Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Lorac]

Hi,

I am thinking of taking a high-speed ferry to Japan. Just wondering if anyone has any info on what company is good, how much it costs and how long it takes. Maybe it is better to take a regular one? I am in Seoul so it would mean going down to Busan and then taking ferry to Fukuoka then traveling up through Japan for bout 8 days-am I mad to do so much traveling like this?! Flights at this time are just so expensive......why is there is no Ryan air in Asia!!
Thanks a million for any help or advice guys!

[ciccone_youth]

The quick ferry between Busan and Fukuoka is called "The Beetle".

It takes 3 hours.

It costs 240,000 won (190,000 won + 50,000 tax).

I just reserved it for early August, I'm leaving for Japan. I reserved by phone. Call now to book it, they have limited seats especially in a busy time like August!

http://www.jrbeetle.co.jp/english/

[ciccone_youth]

Oh, and by the way the slow ferry is called the Camellia Line. It's an overnight ferry, it takes about 8 hours and cost 180,000 won i think. I called to reserve that one at first, but they were all booked until mid-august.

Then I'd rather pay a bit more and be on the fast one. It will be a long trip too since I'm hailing from Seoul. I decided to leave Seoul then spend 2 days in Busan (I never visited there) then take the ferry, so it will be a shorter trip.

[Lorac]

Thanks a mill, that is a great help!

[Donghae]

Do you specifically want to land in Fukuoka? Because you do have other ferry options to Japan from Busan.

There's the Kanpu Ferry which goes to Shimonoseki, the westernmost point of the main island, Honshu. This is around the same price as the Camellia to Fukuoka, but it runs more frequently - leaves about 6pm every day, arriving about 8.30 next morning.

There are also ferries to Hiroshima, Osaka and Kanazawa from Busan. These cost more, but will get you further up Japan when you land, which might be useful if you're paying for transport as you go in Japan. If, on the other hand, you'll be using a Japan Rail Pass, you're best off just getting the cheapest crossing to Fukuoka or Shimonoseki.

[oceansdepth]

[Easter Clark]

Are there any ferries nearer to Seoul? What about Incheon?

[Konglishman]

[Hoegaarden]

I took the ferry from Busan to Osaka it was about 18 hours. It costed around 250,000 won round trip. Standard cabin was 4 to a room with two sets of bunk beds. It was about 300 to 400 yen for draft Asahi on the ship. The ship was called the Panstar Dream.

[CanadianBanana]

Yeah. ill be heading to to Japan via ferry. First to Fukouka and then to Osaka. I will sleep on the ferry which will save one night in a hotel. Total package is 280,000 (http://www.jtravel.co.kr/)

I was wondering if it is possible to go shop at the duty free here in seoul, and if the stuff would be shipped down to the Busan Ferry terminal.

anyone know?

[Lorac]

Hi all, thanks for all the advice! Not sure bout duty free situation-sorry! Have booked with the beetle-leave Busan Fri morn @9am and return 8 days later. It will be a bit mad as going straight to Hiroshima (4 hrs bus or 1hr bullet) then onto Kyoto and Tokyo then back to Fukuoka on last night but I think it will be worth it as I doubt I will ever get back to Japan-(China is next on the agenda during winter hols) but who knows?! Anyone stay in any decent (cheap) places in any of these towns?
Thanks again!
Carol

[pandapanda]

Is it possible to get a re-entry permit at the port in Busan?

[Donghae]

[Donghae]

[Lorac]

Thanks for that. Checking out that link now...price not too bad. Anything that is clean and not too pricey is great-doubt I will get anywhere too cheap in Japan anyway! Cheers