Jeju Island: A Weekend Getaway from Seoul
Fly from Gimpo Airport (GMP) to Jeju (CJU) on a Friday evening and return Sunday night to maximize two full days. Renting a car is the only efficient way to cover the island in 48 hours.
- Book your flights. Book a flight from Seoul Gimpo (GMP). Avoid Incheon (ICN) if possible, as it adds unnecessary travel time. Use Korean Air or Asiana for reliability, or Jeju Air/Jin Air for lower costs; expect to pay $80–$120 round-trip.
- Reserve your rental car. Book your car at least two weeks in advance. Bring your physical International Driving Permit (IDP) and your home country license; you will be denied the rental without both.
- Choose your base. Stay in Jeju City for proximity to the airport or Seogwipo for easier access to southern hiking trails and waterfalls. Don't split your stay between both; it wastes too much time.
- Navigate the island. Use Naver Maps or KakaoMap. Google Maps does not provide walking or driving directions in South Korea. Set your car's built-in GPS to the phone number of your destination to find locations easily.
- Can I use public transportation?
- Technically yes, but it is not recommended for a weekend trip. Buses are infrequent and will turn a 30-minute drive into a 2-hour journey.
- Do I need to speak Korean?
- Not for basic tourism, but having the Naver Map app set to English is essential.