Car, bus or day tour on Jeju
Jeju is a large island. The main sights sit along the coast and on the slopes of Hallasan, so the way you travel shapes your days. Most visitors choose one of three options: a rental car, public buses or a guided day trip from Jeju City.
Buses reach Hallasan and the waterfalls well. Places that need several changes, such as Manjanggul, are easier by car or on an east-coast tour. If you want the main sights without driving, look at Jeju day tours from Jeju City. East and southwest trips take about 8.5 hours, and the guide and vehicle are part of the price.
Jeju car rental: licence, age and payment
Terms differ by company. These are typical rules in 2026.
Age and documents
The minimum age is 21, and the usual range is 21 to 79 years. You show your passport and the original International Driving Permit (IDP). A copy or a phone photo is not the original.
Which IDP counts
Rental companies accept permits issued under the Geneva convention or the Vienna convention. Do not assume that only one of them works.
How long you can drive
You may use the permit for up to 1 year after entry, and only while the permit itself is valid. For vehicles with up to 9 seats licence class B or higher is required. Match your licence class and the car size before you book.
Payment
Rental companies take debit and credit cards, not cash. The card can be in the name of the renter, the driver or a travelling companion. Each company sets its own terms, so read them before you pay.
Vehicles on Udo
Limits on outside vehicles on Udo run from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2029, with exceptions. Exceptions under conditions include low-emission class 1 rental vehicles with electric or hydrogen drive, vehicles for people with limited mobility and rental vehicles of overnight guests. Do not plan to drive your rental car onto the island without checking first.
Udo Island guide →Our pick: let someone drive
Our take: a small-group day in the south with hotel pick-up.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Jeju day tours without driving
Guided day trips from Jeju City to the east and southwest, with live prices and availability.
Jeju buses to the main sights
Bus lines in 2026. Check the current timetable before you go.
| Sight | Bus lines | Last stretch |
|---|---|---|
| Hallasan, Seongpanak trail | 281 from Jeju Bus Terminal (about 45 minutes) or Seogwipo Bus Terminal (about 50 minutes); 181 from the airport (about 35 minutes) | The return line can differ from the line you came on |
| Cheonjiyeon Falls | 611, 612, 641, 642 and 880 to the Cheonjiyeon terminus | Car park with 230 spaces |
| Jeongbang Falls | – | Stairs from the car park, about 5 minutes, not step-free |
| Cheonjeyeon Falls | 600 to the Jungmun Tourist Complex or Yeomiji entrance, then about 10 minutes on foot; or lines such as 202 and 282 to the Cheonjeyeon Falls stop, then about 5 minutes | – |
| Manjanggul Cave | 101 from the airport to Gimnyeong Transfer, then 201 to Manjanggul-ipgu, then 711-1 or 711-2 | About 4 minutes on foot from the last stop; parking is free |
For most visitors, buses work well for Hallasan and the waterfalls around Seogwipo and Jungmun. For Manjanggul and Seongsan on the same day, a rental car or an east-coast day trip is simpler.
Driving to Hallasan: parking
The Seongpanak trail is the busiest start point.
Spaces
The Seongpanak car park has 156 spaces. A free overflow car park with 199 spaces lies near Jeju International University, at Yeongpyeong-dong San 8-26. Parking along the road is controlled.
Fees in 2026
Cars and vehicles with up to 15 seats pay KRW 1,000 for the first hour and KRW 500 for each further 20 minutes, up to KRW 13,000 a day. Larger vehicles pay KRW 2,000 for the first hour, then KRW 800 per 20 minutes, up to KRW 20,000 a day. Budget for the hourly rate and keep a card ready.
Hike length
The Seongpanak trail is 9.6 km one way, with an official walking time of 4.5 hours to the summit. Leave time for the return and read the reservation rules first.
Hallasan hiking guide →Plan the rest of your trip
Where to go next.
Getting to Jeju
Flights, ferries and entry rules.
Hallasan hike
Trails, reservation and summit times.
Jeju waterfalls
Cheonjiyeon, Jeongbang and Cheonjeyeon.
Manjanggul Cave
Lava tube tickets and hours.
Jeju itinerary
Routes, stops and planning.
Where to stay
Jeju City, Seogwipo or Aewol.
Jeju car rental and buses: frequently asked questions
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car on Jeju?
Yes. You show your passport and the original IDP. Permits under the Geneva or the Vienna convention are accepted, and you can use the permit for up to 1 year after entry, within its own validity.
What is the minimum age to rent a car?
21 years, with a usual range of 21 to 79 years. Companies may set different limits, so check the terms of the company you book.
Can I pay for a rental car in cash?
Usually not. Rental companies take debit and credit cards, and the card can belong to the renter, the driver or a travelling companion.
Which bus goes to the Hallasan Seongpanak trail?
Line 281 runs from Jeju Bus Terminal in about 45 minutes and from Seogwipo Bus Terminal in about 50 minutes. Line 181 runs from the airport in about 35 minutes. The return line may differ from the outward line.
Can I take a rental car to Udo?
Not automatically. Limits on outside vehicles run from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2029, with conditional exceptions, for example for rental vehicles of overnight guests. Check the exact conditions before the ferry.
Is Jeju-Island.org an official site?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no connection to the provincial government, Visit Jeju, the Korea Tourism Organization, rental companies or tour operators.