How to Go to Jeju Island

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: May 2, 2021 References

Just southwest of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island is the largest tourist location in South Korea. ^{[1]
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Research source} With a temperate climate and verdant landscape, Jeju Island is a beautiful place to explore. By preparing for your trip and planning out locations to visit, you can make your visit to Jeju Island one to remember!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Getting to Jeju Island

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Visit Jeju Island in July to September if you plan to go to the beach. The highest temperature during this time will be 90 °F (32 °C). March to June are the most temperate months, with temperatures staying around 75 °F (24 °C), and this is when most of the flowers and vegetation will be in bloom. ^{[2]
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- Even though the temperature is never extreme, there is still a good amount of rainfall on Jeju Island during the spring and summer, so make sure to pack a raincoat! ^{[3]
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- If you want to visit in the fall and winter, be prepared for temperatures in the 40–50 °F (4–10 °C) range.
2
Plan to take a ferry to Jeju Island if you are already in Seoul or Busan. You can use the official Korean Tourism website as a resource to book your ferry trip. Also, plan to bring your own food on the ferry as there aren’t many places to buy food from on board. This is a great way to enjoy the beautiful views of the ocean! ^{[4]
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- The three main ferry terminals are: Jeju Domestic Ferry Terminal, Jeju International Ferry Terminal, and Seongsanpo Ferry Terminal. A round-trip ticket for one person will run around $100.
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3
Book your flight two to three months in advance for best prices. There are many international flights to Seoul, and from there you can book a flight to Jeju International Island that will take about 1 hour. It is more affordable to fly into Seoul rather that to Jeju International Airport directly, though direct flights are available.
- Most major airlines provide flights into Seoul. Frontier, Spirit, and United airlines offer round-trip tickets, sometime for as low as $200 per person. If you are traveling during the busy tourist season, prices will be higher. Reserving tickets early will help you get the best pricing available for your travel dates. ^{[5]
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- Check out Jin Air, Jeju Air, and Easter Jet for best prices for your flight from Seoul to Jeju. Tickets will cost anywhere from $50-$100 for a round-trip ticket. Airlines often offer early-bird pricing, so buying your tickets sooner rather than later should save you money.
4
Get your travel documents in order. Unless you are a South Korean citizen, you will need a passport to gain entry to Jeju Island. If you don’t already have one, apply for your passport 6 months before your trip to make sure it arrives in time. ^{[6]
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- Don’t wait until the last minute to either renew or apply for a passport. Turnaround time can be as quick as 4 weeks, but that isn’t guaranteed. ^{[7]
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- If you are traveling with children, don’t forget that they need their own passports, too! ^{[8]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Figuring out Travel Logistics

