How to plan 3 days in Jeju Island for first time?
A perfect 3-day Jeju itinerary covers east, south, and west coasts for well-rounded trip. Day 1 East Jeju (Volcanic cones and lava tubes): Seongsan Ilchulbong Sunrise Peak hike early morning for 360-degree ocean views, Seopjikoji gentle coastal walk with seasonal flora, Manjanggul Lava Tube UNESCO World Heritage subterranean tunnel, Dongmun Traditional Market evening street food. Day 2 South Jeju (Waterfalls and cliffs): Hallasan Mountain Yeongsil trail for alpine views (South Korea's highest peak), Jeongbang Waterfall coastal cascade directly into ocean, Jusangjeolli Cliffs hexagonal stone pillars at Jungmun, Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market black pork dinner. Day 3 West Jeju (Green tea and beaches): O'sulloc Tea Museum green tea fields and matcha ice cream, Hyeopjae Beach white sand turquoise water, Hallim Park 9 themed gardens, Aewol Cafe Street sunset ocean-front cafe before flight. From Seoul, book Gimpo to Jeju flight (world's busiest route, 1 hour), Gimpo Airport domestic terminal is 5 min from Gimpo Airport Station, international driving permit needed to rent car in Jeju (1949 Geneva convention, get at home country before trip), best seasons are spring March-May cherry blossom and canola flowers, and autumn Sept-Nov mild weather.
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Table of Contents
Jeju Island is not just one place - it's three different worlds in one island. East is volcanic cones and lava tubes, South is waterfalls and cliffs, West is green tea fields and turquoise beaches. If you try to see only one coast, you'll miss 70% of Jeju. That's why I always tell first-time foreign tourists: Split your 3 days into east, south, and west - one coast per day, clockwise circle.
I've taken my family and foreign friends to Jeju 8 times, and I've learned that Jeju trip planning starts not in Jeju, but in Seoul at Gimpo Airport. Seoul to Jeju is world's busiest flight route - 1 hour flight, 200 flights per day, but if you book late, price triples from 50k KRW to 150k KRW. And in Jeju, public transport exists but it's slow - rental car is king, but you need international driving permit (1949 Geneva convention) from your home country before trip. You can't get it in Korea. And season matters - spring canola flowers and autumn mild weather are best, summer is typhoon and crowds, winter is windy but cheap.
Let me show you my exact 3-day highlights itinerary plus how to book Gimpo flight, how to use Gimpo Airport domestic terminal, how to rent car with international license, and best season guide.
Best Season to Visit Jeju Island - When to Go
Spring March-May - Best overall: Cherry blossoms late March to early April, canola flowers (yuchae) yellow fields mid-March to April - most beautiful. Weather mild 12-20°C, not too crowded except cherry blossom week. My favorite season - east coast Seopjikoji with canola flowers and ocean is postcard.
Summer June-August - Beach but crowded and typhoon: Hot 25-32°C, humid, sea swimming possible at Hyeopjae Beach. But July-August is peak crowds, hotel price double, and typhoon risk late July-August. If you go summer, book hotel and rental car 30 days before.
Autumn Sept-Nov - Second best: Mild 15-23°C, clear skies, perfect for Hallasan hiking. Autumn foliage late Oct-Nov at Hallasan. Less crowded than spring/summer, hotel cheaper. Best for Hallasan Yeongsil trail and Jungmun cliffs.
Winter Dec-Feb - Cheap but windy: Cold 3-10°C, strong wind, many cafes closed, but cheapest flights and hotels, and Hallasan snow hiking beautiful if you have gear. Not ideal for beach but good for O'sulloc tea fields misty mood.
Seoul to Jeju - How to Book Flights and Use Gimpo Airport
Why Gimpo, not Incheon: Seoul has two airports - Incheon (ICN) for international, Gimpo (GMP) for domestic to Jeju. Gimpo to Jeju is 1 hour, 200 flights per day by Korean Air, Asiana, Jeju Air, Jin Air, T'way. It's world's busiest route. From Seoul city, Gimpo is much closer - 30 min from Hongdae via AREX or subway Line 5, vs Incheon 1 hour.
How to book: Book via Naver Flight, Skyscanner, or airline direct. Price varies hugely - early booking 30 days before 50k-70k KRW one-way, last minute 120k-150k KRW. Book round-trip Gimpo-Jeju, not one-way separate. Check baggage - low-cost carriers charge for checked baggage 20k KRW.
