Getting Around Jeju Without a Car
You can see Jeju without a car using red express buses from the airport (about 2,000 to 3,000 won), blue and green local buses, the 810 and 820 tourist shuttles (day pass about 3,000 won), taxis and tours. Pay with a transportation card, plan around infrequent local buses, and book a taxi or tour for remote sights.
- Best from the airport
- Red express buses in the 100s
- Sightseeing
- Tourist shuttles 810 (east) and 820 (west)
- Payment
- Transportation card; cashless buses
- Official site
- Visit Jeju
What should I know before I arrive?
Fares and times checked October 6, 2026
Jeju is a large island, and buses are frequent in Jeju City but sparse in many coastal and rural areas. Official tourism information describes three bus colours: red express buses numbered in the 100s, blue intercity and city buses in the 200s, 300s and 500s, and green village buses in the 400s, 600s and 700s. Most buses run from about 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with intervals that vary by route.
- Worth knowing: Buses are cashless. Jeju ran a cashless pilot from July 2024 (Korea Times), and overseas-issued Visa cards could be tapped on buses from August 2025 (Korea Times).
- A common mistake: Treating all buses alike. Green village buses can wait 30 minutes or more, so check arrival times in Naver Map or Kakao Map before you leave.
- Local tip: Carry a transportation card such as T-money. With a card, the official guide lists free transfers up to two times within 40 minutes.
Which transport option works best on Jeju?
Use express buses for long hops, tourist shuttles for headline sights, and taxis or tours for places buses reach poorly. A mixed approach beats relying on one mode.
- Express buses (100s): These skip minor stops and run between the airport and major areas. The official guide lists airport express routes such as 101, 102, 111, 112, 121, 122, 131, 132, 151, 152, 181 and 182.
- Airport limousine buses (600, 800, 800-1): These connect the airport with the Jungmun and Seogwipo side; the official page gives about 50 minutes to Jungmun and about 70 to 80 minutes to Seogwipo-area stops.
- Tourist shuttles 810 and 820: Per the official 2024 guidebook, the 810 serves the east side and the 820 the west, both about every 30 minutes, stopping mainly at major attractions.
- Taxis: Good for short hops and late evenings. The guidebook gives a base fare of 4,300 won plus 100 won per 126 metres or 31 seconds.
- Tours and global taxis: A global taxi is listed at about 150,000 won for eight hours, which can suit two to four people with a packed day.
Practical example: a couple staying in Jeju City can take an express bus from the airport to a coastal town, use a tourist shuttle between sights, and finish with a taxi back when buses thin out.
How much does getting around Jeju cost?
Local buses cost about 1,200 won, express and airport limousine buses about 2,000 to 3,000 won, and shuttle day passes about 3,000 won. Jeju has discussed a local fare rise to 1,500 won but postponed the decision to 2026, so confirm the current fare before you travel.
| Option | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Local bus (blue/green) | About 1,200 won per ride | Small discount with a card; fare rise discussed |
| Express bus (red, 100s) | About 2,000 to 3,000 won | By distance; two free transfers within 40 minutes with a card |
| Airport limousine (600, 800) | Same structure as express | About 50 to 80 minutes depending on stop |
| Tourist shuttle 810/820 | Day pass about 3,000 won | Runs roughly 8:30 or 9:00 to 17:30 or 18:00 |
| Taxi | Base 4,300 won + 100 won per 126 m or 31 sec | Global taxi about 150,000 won for 8 hours |
Fares come from the Visit Jeju transport page, whose figures date to 2022, and the October 2024 guidebook; treat them as approximate. The Jeju bus information system has timetables, including route 600.
How do I ride a Jeju bus?
Get a transportation card, find your route number, board at the front and tap in and out.
- Get a card. Buy and load a T-money card at a convenience store, or check whether your overseas Visa card works for contactless payment.
- Check the route. Search the stop in Naver Map or Kakao Map for live arrival times, and note the first and last bus.
- Board and tap. Tap on boarding. Tap again when you get off so the fare and transfers calculate correctly.
- Press the bell. Press the stop button before your stop, and tell the driver about large luggage on airport buses.
Can I see the sights by bus in a day?
Yes, if you pick one side of the island and accept bus waits. The VisitKorea east coast itinerary links the airport with Hamdeok Beach by express bus 101 in about 40 minutes, then Seongsan Ilchulbong by bus 201 in about an hour.
- Start early: Local bus 201 can run at 30- to 80-minute intervals, so a late start loses sights.
- Pick one coast: Do the east or the west in a day, not both.
- Keep a taxi fallback: If a bus is cancelled or the last bus has gone, a taxi is the backup.
Not sure which side to choose? The Jeju Tourist Information Center (064-740-6000, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., per the official guide) offers multilingual help.
FAQ
Can you travel around Jeju without renting a car?
Yes. Express buses link the airport with major areas, tourist shuttles 810 and 820 stop at big sights, and taxis or private tours fill the gaps. Expect longer waits and some planning, especially in rural areas.
How do I pay for buses on Jeju?
Use a T-money or other transportation card, which also gives free transfers within 40 minutes. Jeju has moved to cashless buses, and overseas Visa contactless cards have been accepted since August 2025; confirm current options on the official pages.
Is there a tourist bus on Jeju?
Yes. Routes 810 (east) and 820 (west) serve major attractions about every 30 minutes, with a day pass of about 3,000 won in the official 2024 guidebook.
When is a taxi or tour better than a bus?
For remote sights, groups of three or four, or when time is tight. The official guide lists a global taxi at about 150,000 won for eight hours, which can beat a day of waiting for buses.
Official sources and useful links
Links open in a new tab. Fares and times above are approximate; verify on these pages.
- Visit Jeju: Public Transportation in Jeju bus colours, fares, transfers and airport routes
- Official Jeju Tourism Guidebook (PDF) fares, shuttles 810 and 820, taxi rates and tourist information centre
- VisitKorea: Jeju east coast by city bus a sample bus route and tips
- Korea Times: Overseas Visa cards on Jeju buses news on contactless payment for tourists
- Jeju Bus Information System timetables and live bus information
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