Jeju is an island located off the southern tip of the Korean peninsula. Occupying an area of 1878 sq.m it is Korea’s largest island. A round trip along the coastal route is about 280 Km. Although there are public buses serving major destinations, driving in Jeju is the more convenient option as it saves you time and gives you the freedom to explore this beautiful island.
It certainly helps that the roads are well paved and clearly signposted. Do note that cars here are left hand drive so it may take a little time to adjust if you’re used to “right-hand-drive” cars. You will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) from your country’s motoring association before you arrive. It is a mandatory requirement by car rental companies in Korea.
Renting a Car
One of the more established local car rental companies in Jeju is Lotte Rent-a-Car (formerly known as KT Kumho). First register as a member to get discounted rates, sometimes as high as 60% depending on seasonality. Please be aware that you will need to apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) first before booking the car. You are required to fill in the IDP number during the registration process. After getting pass the lengthy signup process, booking the car is relatively easy. I rented a Kia K3 on my recent 4 day trip for 229,100 Korean Won (about US$212) after 60% discount. Works out to about US$53 a day. Do remember to request for an English GPS if you do not understand Korean. The rate includes GPS, full insurance cover and damage waiver.
Collecting the Rental Car
Upon arriving at Jeju International Airport look for the car rental counter.
They will guide you to the courtesy bus that will take you on a 5 min ride to the Jeju Auto House where their rental cars are located. This is also the place where you return the car and the bus will send you back to the airport.
Info: Jeju Auto House is open from 8 am to 10 pm daily. Early pickups and returns from 6 am can be arranged. Their email response is quite fast, usually within hours.
Take a queue number from the ticket dispenser in the middle of the registration service counter and wait for your turn.
Once registration is done and rental contract signed a service staff went through the features of the car and how to operate the GPS functions. Clear return instructions was provided as well as telephone no of the return location, and an emergency number to call in case of accidents. Must say that I was impressed with the efficient service. The Kia K3 was in good condition and had about 34,000 km on it when I took the car.
Using the Car GPS
Our car came with a large 7″ GPS which served us well throughout the trip with no problems locating hotels, restaurants and places of interest we wanted to go. To find the location you will need to enter either the name of the destination or the 7-digit phone number, which is my preferred option. The GPS will display the matching phone nos in its database preceded by area code (064) for Jeju. Select the number highlighted in yellow followed by “Guide” on the bottom menu and the GPS unit will begin calculating the route, distance and travel time.
Useful tip: To save you time I have compiled a list containing GPS telephone numbers of Jeju’s places of interest. Hope this helps 🙂
Driving in Jeju
Places of interests are located across the island so you will need to plan ahead. The Southern part around the Yongmeori Coast, Jungmun and Seogwipo region is where most of the scenic spots like Oedolgae (filming location for ‘Daejanggeum’), Jeongbang falls and Cheonjiyeon Falls are located. On the East there is Seongsan Ilchulbong (also known as Sunrise Peak) and scenic Seopjikoji Beach. You will need at least 4 full days to cover the “must see” places of interest.
Do observe the speed limits which are strictly enforced by speed cameras. The speed limit is 50 km/h in towns, 60 km/h on two-lane roads, and 80 km/h on four-lane roads. It is relatively easy to find your way around as traffic is usually not heavy. There are numerous speed bumps especially near school zones so do be careful around these areas. Coastal route 1132 circles the island. while routes 1139 and 1118 which takes you through center part of the island around Mt Hallasan are more scenic and relaxing with less stop starts. Be acquainted with the topography and plan the route ahead so you don’t have to back-track.
Here’s an interactive map of Jeju you can use to plan your drive.
Jeju is a beautiful island so take your time, drive carefully and have a great time.
Returning the Rental Car
Give yourself ample time (I suggest at least 2 hours) before check-in to settle the car return. You need to return it to the Jeju Autohouse where you picked up the car with a full tank. There is a petrol station about 100m before you arrive at the rental return. I used only half a tank for the 4 day 350 km journey. Total petrol cost : $54,000 Korean Won (about US$50).
Their courtesy bus will send you back to the airport terminal.
Affordable Accommodations in Jeju
Here are some recommended accommodations right in the heart of Seogwipo. These are in great locations with easy access to attractions in the Southern part of Jeju where all the major attractions are located.
1. The Island Blue Hotel, Jeju is a 4-star hotel right in the city center walking distance to great eateries.
2. Days Hotel Jeju Seogwipo Ocean – spacious and clean with valet parking facilities.
3. The Ocean Palace Hotel is a bit old but the rooms are huge and clean with recent renovation. Great location with views of the ocean from higher floors.
Related Posts on Jeju:
- 9-day Self-Guided Trip to Jeju
- Cheapest Flight From Singapore to Jeju
- Hiking the Seongpanak Trail to Hallasan
- Beautiful Udo Island
- GPS phone numbers for driving in Jeju
- Jeongbang Falls, Jeju
- Cheonjiyeon Falls
- Jeju Ocean Palace Hotel Review
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hi. i would like to double confirm to know that there is no more KT KUMHO is it? and its had change the name to LOTTE RENT A CAR ? im going on october this year. hope to hear from you soon.
thanks
Hi Weiping,
Yes that is correct. KT Kumho and LOTTE rent-a-car merged in Aug 2015 and they now operate as LOTTE rent-a-car.
