Monday 16 June 2014

Self-Driving Guide in Jeju Island

Jeju Island is located 64 km south to Korean Peninsula, an hour domestic flight from Gimpo Airport. The island is the country's most popular holiday island. Different from the bustling Seoul, the lifestyle in Jeju Island is kind of laid back, surrounded by natural wonders including waterfalls, white sand beaches and beautiful mountain (with many UNESCO heritage sites). In 2011, Jeju Island was named one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.



If you are planning to visit Jeju Island, we would strongly recommend you to rent a car. There is a number of attractions all over the island, self-drive is probably the best way to tour Jeju island. We spend 3 days 3 nights in Jeju island and cover most of the attractions in the south and the east. In our opinion, 4-5 days would be just nice to tour Jeju.

Well, here is a brief guide about driving in Jeju...



Prior arrival to Jeju

1. Get your International Driving Permit

You strictly need an International Driving Permit to drive in Jeju. 


All you need is to go to a local AA office (GB point or Pearls Centre), present your Singapore driving licence, pay an application cost of SGD25, and you will be able to get your International Driving Permit in less than an hour! The International Driving Permit is valid for one year.


2. Make an online reservation at a car rental company

There are many car rental companies available at Jeju International Airport for instance AVIS, AJRent-a-car, and KTKumho. However, it is cheaper and better to reserve a car online if you have any desired car in mind. As for Jeff and I, we made the reservation through KTKumho. The website is available in English. Register yourself as a member at KTKumho, and you will be able to get discount rates! It cost us about SGD40/day to rent a KIA morning.



3. Reserve a english GPS

GPS in Korea are available in either Korea or English. When you are doing your online reservation, you can put up a request for a english GPS.

Their GPS is reliable and easy to use. You can search your place of interest by name and address. However, the easiest way for foreigners to find the places is by PHONE NUMBER. Phone numbers are especially useful if you are using a Korean GPS. I will be providing you with some useful phone numbers later on.

The GPS will be able to notify you location of speed bumps, and inform you exceed the speed limits.
 
 


4. Phone numbers of the attractions 

The car rental company will hand you a copy of guide book (in Korean) with updated phone numbers of the attractions. However, it is good for you to keep the phone numbers of your point of interest.

Jeju Dreaming Forest Pension      7381010
Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak            7830959 
Jeju Folk Village Museum            7874501 
Seopjikoji                                   7604251
Trick Art Museum                        7878774  
Jusangjeollidae Cliff                   7381532
Jeongbang Fall                            7331530

Hyeopjae Beach                          7287672
Pyoseon Beach                            7604476
Teddy Bear Museum                    7387600
Glass Castle                                7727777
Mount Hallasan                           7139950
Manjanggul Cave                         7834818
Mysterious Road                          7282753
Yongduam Rock                           7282753
 
Overall, navigating your way around Jeju is pretty easy and sights are clearly signposted on the road. 


5. Rent a wifi egg

Not confident still? You can consider renting a wifi egg to gain access to internet all the time :) However we thought it might not be necessary. We managed to survive without a wifi egg! Lalala~ 


6. Plan your routes

There are many driving courses with beautiful scenery in Jeju, connecting north and south, and east and west. Traffic is usually light except in Jeju City. You might want to study the driving courses, both the coastal drive course and inland roads drive course so that you can experienced the stunning views while driving.





Check out Visit Korea website for more information on the driving course.

Coastal drive course
Inland road drive course
   

Upon Arriving Jeju

1. Car rental booth

All the car rentals booth are located in the airport. Once you exit the arrival hall, you would be able to spot the booths. KTKumho desk is located nest to gate#2. The staff will guide you to the shuttle bus to KTKumho office at gate#5. The journey takes about 5-10 minutes. 


2. KTKumho Office

Once you reach the office, present your confirmation number and International Driving Permit at the counter. Check your car and you are ready to go!!





Driving in Jeju

1. Drive carefully

Drivers in Korea are generally polite, however they might not be following the traffic rules 100%. If you have no experience to left hand drive, just make sure you go slowly and carefully. Some traffic lights are quite confusing, and there was where we encountered policemen holding a camera and stopped us. *sweat* They let us off after knewing we were renting a car... *phewww*  


2. Left hand drive 

In Singapore, steering wheel is on the right hand side; in korea, traffic drives on the right and passes on the left side of the road. Driving in Jeju meaning you have to adjust to this different style of driving, and different traffic light systems. Road signs are usually written in both Korean and English, roads are well paved, traffic lights are functional. If you are confused, just follow the driver in front and adopt the "monkey see monkey do" philosophy. 



3. Parking 

Parking is easily available and they are mostly free. At some attractions, you might need to pay 1000-2000 won of parking fee. Reasonable tho.



4. Speed limit

Speed limits are generally around  60 km/hour. High chance to exceed when you are going downhill. Beware of speed cameras, they are everywhere! However, if you are using a gps, the gps would be able to signal you when you exceed the speed limit and give you warnings on speed cameras. 


Last but not least, enjoy the drive! 

Self-drive in Jeju has been one of the highlights for our Seoul and Jeju Trip 2014. And we are proud to shout out loud "YEAH... WE HAVE BEEN TO JEJU!"





See |10 Surviving Tips and Travel Tips to South Korea |
Back to |Seoul & Jeju Day 3: Ewha Women University, Edae, Nanta Wedding Show|
Continue to |Seoul & Jeju Day 4: Gimpo Aiport, Jeju International Airport, Check in Dreaming Forest Pension, Jungmun Tourist Complex|





10 comments:

  1. Great trip! How do you find Korean food? It is generally tasty and healthy, but have to avoid taking meat~~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wai Kong!!!! I am so surprise to see you here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      How are you doing??!!!

      Yea... You are right... I am tired of meat after a few days of Korean BBQ. hahaha...

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