Five days allows a proper circuit of Jeju Island: the volcanic east coast, the central mountain, the southern waterfall coast, an Udo Island excursion, and the sea cliffs of the west. You will cover all of Jeju’s main zones without the pace pressure of a 3-day trip.
A rental car is essential for this itinerary. Jeju’s sights are spread around the coastline and inland, and the flexibility to leave early for Hallasan or arrive late at a beach is significantly better with your own vehicle. Car rental from Jeju Airport costs approximately KRW 40,000–60,000 (USD 29–44) per day as of 2026.
Before you arrive: Reserve your Hallasan summit trail slot at hallasan.go.kr at least 7 days ahead (more in April and October peak season). Slots for the Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa routes fill within minutes on busy weekends. For a more guided approach to the island, GetYourGuide’s Jeju tours include small-group options covering Seongsan, Udo Island, and the south coast — a good option if you want local expertise for specific days rather than going fully self-guided.
Where to Stay
For a 5-day circuit, consider splitting your base:
Nights 1–2: Jeju City or Seongsan area — east coast proximity for Day 2’s early Seongsan sunrise and Udo Island ferry.
Nights 3–5: Seogwipo — central position for Hallasan, south coast, and west coast days.
Budget Jeju City: Jeju Dream Tower Premier Hotel — from approximately KRW 90,000 (USD 66) per night. Well-located near Dongmun Market.
Mid-range Seogwipo: Seogwipo KAL Hotel — from approximately KRW 110,000 (USD 81) per night. Ocean views, walking distance to Cheonjiyeon Waterfall.
Luxury south coast: Lotte Hotel Jeju — from approximately KRW 220,000 (USD 162) per night. Jungmun resort complex with beach access, pools, and direct views of the southern coastline.
Day 1: Arrival and Jeju City
Arrive at Jeju International Airport (CJU) — domestic flights from Seoul Gimpo (GMP) take approximately 1 hour; from Busan approximately 55 minutes. Pick up your rental car at the airport.
Afternoon: Jeju City orientation
Head to Dongmun Traditional Market (Jeju-si) — the island’s oldest covered market and the best introduction to local food. Try:
- Bungeoppang (fish-shaped pastry with sweet red bean filling) — approximately KRW 1,000 per piece
- Freshly cut Jeju tangerine (gamgyul) — approximately KRW 3,000–5,000 per bag
- Raw seafood stalls with haenyeo-caught abalone and sea cucumber
Manjanggul Lava Tube — if time and energy permit after arrival, the lava tube is 30 minutes north-east of Jeju City. Entry KRW 4,000 (approximately USD 3) as of 2026; hours 09:00–18:00 (last entry 17:00); closed Tuesdays.
Evening: Dinner at Jeju Heukdwaeji (Black Pork) district near Yeon-dong in Jeju City — a cluster of restaurants specialising in Jeju’s heritage black pork breed. Daeji Original (대지원) and Heukdon Sarang are reliable options; 200g pork belly per person costs approximately KRW 15,000–18,000 (USD 11–13) as of 2026.
Overnight: Jeju City or Seongsan area.
Day 2: East Coast — Seongsan Sunrise and Udo Island
This is the most logistically intensive day of the trip. An early start is essential.
05:30: Seongsan Ilchulbong
Arrive at Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak) before dawn. The 20-minute climb to the crater rim is manageable by headlamp, and the sunrise view over the volcanic cone and surrounding sea is one of Jeju’s signature experiences.
Entry: KRW 2,000 (approximately USD 1.50) per adult as of 2026. The park opens at 07:00 officially, but crowds gathering for sunrise arrive before first light — a ticketing system operates; purchase tickets at the booth before the climb. Note: access to the outer rim path closes during peak holiday periods to protect vegetation.
The Seongsan village below the peak has basic cafes open by 06:30 for coffee and kimbap breakfast after the climb.
