How to Reach Jeju Island: Complete Guide by Ferry and Plane (with First-Hand Experience)

Jeju Island (제주도), often called the “Hawaii of South Korea”, is a volcanic island located about 85 km off the southern coast of the Korean peninsula. Reaching Jeju is relatively straightforward, both by plane and by sea, but the options and costs vary significantly. In this complete guide we explain every way to reach Jeju Island, with a particular focus on ferries for anyone travelling with a vehicle (campervan, car, motorbike).

Why visit Jeju Island

Before getting into how to get there, it’s worth remembering why Jeju is one of South Korea’s most popular destinations:

• UNESCO Heritage: Three UNESCO sites (Hallasan volcano, lava tubes, craters)
• Breathtaking scenery: beaches, waterfalls, volcanic rock formations
• Subtropical climate: milder than mainland Korea
• Unique culture: distinctive traditions, cuisine and dialect
• A hiker’s paradise: over 26 Olle Trail routes

Jeju is perfect whether you’re backpacking or exploring Korea by campervan or car!

Reaching Jeju Island by plane: Flights and airports

Jeju International Airport (CJU)

Jeju International Airport (제주국제공항) is South Korea’s second largest airport after Incheon. Located just a few kilometres from Jeju City, it’s extremely well connected, with:

• Domestic flights from all major South Korean cities
• International flights from China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore

Domestic flights to Jeju: The busiest route in the world

The Seoul (Gimpo) ↔ Jeju route is the busiest air route in the world, with over 13.7 million passengers in 2023! Flights leave practically every 10-15 minutes during the day.

Main domestic routes

• Seoul Gimpo (GMP) → Jeju: about 1 hour flight, over 700 flights a week
• Busan (PUS) → Jeju: 50 minutes
• Daegu (TAE) → Jeju: 50 minutes
• Gwangju (KWJ) → Jeju: 40 minutes

Here are indicative prices (one way)

• Seoul → Jeju: from ₩23,000 (~€15-17) with low-cost airlines
• Busan → Jeju: from ₩30,000 (~€20-22)

Tip: Book at least 2-4 weeks in advance to get the best fares. Flights fill up quickly, especially on weekends and during Korean holidays (Chuseok, Seollal).

Reaching Jeju Island by ferry: All the options

If you’re travelling with a campervan, car, motorbike, or simply prefer a slower, more scenic way to travel, the ferry is your only option. There are several routes from mainland South Korea to Jeju, each with different features, costs and timetables.

Overview of Jeju ferry routes

There are currently 5 main port terminals from which ferries to Jeju Island depart:

Below is our experience on the way there from Nokdong Port (Yeosu), while on the way back we used the Ocean Vista Ferry.

1. Nokdong Port (Yeosu)

This is the ferry we used, and we recommend it as the cheapest option for reaching Jeju Island with a vehicle!

📍 Location: Nokdong Port  , near Yeosu (south coast of South Korea)

⏰ Times:

• Vehicle check-in: 6:00-6:30am
• Ferry departure: 9:00am
• Arrival in Jeju: around 2:00-3:00pm (5-6 hour crossing)

💰 Costs we paid (one way):

• 5.40m campervan: ₩207,200 (~€138)
• Per person: ₩32,500 (~€22)

🐾 Pets:

• Allowed: yes, but must be in a crate/carrier
• On the pier: they can walk freely before boarding

This ferry is the cheapest way to reach Jeju with a vehicle, with convenient times involving a morning departure and an afternoon arrival. Staff are helpful and some speak English, and pets are allowed on board. However, you do need to arrive very early in the morning for vehicle check-in, online information is limited for foreigners, and it’s hard to book from abroad (it’s better to show up in person at the terminal).

Our tip: This ferry is perfect if you’re travelling by campervan or car. Show up at the terminal the day before to finalise your booking, since it’s very hard for foreigners to complete the process online. Staff aren’t used to seeing many foreigners with vehicles, but they’re kind and helpful!

2. Ocean Vista Ferry (Samcheonpo → Donggeum-dong, Jeju)

Another interesting option is the Ocean Vista ferry, which departs from Samcheonpo (near Sacheon).

