Car Rental in South Korea | Self-driving Tour Routes in Seoul, Jeju, and Busan (with Rental Process and Precautions)

If your trip exceeds one week, you could consider visiting three cities in one trip. Seoul and Busan can be reached by car, while Jeju Island requires a connecting flight from Seoul or a ferry from Busan. When planning your car rental, pay attention to the rental period, return location, and connecting transportation options. For shorter trips, consider a coastal road trip from Seoul to Busan or a Jeju Island loop tour.

Although South Korea's historic ban on Google Maps has been lifted, data integration takes time, so it's recommended to download other map apps, such as KakaoMap or Naver Map. It's best to save the places you want to go on the map in advance to avoid being unable to use the map navigation function when there is no network.

Driving route

Seoul → Sokcho → Gangneung → Jeongdongjin → Gyeongju → Busan

Itinerary Features

This classic road trip from Seoul to Busan offers stunning views of Korea's east coast, allows you to explore major coastal attractions, and provides a peaceful escape from the crowds. Along the way, you'll find numerous cafes by the sea and the famous Jeongdongjin sunrise.

Featured attractions along the way

Sokcho Beach (속초해수욕장)

Sokcho Beach is a very popular summer resort in South Korea. The seawater is clear, shallow and gentle. There are many restaurants and service facilities around it, as well as small parks and walking trails. Various festivals, concerts and street performances are held from time to time, attracting a large number of tourists every year.

Sokcho Beach (속초해수욕장)
Address: 186 Haeoreum-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
Parking: Two public parking lots are available.

Jeongdongjin

Jeongdongjin Station, named for its location directly east of Gwanghwamun Gate in Seoul, is known as the world's closest train station to the sea and is also a prime spot for watching the sunrise. Every year from December 31st to January 1st, Jeongdongjin hosts a New Year's Eve celebration to welcome the new year.

Jeongdongjin
Address: 64-3, Jeongdongjin-ri, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
Parking: public parking lot Available

Gyeongju Bulguksa Temple

Bulguksa Temple, a Jogye Order Buddhist temple, was built in the 15th year of King Beopheung of Silla, boasting a history of over 1,400 years and is a treasure of Silla Buddhist culture. Six artifacts within the temple are designated as National Treasures of Korea. Bulguksa Temple, along with the nearby Seokguram Grotto, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Gyeongju Bulguksa Temple
Address: 385 Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongbuk
Parking: Parking Lot Available

Driving route

Jeju City → Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak → Seopjikoji → Jeongbang Waterfall → Seogwipo City → Hallasan Mountain → Jeju City

Itinerary Features

Jeju Island boasts both mountains and the sea. Along the way, visitors can admire volcanic landscapes, azure coastlines, and traditional villages, accompanied by numerous unique seaside cafes, allowing them to leisurely enjoy the natural scenery.

Featured attractions along the way

Seopjikoji

Seopjikoji is located at one end of the eastern coast of Jeju Island, and its name means "a protruding terrain". The coastal cliffs where Seopjikoji is located are covered with a wide meadow, and the scenery of half mountain and half sea is stunning. Every spring, you can also see the blooming rapeseed flowers.

Seopjikoji
Address: 107 Seopjikoji-ro, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province
Parking: Parking Lot Available

Jeongbang Waterfall (정방폭포)

Jeongbang Waterfall, known as one of Jeju Island's three major waterfalls, is the only coastal waterfall in Asia that flows directly into the sea and is also one of the Ten Scenic Wonders of Jeju Island. Because the waterfall's cliff is situated right on the coast, visitors can not only appreciate its magnificent grandeur but also enjoy panoramic ocean views. Under the sunlight, rainbows can be seen refracting through the spray. There are also pavilions and small bridges nearby for sightseeing.

Jeongbang Waterfall (정방폭포)
Address: Seogwi-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province
Parking: Parking Lot Available

Driving route

Busan → Gwangan Bridge → Haedong Yonggungsa Temple → Tongyeong Port → Busan

Itinerary Features

Due to heavy traffic in Busan city, it is recommended that self-driving tourists choose suburban routes to and from Busan. The itinerary will not only cover Busan's landmark attractions, but also allow you to enjoy the stunning scenery of the east coast and explore the island, sea views, and history and culture of the south coast.

Featured attractions along the way

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is one of the three major sacred sites of Avalokitesvara in Korea. Located at the end of the land where mountains meet the sea, it is the Buddhist temple closest to the coast in Korea. It combines the sea, dragon, and Avalokitesvara Buddha into one, and is also known as the most beautiful temple in Busan.

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Address: 86 Yonggung-gil, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan
Parking: Parking Lot Available

Tongyeong Port

Tongyeong is located southwest of Busan, surrounded by the sea on three sides. Its sparse population gives it a tranquil suburban atmosphere. The alleyways of Donggyeong Village, adorned with murals, along with its coastal scenery and stunning sea views, are a must-see in Tongyeong. Other art and tourist attractions include the Jeon Hyeokrim Art Museum and Mireksan Mountain.

Tongyeong Port
Address: 234 Tongyeonghaean-ro, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongnam
Parking: Parking Lot Available

Itinerary Features

Due to the heavy traffic in Seoul, it is recommended that tourists traveling by car visit different nearby attractions within a single day. This will allow for more flexibility in exploring different attractions and also allow them to discover Seoul's natural landscape.

Two Rivers Head (Dumulmeori)

Located in Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, it is the confluence of the North Han River and the South Han River. The morning mist, the docks, and the willow trees create a poetic landscape. The scenery is beautiful in all four seasons, but it is especially famous for its winter snowscapes and sunsets.

Address: Yangsu-ri, Yangseo-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
Driving time: Approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes from Seoul Station.
Parking: Parking Lot Available

Nami Island

Nami Island is a small island located in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. Besides taking a ferry, you can also reach it by zipline. With its distinct four seasons, Nami Island presents different scenery depending on the weather: cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, maple leaves in autumn, and snowscapes in winter. It's also a popular filming location for Korean dramas.

Address: 1 Nami-seom-gil, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do
Driving time: Approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes from Seoul Station.
Parking: Parking Lot Available

Daebudo

Daebudo Island is located in Daebudo-dong, Ansan City, Gyeonggi Province. It boasts a wide coastline and an abundance of marine resources. In addition to beautiful sea views, you can also enjoy a variety of seafood. Among them, Daebudo Metasequoia Road, Daebudo Park, and Chungdupo Pier are must-see attractions.

Address: Daebudong-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do
Driving time: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes from Seoul Station.
Parking: Parking is available at all attractions.

Image Source: Visit Korea, Visit Busan, Kakao Map

Documents required for car rental

• Valid passport: Must be the same as the document used when booking the car.
• Hong Kong driving license
• International Driving Permit (International License Plate)
• credit card

Online car rental steps

1. Select the rental date on the car rental website.
2. Select vehicle model
3. Select car insurance upgrade or add-on services.
4. Fill in your personal information
5. Pay the deposit or full rental fee online.

Car Pickup Steps

1. Proceed to the selected location to pick up your vehicle.
2. Show the car rental reservation screen, passport, license plate, and international license plate for document verification.
3. Carefully read the car rental terms and conditions, insurance coverage, etc.
4. Inspect the vehicle with staff present, take photos or videos to record the vehicle's condition, and test the braking system to ensure it is functioning properly.
5. Ask the staff to explain how to use the navigation and other vehicle equipment.
6. Confirm the type of gas station (mostly self-service gas stations in South Korea)

Returning the car

1. Check if the car rental company has a fuel requirement; if so, fill up the tank before returning the car.
2. When returning the car, check its condition again and take photos as evidence to avoid disputes.
3. Thoroughly check the items inside the vehicle to ensure nothing is missed.
4. After confirming with staff that there are no additional fees, sign the vehicle return document.

*The above services and prices are subject to the information published on the official website.

Pay attention to Korean traffic rules

• South Korea adopts left-hand drive.
• All passengers must wear seat belts.
• Hands-free devices must be used while driving and are prohibited from being held in the hand.
• Children under 6 years old must use a car seat.
• Pedestrians must yield to pedestrians at zebra crossings.
• You may turn right on a red light, but you must yield to pedestrians.
• When there is no dedicated left-turn signal, vehicles turning left must yield to vehicles going straight.

Renters under the age of 26 may be required to pay an additional fee.

In South Korea, car rental companies generally have an age limit of 21, but some companies charge an additional fee to drivers under the age of 26.

Most gas stations are self-service.

Most gas stations in South Korea are self-service, and there may not be staff to assist you. Therefore, when renting a car, remember to confirm the fuel type with the staff to avoid getting the wrong fuel. When navigating with KakaoMap or Naver Map, you can also view nearby gas stations and their prices, and then select one.

Purchase travel insurance that includes coverage for self-driving.

While most car rental companies offer basic insurance, the coverage focuses on the vehicle itself and may not include medical and hospitalization coverage in the event of an accident. Furthermore, the basic coverage often includes a high deductible, which the renter must bear part of the cost themselves. Travel insurance can then play a complementary role to improve the exclusions of car rental insurance. This already includes medical coverage during the trip. Policyholders should check whether the coverage includes deductible coverage for car rentals.

Write down the car rental company's contact number.

Besides jotting down South Korea’s emergency contacts and Travel insurance emergency hotline, you should also write down the car rental company's contact number. In case of an accident, please call the car rental company and its staff immediately.