09:00: Udo Island
Board the ferry from Seongsan Port (성산항) to Udo Island. Ferries run approximately every 30 minutes from 07:30; the crossing takes about 15 minutes each way. Ferry fare: approximately KRW 8,000–11,000 (USD 6–8) return per person as of 2026 (check Udo-do.co.kr for current fares).
Vehicles can be taken on the ferry but a better option is to hire an electric car or scooter on Udo Island itself — the island is 6.2 km from north to south and a car is not necessary for the circuit. Electric cart hire: approximately KRW 30,000–40,000 (USD 22–29) for 2 hours as of 2026.
Key stops on Udo:
- Udo Lighthouse Park (Udong-ri): panoramic views from the island’s southern tip
- Hagosudong Beach: the only black sand beach on Udo, created by coral fragments rather than basalt
- Hongjin Beach: pale coral sand, snorkelling rental available from approximately KRW 20,000 (USD 15)
- Udo peanut ice cream (ttangkong soft serve) — a local signature sold at stalls near the ferry pier, approximately KRW 4,000
Return to Seongsan by 15:00 and drive south to Seogwipo (approximately 40 minutes via Route 1132).
Dinner: Haenyeo restaurant, Seogwipo. Haenyeo (traditional women sea divers) dive for abalone, sea cucumber, and turban shells year-round on Jeju. Restaurant Haenyeo Sikdang (해녀식당) near Seogwipo pier offers abalone porridge (jeonbokjuk) from approximately KRW 20,000 (USD 15) and raw sea urchin rice bowls (sea urchin from approximately KRW 25,000 as of 2026).
Overnight: Seogwipo.
Day 3: Hallasan Summit
The central mountain day. Start early — the Seongpanak trail cutoff is 12:00, meaning anyone entering after noon cannot proceed to the summit.
07:00: Seongpanak Trailhead
The Seongpanak Trail (9.6 km one-way) is the most accessible route to the Hallasan summit. It is long but consistently graded — well within the capability of any reasonably fit walker wearing proper footwear. Guided Hallasan tours from Seogwipo are available for travellers who prefer an expert guide on the summit trails, particularly useful in winter when conditions on the upper mountain require additional knowledge.
Trail conditions by season:
- Spring/Summer (April–September): Generally clear; carry 2L water minimum as there are no vendors on the trail
- Autumn (October–November): Peak foliage along the lower forested section; summit views are best of the year
- Winter (December–March): Ice common from mid-December; microspike crampons recommended (hire available at the trailhead, approximately KRW 5,000 as of 2026)
Allow 5 hours up and 4 hours down for an average pace with rest time at the summit crater (Baengnokdam). Total round trip: 9–10 hours.
Entry: Free as of 2026, but summit trail reservation required via hallasan.go.kr.
Post-hike: Return to Seogwipo and eat as much as you like. Seogwipo’s Maeil Olle Market food court (open daily until 21:00) sells haemul pajeon (seafood pancake, KRW 12,000), and grilled black pork skewers from a street stall at the entrance.
Overnight: Seogwipo.
Day 4: Jeju Olle Trail and South-West Coast
Today trades volcanic intensity for coastal walking and the island’s quieter south-west.
Morning: Jeju Olle Trail Section 7 or 8
The Jeju Olle Trail is a 425-km network of 26 coastal walking routes that circuit the entire island. Olle Route 7 (14.6 km, 4–5 hours) runs along the south-west coast from Wolpyeong Harbour through Sanbangsan headland to Hwasun — clifftop paths, fishing villages, and views across to the southern sea. Start point: approximately 25 minutes from Seogwipo by car.
Alternatively: Olle Route 8 (17.6 km, 5–6 hours) covers the Daejeong-eup coast, passing the Jungmun Tourist Complex, Cheonjeyeon Waterfall, and ending at Wolpyeong — a full south-west coast traverse.
Pick up an Olle passport at the trail start point (free; get it stamped at designated checkpoints for a collectible record) and follow the turquoise horse-and-girl trail markers.
