Jeju
Jeju Island is the top vacation destination for Koreans. In fact, the busiest flight route in the world is actually the trip between Jeju and Seoul. At just 450km, it’s not particularly long, but it is popular with more than 85,000 flights a year. Jeju Island boasts the tallest mountain Korea, beautiful coastline, the Jeju Olleh trail for the trekkers, and so much delicious seafood to go around. If you have time, or a few times, to visit Jeju Island, you definitely need to go. It makes a perfect weekend away from mainland Korea.
Top Travel Experiences In Jeju
- Hallasan Mountain
- Seongsan Ilchulbong
- Manjanggul Cave
- Udo Island
- Hamdeok Beach
- Jeongbang Waterfall
- Osulloc Green Tea Fields
- Seopjikoji
Travel Tips For Jeju
- Great Year-Round: Jeju Island is obviously very popular in the summer months when the ocean water is especially appealing to cool off in the heat, but the island is actually beautiful year round and even boasts winter blooming flowers too. If you need a little winter pick-me-up, definitely look into Jeju Island.
- Definitely Think About Renting a Car: Most people don’t realize how big Jeju Island actually is. If you want to get around and see more, definitely consider renting a car. There are buses on the island, but it’ll take a whole lot longer to get anywhere on them. If you plan to stay in one general area, like Hamdeok Beach, then no need to get a car. But plan ahead either way.
- What To Eat: There are a lot of seafood treats on the island, but even if you’re not big into seafood, Jeju is also known for pork.
- Jeju Black Pork (Heuk-dwaeji 흑돼지): A black haired breed of pig from Jeju Island is considered above standard pork with marbling and delicious flavor.
- Jeju Tangerines (Hallabong 한라봉): Delicious and the most famous tangerines in Korea, you can pick hallabong until your heart’s content and eat them all too.
- Abalone: Harvested by the Jeju mermaids, or the Hae-nyo, famous female divers who descend up to 15 meters to collect the delicacies, the shellfish can be eaten from the shell or in delicious stews and porridges.
Best Tours In Jeju
Jeju UNESCO Day Tour
Take the south route of Jeju Island and experience natural wonders such as the Jusangjeolli Cliff and the Cheonjiyeon Falls. Travel to the east side and see Woljeongri Beach, which is known for its emerald waters and relaxing atmosphere. Then, explore Manjang Cave and that’s just before lunch. Find out more in the link.
Eastern Jeju Discovery Tour
See a unique part of Jeju’s cultural heritage at Seongeup Folk Village, nestled at the foot of Mt. Halla then watch Jeju’s famed ‘haenyeo’ female divers in action and braving the cold as they hunt for the freshest catch. Take a trek up a volcanic peak for breathtaking views before delving inside Manjang Cave, with a traditional lunch included too!
Southern Jeju Discovery Tour
You will first head to Mysterious Road, where there is the strange optical illusion then you will go on an adventure of a lifetime by trekking up to Mt. Halla. A delicious Korean lunch is waiting for you after your visit, before you embark on your trip to Jeongbang Falls, which falls directly into the ocean. See all of the natural sides of Jeju.
Western Jeju Island Tour
Visit Hallim Park to roam beautiful gardens. Trek up to Suweolbong for incredible ocean views. After a Korean-style buffet lunch, head to the beautiful Mt Sanbang to trek up a mountain formed of volcanic lava, containing a cave 150m above the sea, ready to treat you with gorgeous ocean views once you step within.
Jeju Sunrise Half Day Tour
Sunrise on Jeju Island is pretty spectacular. There’s just something calm and awakening. Enjoy a popular sunrise spot on the island where you can wake up with the sun.
Customized Day Tour
Have you looked at all of the awesome things to do on Jeju Island and want to create your own itinerary but don’t want to rent a car of your own? Create your own Jeju Itinerary and jump in with a driver to get you to the spots you want.
Plan Your Trip To Jeju Island
How To Get To Jeju
By Plane
Most people choose to fly to Jeju and you can get there from a few different airports in Korea so figure out which airport is closest to you and it’s that easy. The bigger airports in Seoul and Busan have more frequent flights, but the smaller regional airports have flights too so don’t discount that option if you live outside of the major cities. Check the current rates and deals on Kayak.com.
Gimpo Airport (김포공항) To Jeju Airport (제주공항)
- Duration: 55 minutes
- Cost: W10,000 ~ W100,000
- Gimpo Airport Address: 38 Haneul-gil Gangseo-gu Seoul (서울 강서구 하늘길 38)
Cheongju Airport (청주공항) To Jeju Airport (제주공항)
- Duration: 1 hour
- Cost: W9,000 ~ W50,000
- Cheongju Airport Address: 980 Ochang-daero Naesu-eup Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju-si Chungcheongbuk-do (충북 청주시 청원구 내수읍 오창대로 980)
Wonju Airport (원주공항) To Jeju Airport (제주공항)
- Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Cost: W29,000 ~ W80,000
- Wonju Airport Address: 42 Hoengseong-ro Hoengseong-eup Hoengseong-gun Gangwon-do (강원 횡성군 횡성읍 횡성로 42)
Gimhae Airport (Busan) (김해국제공항) To Jeju Airport (제주공항)
- Duration: 55 minutes
- Cost: W9,000 ~ W80,000
- Gimhae Airport Address: 108 Gonghangjinip-ro Gangseo-gu Busan (부산 강서구 공항진입로 108)
By Ferry
The ferry terminal on Jeju Island is the Jeju Ferry Passenger Terminal (제주항연안여객터미널).
