## Jeju changes the transport question On the mainland, a traveler can often default to rail or subway. Jeju has no subway or intercity railway. The island’s main public-transport system is the bus network, supported by taxis, while many visitors rent a car. That does not mean every visitor needs a car. It means your itinerary should be designed around the transport mode you choose. ## A no-car Jeju trip works best when the map is simple Bus travel is most practical when you stay in one base area and group destinations along a manageable corridor rather than trying to cross the island repeatedly. Jeju’s official tourism guide describes city buses as the island’s primary public transport and notes that T-money can be used on buses. A no-car itinerary becomes harder when you chain remote coastal sites, rural cafés, trail entrances and evening restaurants that are far apart. ## Taxis fill the gaps—but distance matters Taxis are useful for short or awkward final legs, but the cost adds up when you use them to cross the island repeatedly. A practical no-car plan often combines buses for longer predictable corridors with taxis for the last segment. If you are traveling as a group, compare the total taxi cost with a rental car rather than assuming public transport is automatically cheaper. ## When a rental car makes sense A rental car is valuable when your trip includes several rural or coastal stops in one day, early trail starts, luggage-heavy moves between accommodations, or places where waiting for the next bus would consume a large part of the day. Visit Jeju currently advises foreign renters to bring an **International Driving Permit (IDP)** and passport, and to carry them while driving. Rental companies may also request your home-country license and impose their own age/driving-experience requirements. ## Rental logistics at Jeju Airport Rental-car pickup is generally not directly at the terminal curb. Visit Jeju’s current traffic guide directs travelers to the rental-car shuttle area outside Jeju Airport, with shuttle transport to rental-company locations. Build pickup and return shuttle time into your flight-day schedule. ## Insurance and eligibility Visit Jeju advises foreign visitors to purchase full-coverage insurance for rental cars and notes that price varies by vehicle and rental dates. Rental-company rules can also vary by age, driving experience, license origin and vehicle class. Do not wait until arrival to discover that your documents or experience do not meet the chosen company’s policy. ## A practical decision rule Choose **no car** when: - You prefer a slower itinerary with one or two areas per day. - Your accommodation is near useful bus corridors. - You do not want to drive after a long flight or in unfamiliar conditions. - You are comfortable using taxis for selected final legs. Choose **a rental car** when: - You want several rural/coastal stops in one day. - Your itinerary depends on early/late access outside convenient bus windows. - You are moving luggage between different parts of the island. - Everyone in the group benefits enough from the flexibility to justify the rental and insurance cost. ## Driving orientation South Korea drives on the **right-hand side of the road**, with the steering wheel on the left side of the car. If this is unfamiliar, do not treat the rental-car option as automatically easier simply because it is faster on a map. ## Keep weather and fatigue in the decision Jeju itineraries often involve coast, mountains and exposed roads. Weather can make a route less comfortable or change hiking plans. A flexible car itinerary is useful, but only if the driver is rested and confident. ## The real comparison Do not compare ‘bus fare’ with ‘rental price’ alone. Compare the whole day: waiting time, transfers, taxi legs, parking, insurance, driver fatigue and how many places you genuinely need to reach.