Busan with Kids: An Underrated Coastal Gem
By Erica Jeong
From what I’ve seen, many friends and families living in Thailand tend to travel within Thailand or around Southeast Asia. When they do head to East Asia, Japan is often their first choice; Korea usually isn’t at the top of their list. If it does get to the top, most people think mainly of Seoul.
This past Songkran holiday, our family went to Busan, and we had such a great time that I wanted to share a bit about it. I think more people should know about this hidden gem.
First things first, Busan is actually my hometown. But having lived away for over 20 years, I have to admit I’m not the best tour guide anymore. When people ask me where to go or what to recommend, I honestly often draw a blank. I do visit regularly, but more in a “go home, stay in, and meet old friends nearby” kind of way. I’m pretty sure some tourists know the city better than I do.
This trip was different. My husband joined us, so we did a more “tourist-style” itinerary, and we both realized Busan is surprisingly great for traveling with kids.
Getting to Busan
Busan is Korea’s second-largest city and is quite accessible from Thailand. It’s about a five-and-a-half hour direct flight from Bangkok, less than an hour from Seoul by plane, and around two hours by high-speed train.
The seasons of Busan and best times to go
A very important tip: Korea has four distinct seasons, and timing really matters, as it can make or break your trip. I’d highly recommend spring (April) or autumn (October). May and September can also work, they’re just slightly warmer. The rest of the year tends to be more extreme. Summers can feel even hotter than Thailand, while the winters can be very cold with strong winds from the north. Overall though, Busan tends to be milder than Seoul.
Why Busan is great for kids
Compared to Bangkok, Busan has many public parks and playgrounds and a good number of free kid-friendly museums. Public transport is excellent, and, even better, children under 12 ride for free! If your child is a fan of the television show 'Tayo', you’ll see Tayo everywhere. It’s basically the mascot for Korea’s buses since Tayo means 'ride' in Korean.
Where the mountains meet the sea
A fun fact: about 70% of Korea is mountainous. The “san” in Busan literally means “mountain,” so yes, there are plenty of them. But what makes Busan special is that you get mountains, sea, and rivers all in one place. If it’s your first visit, I’d recommend the beach areas like Haeundae, Gwangalli, Songjeong, and Songdo. For mountains, Geumjeongsan and Hwangnyeongsan are great options.
Top picks for families
Here are ten family-friendly things I’d recommend. Our three-year-old boy is very into transportation so quite a few rides are involved!
- Visit Haeundae Beach and ride the Haeundae Blueline Park Sky Capsule or beach train or just play in the sand all day
- Spend a day in Yeongdo: explore the Huinnyeoul Culture Village, ride the Taejongdae Danubi Train, visit the National Maritime Museum, and enjoy the coastal views—you could even take a cruise
- Spend time at Busan Children’s Grand Park
- Visit Jagalchi Fish Market and take a cruise
- See the Gwangan Bridge light show at night—there’s also a drone show every Saturday evening
- Enjoy Songdo Beach, ride the Songdo Marine Cable Car, and take a scenic coastal walk
- Visit the Osiria area: shop at Lotte Premium Outlet and enjoy attractions at Lotte World
- Explore beautiful temples like Beomeosa and Tongdosa
- Hike Geumjeongsan and ride a cable car—yes, another cable car!
- Go on a night hike and enjoy the Busan night view from Hwangnyeongsan Observatory
If you’re looking for a family trip that’s a little different from the usual, Busan might just surprise you—in the best possible way. For me, this trip was a reminder that sometimes the places closest to your heart are the ones you forget to really see. Going back as a tourist to my own hometown turned out to be one of the best things I've done and I have my family to thank for that.
About the Author
Erica is a Korean mom navigating motherhood one day at a time in Bangkok. Before settling here, she lived in Australia, China, Japan, Singapore, and the Netherlands, where she picked up bits of the local languages along the way, but after four years in Bangkok, Thai is still proving challenging.