Yeosu To Jeju
Yeosu is a beautiful port city on the southern coast of Korea. If you’ve got some time this summer, you could head to Yeosu and see what there is to see and then hop onto a ferry to get to Jeju for a bit too
- Terminal Name: Yeosu EXPO Cruise Terminal (여수엑스포여객선터미널)
- Address: 320-66 Expo-daero Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do (전남 여수시 엑스포대로 320-66)
- Ferry Operator: Hanil Express
- Ferry Name: Gold Stella
- Duration: 5 hours 20 minutes
- Cost: W47,500 ~ W64,750
- Departure Times: Runs every Monday through Saturday and departs at 1:20pm.
- Return Times: Runs daily at 4:50pm except for Saturdays.
Mokpo To Jeju
Mokpo is another neat place to visit if you have the chance and also being a port city has a ferry too!
- Terminal Name: Mokpo Passenger Terminal (목포항국제여객터미널)
- Address: 14 Haean-ro 148 beon-gil, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do (전남 목포시 해안로148번길 14)
- Ferry Operator: Seaworld Express Ferry
- Ferry Name: Santa Luchino, Queen Mary
- Duration: The Queen Mary Ferry takes 4 hours while the Santa Luchino takes 5.5 hours.
- Cost: W32,300 ~ W62,000
- Departure Times: The Queen Mary runs every day except the first and third Mondays of the month and departs at 9:00am. The Santa Luchino runs daily except for Sundays and the second and fourth Mondays of the month.
- Return Times: The Santa Luchino departs daily however there are no departures on Saturdays or the second and fourth Mondays. The Queen Mary departs daily except for no departures on the first and third Mondays of the month.
- Website: http://www.seaferry.co.kr/
Goheung To Jeju
- Terminal Name: Goheung Nokdong New Port Passenger Terminal (녹동신항연안여객선터미널)
- Address: 266-16 Bibong-ro, Doyang-eub, Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do (전남 고흥군 도양읍 비봉로 266-16)
- Ferry Operator: Namhae Express
- Ferry Name: Arion Jeju
- Duration: 3 hours 40 minutes
- Departures Times: Ships depart daily at 9:00am except for the first and third Sunday of the month.
- Return Times: Ships depart daily at 4:30pm except for the first and third Sunday of the month.
Wando To Jeju
- Terminal Name: Wando Passenger Terminal (완도연안여객선터미널)
- Address: 339 Jangbogo-daero, Wando-eub, Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do (전남 완도군 완도읍 장보고대로 339)
- Ferry Operator: Hanil Express
- Ferry Name: Hanil Red Pearl (via Chujado Island), Silver Cloud, Hanil Blue Narae
- Duration: There are three ferries that run from this port. The Red Pearl and Silver Cloud take 2 hours and 40 minutes and the Songlim Blue Ocean takes 5 hours.
- Cost: W29,900 ~ W36,300
- Departures Times: Silver Cloud departs at 2:30am and 3:00pm. Blue Narae departs at 9:00am and 3:00pm
- Return Times: Silver Cloud departs at 7:20am and 7:30pm. Blue Narae departs at 4:00pm.
- Website: www.hanilexpress.co.kr
Haenam To Jeju
- Terminal Name: Haenam Usuyung Passenger Terminal (해남우수영여객선터미널)
- Address: 96 Usuyungan-gil, Munnae-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do (전남 해남군 문내면 우수영안길 96)
- Ferry Operator: Seaworld Express Ferry
- Ferry Name: Queenstar No. 2 (via Chujado Island)
- Duration: The trip takes 3 hours
- Departures Times: Departs daily however there are no departures on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month.
- Return Times: Daily
- Website: http://www.seaferry.co.kr/
Busan To Jeju
If you’ve got some extra time and like a more leisurely trip there, the Seokyung Ferry from Busan is overnight and takes 11 hours. Spend some time in Busan and then head to Jeju. What a trip that would be!
- Terminal Name: Busan Port International Passenger Terminal (부산항 연안여객터미널)
- Address: 24 Choongjang-daero Jung-gu, Busan (부산 중구 충장대로 24)
- Ferry Operator: MS Ferry
- Ferry Name: New Star
- Duration: This ferry takes 11 hours.
- Cost: W51,500 ~ W76,500
- Departure Times: Departs at 7:00pm Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and arrives at 6:00am.
- Return Times: If you want to return via this ferry, it returns on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Get tickets when you arrive at the terminal in Jeju before you head out for fun on the island.
- Website: http://msferry.haewoon.co.kr/