📍 Location: Sacheon-si Port 

⏰ Times:

• Samcheonpo → Jeju: departs at midnight, arrives at 6:00am (6 hours)
• Jeju → Samcheonpo: show up at the ticket office by 12:30pm, departs at 2:30pm

💰 Cost we paid:

• About €137 one way for vehicle + person

Note: We got a significant discount after meeting the CEO of the ferry company. The standard price may be higher.

🐾 Pets:

• Allowed: yes, but must be in a crate/carrier
• A room is available for pets to roam freely!

Staff are kind and speak English, making things easier for foreign travellers. The overnight ferry lets you “sleep” through the crossing and arrive in Jeju at dawn, so you can start exploring the island first thing in the morning. That said, the overnight schedule isn’t for everyone, and prices can vary, so it’s best to ask the company directly.

3. Wando Ferry Terminal (not tested personally)

Wando is the fastest ferry to Jeju Island (only 2h 40min) and one of the most frequent.

📍 Location: Wando Port 

⏰ Typical times:

• 3 daily departures: 8:00am, 4:00pm, 2:30am

💰 Indicative costs (from other sources):

• Person: ₩27,000 (~€18) one way
• 3.2-tonne vehicle: ₩180,000 (~€120)
• Vehicle weighing: ₩5,000 (~€3.50)

The Wando ferry is the fastest way to reach Jeju (only 2h 40min) and is also very frequent, with 3 daily departures. Staff speak English, making it easier to communicate for foreign travellers. However, it’s slightly more expensive than the Nokdong ferry and the boarding process is more complex, requiring several steps between vehicle weighing and buying separate tickets for the vehicle and passengers.

4. Mokpo Ferry Terminal

Mokpo is the most popular terminal for ferries to Jeju, thanks to its proximity to the island.

📍 Location: Mokpo Port 

⏰ Times:

• Almost daily departures (except Sundays and the 2nd, 4th, 5th of the month)
• Departure times: between 1:00am and 9:00am
• From Jeju to Mokpo: between 1:40pm and 5:00pm

💰 Indicative costs:

• Person: ₩50,000 (~€33)
• Round-trip car: about $300 extra

The Mokpo terminal has the advantage of being closer to Jeju (4-5 hour crossing) and has two ships (Queen Mary and Queen Jenuvia) that guarantee greater capacity. However, it has some downsides: schedules are overnight or very early morning (between 1:00am and 9:00am), it doesn’t run every day (no Sundays and some days of the month), and it’s more expensive than other options.

5. Busan Ferry Terminal

If you’re in Busan, there’s a direct ferry to Jeju, although it’s the longest and least frequent. The ferry runs overnight and can take up to 11-12 hours!

📍 Location: Busan Port 

⏰ Times:

• Busan → Jeju: Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00pm, arriving at 6:00am
• Jeju → Busan: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

💰 Costs:

• Person: ₩51,500-76,500 (~€34-51)

The ferry from Busan is particularly convenient if you’re already in the city, and the overnight journey lets you sleep on board during the crossing. On the other hand, it’s the longest ferry (11-12 hours), only runs 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday outbound) and is among the more expensive options available.

Costs for foreign vehicles: Watch out for higher fares

A very important note for anyone travelling with a foreign-registered (non-South Korean) vehicle: foreign vehicles pay higher fares than Korean vehicles.

From our research and first-hand experience, we noticed that:

• Costs for foreign-plated vehicles are higher than for Korean vehicles
• Some terminals require extra documentation, such as temporary import documents!

Our case: With our Italian campervan, we paid ₩207,200 for the Nokdong ferry, which is a higher cost than what similarly sized Korean vehicles pay.

