We finally did it. After my wife’s months of planning our 15-day South Korea family itinerary, our family took the leap and spent 2 weeks exploring the “Land of the Morning Calm.” If you are traveling from Bengaluru like we did, you know the entire flight duration along with the layover can come close to 14 hours.
Before you fly, make sure your paperwork is in order. I have already written a detailed guide on the South Korea visa process for Indians and shared my personal visa cover letter template to save some time for you instead of starting from scratch.
Although there are other airline options, for this trip, we flew Cathay Pacific, taking the route via Hong Kong both ways. Traveling with a 3.5-year-old is all about the “layover strategy,” and the transit at HKIA was seamless, giving our daughter space to stretch her legs before the final leg to Incheon.
Here is exactly how we spent our 15 days.
1. The 15-Day South Korea Family Itinerary Daily Breakdown
Phase 1: Touching Down & Finding Our Feet
- Day 1: Arrival & Reset – Landed at Incheon and checked into the Best Western Premier Incheon Airport Hotel, which is just a 5-minute drive from the airport. Essential for beating the initial jet lag before diving into the city. The best part? We utilized the hotel’s free shuttle to reach the property.
- Day 2: Myeongdong Views – Moved to the heart of Seoul: Ibis Styles Ambassador Myeongdong. We ended the day with the stunning night views from N Seoul Tower.
- Day 3: Robots & High Energy – A mix of tech and trend. We visited the Seoul Robot & AI Museum (RAIM)—a huge hit for the kiddo—followed by the vibrant streets of Hongdae.
Phase 2: Nature & Animals (The Highlights)
- Day 4: The Nature “Big Three” – This was our most memorable day. We booked a package for visiting these three places through Klook, which included a private cab. We fed alpacas at Alpaca World, had an amazing experience riding the rail bikes in Gangchon Rail Park, and finally walked the tree-lined paths of Nami Island.
- Day 5: Modern Architecture & Indoor Fun – Explored Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) from the outside and spent the afternoon at Zoolung Zoolung, an incredible indoor animal theme park.
Phase 3: Coastal Vibes in Busan
- Day 6: The KTX Journey – Took the high-speed KTX train to Busan (about 2.5 hours). Checked into Best Western Haeundae Hotel and visited SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium right on the beach.
- Day 7: Blue Lines & Sky Capsules – We took the Haeundae Blue Line Park (the Sky Capsules are a must!). We walked the Cheongsapo Daritdol Observatory and ended at Gwangalli Beach, where we rented an umbrella with lights to take some mind-blowing pictures while my toddler engaged herself playing with sand!
- Day 8: Culture & Color – A spiritual morning at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (the rare temple by the sea), followed by the vibrant hills of Gamcheon Culture Village and an evening stroll at Haeundae Beach.
Phase 4: Deep-Dive Back in Seoul
- Day 9: Return to the Capital – We boarded the KTX from Busan back to Seoul (a smooth 2.5-hour journey). After checking back into Ibis Ambassador Myeongdong, we spent the evening on a peaceful stroll along Cheonggyecheon Stream. Since the stream sits below street level, it’s remarkably quiet and the evening lights make it a magical spot for a slow family walk.
- Day 10: Modern Seoul – Visited the GOTO mall and the massive COEX Mall and took the mandatory photo with the Gangnam Hand Statue.
- Day 11: The Hanbok Experience – Our favorite day. We rented Hanbok dresses and walked through Gyeongbokgung Palace. We also visited Bukchon Hanok Village later. Note: Entry to the palace is free if you’re wearing Hanbok!
- Day 12: Theme Park Day – A full day of adrenaline and fun at Lotte World.
- Day 13-14: Shopping & Culture – Visited the Myeongdong Cathedral and spent our final 48 hours hunting for K-beauty and souvenirs in the Myeongdong shopping district.
- Day 15: Farewell – Heading back to Incheon for our Cathay Pacific flight home to Bengaluru.
2. The Financials: How much the entire trip costed for us?
Traveling for 15 days as a family of three (2 adults + 1 toddler) is an investment. Here is a realistic breakdown of costs for our 15-day South Korea family trip from India.
| Expense Category | Actual Cost (INR) | Notes |
| Flights (Cathay Pacific) | ₹1,55,000 | Round-trip from BLR via HKG |
| Accommodation | ₹1,56,176 | 4-star hotels & family rooms |
| Food & Coffee | ₹74,479 | Mix of street food, sit-down meals and purchase from convenience store (7/11, CU etc.) |
| Transport (KTX & T-Money) | ₹51,104 | High-speed trains and local taxis |
| Activities & Entry Fees | ₹58,995 | Incl. Klook Private Cab, Lotte World, etc. |
| TOTAL | ₹4.95 Lakhs | Approx. $5,396 USD |
3. Quick Tips for Your Trip
- Digital Prep: South Korea has introduced an e-Arrival Card system to replace paper forms. To avoid any confusion or delays at immigration, I highly recommend checking the latest entry requirements on the official government website before you fly.
- App Game: Google Maps is still limited. Download Naver Map, which helped us immensely in finding bus and subway routes. Check the Official Visit Korea site for real-time travel alerts.
- T-Money Card: Buy this at any 7-Eleven or CU convenience store immediately after landing. It works for subways, buses, and even some taxis.
South Korea is incredibly safe, family-friendly, and easy to navigate if you have the right apps.
Got questions about the hotels or the toddler-friendliness of specific spots? Drop a comment below. I am happy to help another traveller out!
Note: This article was edited with the assistance of AI to ensure clarity and organization, but every fact, date, and tip is based on our actual experience.