How to Get to Jeju Island: Complete 2026 Guide
Flights from $14, ferry routes, transport tips & everything you need to know
Updated January 2026 • Personally tested & verified
⚡ Quick Answer
For 90% of travelers: Flying is fastest, cheapest, and most convenient. Flights from Seoul (Gimpo Airport) start at just $14 USD and take only 1 hour 10 minutes.
✈️ Best Option: Fly from Seoul Gimpo Airport
⚠️ Ferry Update: Direct Busan-Jeju ferry discontinued (2024)
🚗 On Island: Car rental essential
Jeju Island—often called the “Hawaii of South Korea”—is one of Asia’s most spectacular destinations. This UNESCO World Heritage volcanic island features dramatic lava tubes, cascading waterfalls, pristine beaches, and some of Korea’s best cuisine. Getting there is surprisingly easy and affordable.
✈️ Flying from Seoul to Jeju
🛫 Seoul Gimpo (GMP) – Best Option
- Flight time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Frequency: 100+ flights daily
- Cost: $14-90 USD
- Airlines: Korean Air, Asiana, Jeju Air, Jin Air, T’way Air
- From city: 17 km, 20-30 min
🌏 Incheon (ICN)
- Flight time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Frequency: 20-30 flights daily
- Cost: $40-110 USD
- Best for: International connections
💰 How to Get Cheap Flights
- Cheapest days: Tuesday/Wednesday (40-60% less than weekend)
- Book ahead: 6-8 weeks for best prices
- Cheapest month: December (flights from $14)
- Most expensive: April, August
- Budget airlines: Jin Air, T’way Air (watch baggage fees)
🔍 Where to Book Flights
Trip.com
Excellent for Asia flights, often has exclusive Korean airline deals.
🛫 Flying from Busan to Jeju
- Airport: Gimhae International (PUS)
- Flight time: 55 minutes – 1 hour
- Frequency: 30-40 flights daily
- Cost: $30-90 USD
- Airlines: Korean Air, Asiana, Air Busan, Jin Air
⚠️ Busan-Jeju Ferry DISCONTINUED
The direct overnight ferry from Busan to Jeju is no longer operating (discontinued 2024).
Alternative ferry routes exist from smaller ports (Wando, Mokpo, Yeosu) but require significant extra travel time.
⛴️ Alternative Ferry Routes
Wando → Jeju
- Time: 2h 40min (fastest)
- Frequency: 17/week
- Cost: ~$35-45 USD
- From Busan: +3h bus
Mokpo → Jeju
- Time: 4-5 hours
- Frequency: Daily exc. Sunday
- Cost: $37-50 USD
- Vehicle: +$225
Yeosu → Jeju
- Time: 5-6 hours
- Frequency: 3 daily
- Cost: $35-52 USD
- From Seoul: 3h KTX
💡 Reality: Ferry routes add 7-10 hours total travel time vs 1-hour flight. Only practical if bringing a car or specifically wanting the ferry experience.
🤔 Quick Comparison
| Route | Time | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Seoul Gimpo → Jeju | 1h 10min | $14-90 | 90% of travelers |
| ✈️ Busan → Jeju | 1 hour | $30-90 | Busan visitors |
| ⛴️ Ferry routes | 7-10h total | $70-115 | Bringing car, scenic route |
🚗 Getting Around Jeju Island
🚨 Car Rental is ESSENTIAL
Public transport is extremely limited. Unless staying in Jeju City only, you NEED a car to see the island’s attractions.
💰 Costs
- Economy: $35-50/day
- Compact: $40-60/day
- SUV: $60-90/day
- Gas: ~$10-15 to fill tank
📋 Requirements
- International Driving Permit (IDP) required
- Valid home license
- Credit card
- Min age: 21
🎯 Best Jeju Tours (No Car Needed)
🌟 Top-Rated Jeju Tours
Don’t want to rent a car? These tours cover all must-see spots with English-speaking guides.
🛠️ Essential Travel Tools
📱 Stay Connected with eSIM
Don’t pay $30-50 for airport SIM cards. Get Saily eSIM for $10-15—install at home, activate on arrival.
- Essential for Google Maps navigation
- Taxi apps (KakaoTaxi)
- Translation apps
- Restaurant lookup
🔒 Secure Connection with NordVPN
Protect your data on public WiFi and access geo-restricted content at airports, cafes, and hotels.
🛡️ Travel Insurance
Flight cancellations, medical emergencies, lost luggage—comprehensive coverage from $45/month.
🏨 Where to Stay in Jeju
🏙️ Jeju City (North)
Best for: First-timers, convenience, nightlife
- Closest to airport
- Most restaurants
- Budget: $30-50/night
- Mid-range: $60-100/night
🌊 Seogwipo (South)
Best for: Nature, waterfalls, scenic coast
- Quieter, more scenic
- Near waterfalls
- Budget: $35-55/night
- Mid-range: $65-110/night
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Ready for Your Jeju Adventure?
Set yourself up with these essentials:
Last updated: January 2026. All prices and schedules verified as current.
Important notes:
- Flight prices vary by season—book early for best rates
- Car rental highly recommended for exploring the island
- International Driving Permit (IDP) required for car rental
Disclosure: This guide contains affiliate links. If you book through our links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend services we’ve personally used and believe in. All opinions and advice are based on real travel experience in Jeju Island.
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