Afternoon: Sanbangsan and Yongmeori Coast
After completing your chosen Olle section, drive to Sanbangsan — a distinctive volcanic dome at the south-west tip of the island rising abruptly from a flat coastal plain. The attached Sanbanggulsa Temple Cave (entry KRW 2,500 as of 2026) is carved into the cliff face 150m above the sea, with spring water dripping from the ceiling.
Below Sanbangsan, the Yongmeori Coast (Dragon Head Coast) is a series of sedimentary rock formations carved by wave erosion — layered ochre and rust cliffs meeting the sea at their base. The circuit path (30 minutes) is free but closes during high tide and strong swell — check the small information sign at the entrance.
Evening: Dinner at Sagye-ri Village below Sanbangsan — a small fishing village with several seafood restaurants overlooking the water. Grilled hairtail fish (galchi-gui) is the regional speciality; expect to pay approximately KRW 18,000–25,000 (USD 13–18) per serving as of 2026.
Overnight: Seogwipo.
Day 5: West Coast Beaches and Departure
The west coast is Jeju’s sunniest shoreline and home to the island’s most photogenic beaches.
Morning: Hyeopjae and Handam Beach
Hyeopjae Beach on the north-west coast has water the colour of tropical lagoons — turquoise shallow water over white sand, with Biyangdo Island visible offshore. Free access; parking KRW 1,000. Cafes behind the beach open from 09:00.
Adjacent Handam Beach (also called Hallim Beach) sits 1 km south — a long white sand arc that is generally less crowded. Hallim Park nearby (entry KRW 12,000 as of 2026) contains Hyeopjaegul and Ssangyonggul lava tube caves, a subtropical botanical garden, and folk village exhibitions.
Midday: Drive north to Jeju City via Biyangdo Ferry (Optional)
Biyangdo Island: A small island visible from Hyeopjae Beach, accessible by a 15-minute ferry from Hallim Port. Round-trip ferry: approximately KRW 9,000–12,000 (USD 7–9) per person as of 2026. Biyangdo is quiet — a volcanic cone, a lighthouse, two small restaurants, and excellent views of Jeju’s north-west coast. Allow 2 hours for the round trip including time on the island.
Afternoon: Jeju City and Departure
Return to Jeju City to drop the rental car (allow 2 hours before your flight for car return and airport processing). Jeju Airport has a Jeju tangerine gift shop in the departure terminal — hallabong boxes (vacuum-packed) are available from approximately KRW 20,000–35,000 (USD 15–26) depending on box size, and Jeju green tea products from local brands Osulloc and Seogwang are well-priced relative to mainland prices.
Budget Summary (Per Person, Excluding Flights)
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (4 nights) | KRW 160,000 | KRW 440,000 | KRW 880,000+ |
| Car hire (4 days shared) | KRW 90,000 | KRW 110,000 | KRW 140,000 |
| Ferry/entry fees | KRW 40,000 | KRW 40,000 | KRW 40,000 |
| Meals (5 days) | KRW 120,000 | KRW 220,000 | KRW 400,000 |
| Total (approx.) | KRW 410,000 | KRW 810,000 | KRW 1,460,000+ |
As of 2026; approximately USD 300 / USD 595 / USD 1,075+ at current exchange rates.
What to Add if You Have a 6th or 7th Day
- Mara Island: South Korea’s southernmost inhabited island, 11 km from Jeju’s south-west coast. Ferry from Songaksan Port (approximately KRW 18,000 return as of 2026); the island is 3 km around and known for jajangmyeon (black bean noodles) served at the small restaurants near the pier
- Dongbu Olle Trail (Route 1): The original Olle route from Siheungri through Ojo-ri along the north-east coast — 15.1 km, 4–5 hours, dramatic clifftop sections
- Eco Land Theme Park: A narrow-gauge steam train through 300,000 square metres of Gotjawal forest near Jeju City — worth it if travelling with children; entry approximately KRW 14,000 per adult as of 2026