Food and Snacks
There is an abundance of food and snack items in supermarkets and in the smaller convenience stores all around Seoul. There are also many cafes and bakeshops selling all sorts of pastries. Since you’re on a trip, I suggest you try some street food.
Summer loved the many local treats
such as the mini waffle filled with custard and their ice cream, of course!
Milk
When Summer turned 2, we slowly introduced fresh milk to her so that whenever we’re away, she would drink fresh milk instead of formula. This is great for saving luggage space.
When Summer turned 2, we slowly introduced fresh milk to her so that whenever we’re away, she would drink fresh milk instead of formula. This is great for saving luggage space.
We bring fresh milk for one day,
enough until we get to our home base for the trip and buy our supplies on the
first morning.
Diapers
Just like the milk, I do not bring the stash for the whole trip. This may be a hit or miss, especially if you have a bigger-sized kid like ours. I found a diaper for bigger kids, up to 42 kilos in Home Plus in Hapjeong, Mapo gu. I did not check if it is also available in other branches though. The smaller grocery stores and convenience stores carried only the smaller sizes.
Just like the milk, I do not bring the stash for the whole trip. This may be a hit or miss, especially if you have a bigger-sized kid like ours. I found a diaper for bigger kids, up to 42 kilos in Home Plus in Hapjeong, Mapo gu. I did not check if it is also available in other branches though. The smaller grocery stores and convenience stores carried only the smaller sizes.
Before we come, I scout for the
nearest convenience stores and supermarkets. It helps a lot that we have one
home base for the whole trip so that we were able to buy the stash for the
duration of our stay. If you’re coming from the Philippines, expect the prices
of these supplies to be higher than the prices at home.
Food
Kids generally do not like spicy food. Many of the food items in Seoul are spicy but there are dishes that are not. Some restaurants have kiddie meals on the menu. In one of the restaurants, we requested for the spicy sauce in the Dakgalbi to be served separately so Summer can enjoy it too. Some of her favorites were the japchae, steamed egg, mandu, Korean pancake, the pork and beef barbecue and even the chewy stewed pork knuckles!
Kids generally do not like spicy food. Many of the food items in Seoul are spicy but there are dishes that are not. Some restaurants have kiddie meals on the menu. In one of the restaurants, we requested for the spicy sauce in the Dakgalbi to be served separately so Summer can enjoy it too. Some of her favorites were the japchae, steamed egg, mandu, Korean pancake, the pork and beef barbecue and even the chewy stewed pork knuckles!
Trains and Going Around
Kiddie toilet
I was amazed to find that most bathrooms included kiddie toilets, just like the ones in our local preschools. This is great for families who are potty training their toddlers. You just need to look for the family sign on the bathroom doors (this is usually separate from the male and female bathrooms) or the bathroom door with mom and child signs.
I was amazed to find that most bathrooms included kiddie toilets, just like the ones in our local preschools. This is great for families who are potty training their toddlers. You just need to look for the family sign on the bathroom doors (this is usually separate from the male and female bathrooms) or the bathroom door with mom and child signs.
Avoid the rush hour
Being tourists, we generally have more flexible hours. To avoid stress, it is better to avoid the rush hour altogether.
Being tourists, we generally have more flexible hours. To avoid stress, it is better to avoid the rush hour altogether.
Stroller in the Train
Each train has a designated area for those in wheelchairs or those who have strollers or luggage in tow. This is usually located at the end of each cart. Each train stop has clear markers on the door and the floor markers. Look for the wheelchair sign. If you enter here, you will immediately see the space. If people happen to be standing at the area, they will generally move and give way so you can park there during your ride.
Each train has a designated area for those in wheelchairs or those who have strollers or luggage in tow. This is usually located at the end of each cart. Each train stop has clear markers on the door and the floor markers. Look for the wheelchair sign. If you enter here, you will immediately see the space. If people happen to be standing at the area, they will generally move and give way so you can park there during your ride.
Be realistic about your itinerary
Expect to be at a much slower pace than when travelling with all adult companions. Because Summer wants to sleep until 8:00am, we let her sleep all she wants. By the time she finishes eating breakfast and getting ready, it would normally be 10:00am already. In most trips, we leave the “home” at 10:00am. We also need to make more and longer stops because toddlers are curious about everything! The only exception to leaving the “home” late is when we are joining a packaged tour. In these cases, we wake her up early and let her sleep in the bus while in transit.
Tours
Book some packaged tours
I like exploring and immersing myself in new places and new countries. Commuting and riding the trains allow me to see how the locals go about their normal day, where they go, how they dress, etc. It also helps burn all the calories from sampling local cuisines (right?).
I like exploring and immersing myself in new places and new countries. Commuting and riding the trains allow me to see how the locals go about their normal day, where they go, how they dress, etc. It also helps burn all the calories from sampling local cuisines (right?).
However, there are some tours that
are best booked with a guide in packaged tours aboard a bus. I booked a whole
day to see the Garden of Morning Calm, Nami Island and Petit France. I also
booked a bus ride to Everland.
Don’t miss Everland for the kid
City travel are generally not for kids. This time in Seoul, the “Summer Day” was in Everland. Oh boy, was it worth it. The admission ticket was cheap considering almost all attractions were included. Just be sure to book on a weekday and never on a holiday. Summer had so much fun here and was knocked out by mid-afternoon.
City travel are generally not for kids. This time in Seoul, the “Summer Day” was in Everland. Oh boy, was it worth it. The admission ticket was cheap considering almost all attractions were included. Just be sure to book on a weekday and never on a holiday. Summer had so much fun here and was knocked out by mid-afternoon.
I hope these tips will give you an idea on what to expect
and help make your trip to South Korea more enjoyable.
Cheers!
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