VISIT JEJU

Jeju Island has a moderate to subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Being located to the south of the mainland of South Korea, the average temperatures are much warmer than most of the mainland. The winters are generally mild with January being the coldest month with an average temperature of 6 degrees Celsius, and the summers are hot and humid with August being the hottest month with an average temperature of 26 degrees Celsius. Jeju’s spring and fall has the most pleasant weather with an average temperature of 18 degrees Celsius during both the spring and fall months. You may experience some light snowfall on the island during the winter season, but the fall and winter seasons are generally the driest part of the year. It is the summer months that come with heavy rains, particularly during the monsoon season, which typically takes place in August and September. Once the monsoon season is over, October brings with it very pleasant and comfortable humidity levels and temperatures. However, if you are an ocean-lover and are looking forward to frequent dips in the ocean, the best month to swim in the sea is August, when the ocean is the warmest, with an average sea temperature of 27 degrees Celsius.

Jeju Island boasts one of the lowest crime rates in all of the nation of South Korea, and is generally known to be one of the safest places to travel in the country. If you find yourself in a difficult situation, locals are usually very helpful and friendly, and there are numerous police and fire stations around the island that will have staff who will assist you with whatever you need. However, as with any trip outside of your home country, please remember to utilize safe traveling practices.
In the case of a fire or medical emergency, call 119. This will connect you to an emergency rescue service.
To report a crime and/or to contact police, call 112. You will be provided with a multilingual service.

Jeju Island offers a wide array of options for food, accommodations and amusement, whether you are a traveler on a tight budget, or you are looking to be pampered with a luxury vacation. While prices for airfare and accommodations increase during the peak traveling months of July and August (plus all major Korean holidays throughout the year), it is not impossible to find reasonable prices during any time of the year.
Hotel and accommodations can range anywhere upwards from 15,000 won ($13 USD), according to the type of accommodation you prefer.
Food is generally very affordable on the island, and you will be able to find a variety of options that meet your budget needs.
Attractions are also quite affordable, as there are many popular man-made attractions that have entrance fees of under 10,000 won ($9), and many natural attractions do not require an entrance fee.
Those that do, charge a small upkeep cost that is usually under 5,000 won.

The quickest and most convenient way to exchange currency in Jeju is at the Jeju International Airport. Located near Gate 3 of Arrivals, you will find a currency exchange counter operated by Jeju Bank. Another option for exchanging currency is at a local bank. This is also a recommended option, as banks will be able to accept most currencies and offer competitive exchange rates.
The third and least recommended option is to exchange your money at a hotel. Exchange rates tend to be very high, so try to only use this option if you have no other choice, or if you are only exchanging a small amount of money.
For your reference, here is a list of approximate exchange rates, as of August 2017: 1,000 won is converted to approximately $0.80USD, 1.20SGD, 6.90HKD, 3.80MYR, 11,725IDR, 45PHP, 26TWD. (Please check for updated currency information)
Please note that Jeju’s traditional markets, small shops, and outdoor vendors may only accept cash, so make sure to keep some Korean won on you at all times.

Being a popular traveling destination for all types of travelers, there is a wide variety of accommodations that are offered on the island. Budget-friendly guesthouses (called minbak) are highly popular for those who are looking for a simple, clean and affordable room.
If you are looking for something more than just the bare basics, there are motels and hotels located all around the island that are also available at decent prices.
If 5-star luxury is what you’re looking for, Jeju offers high quality hotels with top grade service and amenities.