Practical tips:

1. Show up in person at the terminal the day before departure to finalise your booking
2. Bring all your documents: passport, international driving permit, vehicle documents, insurance
3. Ask for cost confirmation before making the payment
4. Booking online is nearly impossible for foreigners, it’s better to go in person

Booking ferries to Jeju: How to do it as a foreigner

Online booking for ferries to Jeju Island is notoriously difficult for foreigners, especially if you have a vehicle. Here’s why:

Why it’s hard to book online

1. Korean-only websites: most ferry company websites are Korean only
2. Complicated payments: they often require Korean credit cards or Korean resident registration numbers (RRN)
3. Identity verification: many systems require verification via a Korean phone number
4. Foreign vehicle documents: online systems don’t handle non-Korean plates well

How to book: Recommended strategy

Option 1: Show up in person at the terminal (recommended)

This is the strategy that worked best for us:

1. Arrive at the terminal 1-2 days before your desired departure
2. Go straight to the ticket office and talk to staff
3. Show your documents: passport, driving permit, vehicle documents
4. Confirm the departure date and time
5. Pay by cash or card (they accept international cards)
6. Collect your tickets, or come back on the day of departure to finalise everything

A more reliable approach that lets you avoid problems with online systems, ask questions directly, clear up any doubts and get personal assistance throughout the whole process.

Option 2: Through international online agencies

Some international platforms let you book ferries to Jeju:

• Klook  : offers tickets for some Jeju ferries (mainly foot passengers)
• Direct Ferries  : compares prices and schedules
• Local travel agencies in South Korea

Note: These platforms work best for foot passengers. If you have a vehicle, you’ll almost always need to contact the company directly or show up in person.

Option 3: Through the official Hanil Express website (Korean)

If you know Korean, or use a translator, we recommend trying the official Hanil Express  website (Korean).

If possible, ask a Korean friend or your hotel/guesthouse staff to help you with the phone booking. Many ferry companies accept phone bookings, and local staff can make the process much easier! You may also be able to take advantage of some promotions and discounts!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it possible to visit Jeju Island in a single day? A: Technically yes by plane (1h there + 1h back), but not recommended. Jeju deserves at least 2-3 days to see the main attractions.

Q: Do ferries to Jeju run all year round? A: Yes, but with possible cancellations during bad weather (typhoons in summer/autumn, winter storms). Always check before you leave.

Q: Can I bring a bicycle on the ferry? A: Yes, bicycles are generally allowed on ferries. They may be considered “luggage” or carry a small extra fee.

Q: Do I need to book the ferry weeks in advance? A: It depends on the season. In high season (July-August, Korean holidays) yes, book 1-2 weeks ahead. In low season there’s often availability even on the same day.

Q: Can pets travel on the ferries? A: Yes, but they must be in a crate/carrier. On the pier they can walk freely before boarding. Always confirm with the specific company.

Q: How much does it cost to rent a car in Jeju? A: About ₩40,000-80,000/day (€27-54), depending on the type of car and season. Compact cars are cheaper. Remember that an international driving permit is required! (guide in Italian)

Q: Can I use international credit cards on the ferries? A: Generally yes at the terminals (Visa, Mastercard). However, always bring cash (KRW) as a backup.

Q: Do the ferries have cabins/beds? A: It depends on the route. Overnight ferries (e.g. Busan-Jeju) have cabins or tatami areas to sleep in. Short daytime ferries (e.g. Wando) only have seating.

Conclusion: Ferry or plane to Jeju?

The choice between ferry and plane to reach Jeju Island mainly depends on three factors:

1. Do you have a vehicle? → Ferry is mandatory
2. How much time do you have? → Plane if you’re in a hurry, ferry if you prefer slow travel
3. Budget? → Cheap flight for solo travellers, ferry if travelling as a group or with a car

Our personal experience

We chose the Nokdong ferry to bring our campervan to Jeju, and we were very happy with that choice. It was an authentic experience, we saved on car rental, and we were able to explore Jeju with all the freedom and comfort of our own campervan.

Our final tips:

1. With a campervan/car: Use the Nokdong ferry (cheapest) or Wando (fastest)
2. No vehicle, short stay (2-4 days): Fly with a low-cost airline and rent a car in Jeju
3. No vehicle, long stay (7+ days): Consider the ferry for the experience + car rental
4. With pets: Ferry is more convenient (especially Nokdong)
5. Always show up in person at the terminal to finalise bookings with foreign vehicles

Jeju Island is an extraordinary destination that deserves to be explored unhurriedly. Whether you choose the ferry or the plane, an unforgettable adventure awaits you among volcanoes, unspoiled beaches and breathtaking scenery!

Happy travels to Jeju Island!