Travel tips · Jeju · South Korea
Jeju travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Robert Simmon, using Landsat data provided by the United States Geological Survey., Public domain
Quick answer
Jeju was the independent kingdom of Tamna before joining Korea, and it kept its own dialect (Jejueo), shamanic shrines and village customs. Islanders call it the island of three abundances — stones, wind and women — after its lava rock walls, strong winds and the women divers who supported many households. Dol hareubang ('stone grandfather') statues still guard village entrances.
Key facts
- Language
- Korean
- Currency
- KRW
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 220 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is treated to drinking standards, and Jeju's volcanic groundwater is…
- Emergency
- 112 (police), 119 (fire and ambulance), 1330 (tourist helpline)
Things to know
- Tangerine orchards, fields and stone-walled plots are private farmland; don't climb walls or pick fruit without permission.
- Coastal shellfish and seaweed grounds belong to village diving co-operatives, so don't collect sea creatures from the rocks.
- Receive and offer things, including drinks, with two hands or with your left hand supporting your right arm, especially to older people.
- Take off shoes where restaurants have raised floor seating, and in guesthouses and pension rooms.
- Keep noise down in village lanes and at Seongeup Folk Village, where residents live in the houses.
- Book Hallasan National Park ahead: Summit hikes on the Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa trails have required a free advance online reservation in recent years; check the official national park site before you go.
- Hallasan, the beaches, the Olle Trail, Seongeup Folk Village and the O'sulloc museum are all free, so outdoor days cost little apart from transport.
Tipping
Tipping is not customary in Korea and can confuse staff. Prices include service, and some upscale hotels add a service charge to the bill.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Annyeonghaseyo | Hello |
| Gamsahamnida | Thank you |
| Honjeo opseoye | Welcome (Jeju dialect) |
| Igeo juseyo | This one, please |
| Eolmayeyo? | How much is it? |
| Masisseoyo | It's delicious |
What to wear
Dress is casual, but bring layers and a windproof jacket year-round; Jeju is windy, and Hallasan can be 10°C colder than the coast.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and F sockets, 220 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is treated to drinking standards, and Jeju's volcanic groundwater is bottled across Korea; many locals still drink filtered or bottled water.
- Emergency number
- 112 (police), 119 (fire and ambulance), 1330 (tourist helpline)
- Phone and internet
- 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.
- Time zone
- Asia/Seoul
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.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check South Korea's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Jeju?
Tipping is not customary in Korea and can confuse staff. Prices include service, and some upscale hotels add a service charge to the bill.
+Can you drink the tap water in Jeju?
Tap water is treated to drinking standards, and Jeju's volcanic groundwater is bottled across Korea; many locals still drink filtered or bottled water.
+What plugs are used in Jeju?
Type C and F sockets, 220 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Jeju?
Korean.