HazelDiary

Jeju Island (제주도, 濟州島), located off the southern coast of South Korea, is a scenic paradise known for its stunning landscapes and unique attractions. While Jeju may be an island, don’t be deceived by its size—exploring every corner can take time, making renting a car one of the best ways to get around.

Here’s a guide to help you navigate the process of renting a car and driving in Jeju.

Why Renting a Car is the Best Option

While public transport and cycling are available on Jeju Island, nothing beats the convenience of driving. Renting a car allows you the freedom to explore Jeju’s natural wonders at your own pace, from the famous Hallasan Mountain to the stunning Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak). Additionally, many attractions are located far apart, making driving a quicker and more convenient option compared to public transport.

Step 1: Book Your Rental Car

There are several car rental companies on Jeju Island, with LOTTE Rent-a-Car being a popular choice due to its affordability and reliable service. You can easily book a car online before your trip, and LOTTE offers both domestic and international rental services.

Upon arriving at Jeju International Airport, head to LOTTE Rent-a-Car’s desk near Gate 2 in the Domestic Arrival Hall to confirm your booking. Then, follow the signs to “Rental Cars Shuttle” located near Gate 5. Free shuttle buses to LOTTE’s Auto House run every 8-10 minutes and can be found at Bay 1 to Bay 4.

Step 2: Register and Collect Your Car

Once you arrive at the LOTTE Rent-a-Car Jeju Auto House, take a queue number and wait for your registration at the dedicated foreigner desk. You’ll need to present the following documents:

• Passport
• Driving License
• International Driving Permit (IDP)
• Credit Card

For peace of mind, it’s recommended to purchase the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) insurance for additional fee, which covers damages like scratches. You can also add up to two drivers for free. We paid for KRW263,200 (approx. SGD255) for 3 days.

TIPS: If the driver is below 26 years old, you will required to pay additional insurance coverage.

Step 3: Pick Up Your Rental Car

After registration, head to the Pick-Up Zone where staff will help locate your car. Make sure to check the vehicle number, car key, and fuel level before driving off. Ask the staff to switch the car’s built-in GPS to English for easier navigation. However, as Google Maps doesn’t work well in South Korea, it’s a good idea to download Naver or Kakao Maps for reliable navigation.

Before you hit the road, remember that Jeju follows left-hand drive, unlike Singapore where drivers are on the right. It may take some getting used to, so drive with caution—especially in parking lots and narrow roads.

Step 4: Navigating Jeju’s Roads

Jeju’s roads are generally safe and well-maintained. Speed limits are usually between 30km/h and 50km/h, which can be both a blessing and a challenge, especially if you’re accustomed to faster speeds. One thing to note is that many coastal roads, such as Dodu-Dong Coastal Road, have frequent speed bumps, which can be annoying but are helpful for safety. The GPS will alert you to these speed bumps, so be prepared for frequent warnings.

Over the course of three days driving around Jeju, we only used half a tank of fuel. Before returning our car, we need to top up the fuel. The fuel top-up cost was about KRW36,999.00 (approx. SGD35.84) and we thought the price is still reasonable.

Step 5: Returning Your Rental Car

When it’s time to return your car, head back to LOTTE Rent-a-Car Jeju Auto House. Stop at the drop-off point, where staff will inspect the car for any damages and check the fuel level. After that, simply board the shuttle bus back to Jeju International Airport.

Key Tips for Driving in Jeju:

• Always carry your International Driving Permit and other required documents.
• Use Naver or Kakao Maps for reliable navigation.
• Be cautious when adjusting to left-hand driving if you’re used to right-hand driving.
• Drive slowly, as most roads have a speed limit of 30km/h to 50km/h.
• Consider purchasing Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) insurance for added protection.

You can use a credit card to pay at both car parks and petrol stations. For a better exchange rate, consider using a YouTrip card for your transactions. If you haven’t signed up yet, you can do so using the link here.

Driving in Jeju gives you the freedom to explore its beautiful landscapes without the constraints of public transport schedules. Renting a car ensures you can experience everything the island has to offer, from hidden waterfalls to breathtaking volcanic formations.

For more travel tips and guides, check out Hazeldiary.com. Safe travels!

