Jeju could also be an island, however it’s South Korea‘s largest island and loads greater than what most individuals may think – it’s greater than twice as large as Singapore! Most individuals advocate self-driving round Jeju for essentially the most flexibility and so you’ll be able to attain extra distant locations across the island, however renting a automotive will not be the most affordable or most sensible possibility particularly when by yourself. I visited Jeju solo in September 2022 and took a mix of buses and taxis to discover, and thought I’d share my recommendations on taking public transport in Jeju and exploring Jeju with no automotive for anybody planning on doing the identical.
Why I selected to not drive in Jeju
I’ve a Class 3 automotive driving license in Singapore and whereas I’m open to the concept of driving in overseas international locations to get round, I normally keep away from renting a automotive if I’m travelling solo as a result of I get a bit nervous on the thought of driving alone in an unfamiliar place. Oddly sufficient I’m comfortable to leap on a scooter (particularly on cute little islands with little site visitors), however not a lot by myself.
Costly for one particular person: on common, renting a automotive was going to price me not less than 120,000 KRW (S$120) per day. This price is unquestionably okay with you could have not less than one different particular person to separate it with, however not one thing I used to be prepared to pay by myself.
Heavy site visitors: Jeju site visitors may be fairly heavy particularly in and across the main metropolis areas like Jeju Metropolis and Seogwipo. You’ll run into peak time site visitors jams in these areas. Isn’t it all the time higher to have the ability to house out in a site visitors jam than must drive by it?
Unfamiliar roads/signage: Korea drives on the correct aspect of the highway, whereas Singapore drives on the left aspect, so it might take some adjustment for me to get used to the course modifications. Additionally I must depend on GPS to navigate and I feel I’d be wired looking for my manner and unable to only admire the surroundings and drive. I’d be alright to drive with not less than one different particular person with me to assist me out, however I didn’t wish to do that by myself.
A word that you’ll want to apply on your Worldwide Driving Allow (IDP) if you happen to plan to drive in Korea – pop by AA and it’s completed fairly shortly for $20. I acquired mine completed for this journey however ended up not utilizing it.
One other factor about Korea is that for worldwide licenses, you completely can’t hire a bike/scooter (A category on the IDP) with only a automotive license (B class on the IDP) sadly, which was an issue for me on the island of Udo the place the principle mode of transport are these electrical scooters/bike automobiles.
The place I travelled in Jeju
Are you able to discover Jeju with no automotive? I did it! I spent 10 days in Jeju and cut up up my journey into totally different segments so I might scale back the quantity of lengthy transits crossing the island. For instance, getting from Aewol to Seogwipo takes not less than an hour even by automotive.
- Day 1-4: 3 nights in Aewol and exploring the northwest area (Aewol, Hallim, Biyangdo)
- Day 4-7: 3 nights in Seogwipo exploring the south coast as much as Seongsan Ilchulbong within the east
- Day 7-9: 2 nights in Udo
- Day 11th of September: 2 nights in Seoul
- Day 11-12: 1 last night time in Jeju Metropolis to catch my morning flight again to Singapore
Public buses in Jeju
The most affordable and best method to get round Jeju is to hop onto one in every of their public buses. Jeju has a reasonably intensive community of buses categorised into 4 totally different bus varieties with their very own assigned color.
Purple: Categorical intercity buses – if you happen to’re based mostly in Seogwipo, that is the quickest manner so that you can get from Jeju airport.
Blue: Intercity buses – these go between cities however cease at many small stops alongside the best way. The buses that I took essentially the most had been in all probability 201 and 202 that circle the island alongside the coast from Jeju Metropolis to Seogwipo – 201 covers the east aspect whereas 202 covers the west aspect. They aren’t a nasty method to get pleasure from seeing the island for reasonable, however they are often fairly gradual as they cease at each cease alongside the best way.
Inexperienced: Metropolis buses – these cowl shorter routes with town
Yellow: Vacationer buses – these cease at main vacationer stops across the island. There’s a west loop and an east loop
If you’re commuting to or from the airport, I took one in every of these buses and it even had a multilingual information on board who helped passengers kind out which cease they wanted to cease at.