More info here:
https://www.lotterentacar.net/eng/footer/company_history.do
Have a nice trip to Jeju.
thank you for the info.
i’m seek for your advice in accommodation and transport.
i will be staying at jeju for 4days 3 nights and will arrive late(around 9pm+) at jeju. is it ok if i stay around airport or Jeju Autohouse(Jeju-si, Jeju-do) area at the 1st night since i arrive late at that day. by the next day morning i just go to Jeju Autohouse to rent a car than direct to Seogwipo-si area. will be staying at Seogwipo-si area for 2 nights. at the 4th day check out form Seogwipo-si area drive to return the car at jeju-si after that use their shuttle bus to airport. is it ok if i do so as i think its more convenient compare to rent the car at Jeju lottehotel.
Yes, since you arrive late it is a good idea to pick up the rental car next day from Jeju Autohouse..
I don’t see any hotels near the airport or Jeju Autohouse. I would suggest staying the night in Jeju city (Jeju-si) which is not far to Jeju Autohouse, about 10 mins by taxi. Saving a day’s car rental should more than cover the 2 taxi trips.
Hope this helps.
Hi KK, I m trying to find out the business hour for Lottee jeju auto house in order to select the pick up & return time of rental car by somehow can’t find it anywhere from their web page. Do u have any idea on their biz hour?
We reach jeju at 7.45pm & leave at 10am . What is the suitable time to pick up & return the car?
Hi Amy,
I emailed Lotte Car Rental on your behalf. They replied that Jeju Autohouse opening hours are from 8am to 10pm. So you are good for both pickup and return. In case you need to return earlier than 8am they do accept early car returns from 6am.
Below is the full reply from Lotte Car Rental:
Dear KK Yong,
Thank you for contacting Lotte rent-a-car.
On your inquiry, the operation hours is from 08:00 to 22:00 and an early return is from 06:00 at Jeju auto house.
For the early return, please let me know your reservation number and preferred time by return then I will forward to a member of Jeju auto house for that. After return, a member of Jeju auto house will drop you up at Jeju Airport.
This following is requirements for rental from us.
– The driver should present “Original Valid International Driving Permit Class “B” which is covered 9seats Issued by country should be a part of Geneva or Vienna Convention.
It is issued for one year-expired period normally, for this reason we accept less than one year of it.
With regard to the holder from United States of America, we accept international driving permit issued by AAA(The American Automobile Association) only.
– The driver must be at least 21 years old (From 2017, the driver is eligible from birthday the next day, born in 1996.)
– The driver should present passport for ID
– Form of payment, the main driver has to pay by own credit card (Not available with debit card, cash and dollar) at rental counter.
If not, we accept a travelling companion’s credit card that the one should be with the main driver during the rental period.
– All signatures should be equal among requirements.
– The driver needs an address, a temporary place of residence and a contact no. when making a rental lease agreement at location.
Please come to rental counter which is located right next to gate #2 and 3 on arrival level to present the reservation number.
There is free courtesy bus from Jeju airport to Jeju auto house & from Jeju auto house to Jeju airport. It will take approximately 10mins by courtesy bus.
To get the member discount, the customer has to register it for free on our website: https://www.lotterentacar.net/eng/login/login_join_phone.do
After becoming member, you can reserve and check the rental car with the member discount.
Thank you.
Best regards,
Chelsea Joo
Reservation Center KR
Asia No. 1 Rent-a-car | LOTTE rent-a-car
Tel: +82 2 797 8000 | Email: hyuna.joo@lotte.net | Website: http://www.lotterentacar.net
Hi KK,
Thank you so much for the info. It will be very helpful to us. 🙂
~Amy
Hi KK,
I was in Jeju around summer 2013 and I rented a car at that time with my International Driving Permit from Indonesia. It was no problem renting a car at that time.
Now I have a car rent from Sixt, but they told me they cannot accept my driving permit. I am going to Jeju in Desember 2017.
Do you know any information about rent company can accept my driving permit?
Thank you,
Ruby
Hi Ruby,
I’m not sure I can be of much help in this regards. You may try making an enquiry with Lotte Rent-A-Car. Their response is quite prompt. This is their contact info:
https://www.lotterentacar.net/eng/content/263/main.do?mnCd=EN0406
Hi.
I’m going to Jeju at the end of Jan 2018. Do I need snow chains for the car? And does Lotte provide them? I will arrive in Jeju at about 9pm. Will the free shuttle from the airport to Jeju auto house be available at that time?
TQ!
Hi Haz,
Yes you will need snow chains, or at least a 4WD vehicle in winter especially if you are exploring the central region around Mt Hallasan. The good news is that Lotte car rental provides snow chains for free.
Your arrival time is kind of late. Lotte rental closes at 10pm. I suggest that you email them with your flight schedule and snow chain requirements. They usually respond within 24 hours.
Hope this helps. Drive safe and enjoy your holiday in Jeju!
Hi there! Your blogpost is very informative and helpful, thank you! I just wanted to ask about pumping the car – are gas stations in Jeju self-service or will someone help you once you drive in? And payment is acceptable through cash and international credit cards?
Thanks for your kind compliments.
In reply to your question, you car will come with a full tank and it will be enough for all your sightseeing around Jeju till you get back to Jeju Auto House. There is a petrol station near Jeju Autohouse with both full serve and self serve options. You can fill up there before returning your car. Cash and credit card payment are accepted.
Hi KK Yong,
Thank you so much for all your efforts in putting this site together – we are travelling in 2 weeks (Aug 2018) and we are grateful to have stumbled upon your site 🙂 🙂
Thanks Luke. Glad you find the site useful. Enjoy your trip to Jeju.