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Decide before you travel how you want to get around Jeju Island. Jeju Island has a wonderful bus system that is easy to navigate and is very inexpensive (about $1.50 for all destinations). You can also hire a taxi or rent a car. If you do plan to drive, make sure to apply for an international driving permit before leaving for your trip! ^{[9]
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- If you do plan to drive yourself, check with your insurance company to see if international coverage is offered. Chances are, you will need to purchase additional insurance for your trip. ^{[10]
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- You can also bike around the entire island. This is a great way to see the coastal roads and forests and, apart from the cost of renting your bike, is free! A per-day rental will cost about $12. ^{[11]
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Check your phone plan to make sure you have international coverage. Chances are you will need to add international coverage to your data plan. Stop by your cellphone provider or give them a call to request this addition. ^{[12]
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- An alternative is to purchase a cheap cellphone locally when you arrive in Jeju that you will use only while on the island. ^{[13]
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3
Notify your bank you will be traveling so they don’t block your credit card. One of the worst things would be arriving to Jeju Island and trying to use your credit card and finding out it has been blocked! Calling your bank ahead of time to let them know of your travel plans will keep your cards functioning while you travel.
- Provide your bank with your travel dates and the names of the major cities you will be visiting.
- Most locations on Jeju Island will accept credit cards, but if you need cash, visit one of the major hotels on the island to exchange money for Korean Won.
4
Download a translation app to help communicate while you travel. While many tourist locations on Jeju Island have signs in English, most locals will not speak your language. Having a translation app will give you a way to communicate, and they are usually free.
- Check out Naver Korean Dictionary & Translate, GreenLife Korean English Translator, and Waygo Translator, Dictionary. Waygo, especially, might be helpful as it is an offline translator app, so you wouldn’t need to worry about having an internet connection. ^{[14]
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- Consider learning a few Korean phrases before you travel, such as “yes,” “no,” “where is,” and “thank you.”
- Many hotels will have guidebooks and translation guides available for sale when you arrive.
5
Make reservations for your lodging. Jeju Island is a huge honeymoon location, so there are a lot of accommodations available! You can rent a minbak, which is a guesthouse, or you can opt to stay in one of several luxury hotels. ^{[15]
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- For a luxury hotel, check out Hyatt Regency Jeju, Lotte Hotel Jeju, and Villa de Aewol. These locations all offer spas, restaurants, and high-class services. ^{[16]
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- If you are traveling on your own, check out the Guesthouse Bomnal. This location has no private rooms, but it is right on the beach and offers complimentary croque-monsieurs for breakfast. Because you would be sharing a room with other travelers, this is also a great way to learn more about the island and get recommendations for other places to visit. ^{[17]
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- Because Jeju Island is small, no matter where you stay you will only be an hour or two from the furthest side of the island.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Planning Fun Activities

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Visit volcano Hallasan to see the highest mountain in South Korea. This is a dormant volcano, which is located in a Biosphere, so there is a crater lake, woodpeckers, beetles, and a myriad of beautiful plants. Take a day to hike the mountain and explore the area! ^{[18]
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- If you don’t already have them, invest in some good hiking shoes to bring with you. They will be worth the space in your luggage!
2
Explore the Manjang Cave to see tunnels formed by cooling lava. This phenomenon is often referred to as a lava tube by locals. You can walk along the tunnel and see bats and stalactites. But if you are claustrophobic, you might want to avoid this location! ^{[19]
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Go to Hyeop-jae Beach for a relaxing day in the sun. One of the most beautiful beaches on the island, Hyeop-jae Beach boasts turquoise water and white sand. This is a great location if you want to spend a day by the water! ^{[20]
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Hike on the Olle walking trails to experience to beauty of Jeju Island. These trails cover the entire island, and there are 17 trails to choose from. This is a beautiful way to explore the island! You can get a map of the trails online or in person when you arrive on the island. ^{[21]
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Eat the local foods to experience regional cuisine. Abalone soup and seaweed and sea urchin soup are two of the most famous Jeju Island dishes. Don’t be afraid to go to local restaurants and try new things! Experiencing the local cuisine is one of the best ways to learn about a different culture. ^{[22]
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- To get a taste of the local produce, make sure to try the hallabong fruit. It’s very similar to an oversized tangerine and is very sweet and easy to peel.
6
Visit the museums to learn more the culture and history of Jeju Island. Jeju Island has many museums for you to choose from, from the Seongeup Folklore Village to the Green Tea Museum, which is located in the midst of actual green tea plantations. ^{[23]
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- Hello Kitty Island, Teddy Bear Museum, and Play KPOP! are a few other locations that offer a fun alternative to visit. It is nice to have options in case you experience an exceptionally rainy day while on Jeju Island. ^{[24]
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Visit the Haenyeo women to learn about their role in society. These are the deep-diving women, searching for octopus, clams, squid, and seaweed. The women dive without any breathing apparatuses! See them do a diving demonstration at Hyeopjae Beach and visit their museum for more information. ^{[25]
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- Most demonstrations will take place in the early morning at the beach, and you may be able to arrange to go out on a boat with the women to observe them up-close. ^{[26]
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