Study extra about Jeju’s bus system or seek for Jeju’s bus routes to plan your journey.
Signage at jeju bus stops
Bus stops in Jeju can vary from primary signposts with some paper schedules, or fancier lined shelters with an interactive contact display screen that reveals you the arrival of the various buses on the bus cease, and you should use it to have a look at different bus routes. Ideally you’d wish to have Naver Maps (extra on that under) readily available so that you aren’t caught with no clue even in case you are at a primary bus cease with no digital signage.
Bear in mind to hail your bus: Buses could not all the time cease in any respect stops, so ensure that to flag down your bus if you happen to see it coming.
Signage on Jeju Buses
Jeju’s buses are fairly wonderful for vacationers even when they don’t perceive Korean. Most buses have a TV display screen in entrance that routinely pronounces the subsequent cease’s title and reveals the route and following stops. For sure stops there are even English bulletins, so it’s fairly simple to maintain observe of the place you might be particularly in case you have Naver Maps that will help you see in case you are approaching your vacation spot.
The way to sign your cease: whenever you hear your cease being introduced, hit the cease button and begin getting ready to disembark.
Ring Routes: 201 and 202
The buses that I took essentially the most typically had been in all probability 201 and 202. These are blue intercity buses that circle the island alongside the coast from Jeju Metropolis to Seogwipo – 201 covers the east aspect whereas 202 covers the west aspect. They aren’t a nasty method to get pleasure from seeing the island for reasonable, however they are often fairly gradual as they cease at each cease alongside the best way.
Tip: in case you are planning to journey a protracted distance alongside the coast, it could be less expensive to take a bus reasonably than a cab that takes about the identical period of time. For instance, I took the bus again from Seopjikoji Seashore (east) to Seogwipo (south) – the journey by taxi would have taken about 1 hour and value about 39,000 KRW, whereas the bus trip took simply 10 minutes longer and value simply 1,200 KRW.
The way to take public bus in Jeju
Use Naver Maps to test bus routes and arrival instances
In Jeju, Naver Maps is important for taking public transport as it really works out the space by driving, in addition to the bus timings, arrival and connections. It’s helpful to gauge how lengthy or tough it could be to get to a sure place.
There’s an English map interface that you should use to go looking, however generally the spelling/areas of the English names aren’t all the time correct, so having the Hangul title or deal with readily available to go looking can be helpful, or you are able to do so visually if you happen to can kinda learn Korean. I normally bookmark the situation as soon as I’ve discovered it.
The way to entry Naver maps: Obtain Naver Maps app from the Apple App Retailer or Google Play retailer. You’ll want to join a Naver account to make use of it but it surely’s free and simple to do. WIth an account, you can even save areas to lists and rename them to a extra acquainted/English title if you must.
Get a T-Cash Card to pay for bus rides
Having a T-Cash card is important for taking the bus wherever in Korea. You preload the cardboard with some money and faucet on the reader as you enter and exit the bus. You may pay with money on the bus if you happen to do must, however fumbling with cash on the door is not any enjoyable in any respect.
Moreover being extra handy, the T-Cash charge is normally barely cheaper than the money charge (about 100 KRW cheaper for adults) and you will get switch reductions inside half an hour if you need to do just a few bus hops – simply ensure that to faucet out on the exit.
A T-Cash card is reasonable – the usual charge is 2,500 KRW (fancier designs could price extra) and it doesn’t expire both so you’ll be able to all the time reuse it on future journeys. Foreigners can even get the Korea Tour Card for 4,000 KRW which you should use as a T-Cash card and offers you extra attraction perks. (When you have an Android cellphone, there’s a Korea Tour Card app which helps you to use the cardboard in your cellphone, however the opinions look… not nice)
The way to cost T-Cash card in Jeju: As a result of there aren’t any subways right here, you’ll need to discover a comfort retailer (CU, 7-eleven and so on) to cost your T-Cash card, which for some odd motive can solely be completed in CASH on the counter (it is likely one of the few stuff you’ll want bodily cash for in all of South Korea, extra data right here) and also you cost in increments of 1,000 KRW. Try the KTO website for an in depth rundown on using transportation playing cards in Korea.
