Jeju Island is one of the best places in South Korea for a road trip. From dramatic coastlines and volcanic landscapes to waterfalls and hidden cafés, many of the island’s highlights are spread across different regions. While public transport is available, renting a car gives you much more flexibility and allows you to see far more in a limited amount of time.

During my four-day trip to Jeju Island, I rented a car and explored the island independently. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of the entire trip. In this guide, I share my experience renting a car in Jeju, along with practical tips about driving, navigation, insurance, parking and everything else you should know before getting behind the wheel.

Is Renting a Car in Jeju Worth It?

In my opinion, absolutely. Jeju is much larger than many travelers expect. Attractions such as Seongsan Ilchulbong, Jeongbang Waterfall, Jusangjeolli Cliff, Osulloc Tea Museum and Sangbanggulsa Temple are spread all over the island. While public buses connect most major attractions, travel times can quickly add up and limit how much you can see in a day.

Having a rental car allowed us to visit multiple attractions in a single day and gave us the flexibility to change our plans when heavy rain affected our itinerary.

If you’re still deciding between public transport and driving, check out my guide on how to get around South Korea easily: Seoul, Busan and Jeju, where I compare trains, buses, domestic flights and rental cars. For most travelers spending three or more days on Jeju, I believe renting a car is the easiest and most efficient way to explore the island.

My Experience Renting a Car in Jeju

We rented our car through Enterprise for €172 for four days, and collected it after landing at Jeju Airport. The process was surprisingly smooth.

Most rental companies are not located directly inside the airport terminal. Instead, free shuttle buses transport customers from the airport to nearby rental centres. After collecting our luggage, we followed the rental car signs and boarded the shuttle bus arranged by the company.

Within a short time, we arrived at the rental office, completed the paperwork and collected our vehicle. What immediately stood out was how efficient everything felt. The rental process was straightforward and the staff were used to helping international visitors.

Since our accommodation was located in Seogwipo, on the southern side of the island, we still had about an hour of driving ahead of us. Although it was already evening, I found the roads easy to navigate and surprisingly relaxed compared to what I had expected.

Even though this was our first time driving in South Korea, we felt comfortable almost immediately. You can find my full experience and itinerary on Jeju Island here.

Do You Need an International Driving Permit in South Korea?

Yes.

If you plan to rent a car in Jeju Island, you should bring both:

• Your valid driving licence
• An International Driving Permit (IDP)

Most rental companies require both documents before handing over the vehicle. Without an international driving permit, you may be refused the rental car, even if your reservation has already been confirmed.

Make sure to arrange your permit before travelling to South Korea. The process is generally simple, but requirements vary depending on your country of residence. Also remember that your international permit is only valid when carried together with your original licence.

Is Driving in Jeju Difficult?

One of my biggest concerns before the trip was whether driving in Jeju would be stressful. The reality was the complete opposite. Jeju was actually one of the easiest places I have ever driven abroad. Roads are well maintained, traffic is generally calm and signposting is excellent. Many road signs are displayed in both Korean and English, which makes navigating much easier for international travellers.

South Korea drives on the right side of the road, which felt familiar coming from Europe.

Most roads on Jeju are relatively wide and modern. The highest speed limit I remember encountering was 80 km/h, making driving feel quite relaxed. I never felt overwhelmed or unsafe while driving around the island.

If you have driven abroad before, I suspect you’ll adapt very quickly. Even if it is your first international road trip, Jeju is a great place to start.

Rent an Automatic Car

If possible, choose an automatic vehicle. Automatic cars are becoming increasingly common in South Korea and make driving much more comfortable, especially when you are also trying to follow navigation instructions and discover a new destination. Having one less thing to think about allows you to focus fully on the road. While automatic cars sometimes cost slightly more than manual vehicles, I personally think the extra cost is well worth it.

Use Naver Maps Instead of Google Maps

This might be the most important tip in this article. Many travellers arrive in South Korea expecting to use Google Maps just as they would at home. Unfortunately, navigation functions on Google Maps are limited due to restrictions related to mapping data. Instead, download Naver Map before your trip. This is the navigation app most locals use and it works extremely well throughout South Korea.

We used Naver Map during our entire trip and found it incredibly reliable. Route calculations were accurate, traffic information was updated in real time and finding attractions was easy. Luckily, our rental car also had a built in GPS so we didn’t need Naver Map in the car.

Before arriving in Jeju, I would recommend saving:

• Your accommodation
• Restaurants
• Attractions
• Cafés
• Petrol stations

This can save a lot of time once you start driving.

Parking in Jeju Island

Parking on Jeju turned out to be much easier than expected. Nearly every major attraction we visited had a dedicated parking area nearby. Many parking facilities were either free or very affordable. At waterfalls, viewpoints and museums, parking was usually located directly next to the entrance. We rarely spent more than a few minutes looking for a spot.

Some cafés also offer free customer parking. At Floyeast Bakery Café, for example, customers could receive complimentary parking after checking in with staff. Compared to many European cities, parking in Jeju felt incredibly convenient.

Fuel Stations in Jeju

Petrol stations are easy to find throughout the island. Whether we were driving along the coast or through more rural parts of Jeju, fuel stations never seemed far away.

Most stations accept international credit cards, although carrying a backup card is always a good idea. One thing I noticed is that fuel prices can vary slightly between locations, but the differences generally aren’t significant enough to worry about. The staff helped me to fill my tank and complete the payment as well.

My advice would be simple: don’t wait until your tank is nearly empty.

Watch Out for Speed Cameras

South Korea takes speed limits seriously. Throughout Jeju, you will regularly see speed cameras and warning signs informing drivers that enforcement is ahead. Navigation apps often warn about these cameras as well. The good news is that speed limits are clearly marked and drivers generally follow them. If you simply respect the posted limits, you should have no problems.

Should You Get Rental Car Insurance?

I would always recommend having comprehensive insurance when renting a vehicle abroad. Accidents can happen anywhere, even if you are a careful driver. Having proper coverage means you can enjoy your trip without constantly worrying about unexpected costs.

Before booking, carefully check:

• Collision damage coverage
• Excess amounts
• Windscreen protection
• Tyre coverage
• Roadside assistance

Spending a little more for extra peace of mind is usually worth it.

Final Thoughts on Renting a Car in Jeju

Looking back at my trip, renting a car was easily one of the best travel decisions I made on Jeju Island.

It gave us complete freedom to explore at our own pace, change plans when the weather wasn’t cooperating and discover places we would never have reached by public transport. The roads were easy to drive, parking was straightforward and navigating with Naver Maps made the entire experience stress free.

If you’re planning a trip to Jeju and want to see more than just the main tourist areas, I genuinely believe a rental car is the best way to experience the island.