Many people prefer not to take an organised tour while visiting Jeju Island, so they are left with three options; hiring a taxi driver to take you around, using public transport or renting a hire car. In this post I’ll go over the options of visiting Jeju without a hire car. I’ll explain a little bit about island logistics and give some recommendations of things to see and do while visiting Jeju.
Renting a hire car is the most convenient option, as it gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and visit the remote areas of the island. However, that isn’t always possible if you don’t have an international driver’s license or can’t drive. Worry not. It is possible to visit Jeju Island without a hire car.
Jeju Island without a hire car – by taxi
Jeju often called “The Hawaii of Asia” because it is a natural paradise. Traveling around Jeju by taxi is a convenient way to explore the island and is a great alternative, if you need to travel around Jeju without hire car. It’s the next best alternative there is to visit Jeju Island without renting a hire car. The drivers are usually friendly and being residents on the island, they are knowledgeable about the area.
To take a taxi in Jeju, you can either flag one down on the street or try and get one via the the Korean version of Uber called Kakao. Using Kakao is bit hit and miss. Availability really depend on the time of day and how rural he area is that you are staying in.
The most convenient, but most expensive way is to book a taxi driver for the whole day. I found my driver through Google. Many of the drivers are listed and you can read the reviews. The driver will take you to where you want to go from approximately 9-6pm and recommend some lesser known sights for you to explore. The cost of the taxi driver works out to a similar cost of a hire car. You will have less freedom, because you need to relay your trip wish list to your driver. The upside is that you will benefit from having their local knowledge on hand.
They will provide recommendation for places that might be seasonal. Jeju is such an abundant and seasonal island with a remarkable amount to explore, which changes depending on the time of year
On the day I hired a taxi driver in Jeju, it was pouring with rain. The waterfall I wanted to see was closed. Thankfully the taxi driver knew this and offered some alternative options. The rainy day worked out remarkably well, because the taxi driver used his local knowledge and was like a personal tour guide. I ended up visiting places that I had not planned to see and made the most out of sightseeing in the torrential rain.
Jeju Island without a hire car – by public bus
Jeju Island has an extensive public bus network that can take you to most of the island’s popular tourist destinations. It will be the cheapest option for travel around Jeju without a hire car. It will take some planning with bus routes, but it’s possible to navigate Jeju using the public bus system.
Before setting out, it’s a good idea to plan your route and identify the bus numbers and stops you need to take to reach your destination. You can use online resources like the Jeju bus website or apps like KakaoMap to plan your route. Google maps does not work in South Korea, so you really need to download Kakao on your smartphone before you head to South Korea.
Bus schedules can vary depending on the route and time of day. It’s important to check the schedule before you head out. You may end up waiting a while as there are gaps in service, so be prepared to hang around every now and then.
Overall, traveling by public bus is a convenient and affordable way to get around while visiting Jeju Island without a hire car. Just remember to plan your route, and check the schedule before your trip and be prepared for a bit of hanging around for the next bus.
Where to go on Jeju Island without a hire car
Jeju is a large island with plenty to see and you can go anywhere by taxi or public bus. Imagine that the island is split into 4 sections. It’s best to concentrate on one section a day, no matter if you’re traveling by taxi, bus or hire car.
The airport is in Jeju city, which is a surprisingly built up city. It takes one hour to travel from Jeju City to the coastal town of Seogwipo. Many people base themselves in either Jeju City or Seogwipo and concentrate on one part of the island at a time.
Hiking on Jeju Island
Jeju Island is known for its beautiful natural scenery and offers several popular hiking trails. Here are some of the most popular hikes in Jeju,
Hallasan Mountain. The highest peak in South Korea, Hallasan Mountain offers several hiking trails with varying difficulty levels. I hiked the Yeongsil Trail. It starts by winding through the forests of Hallasan Mountain and then the elevation increases and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. It was beautiful and is one of the most popular trails on the island for a reason.
To get here I arranged a taxi through my hotel to drop me to the car park at the start of the trail then phoned the hotel once I had finished. They sent a taxi to pick me up. It was a bit of hassle with the language barrier but worth it.
Olle Trail. A series of 26 interconnected trails that cover a total of 422 kilometers around the Jeju Island coast. Various bus services have stops along this route. You can also pre-arrange drop off and pick up with a local taxi service.
Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this volcanic peak offers a unique landscape and stunning views of the surrounding sea. It’s extremely popular and busy, so expect to see many people on the trail with you. Local bus services run here. My taxi driver waited while I hiked around the area and was ready to leave.
Waterfalls on Jeju Island
Cheojiyeon Falls are the largest falls on Jeju island. It was closed on the day I was in Jeju, due to heavy rain and safety concerns. I visited Eongtto Falls instead, which is most beautiful during and after heavy rain. Both of these fall are in the Seogwipo region and are located on the little map, represented by a rain drop.
Jeongbang Waterfalls, also located in the southern coast. It is the only waterfall in Korea that flows into the ocean. These waterfalls should be on your Jeju bucket list, weather permitting.
How to decide where to stay while on Jeju Island
I spent one full day in both lower sections of the island. One day focused on coastal views and waterfalls. The second day focused on Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak and seasonal canola flower fields.
A further two days were spent in the centre to hike Mount Hallasan and have a spa retreat at The WE Premium Health Resort, which was fantastic.
Other things to do on Jeju without a hire car
There is so much natural beauty in Jeju to explore. You will probably feel like you’ve seen so much, but also so little at the same time. It’s a place worth returning to.
In addition to the natural beauty and cultural sites, Jeju is also known for its delicious food, including fresh seafood, crab and octopus seafood ramyeon, black pork Korean bbq, gulfweed soup, Jeju tangerines and fantastic cafe culture.
Be sure to try some of the local specialties while you are there. The black pork bbq washed down with Korean rice wine (makgeolli) was incredible. Gulfweed Soup was also delicious. Depending on where you are staying on the island you can find the nearest black pork BBQ by searching on Trip Advisor and using the map function. Another Jeju favourite of crab and octopus seafood ramyeon (instant noodles) can be found at a little place called Nolaba 노라바.
In addition to eating your way around the island, there are some beautiful cafes along the coast. The best I found are on the coast close to the waterfalls. I didn’t see many on the day I went to Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak. The coffee cups on the map (see above) mark approximately where nice sea view cafes can be found.
When visiting Jeju without a car, just tell your taxi driver that you want to stop somewhere nice for coffee and point one out along the way. The taxi driver will then allow time for your café hopping wishes when planning the route and drive time.
Other activities that tourists enjoy on Jeju island include the Teddy Bear Museum, Trick Eye Museum and Culture Village.
Overall, it’s really worth visiting Jeju without a hire car. It’s such a special and beautiful place that you will have a good time, no matter how you get around the island.
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