50 Things to Know Before visiting Jeju Island

Jeju Island is one of people’s favorite destinations in South Korea, even Koreans themselves. Known as Samdado, or the “Island of Three Lacks and Three Abundances,” it has beautiful natural landscapes, adventurous hiking trails, beautiful beaches, impressive waterfalls, delicious food, and an almost tropical atmosphere within Korea. Therefore, it is only natural that it is a popular destination among national and foreign travelers.

In this guide, we will help you plan an unforgettable trip to Jeju, providing travel tips that allow you to travel freely, without stress, and make the most of what Jeju Island offers. And believe me, that’s a lot!

So, to make this information easy to understand, we created the 50 things you need to know before traveling to Jeju Island, analyzing the best destinations, the interaction with people, the best ways to travel, costs, ways to save, and much more…

If you are also visiting South Korea, you can read the 50 things to know before traveling to South Korea.

Things to know before visiting Jeju
The Beautiful Coast of Jeju Island in South Korea

About Jeju and its people

#1 With 1,833.2 km2 (707.8 sq mi), the Jeju archipelago is relatively small in terms of area, accounting for just 1.83% of the country’s total land area. The Chuja and Udo islands are also part of the archipelago despite being small and having a very small population.

#2 Located on the Korea Strait, Jeju is about 80 km south of the Korean coast, more than 400 km from Seoul, and about 300 km from Busan.

#3 Despite being relatively small, Jeju Island is quite mountainous and was formed from volcanic eruptions around 2 million years ago. The highest point in Jeju is the Hallasan volcano, which is 1,950 meters (6,400 ft) high. This is also the highest point in all of South Korea.

What to know before traveling to Jeju island
View of Seongsan Ilchulbong in Jeju

The Locals

#4 Despite its relatively small size, Jeju has almost 700,000 inhabitants, with the majority living in Jeju City on the north coast.

With almost 500,000 inhabitants, Jeju City is the largest city, capital, and economic center of Jeju. The second city is Seogwipo on the south coast, with 150,000 inhabitants. In other words, the population is almost completely concentrated in the two main urban centers of the island.

#5 One of the biggest curiosities of Jeju Island is the Haenyeo – the famous woman of the Sea of Jeju.

The Haenyo are divers whose work consists of diving into the sea to collect different types of shellfish and mollusks, including octopus, abalone, oysters, and urchins. Their work and physical capacity are incredible as they can dive to incredible depths and for long periods without oxygen.

Known for their independent spirit, will, and determination, the Haenyeo represent Jeju’s semi-matriarchal society. Currently, most of the Haenyeo are over 50 years old, and therefore, it is feared that it is an activity on the verge of extinction. Also, Haenyeo and its surrounding culture have become a world UNESCO intangible heritage.

Things to know about Jeju Island
Statue of a Haenyo talented divers from Jeju

What language to speak in Jeju

#6 In Jeju, the primary official language is Korean, but there is also Jejuan, a Koreanic language (some people consider it a dialect) only spoken on the island. This is just a curiosity because no one expects you to know how to speak Jejuan.

They don’t even expect you to know any Korean. Most visitors don’t speak more than two or three words as it is a really difficult language to learn from scratch. So you will need to speak English or use an automatic translator. Any other language is unlikely to get you far.

#7 Communication with Koreans in general is tough- and believe me, it’s not a lack of goodwill on their part or ours. Our languages simply have absolutely nothing in common with theirs. The alphabet is different, the words are completely different, and even the sound is different.

Even Koreans who know some English have tremendous difficulty speaking English because their way of speaking and intoning words is completely different. For example, they change the “f” sound to “p”, so “left” becomes something similar to “lept”. They also have problems with “z” and “r”.

The reverse is equally difficult! After weeks in Korea, we continue to have immense difficulty saying anything other than “Thank you” and “Hello.” And even those… I have doubts that they are said correctly! Even in the names of cities, sometimes we need to show them in writing to make sure they understand what we are talking about!