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram and Tiktok for insta updates

If you’re planning a trip to Jeju, you may want to indulge in some local comfort food. Just a short distance away from Jeju airport, there is 안녕,전복 Hi, Abalone 你好鮑魚, a modern and sleek restaurant offering a delicious and comforting dining experience with a great view of planes landing and departing from Jeju Airport.

This spot is perfect if you’re looking for fresh abalone dishes, along with other local favorites like porridge, bibimbap, and grilled fish. What’s particularly welcoming is that they’ve incorporated a user-friendly, computerized ordering system at each table, with menus available in English and Chinese, ensuring an easy and stress-free experience for tourists.

We ordered the set meal for three persons (81,000 KRW) to share, and it turned out to be the perfect amount of food. The highlight was the grilled abalone—extremely tender with just the right amount of chewiness, bursting with flavor. The abalone porridge was warm and comforting, truly a dish that nourishes your soul with every bite.

Accompanying the meal were two types of bibimbap: the avocado bibimbap, which was light and refreshing, and the abalone raw fish bibimbap, a vibrant, colorful dish with a good mix of textures and flavors. The combination of fresh ingredients made each bite satisfying and full of goodness.

The restaurant also stands out with its robot server, which adds a bit of fun and novelty to the dining experience. There’s also a self-service bar for banchan (side dishes), allowing you to customize your meal according to your preferences.

Another convenient feature is their free parking space, perfect if you’re driving around Jeju.

What makes dining at Hi, Abalone extra special is the view. The restaurant is located near Jeju Airport, so you can enjoy your meal while watching planes take off and land, making it a truly unique experience. Don’t forget to snap some photos with this picturesque backdrop!

If you need Jeju Private Car Charter Services, you can pre-book the service here.

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram and Tiktok for insta updates

During my Seoul trip recently, we visited Skyfarm for lunch. The restaurant/cafe is located on Level 50 and 51 of Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) building at Yeoeido-dong. We took a subway train to Yeouido Station and walked for approximately 10 minutes to reach the destination. Read More

E & I were searching what to eat around our hotel area and I found Loco Quan 401 Restaurant. What triggered my interest to visit the restaurant is that it is opened by Haha, the Running Man Team Member. If you are a fan of Running Man or Haha, check out this place. Read More

Oh well…When I told my friend that I am heading to Busan, the first reaction was “ Train to Busan!”. Hence, that’s my post title to start of the post. E & I checked the weather forecast before deciding the day to head to Busan. I think that is the best part when you travel free and easy. We get to manage and change our itineraries as and when we want to.Alternatively if you prefer day tour ready plan itineraries, you can check Klook activities. Read More

During my trip to Seoul, E suggested to try out 1 Michelin restaurant and I agreed. So, he went to do some research and decided on La Yeon for afternoon lunch. And this time round, he decided to give me a treat! Lucky me! I got to enjoy the meal for free courtesy of E. The restaurant is located on the 23rd floor of Shilla Seoul Hotel. Read More

We decided to spend a day at Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village because both locations are within a walking distance. Gyeongbokgung Palace is one of the must-visit attraction places for tourist because of its long history. Gyeongbokgung was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. Gyeongbokgung (경복궁), which means “palace greatly blessed by Heaven,” was built in the heart of Seoul surrounded by Mount Bugaksan and Mount Namsan. Read More

During my one week stay in Seoul, E suggested to try Myth Jokbal and we headed to the outlet at Myeongdong for lunch. So why is Myth Jokbal is famous? Jokbal is a Korean braised pig’s trotters cooked with soy sauce and spices. It is a combination of soy sauce, ginger, garlic and rice wine. This reminds me of our local braised pig’s trotters but taste wise is different. Read More

E & I decided to spend a day out of Seoul during our one week stay in Korea. Thus, we visited 3 famous destinations in Gapyeong within a day. This was made possible courtesy of Trazy.com.Trazy.com is an one-stop portal for discounted attraction tickets, tours and transport! You can book the tour here to save your trouble arranging transportation and entrance tickets. Read More

If you are wondering where I stayed during my recent Seoul trip, the answer is Hotel ShinShin. ShinShin Hotel Myeongdong is a boutique hotel with urban décor and subtle Korean elements established in the year 1964. The hotel rejuvenated in the year 2013 and features 72 modern rooms and three conceptual rooms with Korean-inspired designs. Read More