The place to purchase and cost T-Cash card at Jeju Airport: In case you intend to take the bus as quickly as you landing at Jeju Airport, there are CU and 7-eleven shops inside the constructing on the higher ranges the place you should purchase a T-money card and cost it. Be sure you have money for that.
Taxis in Jeju
Typically buses aren’t essentially the most environment friendly method to get round, particularly in additional distant areas the place there’s a protracted anticipate the subsequent bus or the bus takes a really winding route. I used to be carrying a bigger suitcase on this journey and a taxi undoubtedly was a extra snug method to journey.
I had no issues getting a taxi all through my time in Jeju, nor was it too costly. My most costly rides had been roughly hour lengthy journeys from Gwakji Seashore to Seogwipo (about 43,000 KRW) and Seogwipo to Seongsan Harbour (about 46,000 KRW). My different shorter journeys ranged from 5,000-15,000 KRW.
The way to take taxi in Jeju
Use Kakao T App to e book taxis
Kakao T is a extremely helpful app the place you’ll be able to simply e book a taxi. You may key within the info or set location through map so that you received’t even have to fret about communication points with the motive force and you’ll observe the route in your cellphone. It has an entire host of features however I’ve actually solely used it for getting a taxi.
In case you’ve used Seize or Uber earlier than you’ll discover it related – enter your vacation spot, request your taxi and you’ll see how far/close to the motive force is and observe your route as nicely.
Obtain Kakao T from Apple App Retailer or Google Play retailer. You’ll have to obtain Kakao Discuss and join a free Kakao account to make use of, and you should use your personal cellphone quantity (no want Korean quantity) as nicely to confirm the account.
Pay taxi fare with bank card
By way of making cost, choose Pay Direct to Driver whenever you make your reserving since you received’t have the ability to hyperlink your bank card instantly with no Korean ID. All of the taxis I took had been capable of take bank card, so that you don’t have to fret about dealing with money both – my Clever card [referral link] labored in most locations all throughout Korea together with the taxis and I appreciated how simple it was to transform SGD to KRW and the charges had been significantly better than the cash changer.
Keep related: Information choices
I can’t stress how vital it’s to have knowledge when making an attempt to navigate in South Korea – I acquired a vast knowledge plan so I by no means needed to fear about utilizing maps and translations or making an attempt to hail a rideshare.
Information isn’t that costly and there are many web sites providing totally different plans and methods to attach. See what works greatest for you, however right here’s a fast run-down of what’s accessible:
- eSIM playing cards: My present go-to possibility for knowledge abroad as a result of you’ll be able to simply set up a knowledge plan with out eradicating your present SIM card, have entry the second you contact down and no want to fret about the place to choose up the cardboard. Cons are that you simply don’t normally have a Korean cellphone quantity which can be a problem in case your taxi driver is making an attempt to name you, but it surely’s not a giant concern for my part. Right here’s the limitless knowledge Frewie eSIM I used from Klook [affiliate link] that price about S$38 or you’ll be able to take a look at eSIM websites like Airalo [affiliate link] although I discovered these plans a tad pricier.
- Pay as you go SIM card: SIM playing cards are normally the most affordable possibility with a wide range of plans/time-periods accessible and you’ll typically choose up in each Korea (cellular shops and on the airport), or Changi Recommends has a number of Korean SIM card choices that you would be able to choose up on the Singapore airport – for some motive most of their SIMs solely have an Incheon pickup. I’d get this if I used to be on a finances or wanted an area Korean quantity, however test as not all SIM playing cards supply home calls/texts. Klook has a KT-Olleh 4G LTE limitless data-only SIM card [affiliate link] that means that you can prime up 11,000 KRW (about S$11) for some voice calls.
- Transportable Wifi Gadget: Good in case you are extra safety aware and have a number of units like tablets and laptops to attach, otherwise you’re travelling in a gaggle and searching to economize however may be cumbersome as a result of it’s an extra system to hold round that must be charged, and you need to pickup/return normally on the airport if you happen to use Changi Recommends.
Have you ever taken public transport round Jeju? Share your experiences right here.
Keep tuned for extra articles on Jeju, however within the meantime listed below are extra articles on locations that I’ve visited in South Korea.
