Are you planning a trip to Jeju Island? Among many things to decide on, choosing your mode of transportation for touring the island is especially important. If you opt for a rental car, you need to prepare in advance your international driver’s license as well as consider insurance coverage options and making sure to return your vehicle on time. If you opt to take the bus, you always have to stay alert that you don’t run out of your Tmoney card deposit. Well, not anymore! Taking the bus around Jeju has become much easier with the implementation of QR code payment system. Read on to see how you can travel around Jeju at ease via bus with the new QR code payment system and VISITKOREA’s recommended itinerary.

1. Which bus should you take: Bus No. 201 vs. 101?

There are two major buses that traverse along Jeju island’s east coast: Bus No. 201 and 101. This column focuses on the major highlights of each bus route so you can compare and see what suits you best!

Bus No. 201

Bus No. 201 is a city bus that runs along the east coast of Jeju Island, traveling from Jeju City Bust Terminal to Seogwipo City Bus Terminal. It makes a stop at almost all bus stops on the way, which means travelers won’t have to worry about missing out on any major attractions.

Pros

• It makes a stop at almost all attractions

• Recommended if you’re willing to take time and enjoy your trip at a slow pace

• Relatively cheap bus fare (1,150 won with card)

Cons

• It doesn’t make a stop at Jeju Int’l Airport, so you’ll need to transfer if you’re heading out from or to the airport

• Relatively long intervals (30 to 80 minutes)

• Lots more stops mean longer travel time

Bus No. 101

Bus No. 101 is another bus that runs along the east coast, traversing between Jeju Int’l Airport and Namwon-eup in Seogwipo. It’s an express version of Bus No. 201, having a similar route but travels a shorter distance overall and makes fewer stops. Although the bus fare is slightly higher than the regular city buses, Bus No. 101 can save your time depending on your destination.

Pros

• It makes a stop at Jeju Int’l Airport

• Less stops, faster travel time

Cons

• Relatively more expensive than regular city bus fares (2,000 won with card / Card payment fare varies depending on travel distance, click here for details in Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

• The bus might not stop at your preferred destination

* The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province has implemented a no-cash city bus system effective October 1, 2024; kindly note that all city buses operating in Jeju no longer accept bus fare in cash.

2. How to pay the bus fare using the QR code

① When you get on the bus, look for the QR code

- The QR code is usually located on the pole by the bus driver

- Multilingual instructions are available by the QR code

② Scan the QR code and enter your bus fare

- Regular bus (Bus No. 201) 1,150 won / Express bus (Bus No. 101) 2,000 won

③ Once your payment is complete, show the result screen to the bus driver

3. Using ZeroPay with foreign cards

ZeroPay is a payment transaction app that allows users to pay with their mobile device with ease in Korea. ZeroPay is affiliated with many transaction services across Asia such as Alipay, TrueMoney, Touch ‘n Go, and more. Check below to see if your payment app supports ZeroPay.

4. Recommended east coast bus route

* From Jeju Int’l Airport to Hamdeok Beach

You can use both buses to your advantage to save time and energy during your trip. Once you arrive at Jeju Int’l Airport, you can start enjoying Jeju’s east coast right away by taking Bus No. 101 to Hamdeok Beach. From Hamdeok Beach, you can transfer to Bus No. 201 as it costs less and makes way more stops at notable attractions.

Bus No. 101 stops at Platform 2 located in front of Gate 2 on the first floor of Jeju Int’l Airport. Bus No. 101 has a luggage compartment where you can store your belongings during the ride; don’t forget to tell the bus driver you have luggage in the compartment before you get off the bus at your stop. It takes ten stops from the airport to Hamdeok Beach, which usually takes about 40 minutes.

Hamdeok Beach & Seoubong Volcanic Cone

Situated northeast of Jeju Island, Hamdeok Beach is famous for its emerald waters. The beach can largely be divided into three sections: the center beach characterized by silky sand, the western cape, and the east side of the beach with a grass field and a campsite. At the cape sits Café Del Moondo, where visitors can have a drink while enjoying the view of waves washing up the shore.

■ Del Moondo

• Address: 519-10 Johamhaean-ro, Jocheon-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do (제주특별자치도 제주시 조천읍 조함해안로 519-10)

• Operating hours: 06:30-24:00 (Last order 23:50)

• Inquiries: +82-64-702-0007

• Menu items: Americano 7,000 won / Udo Peanut Latte 8,500 won / Jeju Mugwort Latte 8,500 won

At the center of the western cape is a small marketplace with occasional busking performances and vendors selling handmade items. To the east, you’ll see an open beach campsite on a grass field equipped with essential amenities like restrooms and drinking fountains.

Across from the campsite is a gradual uphill hike to Seobong Volcanic Cone. A light walk is all it takes for you to reach the top where you will be rewarded with a majestic bird’s-eye-view of the beach and Hallasan Mountain beyond. Seoubong Volcanic Cone is also a popular canola flower destination from January to May. The scenery of yellow waves of canola with the emerald beach in the backdrop is a nature’s gift of Jeju.

Next stop on the itinerary is Seongsang Ilchulbong Tuff Cone. From Hamdeok Transfer Bus Stop, take Bus No. 201 bound for Seogwipo Bus Terminal and you’ll reach Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone Bus Stop in an hour or so.

Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone & Gwangchigihaebyeon Beach

Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone is a result of underwater volcanic reaction. It used to be an islet, but sediments and pebbles that washed up to shore had piled up over time, connecting it to the main island. The word “ilchul” in the name means “sunrise” in Korean, recognizing the beautiful view of the sunrise seen from the peak of this tuff cone. A sunrise festival is held at this very location every December 31 to celebrate and welcome the sunrise of a new year.

