Renting a Car in Jeju Island — What You Need, Where to Book, and What to Expect
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Quick Answer
Renting a car in Jeju is straightforward, but there is one non-negotiable requirement: an International Driving Permit (IDP), obtained in your home country before you travel. Without it, you cannot rent a car in Korea. Book online at least 1–2 weeks in advance — walk-in rates at the airport are significantly higher. A compact car or compact SUV costs approximately 40,000–80,000 KRW per day (as of 2026) depending on vehicle type and season.
The Full Answer
Jeju is one of the few places in Korea where a car is not just convenient — it is highly recommended for most itineraries. The island's most rewarding destinations are spread across 75km of coastline and mountain roads, and public buses, while they exist, run infrequently and skip the most scenic routes entirely. Traveling by public transport alone is possible, but routes are limited and connections between highlights can be slow — a car opens up significantly more of the island.
The good news: driving in Jeju is easy. The roads are wide and well-marked, traffic outside of peak summer weekends is light, and most major areas are easy to reach by car.
Before You Rent — The IDP Requirement
Foreign visitors with a non-Korean license must carry both their original home country driving license and an International Driving Permit (IDP) to rent a car in Korea. This applies to all nationalities, including those from the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and EU countries.
The IDP cannot be obtained in Korea. You must apply for it before leaving your home country. It is issued by national automobile associations — AAA in the US, AA or RAC in the UK, CAA in Canada, NRMA or RACV in Australia. The process takes 1–7 days depending on the country and typically costs the equivalent of 15–25 USD. It is valid for one year.
Without a valid IDP, rental companies will refuse the booking regardless of what other documentation you carry. This is the single most common reason travelers are turned away at Jeju rental desks.
The safest and most widely accepted option is the IDP. Get it before you travel — it removes any ambiguity at the rental desk.
Where to Book
Book online, not at the airport. Walk-in rates at Jeju International Airport are typically 30–50% higher than advance online rates, and popular car classes — compact SUVs, automatics — sell out on peak weekends. The best time to book is 1–4 weeks before your arrival.
Major Rental Companies
All major companies have desks in the arrivals hall at Jeju International Airport, within a short walk of the baggage claim exit. Shuttle buses to off-airport lots are also common for some operators.
Booking platforms: Rentalcars.com and Klook often aggregate Korean companies with English interfaces. Booking directly through a Korean company's site may require a Korean phone number — use a booking platform if this is an issue.
What to Rent
Automatic transmission is strongly recommended unless you are experienced with manual on unfamiliar roads. Korean rental fleets are predominantly automatic, but specify at booking to be sure.
Vehicle size: A compact or sub-compact handles Jeju's roads comfortably for two people with luggage. For four people with bags, a compact SUV (예: Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage class) is worth the small extra cost — mountain roads around Hallasan and the Udo ferry crossing ramp benefit from slightly more clearance.
Electric vehicles (EVs): Jeju has invested heavily in EV infrastructure and rental companies offer EVs, often at competitive rates. Charging stations are widely available across the island. If you are comfortable with EVs, this is a viable option — just plan charging stops as you would on a road trip.
Rates shown are example ranges only. Actual prices vary significantly by season, booking window, vehicle class, and whether insurance is included.
Insurance
Korean rental companies offer several insurance tiers. At minimum, take the standard collision damage waiver (CDW) — this covers the vehicle in most accident scenarios but typically includes an excess (자기부담금) of 300,000–500,000 KRW.
For full peace of mind, the full coverage (완전자차) option eliminates the excess entirely and is worth considering, especially if you plan to drive mountain or coastal roads. Expect to pay an additional 10,000–20,000 KRW per day for full coverage on top of the base rental.
Check whether your credit card provides rental car insurance abroad before purchasing additional coverage — some premium cards cover this, but the benefit must be activated by paying the rental with that card.
Driving in Jeju — What to Expect
Navigation: Kakao Map (카카오맵) is the most reliable navigation app in Jeju and works well in English. Download it before your trip and set the language to English in settings. Google Maps covers major roads but is less accurate for smaller roads and parking lots.
