Jeju Island
Go for volcanic scenery, a long hike up Hallasan and coastline shaped by old lava. The island suits a long weekend or a longer trip.
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Jeju Island is a volcanic island off the south coast of South Korea. Its highest point, Hallasan, is the country's tallest mountain, and old lava shaped much of the land, leaving lava tubes, cinder cones and dark basalt shorelines. The hiking and the coast are the main draws. Jeju is also known for its haenyeo, women divers who have worked the sea for generations and still dive for shellfish and seaweed in some villages.
Jeju suits an unhurried trip. Travelers often base themselves in Jeju City, which has the main airport, or in Seogwipo on the south coast, and take day trips to the east coast and the lava tubes. The island is compact enough to drive around, and buses and taxis cover the main sights. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking. Plan at least three nights, or four or five if you want to hike Hallasan and see the eastern coast without rushing.
Jeju Island in five
- Check the Hallasan reservation rules firstHallasan trails have daily limits and cut-off times. Check the guide before you plan a summit day.Hallasan hike guide
- Get a T-money card for busesA T-money card works on buses and subways in most Korean cities. Buy one at a convenience store and tap it when you board.
- Rent a car for the east coast loopA loop of Seongsan, Udo and Manjanggul in one day is easier by car than by bus. Carry an International Driving Permit with your home driver's license.East coast in one day
- Set up an eSIM before you landMaps, bus apps and taxi calls all need mobile data as soon as you arrive. Install the eSIM at home so it is active on landing.Phones and eSIM
- Download Kakao T for taxisKakao T is a taxi app that lets you call a cab and pay by card. Set up the account before you need a ride.
Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Jeju Island, the full guide
Jeju City
- Price band: $$
Seogwipo
- Price band: $$
Things to do in Jeju Island
See all attractions in Jeju Island
Need to know
- Currency
- Won (KRW)
- Entry
- Varies by passport. Check the official K-ETA site before you fly
- Emergency
- 112 police, 119 fire and ambulance, 1330 Korea Travel Hotline
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+9, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low4°Cold, windyJanuaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 114 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, windy
- FebruaryRain12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low4°Cold, windyFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 109 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, windy
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°Early bloomMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 127 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Early bloom
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh17°Low12°Spring bloomAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 129 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring bloom
- MayRain11 rainy daysHigh21°Low15°Mild, clearMayRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 150 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear
- JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh24°Low20°Rainy seasonJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 226 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- JulyRain16 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Rainy, humidJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 232 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy, humid
- AugustRain16 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Typhoon riskAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 218 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Typhoon risk
- SeptemberRain17 rainy daysHigh26°Low22°Typhoon riskSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 327 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Typhoon risk
- OctoberRain11 rainy daysHigh21°Low17°Autumn, clearOctoberRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 163 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn, clear
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh16°Low12°Autumn colorNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 120 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh10°Low6°Cold, clearDecemberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, clear
Average daily high and low in Jeju City, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Jeju Island
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
13
- Feels like
- 9°
- Humidity
- 50%
- Wind
- 16 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Jeju Island
05:42 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today12°5°0%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 12°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed12°8°42%Wednesday: Rain. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 42%.
- Thu16°10°95%Thursday: Rain. High 16°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Fri11°3°35%Friday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Sat7°1°2%Saturday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sun8°1°5%Sunday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Mon7°0°8%Monday: Drizzle. High 7°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 8%.
Updated 05:21 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1,333 KRW
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
Day trips from Jeju Island, the full guide- Seongsan Ilchulbongabout 1 hour by car from Jeju CityA volcanic tuff cone on the east coast, easy to combine with Udo.Read the guide
- Hallasan trailheads30 to 60 minutes by car from Jeju CityKorea's highest mountain, with trails that have daily limits.Read the guide
- Seogwipoabout 1 hour by car from Jeju CityA south coast town with Jeongbang Waterfall and a harbor.Read the guide
Before you go to Jeju Island
Rules for Jeju Island, checked
- Check whether your passport needs a K-ETA before you fly. Apply on the official K-ETA site, not through a third-party agent.Source
- Korea restricts many fresh fruits, meats and plants in luggage. Declare food and plant products on the arrival form, and check the Korea Customs Service site first.Source
- Korea's drink-driving limit is 0.03% blood alcohol, so do not drive after drinking.
- Dial 112 for police, 119 for fire or an ambulance, and 1330 for the Korea Travel Hotline in English.
Jeju Island FAQ
Is Jeju Island worth visiting?
Yes, if you want hikes, coastline and a slower pace than Seoul. The main sights are spread across the island, so plan your days by area.
How many days do you need in Jeju?
Three days covers Jeju City, the east coast and a Hallasan hike if you plan carefully. Five or more days lets you add Seogwipo, the west coast and a slower morning or two.
Do you need a car in Jeju?
A car makes the east coast and the Hallasan trailheads much easier to reach. Jeju City can be done by bus and taxi, but the day trips spread out quickly.
Should I stay in Jeju City or Seogwipo?
Jeju City is the transport hub, with the airport and more buses. Seogwipo is quieter and closer to the south coast and the Jungmun resort area.
When is the best time to visit Jeju?
April to May and October to November have mild, clear weather. June and July are the rainy season, and typhoons are possible in late summer.
How hard is the Hallasan hike?
Hallasan is a 1,947 m volcano with long, steep trails to the summit. Check the trail cut-off times and reservation rules before you set off.