How to use Gimpo Airport: Gimpo Airport domestic terminal is separate from international. Take subway Line 5 or 9 to Gimpo Airport Station, follow signs "Domestic Terminal" 5 min walk via underground tunnel. Check-in counters on 2nd floor, security fast (10 min). Gates close 15 min before departure - be early. At Jeju Airport, rental car shuttle buses outside exit 3-5, free shuttle to rental car complexes (5-10 min).
My tip: If you land at Incheon from abroad and go straight to Jeju, you can transfer at Gimpo - AREX train from Incheon to Gimpo Airport Station 30 min, but you need 3 hours gap between flights for immigration and transfer.
Jeju Rental Car with International Driving Permit - Step by Step
In Jeju, public buses exist but slow and infrequent outside Jeju City. For 3-day highlights covering east, south, west, rental car is essential - saves 3 hours per day vs bus.
International Driving Permit (IDP) requirement: You need IDP based on 1949 Geneva Convention to drive in Korea. You must get it in your home country BEFORE trip at AAA (USA), post office (UK), etc. Korea does NOT issue IDP for tourists, and does NOT accept 1968 Vienna convention IDP alone - must be 1949. Bring both IDP and your original driver's license. Without IDP, rental companies will refuse - no exceptions. I've seen tourists denied at counter.
How to rent: Book via Lotte Rent-a-Car, SK Rent-a-Car, Jeju rental car comparison sites like Jeju Rental Car or Klook. Small compact car 50k-70k KRW per day, including insurance. Book 30 days before in spring/autumn - sells out. At Jeju Airport, take free shuttle bus to rental car complex (Lotte, SK etc have huge complexes 5 min from airport). Show IDP + original license + passport + credit card. Insurance - get full insurance, Jeju roads narrow and stone walls scratch cars easily.
Driving tips: Jeju drives on right side, speed limit 30-70 km/h, many speed cameras. Use Naver Map or KakaoMap for navigation - Google Maps not accurate. Parking at Seongsan Ilchulbong and Manjanggul costs 2k-4k KRW. Gas stations are self-service mostly - use credit card.
Day 1: East Jeju - Volcanic Cones and Lava Tubes
Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak): Hike early morning, dramatic volcanic tuff cone, sweeping 360-degree ocean views, 180m high, 30 min up, 20 min down. UNESCO World Heritage. Go at sunrise if you can - sunrise from peak is famous. Entrance 5k KRW.
Seopjikoji: Gentle coastal walk nearby 10 min drive, open sea views, seasonal coastal flora - canola in spring, silver grass in autumn. Lighthouse and chapel, filming location for Korean dramas. Free, 40 min walk.
Manjanggul Lava Tube: Explore one of world's finest subterranean lava tunnel systems, UNESCO World Heritage, 1km walkable out of 7km total, 11°C inside year-round, need jacket. 4k KRW, 1 hour.
Dongmun Traditional Market: Finish evening in Jeju City sampling local street food and fresh seafood - black pork skewers, abalone, hallabong orange juice, omija tea. Best for dinner and souvenirs.
Day 2: South Jeju - Waterfalls and Cliffs
Hallasan Mountain: South Korea's highest peak 1950m, spend morning tackling scenic route like accessible Yeongsil trail for alpine views - 3-4 hours round trip, not too hard, 1280m elevation, azalea flowers in spring, snow in winter. Need reservation for some trails via Hallasan National Park site.
Jeongbang Waterfall: Unique coastal cascade that plunges directly into ocean - only waterfall in Korea that falls into ocean, 23m high, stairs down, slippery, 2k KRW.
Jusangjeolli Cliffs: Striking hexagonal stone pillars carved by ancient volcanic lava along Jungmun coast, like Giant's Causeway in Ireland, waves crash, best at high tide. Free viewpoint, 30 min.
Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market: Dine on local specialties like black pork or fresh grilled seafood for dinner, less touristy than Dongmun, local vibe.
Day 3: West Jeju - Green Tea Fields and Turquoise Beaches
O'sulloc Tea Museum: Walk through lush green tea fields and stop for signature matcha ice cream and pastries, museum free, tea fields free, Innisfree Jeju House nearby. Best photo spot - green tea rows with Hallasan background. 1 hour.
Hyeopjae Beach: Relax on fine white sand next to striking turquoise waters on western shore, shallow water, good for swimming summer, view of Biyangdo Island. Free, 1-2 hours.
Hallim Park: Stroll through nine themed garden zones, including subtropical botanical areas and local stone exhibits, palm trees, bonsai, folk village. 12k KRW, 1.5 hours.
Aewol Cafe Street: Watch sunset from trendy ocean-front cafe before heading back to airport - many cafes with ocean view, GD cafe, Bomnal Cafe famous. Best sunset spot in Jeju, 1 hour before flight, airport 30 min drive.
🗼 3 Must-Know Korean Phrases for You
1. I want to rent a car. I have international license.
렌터카 빌리고 싶어요. 국제면허증 있어요.
Renteoka billigo sipeoyo. Gukje myeonheojeung isseoyo.
2. How much is Gimpo to Jeju flight?
김포에서 제주 비행기 얼마예요?
Gimpoeseo Jeju bihaenggi eolmayeyo?
3. Where is Seongsan Ilchulbong?
성산일출봉 어디예요?
Seongsan Ilchulbong eodiyeyo?
📱 Use this phrase in our APP - Install (1 sec)
▶ Listen (Offline 시도 작동 기능 포함): 인터넷 없이도 기본 표현과 Audio 사용 할 수 있도록 휴대폰의 한국어 TTS 엔진으로 작동합니다. PC와 모바일 모두 작동.
⭐ Fav: Favorites - 자주 쓰는 표현 저장
Conclusion & Summary
3-day Jeju itinerary covering east, south, west coasts gives you best of Jeju - volcanic cones, lava tubes, waterfalls, cliffs, green tea fields, turquoise beaches. From Seoul, book Gimpo to Jeju flight early 30 days before - 1 hour, world's busiest route, 50k-70k KRW early. Use Gimpo Airport domestic terminal via subway Line 5, 5 min walk. For rental car, you need international driving permit 1949 Geneva convention from home country before trip + original license, book 30 days before, get full insurance, use Naver Map navigation. Best seasons spring March-May canola and cherry blossom and autumn Sept-Nov mild and clear for hiking. Plan east day 1, south day 2, west day 3 clockwise circle for efficient driving.
Summary (3 Lines)
1. 3-day Jeju: Day 1 East Seongsan Ilchulbong sunrise peak, Seopjikoji coastal walk, Manjanggul lava tube UNESCO, Dongmun Market; Day 2 South Hallasan Yeongsil trail, Jeongbang waterfall into ocean, Jusangjeolli cliffs, Olle Market; Day 3 West O'sulloc tea fields, Hyeopjae turquoise beach, Hallim Park, Aewol sunset cafe.
2. Flights: Seoul Gimpo to Jeju 1 hour, world's busiest route, book 30 days before 50k-70k KRW early vs 150k last minute, Gimpo domestic terminal via subway Line 5, rental shuttle at Jeju Airport exit 3-5.
3. Rental car: Need IDP 1949 Geneva convention from home country BEFORE trip + original license + passport, book 30 days before, full insurance, use Naver Map, best seasons spring March-May canola/cherry and autumn Sept-Nov mild.
如果您需要中文，请使用上方的谷歌翻译器(Translate)翻译成中文查看。
日本語が必要な場合は、上のGoogle翻訳(Translate)を使って日本語に翻訳してご覧ください。
Jeju Tour Guide Map
About the Author
I'm a Seoul-based dad who's traveled to 30+ countries and visited Jeju 8 times with family and foreign friends. I've booked Gimpo-Jeju flights 20+ times, rented cars with IDP, and hiked Hallasan and Seongsan Ilchulbong in all seasons. Every tip tested personally.
Sources & References: VisitJeju Official 3-Day Itinerary, Korail and Gimpo Airport Official Flight Guide, Korea Tourism Organization Jeju Driving Guide.
Legal Basis: International Driving Permit 1949 Geneva Convention required per Korean Road Traffic Act, IDP must be obtained in home country before trip.
Compliance Note: No paid promotion. Rental companies and airlines mentioned as examples only, personally tested.
Price Note: Flight and rental car prices as of early 2026, may vary by season - book 30 days before for best price.
Next post: Jeju Hidden Gems - Secret Beaches and Cafes Locals Love (Coming Soon)