Jeju Travel Guide with everything you need to know
Views along the southern coast of Jeju Island

#8 The solutions to all these issues and difficulties come in the form of technology! You have two options: either buy an automatic translator or use the Papago app. See here for more information about the translator we tried.

Both the Papago app and FluentTalk allow us to translate from Korean to English automatically and vice versa, allowing for simple conversations. Both also have the chance to translate text and even take photographs and translate what is written in there: advertisements, menus, receipts, or whatever. It’s extremely useful.

In no other country we visited (and you can see on our website that there are many), we had to use a translator, but it was an invaluable help in Korea.

#9 Despite some exceptions, in our experience, the Koreans in Jeju are friendly and helpful. For example, when we were looking a little lost at the airport looking for buses, they came to ask us if we needed help without having asked. This, even though they speak little or no English…

This way of being attentive ends up making the travel experience more pleasant. Especially because the cultural experience of dealing with lots of new and different things is one of the significant advantages of traveling to South Korea and Jeju, and believe me, you will find many things that are curious, strange, or simply different from what you are used to.

Information about traveling to Jeju
Typical statues – Hareubang, made from lava, is one of Jeju’s mascots

Other things to know about Jeju

#10 Jeju is a volcanic island marked by typical black rocks and various distinctive volcanic landscapes such as calderas, black sand, lava caves, “oreum,” etc.

The “oreum” – the so-called hills of Jeju – are small volcanoes normally covered in vegetation. Many of them do not exceed 50-100 meters in height, but as there are more than 360 “oreum,” they ultimately mark the views and the entire territory with their peculiar conical shape.

Due to the high rainfall and rich soil, Jeju is also an incredibly green island, with immense vegetation and plenty of agricultural production.

Useful information about visiting Jeju
Jeju Coast in South Korea

#11 Another characteristic of the island is the wind. Jeju is famous for its strong northerly wind. The north of the island is completely exposed, and the wind from the sea is constant throughout the year, but at times it is very strong.

The importance of wind (and stone) in Jeju is as visible in the stone fences as in the farm fields. These walls serve mainly to block the wind and allow the cultivation of various foods. They are pretty similar to the walls you see on the island of Pico (Azores) that protect the vineyards.

The wind is also quite cold in winter, making everything a little less pleasant. The mountains protect the southern part of the island, so the wind is a little less.

Whatever the expected weather and time of year, be prepared and bring clothes to protect yourself from the likely wind that will blow.

Coastal views in Jeju Island
Park along the coast in Jeju

Jeju Weather

#12 The climate in Jeju is considered humid subtropical with four clear seasons. Summers are hot and rainy, while winters are cool and drier but still with some rain. However, following what we said above, due to the mountainous interior, the southern part of the island is more protected from northerly winds in winter, so temperatures are milder.

In general, in Jeju City, the average maximum temperatures vary between 9ºC in January and 30ºC in August, while the minimum temperatures reach 4ºC in January and February and 25º in August. The months with the most rain are August, September, and July (in that order).

The Hallasan volcano region is much colder, especially in winter, regularly experiencing negative temperatures. If you plan to go there, check the weather carefully, as it can change quickly.

What to know about visiting Jeju as a tourist
Bridge at Cheonjeyeon Park in Jeju – Best Things to Visit in Jeju

When to travel to Jeju?

#13 Given Jeju’s climate characteristics, the best times of year to go to Jeju are May-June and September-October, which combine pleasant temperatures and little rain.

Furthermore, the high season – the time with the most tourists – is summer, between June and August. This period is also when there are more events and festivals on the island, and South Koreans take the opportunity to vacation here.

Thus, despite being very attractive due to the high temperatures and the possibility of going to the beach, summer has the disadvantage of high rainy days, many more people, and higher prices.

Winter is the low season and when prices are lowest. Temperatures are much lower (although hotter than in Seoul), but on the other hand, there are much fewer rainy days. If you want to enjoy the island’s natural beauty, it could be a good opportunity, but going to the beach is not a realistic possibility.

when is the best time to travel to Jeju
One of the Cheonjeyeon waterfalls in Jeju

Is it safe to travel to Jeju?

#14 In a word, Yes! In many… there may be few safer places to travel than Jeju. During our time on the island, we didn’t have any problems, we didn’t feel at risk in the slightest, nor did we have any sense of danger.

South Korea is generally a very safe country where you are unlikely to have any problems. In Jeju, the crime level is considered relatively low compared to the rest of South Korea.

Therefore, we advise you to take the necessary care with your personal property and be aware of schemes and in crowded places, but only with bad luck will you encounter these issues.

Is it safe to travel to Jeju?
Stairs to climb to Seongsan Ilchulbong, where you will find some amazing views

Tourism in Jeju

#15 Jeju is a very touristy island, and this is visible everywhere. However, most tourists are South Koreans, especially after Covid-19.

Among foreign tourists, the most common are those from other Asian countries such as China, Taiwan, Japan, or Malaysia – which is natural given the more excellent proximity of these countries to Jeju and Korea.

What to visit on Jeju Island

#16 Jeju is a very touristy island and, as such, has lots of activities for all types of travelers, but given that almost all visitors come from Korea and Asia, it is also very geared towards these tourists.

Jeju City is the capital and largest city of Jeju, but it is also a small city of relatively little interest to tourists. Jeju’s best and biggest attractions are elsewhere on the island.

However, if you don’t rent a car it’s the ideal place to base yourself as there are buses from Jeju City to all parts of the island and given the size of the city you won’t have any problems finding convenience stores, restaurants, bars and street food. .

We stayed in Jeju City, next to the city hall, and we found it to be an ideal spot. Most buses pass there, and there are many options for eating and cheap accommodation.

Paris Baguette our favorite chain in Jeju and Korea
The streets of Jeju City, the largest city on the island

#17 Hallasan volcano is perhaps the main point of attraction on Jeju Island for adventurous travelers, hikers, and mountain lovers. As we are all these things, we wanted to climb to the top of the volcano and enjoy the spectacular view of the caldera and the rest of the island.

Access to the top can be via two different trails that only connect at the top, so the usual thing is to go up one of the trails and down the other. This was our plan. The climb is quite challenging, going from 700 to almost 2000 meters. However, whoever conquers the 4000 meters Acatenango can also climb this…

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, and we had to turn back after 4 km due to the weather. Despite it being sunny in Jeju City and the rest of the island, the climb to the mountain was closed halfway due to heavy rain and lack of visibility.

If you are planning to do this climb, and we advise you to do so if you like and are used to mountain walks, prepare yourself for the possibility that it won’t happen or you will have to turn back. The weather in the mountains is always unstable. We advise keeping your calendar as open as possible and try to go on the day with the best weather.

Still, even though we only did 8 km of walking, it made us realize that it would be a very hard day, but with spectacular landscapes, even though we only saw the forest part.

Misty trail to Hallasan volcano with rain and fog
Misty trail to Hallasan volcano, one of the most fun activities to do in Jeju

#18 Despite being an almost tropical island with very warm temperatures for many months, Jeju is not a beach destination, or at least it’s not just about beaches, nor is that why it’s best known.

There are good beaches in Jeju, and the sea is warm during some months, but Koreans are not typical vacationers as they don’t like sunbathing and go to the sea “dressed up”.

Still, there are some well-known and quality beaches, such as:

  • Hamdeok Beach: a small sand beach 30 minutes from Jeju City, ideal for swimming and kayaking, with small tide pools for kids to play.
  • Hyeopjae Beach: White sandy mixed with crushed seashells beach located on the island’s west side.
  • Iho Tewoo Beach: this beach is close to Jeju City and has two iconic lighthouses shaped like horses.
  • Hongjodangoe Haebin: Known as Coral Sand Beach, this is a beautiful crescent-moon-shaped coral located in Udo Island.

If you like the beach and visit Jeju in hot, sunny weather, you can also enjoy these beautiful beaches, but don’t expect an experience similar to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Southeast Asia, which is an experience in itself!

One of the best beaches in Jeju, completely empty
Hongjodangoe Haebin – Known as Coral Sand Beach, located in Udo

#19 The tiny Udo Island is one of the highlights of Jeju due to its natural beauty, relaxed atmosphere, and even its beautiful white sand beach. Or rather, white coral that passes for sand.

One of the visitors’ favorite activities in Udo is renting bicycles (preferably electric) and traveling along the entire coast of the island, enjoying the magnificent views and even the beautiful beach. There are also many restaurants and cafes with sea views.

It was a super nice day, and it was our first time riding an electric bike. Fun!

What to do when traveling to Jeju
The landscape of Udo Island, which belongs to the Jeju Archipelago

#20 Quite close to Udo, we have another volcanic tourist attraction not to be missed in Jeju: Seongsan Ilchulbong.

This volcanic caldera that rises 180 meters above sea level emerged from an eruption in the ocean 5000 years ago. Although it was once cultivated, it is currently a natural reserve and habitat for various wild animals and plants.

It is possible to climb to the top of the caldera via staircase walkways and, from there, have one of the best views on the entire island, including Udo Island, Mount Hallasan, and the entire landscape of the island’s east coast. Therefore, this is a place visited by thousands of people daily.

Is it worth going to Jeju?
Seongsan Ilchulbong – volcanic caldera that rises 180 meters above sea level

#21 In Seongsan Ilchulbong, there is yet another point of interest as it is one of the best places to see the famous haenyeo – the female divers from Jeju mentioned above.

From there, we can see them diving and hunting for seafood, particularly abalone. A traditional show is also held every day, however it is always best to confirm the time as it may vary.

Ultimately, going to a small restaurant by the sea and eating the seafood caught by the haenyeo is still possible.

What to know before traveling to Jeju
Beach and restaurant for haenyeo divers where we can watch them dive and hunt for seafood

#22 Another incredible attraction on Jeju Island is the Lava Caves, namely Manjanggul.

The Manjanggul lava tubes are caves over 7 km long, with the main tunnel being 23 meters high and 18 meters wide. They are considered one of the largest and most impressive in the world and have been registered as a UNESCO heritage site since 2007.

Despite being formed thousands of years ago, they are still well preserved and are a fundamental object of study on the island. Several rock formations along the tunnel, including stalactites and stalagmites, among many others. The column, more than 7 meters high, at the end of the route, is considered the largest lava column in the world.

Only a section of 2km is accessible to the public, but it is completely flat and easily accessible. The only issue is that it is pretty cool down there, and access can be closed due to the weather.

Jeju Island travel tips
Manjanggul – lava caves in Jeju

#23 Waterfalls are another of Jeju Island’s main attractions, particularly those in the south. The best known and the ones we visit are:

  • Jeongbang: a several-meter-high waterfall known for falling directly into the sea, creating a very beautiful effect.
  • Cheonjiyeon: waterfall inside a very beautiful park with a lot of water.
  • Cheonjeyeon: triple waterfall because, in reality, there are three waterfalls very close to each other. It is perhaps the most impressive, and the entire surrounding area is beautiful, with an impressive bridge and even some levadas.
Waterfall hunting is a popular activity in Jeju
Cheonjiyeon – one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Jeju

#24 Jusangjeollidae are lava escarpments on the south coast of Jeju. It is a very popular place due to the beauty of this natural monument. Hexagonal rocks joined together to form the cliffs, creating a curious and rare appearance.

It’s a place reminiscent of the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, but it’s much smaller and less impressive. Still, it’s worth a stop to get to know this natural monument and take the opportunity to take a walk along the seafront.

Jeju South Korea, Points of interest
Jusangjeollidae are lava escarpments on the southern coast of Jeju

#25 Jeju Island is quite big, so many other interesting places are worth visiting. Some of the best known, but which we have not visited in person, are:

  • Osulloc Tea Plantation and Museum
  • Jeju Folk Village
  • Seopjikoji: beautiful viewpoint next to the sea. It is very close to the ones mentioned above.
  • There are many other trails near Mount Hallasan, so you have several options for a more leisurely hike with less chance of bad weather.
  • Bijarim Forrest
  • Jeju Loveland: a theme park for adults.
  • Camellia Hill: especially beautiful when camellias are in bloom.

What to eat in Jeju

#26 In Jeju you will find almost all traditional South Korean dishes, however the island has many unique and region-specific dishes. Jeju is also the ideal place to eat fresh and cheap fish, in general Koreans eat and love fish, but on the island this is even more foreshadowed.

one of the things you should know before going to Jeju is that seafood is delicious
Haenyo divers selling fresh fish and seafood

#27 Being surrounded by sea, Jeju has a wide variety of fish and seafood at your disposal. One of the specialties is abalone, which is abundant, fresh, and cheaper than in other places. It is especially good grilled, but it is very typical to find abalone porridge or with rice.

Another traditional fish dish is Haemultang, a fish and seafood stew. It is quirky and fun to eat because, basically, you do the cooking! It is served in a pan over a stove on each table in restaurants. Each person is supposed to add the fresh fish and vegetables to the pan and let them cook slightly. You can serve and eat when you feel that the fish and vegetables are done.

A great place to eat fish is at the restaurant by the sea in Seongsan Ilchulbong. The fish served is caught by the haenyeo, so it is very fresh and an opportunity to get to know the haenyeo culture.

Jeju delicacies
Haemultang – traditional Jeju fish dish

#28 Black pig is another traditional dish and island specialty. The Jeju Black Pig is native and raised exclusively on the island. It has a distinctive flavor compared to other pigs. It is typically grilled and eaten as a Korean barbecue with lettuce or perilla leaves. It’s crunchy but soft and juicy.

In the city of Jeju, there is a street specializing in black pork, with several restaurants serving this specialty. Any of them is a great place to eat Jeju Black Pig.

Jeju dishes you must try
Black Pork Sauté, one of Jeju’s typical dishes

#29 Another famous ingredient in Jeju is Hallabong Oranges, a breed of tangerine native to the island. Which was created by crossing Kiyomi orange and tangerine, giving rise to a large, juicy, sweet tangerine. Furthermore, it has a cartoonish appearance with a protruding stem, which makes it unique. We recommend you try this unique Jeju ingredient and, if you can, even take a few boxes of oranges home. There are also bottles of Hallanbong orange juice.

Jeju is so proud of its orange Hallabong that it has become its mascot. You will find references and products related to orange everywhere, there are hats, key rings, umbrellas, etc.

Best dishes in Jeju
Hallabong Orange are native to Jeju

#30 In Jeju, you must try all the dishes with peanuts: peanut ice cream, peanut sweets, or roasted and salted peanuts. They are produced in Udo, an island belonging to the Jeju archipelago.

Udo has volcanic soil ideal for peanut production, which produces large quantities of good-quality peanuts. Some say that Udo peanuts are tastier than others.

Jeju best dishes to try when visiting
Delicious peanut ice cream in Jeju

#31 In Jeju and throughout Korea, tipping is not expected. In fact, we didn’t feel the need to give any tips, nor did we see anyone doing so, whether foreigners or Koreans.

Currency and Costs of Traveling to Jeju

Currency and payments

#32 The island of Jeju is part of the Republic of Korea and, as such, uses the South Korean won. So, if you come from South Korea, you won’t have to worry about changing currency, but if you come from anywhere else, you will have to exchange to won.

The ATM network is extensive, and you can withdraw money anytime. In our experience, exchange costs and fees are low and virtually always lower than changing before arriving at your destination. Our suggestion is not to bring wons with you.

#33 Furthermore, nearly all stores and restaurants accept payments with cards or with T-Money (we will explain below what it is and how to use it). Even in the markets, many vendors accept card payments without problems and for amounts as low as three or four thousand won.

However, as there may be a problem with the system or some smaller stores may not accept it, we always suggest you have some cash.

Therefore, we suggest making as many payments as possible by card as it is safer and avoids withdrawing money frequently/carrying a lot of cash. To give you an idea, in more than three weeks in Korea, we only withdrew money once, as we made almost all payments by card.

Jeju travel costs
Intriguing sculpture on the coast of Jeju – Jeju Travel Guide

What is the T-Money?

#34 T-Money is Korea’s public transport card and digital wallet.

One of the first things to do when you arrive in South Korea (be it Jeju, Seoul, or any other city) is to buy T-Money (it should cost between 3000-5000 won, depending on the design). This card allows you to use any urban transport (subway, bus, and even most taxis) in any city in South Korea, including Jeju.

To top up T-Money, go to a convenience store (7-11, GS25, or any other) and ask to top up. In metro stations, there are also charging machines. The top-up must be done in cash.

Once loaded, you must swipe your card when entering the metro or buses. Please note that you must always swipe your card upon entry and exit, as the transport system allows you to make free transfers between lines and even means of transport.

It is also possible to make other types of payments with T-Money, but this is more useful for locals than tourists.

Everything you need to known before traveling to Jeju
Rock formation made with lava called Jusangjeollidae

Costs of Traveling to Jeju Island

Going to Jeju is relatively cheap, especially if you are already in South Korea or some neighboring countries with direct flights.

Fly to Jeju

#35 Flights from Seoul, Busan, and other major cities in Korea are pretty cheap due to the high competition between the various low-cost airlines. For example, a low-cost Seoul-Jeju flight costs 20 Euros per person, and a Jeju-Busan flight costs 40 Euros per person.

So, if you are planning a trip to Korea, seriously consider going to Jeju, as it will not increase your travel cost much, and if you have a good itinerary, you can even avoid a trip between Seoul and Busan.

flying to Jeju tips
One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Jeju – Jeongbang – where the water falls directly into the sea

Costs in Jeju

#36 Travel costs in Jeju largely depend on the travel season. As in all tourist destinations, particularly on islands, in high season, prices rise exponentially, particularly for accommodation, car rental, and, of course, flights.

We traveled in mid-season and generally found the costs similar to the rest of South Korea. In 5 days/4 nights, we spent 333 Euros (plus 120 Euros on flights) for two people. But note that we are backpackers and like to control our travel costs.

#37 Food costs are quite low, making it possible for two people to eat for 15-20 Euros. A little more if it’s non-Korean food or seafood and meat. We like to try all the local specialties, so we mostly eat local food in local restaurants and markets.

There is accommodation for all costs, starting at around 30-40 Euros per night in double rooms in cheap hostels.

If you decide to travel by public transport, transport costs are almost negligible, we spend around 25 Euros per person (already with the ferry to Udo). If you rent a car, count on at least another 300 to 400 euros for a week.

Tourist attractions and activities are another source of costs that sometimes weigh heavily on the travel budget. Fortunately, in the case of Jeju (and throughout Korea), many attractions are free or have very low entry prices, from 1 to 3 Euros. Therefore, this is not a significant concern in budgetary terms.

How much does it cost to travel to Jeju
Coast of Udo Island, one of the islands in the Jeju archipelago | Everything about traveling in Jeju

How to Travel to Jeju

#38 Traveling to Jeju is relatively cheap, especially if you come from Mainland Korea. There are many flights from Seoul and some from other cities, and the prices are usually very attractive as low-cost companies, such as Jeju Air or Jin Air, do this route.

It is said that the Seoul-Jeju City route is one of the most competitive in the world, and this competition can be seen both in the availability of supply and in prices.

