What should we do on Seoul stopover?

Have a question? Ask our expert Simon Calder

The South Korean capital is a stepping stone on Ben’s trip to Sydney (AFP/Getty)

Q Our family (including two girls aged five and eight) are flying from Heathrow via Seoul to Sydney for Christmas on the Korean airline, Asiana. While the outbound connection is quick, on the way back we arrive at the Korean airport at 7pm and our flight isn’t until 1pm the next day.

Ben C

A Seoul’s main airport is a long way from the Korean capital. Indeed, its name – Incheon – reflects the fact that it is on an island just west of the nation’s third city, Incheon, and over 30 miles from Seoul.

While the Korean capital is well worth exploring, for a family with young children an 18-hour connection is far from ideal. So instead, I suggest you stay in Incheon itself, which provides an excellent introduction to South Korea and is good fun for youngsters.

At Sydney, get your bags tagged all the way through to Heathrow, and just take essentials for the overnight stay in Korea. Make sure you have your boarding passes for the leg to London, to remove one hurdle from your onward stop.

When you arrive at the airport, take bus 307 to Incheon Station at the city centre. The station is directly opposite Korea’s largest Chinatown: the People’s Republic is only 150 miles away across the Yellow Sea. There are plenty of places to stay in the vicinity, such as the Hotel Atti, which is about £40 a night including breakfast for a twin/double (you will need two, of course).

You should be installed within an hour of touchdown, so go out for a Chinese meal, and if you have the energy wander past the colourful images along Samgukji Mural Street.

Next morning, you could track down the pockets of concession-era architecture in the Jung-gu district, along Gwandong Modern Architecture Street. But I imagine the girls will far prefer the attractions of Wolmido, a former island which is now the city’s seafront – and a short cab ride away. Plan to take another taxi from there to the airport. For a 1pm departure, you need not arrive much before noon.

Every day our travel correspondent Simon Calder tackles a reader’s question. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder