Solo travel · Jeju · South Korea
Solo travel in Jeju
How to enjoy Jeju at your own pace.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Trainholic, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Jeju works well for solo travellers who like walking: the Olle Trail is well marked and popular with solo hikers, guesthouses are sociable, and the bus network, though slow, reaches every route start. Many solo travellers base themselves in Jeju City Old Town.
Key facts
- Base
- Jeju City Old Town
- Getting around
- Car
- Emergency number
- 112 (police), 119 (fire and ambulance), 1330 (tourist helpline)
- Language
- Korean
Solo travel tips
- Base yourself in Seogwipo, where several Olle routes start within a short bus ride.
- Guesthouses in Jeju City and Seogwipo often have shared kitchens and dorms and are the easiest place to meet other travellers.
- Many barbecue restaurants require two portions; noodle, porridge and kimbap shops are easier solo.
- Tell your guesthouse which Olle route or Hallasan trail you are walking, and carry water and a charged phone.
- Join a small-group east- or west-coast day tour if you don't drive.
Where to stay
$$ · Best for first-timers, budget and food lovers
Jeju City Old Town
The historic core of Jeju City spreads from Gwandeokjeong pavilion and the restored Jeju Mokgwana government office to Dongmun Market and the Tapdong sea wall. It has the island's widest choice of mid-range hotels, guesthouses and barbecue restaurants, and it is about 15 minutes by taxi from the airport and close to the ferry terminal.
- Good
- Short ride from the airport; Night market and many restaurants; Buses to every part of the island
- Watch out
- Urban rather than scenic; An hour or more from the south-coast sights
- Nearby
- Dongmun Market, Gwandeokjeong, Yongduam Rock, Jeju Port
Great on your own
Nature · Central Jeju
Hallasan National Park
If you are not fit for a 9-hour summit day, take the Yeongsil trail: about 3–4 hours return with the best rock-pinnacle views on the mountain.
- Time needed
- Full day (summit); 3–4 hours (Yeongsil)
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Active
- Nature
- Views
- Free
Nature · Seongsan
Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak)
Climb for sunrise or in the late afternoon; tour buses fill the stairs from mid-morning to early afternoon.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Photo spot
- Active
- Outdoors
Nature · Jungmun
Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff
Come on a day with a swell running; the spray over the columns is far more dramatic than on a flat calm.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Photo spot
- Nature
Beach · Hallim and Hyeopjae
Hyeopjae Beach
Stay for sunset, which drops behind Biyangdo; arrive before 10am in August to find parking.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Free
- Photo spot
- Views
Beach · Hamdeok and Gujwa
Hamdeok Beach and Seoubong
Low tide exposes rock pools that children love; check the tide table and bring water shoes.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
- Views
Museum · Jocheon
Jeju Stone Park
Start in the indoor museum to understand the island's geology, then walk the outdoor circuit, which takes about an hour.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Outdoors
Meeting people
- Dongmun night market — In the evening the night-market section of Dongmun Market in Jeju City fills with stalls cooking black-pork skewers, abalone and tangerine-flavoured treats; graze your way through for a cheap dinner.
- Haenyeo restaurants — Some village diving co-operatives run simple restaurants serving the divers' catch — sea urchin, abalone, conch and octopus — and porridge; look for them along the coast at Seongsan, Gujwa and Udo.
Sensible precautions
Jeju has low street crime. The main risks are natural: strong winds and swell on exposed coasts, slippery basalt rocks, sudden weather changes on Hallasan and typhoons from roughly July to September. Swim only at patrolled beaches and follow coastal path closures.
- Emergency number
- 112 (police), 119 (fire and ambulance), 1330 (tourist helpline)
- Staying connected
- Mobile coverage is good across the island, including on Hallasan's lower trails; SIM cards, eSIMs and pocket Wi-Fi can be arranged at Korean airports.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Jeju good for solo travellers?
Jeju works well for solo travellers who like walking: the Olle Trail is well marked and popular with solo hikers, guesthouses are sociable, and the bus network, though slow, reaches every route start.
+Where should solo travellers stay in Jeju?
Jeju City Old Town: Dongmun Market, the Tapdong seafront and the old provincial office around Gwandeokjeong.