It is also possible to travel by ferry, but the costs are higher and the journey time is a few hours. Therefore, it will hardly be worth it unless you don’t want to or can’t fly. In any case, we have not explored this hypothesis, so we cannot give recommendations.

How to travel around Jeju
Peanut plantation on Udo island

Rent a car in Jeju

#39 Renting a car in Jeju is probably most travelers’ favorite option, and it’s easy to see why… it allows us to have all the flexibility in the world and go more quickly and to more places.

However, to rent a car, we must have an international driving license, so don’t forget to get your international license before traveling. We’ve seen that renting a car is not very expensive outside of high season – 300 to 400 Euros per week, plus insurance costs. In low season, you will definitely get even less. This is where we found the best prices.

#40 We chose not to rent a car, as we wanted an utterly relaxed trip without worries about driving, parking, or renting a car. If there’s one thing we don’t like, it’s dealing with rent-a-cars.

Therefore, we cannot give many tips when it comes to renting a car or driving, but from what we saw in Jeju, if you are used to driving in different countries, you shouldn’t have any major problems. Jeju City is a large city with some traffic but peaceful and orderly. The roads are also quite good.

travel around Jeju by publuc transportation
One of the Cheonjeyeon waterfalls, an attraction to visit in Jeju

Public transportation

#41 In Jeju, public transport is limited to buses and taxis, but the good news is that buses go everywhere, and you usually don’t have to wait long for them. Oh, and there are ferries to the smaller islands around Jeju, namely Udo.

In fact, traveling by car can give you more flexibility and be faster, but you can travel to any attraction in Jeju by bus. We went to all the places we wanted without any problems.

The Naver Maps app is the secret to navigating the Jeju (and Korean) transport system. This works excellently and in real-time, giving us all the transport options between the destinations we want, including options with more or fewer transfers, walks, etc.

Our number one tip for public transport in Korea is to use Naver Maps and spend some time understanding how it works, as it has all the information there.

Public transports in Jeju vs Renting a car
A very beautiful park on Jeju Island

#42 The second essential tip is buying and loading the T-Money card we discussed above. Armed with these two instruments, choose your destination, wait for the bus, and swipe your card upon entering. It will remove the value of the ticket from your balance, and you’re done.

bulb on 50 Things to Know Before visiting Jeju Island

Top Tip

When exiting the bus, don’t forget to validate your card again because if you need to transfer in the next 30 minutes, you won’t pay for the second ticket.

It’s incredibly simple and functional, and the fact that T-Money works on all public transport in Korea makes everything so easy for the traveler that it makes us wonder why it’s not similar everywhere.

Bus trips have different prices depending on the type of bus. Normal buses cost between 1200 and 1500 Won, while express buses (red) and airport buses are much more expensive. Prices are usually indicated on Naver Maps, but not always.

Ah, one more nice tip: All buses in Jeju have free Wifi… and it works!

Jeju tourist guide
Hallabong orange juice – something you have to try in Jeju

Other Jeju Travel Tips

Jeju souvenirs

#43 Jeju is a unique destination from which you will want to bring back memories and souvenirs. Luckily there are many things to bring, so leave some space in your suitcase for souvenirs.

Some of our suggestions are:

  • Green Tea – Jeju green tea is one of Korea’s best and most renowned.
  • Hareubang – These statues made from lava are one of the most popular things in Jeju.
  • Hallabong tangerines: are probably Jeju’s most famous product. If you can’t bring your own tangerines, many products are alluding to them, such as caps, key rings, and soft toys.
  • Beauty Products – Like all of Korea, beauty products are top-rated. Those from Jeju have the peculiarity of having ingredients such as green tea, lava, aloe vera, and even Jeju cacao.
  • Chocolate: Jeju also has a small production of chocolate. So take the opportunity to try it and bring it with you. Chocolates are a souvenir that never goes wrong!
  • Udo Peanuts: Udo produces a lot of peanuts and products derived from them. Some things to bring from this small island next to Jeju are cookies, biscuits, and many other peanut products.
famous black statues of Jeju
Miniature Hareubang – a Jeju Souvenir

Internet in Jeju

#44 As in any developed country, any accommodation is expected to have free WIFI, so this should not be a significant concern. However, confirming the signal quality in the comments is always a good idea.

But as with everything, sometimes it’s a matter of luck because, for example, our accommodation had excellent WIFI everywhere that we tried with different routers… except in our room! Luckily, we had mobile data… 🙂

As we mentioned above, the buses all have free WiFi. In addition, there is also free public WiFi in many parts of the island, so it is unlikely that you will be offline for long, even without mobile data.

#45 If you want to use mobile data, then any data card from South Korea works in Jeju without paying extra. Note, however, that South Korean data cards are some of the most expensive in the world.

That’s why we ended up using an e-sim card. Our suggestion is Nomad, as it worked pretty well for us. You can buy it here. If you buy one in Korea, prices can go up to 50 Euros. The good news is that the ceilings are unlimited or almost unlimited.

How is the internet in Jeju, Korea
Cheonjeyeon Park Bridge in Jeju

Cleaning, pollution, and recycling

#46 The garbage issue in Korea and Jeju is a bit complex. On the one hand, the more rural areas, parks, and tourist areas are quite clean. On the other hand, Jeju City, particularly the market areas, street food, and restaurants, are not very clean.

In other words, Jeju (and the rest of Korea) is much cleaner than most Asian countries (except Japan, of course). Yet, there is still much work to be done, and some areas are not very clean.

A curious note is the absence of rubbish bins on the street, even in the city. Finding trash or recycling bins is very difficult, which is annoying. It is, therefore, essential to always have a bag to store the rubbish until we find a bin or recycling point.

#47 Regarding recycling, we have the same problem with rubbish bins. They are pretty difficult to find, and when you do, it is a little difficult to understand what is supposed to go in each crate. Apparently, it differs, as we never concluded what it is supposed to do.

Our solution ended up being to open the bins and try to put our rubbish where there was similar rubbish.

A situation where we would like there to be a change in South Korea in the use of plastics and single-use products. There is still a lot of unnecessary plastic use, especially using cups, cutlery, and other disposable products.

Important: Southeast Asia and even Mexico are a world apart, but much can still be done to improve in Korea.

Coastal views in Jeju
Jeju coast with black rocks Volcanica | How to travel in Jeju

Electrical outlets

#48 Electrical sockets in Jeju are the same as in the rest of South Korea, type C (Europlug) and F, with a voltage of 220V and a frequency of 60 Hz.

In other words, you do not need an adapter if you come from Continental Europe or other countries with the same type of sockets. Note, however, that the voltage and frequency are different. This means computers, cell phones, and the like work normally, but household appliances and hairdryers need a transformer.

If you come from countries with other types of sockets, we suggest this adapter. If you need a frequency converter, we suggest this one.

Documentation to enter South Korea

#49 The documentation required to enter Jeju is the same as for South Korea. If you come from mainland South Korea, they will confirm you have the stamp/sticker and K-Eta. If you come from abroad, the process is the same as arriving from elsewhere.

So, don’t forget to do K-Eta. Most Western passports need K-Eta to enter Korea. But see here for updated information and everything you need to know.

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Important to know

If you are considering going to Udo, the tiny island next to Jeju we discussed above, you must bring identification to buy the ferry ticket. Don’t forget, otherwise you won’t be able to go.

Jeju/South Korea Travel Guide

#50 Finally, if you want to buy a travel guide, we suggest this guide from Lonely Planet, which has a lot of helpful information.

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This is a general guide to South Korea, but if you go to Jeju, you will probably visit other parts of Korea, which is very useful. There are also travel guides just for Jeju, like this one, but we have no references about it.

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50 things about Jeju

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