Road conditions: Jeju's main coastal road (일주도로, Route 1132) circles the entire island and is well-maintained and easy to drive. Roads toward Hallasan and in the interior are narrower but manageable. Road signage includes romanized Korean throughout.
Speed limits: 80–100 km/h on major roads, 30–60 km/h in towns. Speed cameras are common and enforced — do not exceed posted limits.
Parking: Free or very cheap at most natural sites and beaches. Paid parking at Seongsan Ilchulbong, Hallasan trailheads, and central Jeju City (approximately 1,000–3,000 KRW/hour). Parking apps like Naver Map show nearby lots.
Fuel: Petrol stations are plentiful around the island — you will not get stranded. Most are self-service; attendants are available at some. Fuel is priced similarly to mainland Korea.
Picking Up and Returning the Car
Rental desks are located in the arrivals hall of Jeju International Airport, accessible immediately after exiting baggage claim. The major companies (Lotte, SK, AJ) are clustered together; follow the rental car signs.
What to bring to the desk: - Passport - Original home country driving license - International Driving Permit (IDP) - Booking confirmation - Credit card (required for the deposit hold — debit cards are often not accepted)
Inspection: Walk around the vehicle with the agent and photograph any existing damage before driving away. Do the same at return — take photos of the full vehicle interior and exterior.
Return: Most Jeju rentals are returned to the same location (airport or designated lot). One-way rentals to mainland Korea are not available.
What You Need to Know
- No IDP = no rental. This is the most common problem foreign travelers face. Get it before you leave home.
- Book in advance, especially for summer and holiday weekends. Compact SUVs and automatic vehicles disappear first.
- Credit card required. Most companies will not accept a deposit on a debit card. The hold amount is typically 200,000–500,000 KRW.
- Driving under the influence is a serious offense in Korea. The legal BAC limit is 0.03% — lower than in many countries. Penalties are severe. Do not drive after any alcohol.
- Udo Island requires a separate ferry. Cars can be taken to Udo Island (우도) via ferry from Seongsan Port, but it is generally easier to rent a bicycle or electric cart on the island itself rather than taking your rental car.
Practical Tips
- Get your IDP before you book flights. The IDP process can take up to a week in some countries. Apply as soon as your Korea trip is confirmed.
- Book the car when you book your flight. Rates are typically lowest 3–6 weeks before departure and rise as the date approaches.
- Choose automatic transmission explicitly at booking. Do not assume — confirm in the reservation notes.
- Install Kakao Map before landing. Having it set up and familiar before you arrive saves time at the airport — and works reliably throughout Jeju, including in mountain areas.
- Take full coverage insurance if you are unfamiliar with Korean roads. The extra 10,000–15,000 KRW per day is cheap peace of mind on narrow coastal roads.
- Fill up at the airport petrol station on arrival — it is convenient and avoids hunting for a station when you are still orienting.
- Photograph the car inside and out before driving away. A 2-minute walk-around prevents disputes at return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a car in Jeju with just my home country license? No. Korea requires an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your original license for foreign nationals. Your home license alone is not accepted by rental companies, even if it is from a country with a bilateral agreement. Get the IDP before you travel.
How old do you need to be to rent a car in Jeju? Most companies require a minimum age of 21, with at least 1 year of driving experience. Some companies and vehicle classes (larger SUVs, premium cars) require a minimum age of 26. Check the company's terms before booking if you are under 26.
Is it safe to drive in Jeju as a foreign visitor? Yes. Jeju's roads are well-maintained, clearly signed in both Korean and English, and the traffic is manageable outside of peak summer weekends. The main coastal road is an easy drive. The biggest adjustment for visitors from countries that drive on the left is remembering to drive on the right in Korea.
Can I use Google Maps for navigation in Jeju? Google Maps covers major roads in Jeju but is less accurate than Kakao Map for smaller roads, parking lots, and real-time traffic. Kakao Map is the recommended navigation app and works in English.
Do I need a car for a 2-day trip to Jeju? For a 2-day trip focused on one or two areas (for example, Seongsan and the east coast), a car is still the most efficient option. Bus routes exist but are slow — you will spend a significant portion of a short trip waiting or in transit without a car.