Guesthouses:
1) Yeha Guesthouse / 064-724-5506 / 9 Samo-gil, Jeju City
2) Amber House / 064-799-6200 / 400 Aewolhaean-Ro, Aewol-eup, Jeju City
3) Skywalker Guesthouse / 070-7539-2641 / 11 Gwandeok-ro 13-gil, Jeju City
4) Greenday Guesthouse / 010-4696-5537 / 251-9 Samdoi-dong, Jeju City
5) You & I Guesthouse / 070-4548-5648 / 1772-10 Idoi-dong, Jeju City
6) The Forest Hostel / 064-722-4147 / 1331-1 Ildo 1-dong, Jeju City
7) Hostel Lyndon / 064-756-5506 / 278 Seogwang-ro, Idoi-dong, Jeju City

5-star Hotels:
1) The Shilla Jeju / 064-735-5114 / 75, Jungmungwangwang-ro 72beon-gil, Seogwipo
2) Lotte Hotel Jeju / 064-731-1000 / 35, Jungmungwangwang-ro 72beon-gil, Seogwipo
3) Haevichi Resort Jeju / 064-780-8000 / 537, Minsokhaean-ro, Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo
4) Ramada Plaza Jeju Ocean Front / 064-729-8100 / 1255 Samdo 2-dong, Jeju City

Rental Cars

To drive a rental car on Jeju Island, you must carry your passport with your International Driver’s Permit. Please make sure to confirm with the local government as to whether your nation’s permit is accepted as sufficient license in the Republic of Korea. Also, many car rental companies do not rent to foreigners who cannot speak Korean (not for legal reasons, but solely based on language barriers), so it may be helpful to bring along an interpreter when you are picking up your vehicle.
Rental car companies that are available for foreigners include:
1) www.jejurentcar.co.kr +82-64-735-3355.
2) www.ktkumhorent.com +82-1588-1230 .
3) www.ajrentacar.com +82-1544-1600.
4) www.sixt.co.kr +82-64-805-1500.

Taxi

Although taxis are an excellent and affordable choice for short distances, if your itinerary includes traveling across the island, the taxi meter will add up to large amounts. It is possible to hire a Global taxi, which costs 150,000 won ($135 USD) for 8 hours.


Motorcycles/Scooters

You can rent a motorcycle or scooter on the island for budget-friendly prices, but please be aware that to operate any type of motor vehicle, one must be in possession of a legal and valid international driver’s permit that is accepted in the Republic of Korea.

1) Mr. Lee’s Bike Shop / 064-758-5296 / 2827-26 Yongdam 1(il)-dong, Jeju City


Public Transportation

There are a number of buses you can utilize for travel around Jeju Island, whether it is within the major cities (Jeju City and Seogwipo), or intercity throughout the island. You can pay by cash, or more conveniently, T-money card. A T-money card can be purchased at any convenience store. The cost of the card starts from 2,500 won ($2.20 USD), and you can charge up the card with any amount you prefer. If you are traveling intercity, remember to tell the bus driver the name of your destination before you place your card on the reader, so s/he can charge you accordingly.

As Jeju Island is increasingly becoming a popular travel destination for both domestic and overseas tourists, Jeju’s Department of Tourism has launched a new call-center informational service as of July 2017 to assist tourists in Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese. This service is intended to offer aid with any travel issues you may have, and also for tourists to report problems and file complaints. The Jeju Tourist Information Center is located at Sundeok-ro 23, 1st floor, Jeju City. You can reach them by calling 064-740-6000, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., any day of the year. There will also be an app available for download in November of 2017 that will offer real-time assistance, as well as recommended options for nearby amenities and public transportation routes, according to your real-time location.

There are several express bus routes that will take you to and from the Jeju Internation Airport. Express buses are buses that travel throughout Jeju Island that only stop at major sites, skipping many of the local stops in between. It is very convenient for tourists who are traveling to and from the airport for longer distances.

Airport Limousine Bus #600
This is a special limousine shuttle bus that travels from Jeju Airport to Jeju Jungmun Resort, then on to the Seogwipo KAL Hotel. It runs every 18 to 20 minutes, and also stops at Jeju Sun Hotel & Casino, the Jeju International Convention Center, Daepo, Gangjeong and the Jeju World Cup Stadium. It continues on to New Kyungnam Tourist Hotel, Seogwipo Pier and Paradise Hotel Jeju, before arriving at its’ final destination, Seogwipo KAL Hotel. It takes an estimated 50 minutes from the airport to the Jeju Jungmun Resort, then and additional 30 minutes to Seogwipo KAL Hotel.

