Our first overseas family trip after Covid was to Jeju Island, often called the Hawaii of Asia. We took a red-eye flight from Singapore via Scoot, arriving early in the morning around 7ish.We’re not fans of spending long hours on connecting flights, Scoot was the perfect choice—it offers a direct flight to Jeju. That convenience made the journey smoother and less tiring. Yoo woo!
[Pics 1~2] Unlike Singapore Changi Airport, Jeju International Airport doesn’t have much to explore inside. So, we headed straight to the rental car pick-up area. After exiting the airport, we boarded a shuttle bus that brought us to the car facility.
Although I’ve seen similar places in K-dramas, experiencing it in person was something else. I was truly impressed by how big and organized the entire setup was! We’ve rented cars in many Asian countries before, but this was the first time we encountered such a massive, three-storey rental car pick-up and drop-off building!
There were designated areas for pick-up and return, everything neatly arranged. Even small details stood out - tables, chairs, and water dispensers thoughtfully provided for customers. It felt efficient and welcoming, almost like we had stepped into a scene from a drama.
[Pic1] Heading to the shuttle [Pic2] The rental car pick-up/drop-off area
[Pics 3~5] Once we picked up our rental car, we headed straight to our first accommodation - Ocean Suites Jeju Hotel. Why this hotel? Because it offers free parking and is walking distance to Dongmun Traditional
Market where we planned to enjoy our brunch. Jeju has many traditional markets, each with its own character. It’s important to check the operating days and hours before visiting,s.
As a first-time visitor to Jeju Island, I relied on official tourism sites before diving into blogs or YouTube reviews. I found visitjeju.net especially useful for confirming weekend/night market schedules and discovering must-visit spots. It gave me confidence that I wouldn’t miss out on key experiences.
[Pic3] Ocean Suites Jeju Hotel & surrounding [Pic4] Day & Night Dongmun Traditional Market
[Pic5] BBQ Black Pork Belly Dinner
You will never go wrong feasting on BBQ black pork belly in Jeju! This is along the stretch of shops near Dongmun Traditional Market.
As the family trip planner, I like to set a “theme” for each journey. For Jeju, our theme was to uncover as many UNESCO World Heritage sites as possible on this beautiful island. Do you know there are at least 2 here on Jeju Island - Manjanggul Cave and Hallasan National Park?
Driving in Jeju is not very difficult, but there are a few things to note:
- Right-hand driving: Unlike Singapore, Jeju follows right-side driving.
- Signages: Major roads have English text, but smaller roads often display in Korean language.
- Navigation apps: Google Maps doesn’t work well here. Instead, download Naver Map or Kakao Map for reliable directions.
- Car GPS system: The rental car’s built-in GPS works when you input place names. However, for unique or lesser-known spots, you’ll need to enter the exact address.
We even had a funny experience, keying in a restaurant address only to find that it didn’t exist, instead was a residential address! lol
[Pics 6~14]
So, what was our itinerary like for this trip?
We designed it around Jeju’s unique blend of UNESCO sites, local culture, and natural beauty.
Here is our 5D5N journey unfolded across the island.
Day 1 – Weekend Market & UNESCO World Natural Heritage Manjanggul Lava Tube
We began our Jeju adventure at the Weekend Market, soaking in the lively atmosphere of local vendors and traditional snacks. It was the perfect way to ease into the island’s culture.
[Pic6] Our delicious beef casserole at the weekend market! slurp!
[Pic7] Manjanggul Lava Tube
Walking through the cool, dimly lit cave was surreal - it felt like stepping into the earth’s hidden corridors. The scale of the lava formations was impressive, and it gave us a deeper appreciation of Jeju’s volcanic origins. It was said that it is one of the largest lava tubes in the world and was formed thousands of years ago!
Tip: Wear comfortable track shoes, as the cave floor can be uneven and damp. The visit takes about 1–1.5 hours.
Day 2 – UNESCO World Natural Heritage, Geomun Oreum Trail & Folk Village
Beautiful, undisturbed nature with a sense of quiet majesty. To walk through the pristine volcanic landscapes, you will need to make online reservation at least one day before your visit. There are limited timeslots per day so I would advise you to book early! There are also 3 trails to choose from: Summit Course (approx 2.1km, abt 1 hour), Crater Course (approx 5km, abt 2.5hours) and full course (aaprox 6.7km, abt 3.5hours). A host is assigned to each group and walks along with you, sharing insights about the volcanic ecosystem.
We took the Crater Course, a balanced option that allowed us to enjoy the volcanic forest atmosphere without being too strenuous.
[Pic8~9] Geomun Oreum Trail
[Pic10] Jeju Folk Village (Traditional houses)
Day 3 – Mount Hallasan Hiking
The highlight of our trip was climbing Mount Hallasan (1,950m), the highest mountain in South Korea, to reach the breathtaking Baengnokdam Crater at the summit. There are 7 hiking trails but only 2 lead to the summit, namely Seongpanak Trail and Gwaneumsa Trail. Other 5 trails are shorter scenic routes that do not reach the summit. Seongpanak Trail is longer and takes roughly 6~8 hours (for ascend & descend) but is less challenging compared to Gwaneumsa Trail which takes about 8~10hours. The latter offers more dramatic views and diverse scenery so if you wish to take this route, do train up before you head up! We chose Seongpanak, the more popular summit route. Its gentler ascend made the climb manageable as we didnt train up prior to the hike :p
[Pic11] Mount Halllasan
Oh, btw, hikers will get a certificate once you complete the trail. Remember to do it while you are still at the site as it reads your GPS location to allow you to obtain the cert. How clever right?
Day 4 – Jeongbang Waterfall & Osulloc Tea Museum
1. Jeongbang Waterfalls is said to be the only waterfall in South Korea (some said Asia) that falls directly into the sea. So how can we miss it, right? Surrounded by lush tea fields, OsullocTea Museum showcases South Korea's tea culture in a modern building that shapes like a tea cup. Inside, you will find exhibits on tea culture, an observatory with countryside views and a cafe serving green tea desserts made from Jeju's tea leaves. A perfect stop to chill for the afternoon.
[Pic12] Jeongbang Waterfall [Pic13] Osulloc Tea Museum
Day 5 – Haenyeo Museum: The storytelling of Jeju's women divers
[Pic14] Haenyeo Museum
As our 5D5N travel came to a close, we left Jeju with hearts full of memories—from lava tubes and mountain trails to quiet museums and bustling markets. This trip wasn’t just about ticking off UNESCO sites, it was also about reconnecting as a family, embracing nature and discovering the quiet charm of Jeju island.
If you’re planning your own Jeju adventure, may your journey be just as beautiful, and uniquely yours.
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