The tuff cone trails consist of a free section and a paid section. The free section allows you to follow the short walking trail along the coast, and the paid section (5,000 won) allows you to reach to top of the peak for a panoramic view of the surroundings, including the tuff cone’s crater, which is around 600 meters in diameter. The name “seongsan,” which can be translated into a fortress mountain, was given due to the crater’s resemblance to castle fortress walls seen from afar. Due to the scenic beauty of the tuff cone and the natural surroundings and its geographic significance, Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone was inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Gwangchigihaebyeon Beach can be reached in 25 minutes on foot from Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone. The beach is characterized by black sand, a result of weathering of basalt. During low tide, moss-covered rocks scattered around Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone show up on the water surface, creating a picturesque scenery. The field of canola flowers planted in 2023 makes a great addition to the beautiful nature’s scenery.

■ Gwangchigihaebyeon Beach

• Address: 224-33 Goseong-ri, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do (제주특별자치도 서귀포시 성산읍 고성리 224-33)

The next stop is Sono Calm Jeju. From Gwangchigihaebyeon Beach Bus Stop, take Bus No. 201 for approximately 40 minutes to arrive at Sono Calm Jeju Bus Stop, where you’ll be greeted with a Mediterranean-style resort by the beachfront.

Sono Calm Jeju

Designed to resemble a European vacation destination, Sono Calm Jeju has everything one could hope for at a vacation resort – romantic honeymoon rooms for lovebirds; special pet-friendly rooms; and spacious family suites equipped with a kitchenette. In addition to the resort’s outdoor pool that looks as if though it’s connected to the ocean, other amenities like sauna facilities, extravagant buffet, beachside walking trail, and noraebang are sure to help you relieve your stress and get rejuvenated.

Sono Calm Jeju is a reputed vacation resort, but it became even more popular after it appeared in the drama “King the Land (2023).” Viewers of the drama will remember a heart-shaped forest garden where the main couple took a photo, and Sono Calm Jeju is where you’ll find it. Recreate the scene by posing like the lovers from the drama with your loved one at the exact spot. In winter, the garden becomes studded with camellias.

After a good night’s sleep and satisfying breakfast buffet at Sono Calm Jeju, get ready to head off to the next destination – Jeju Camellia Arboretum. It only takes about 25 minutes on Bus No. 201 from Sono Calm Jeju Bus Stop.

Jeju Camellia Arboretum & Camelia Forest

Jeju Camellia Arboretum is one of Jeju’s major winter attractions. The arboretum used to be a private property closed to the public, but it is now open to visitors with an entrance fee. Visitors are first greeted by a view of tall palm trees that hover over round camellia shrubs that fill the arboretum. Follow the path to the arboretum’s observatory where you can take in a panoramic view of the arboretum along with the island’s ocean waters beyond.

■ Jeju Camellia Arboretum

• Address: 929-2 Wimi-ri, Namwon-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do (제주특별자치도 서귀포시 남원읍 위미리 929-2)

• Operating hours: 09:00-17:00

• Admission: Adults 8,000 won / Children 5,000 won

• Inquiries: +82-64-764-4473

If you just can’t get enough of the camellias, head to the nearby Camelia Forest to fully savor the beauty of the crimson blossoms. It’s not anywhere near the bus route, but you can take a taxi to reach the garden café in 10 minutes. The café, nestled among the red and green camellia shrubs, looks like a countryside house that just popped out from a children’s book or an artwork. Inside the café is a picture frame-like window, a popular photo spot among visitors who are eager to post their Jeju travel photos on their social media feed.

■ Camelia Forest

• Address: 53-38 Saenggiak-ro, Namwon-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do (제주특별자치도 서귀포시 남원읍 생기악로 53-38)

• Operating hours: 09:00-17:30 (Last admission 17:00)

• Admission: Adults 6,000 won / Teenagers, children, & senior citizens 4,000 won

• Inquiries: +82-507-1331-2102

• Menu items: Americano 4,500 won / Caffe latte 5,000 won / Strawberry cream latte 6,500 won / Tiramisu 8,000 won

Tip! Seasonal Jeju Festivals – Hueree Camellia Festival & Hueree Canola Flower Festival

The Hueree Natural Park hosts Hueree Camellia Festival in winter, followed by Hueree Canola Flower Festival in spring. Not only are these two festivals an excellent way to admire beautiful flowers of Jeju island, but they both offer a variety of hands-on experiences like tangerine picking, animal feeding, and more.

■ Hueree Camellia Festival & Hueree Canola Flower Festival

• Address: 256 Sillyedong-ro, Namwon-eup, Seogwipo-si- Jeju-do (제주특별자치도 서귀포시 남원읍 신례동로 256 휴애리 자연생활공원)

• Event period: Hueree Camellia Festival – until January 31, 2025 / Hueree Canola Flower Festival – until late March 2025

• Admission: Adults 13,000 won / Teenagers 11,000 won / Children 10,000 won

• Inquiries: +82-64-732-2114

5. Must-download app – Naver Map

Available in English, Japanese, and Chinese, Naver Map is a great alternative to Google Maps, which is not adequately serviced in Korea. Naver Map offers route directions and estimated travel time based on transportation options as well as bus stop information, bus routes, and real-time estimated bus arrival time.

You can also easily find restaurant information that includes user reviews, menu information, and photos. Additionally, browse by category under the search bar to look for nearby cafés, convenience stores, pharmacies, and other convenient services. For more information on Naver Map, click here.

Download: iOS / Android

1330 Korea Travel Helpline: +82-2-1330

1330 Text Chat: https://m.site.naver.com/1rEid (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, and Indonesian)

* This column was last updated in January 2025, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check for updates before visiting.

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