Express Bus #101
Bus 101 starts at the Jeju International Airport and travels along the eastern coast of the island, finally stopping at Seogwipo Bus Terminal. Some of the major stops include Hamdeok Seoubong Beach, Sehwa-ri, Goseong-ri (transfer point to Seongsan Ilchulbong), Pyoseon-myeon Community Service Center (transfer point to Pyoseon Folk Village) and Seogwipo Bus Terminal.

Express Bus #102
Bus 102 is the parallel route to Bus 101, and travels along the western coast of the island from Jeju International Airport to Seogwipo Bus Terminal. Some of the major stops include 5-day Market, Aewol-ri, Hallim-ri, Andeok Nonghyup Bank (transfer point to Unjin Port), Jungmun Post Office, and Seogwipo Bus Terminal.

Express Bus #181 and #182
These two buses are express routes that both circle Mt. Halla, with Bus 181 traveling eastward around Mt. Halla from Jeju Airport and Bus 182 traveling westward from the airport. The two routes are completely identical, the only difference being that they travel in opposite directions. Some of the major stops that these two buses stop at include Jeju Bus Terminal, Jeju International University, Harye-ri Entrance, Biseokgeori, Seogwipo Bus Terminal, Donggwang Circulation Center and Halla Hospital.

Express Bus #131
Bus 130-1 travels from Jeju Airport down to the south coast toward the eastern side of Mt. Halla, ending at Namwon Gymnasium. It also stops at Namjo-ro Checkpoint, Jeju Stone Park and Bulgeun Oreum.

Express Bus #132
Similar to Bus 130-1, Bus 130-2 travels from the airport to Namwon Gymnasium, but this route travels closer to the eastern side of Mt. Halla. It also stops at Jeju Bus Terminal, Jeju City Hall, Jeju International University and Bulgeun Oreum.

Express Bus #121
Bus 120-1 travels from Jeju Airport towards the eastern side of Mt. Halla, finally stopping at Pyoseon Folk Village on the southern coast. Some of the major stops include Jeju Bus Terminal, Namjo-ro Checkpoint, Daecheon-dong Circulation Center and Pyoseon-myeon Community Service Center.

Express Bus #122
Similar to Bus 120-1, Bus 120-2 also travels eastward of Mt. Halla to finally end at Pyoseon Folk Village. However, as Bus 120-2 travels a bit closer to the mountain, it hits such stops as Jeju City Hall, Jeju International University and Gyorae Intersection before connect with Bus 120-1 at Daecheon-dong Circulation Center.

Express Bus #111 and #112
Bus 110-1 and Bus 110-2 travel from Jeju Airport toward the eastern side of Mt. Halla, with the final stop being Seongsanpo Harbor on the eastern coast of the island. Both starting at Jeju Airport, they split at Jeju Bus Terminal, with Bus 110-2 moving closer inland, while Bus 110-1 travels further eastward. Bus 110-1 stops at Donggwangyang, Daegi High School and Namjo-ro Checkpoint before reconn ecting with Bus 110-2 at Daecheon-dong Circulation Center. Bus 110-2 travels from Jeju Terminal to Jeju City Hall, Jeju Internation University and Gyorae Entrance before recon-necting with Bus 110-1. From there, both buses stop at Songdang-ri and Goseong-ri be-fore finally stopping at Seongsanpo Harbor.

Express Bus #151
Bus 150-1 starts at the Jeju Bus Terminal, and heads westward to Jeju Airport, then wraps around Mt. Halla on the west side to finally stop at Unjin Port on the southwestern coast of the island. Some of the major stops include Jeongjon Village, Jeju Tourism College, Donggwang Circulation Center, O'Sulloc and Daejeong-eup Community Service Center.

Express Bus #152
Similar to Bus 150-1, Bus 150-2 starts at the Jeju Bus Terminal, and heads west to Unjin Port on the southwestern tip of Jeju Island. It has an identical route to Bus 150-1 until Donggwang Circulation Center, where the two routes split. From there, Bus 150-2 travels to Seogwang-ri, Andeok Nonghyup Bank and Hamo Sports Park before ending at Unjin Port.