Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Tobias]

During the Lunar New Year, I took a quick trip to Jeju. I'd never been, and I wanted to get that in before I leave Korea (maybe for good). Some quick facts on my trip, in case anyone is interested:

1. Ferry from Doyang to Jeju leaves the dock at 9:05 a.m. and takes about 3 1/2 hours to get to JejuSu. The cost? Normally ~24,500, but was ~26,500 during the holiday.

2. Bus service exists that will take you in a loop around the island, even during holidays. The cost is roughly 1,000 won to go between cities/towns.

3. Hotels exist in places like Seogwipo, but those that are reasonable are nothing but expensive flophouses, just like on the mainland.

4. Seogwipo is a nice little laid-back city that's worth hanging out in. It's certainly cooler than JejuSu.

5. Take your passport and/or ARC if you go via ferry. The ferry terminal in Jeju has a passport control booth.

6. There are many return trips. I took the one to Wando, which cost 26,500 and left at 5 pm on Monday. Buses leave Wando regularly to Gwangju. Those rides run about 14K.

It was a good trip overall. The ferry has seasickness medicine you can purchase and quaff before setting out. The terminal in Jeju has it as well.

[mekku]

thanks for the info

i figure if i go to jeju at some point, i would rather take a boat as it would be cheaper than flying and this gave me some info to know what to do and expect.

[Tobias]

Addendum for those departing from Doyang:

1. When you get to Doyang, go all the way to the harbor, which is at the end of the main road that runs into Doyang from the north. I believe it's route 27.

2. The Doyang ferry leaves from the dock that's near the BMW love hotel, with is on the left at the T-intersection at the end of route 27. On the right you'll see a bridge that goes up over a river and on into town. That's not the way to go to the correct dock. Go left at the 'T' and you're there.

3. The place where you get your ticket is a trailer-like structure within a block of the BMW hotel. Look for the big-ass white boat and head for the trailer closest to it.

4. Get your ticket by about 8:30 a.m.

5. They'll want your passport in the trailer. Be sure to take it along on the trip. They'll also want it at the ferry terminal on the island when you return.

[Chris_Dixon]

This is prob a dum question: But can you take cars over on the ferry???

[Tobias]

Yeah, you can definitely take a personal auto. I met a couple on board that was taking a car down. But I didn't find out how much it costs, if one needs to make a reservation, or how one would arrange to get a car loaded. What I do know is the ferry I rode from Doyang was already loaded with freight, big trucks, and personal cars when I boarded at 8:30 that morning. When it got loaded, I know not.

If I were to guess, I'd say you have to be there the afternoon before and set it up. The ferry was parked at the dock sideways the entire night before I boarded, but the loading ramp is at the front. I also imagine someone else drives the car onto and off of the boat for you.

I think taking a vehicle down there would be straight-forward. Cash tends to make things like this easy, especially when tourists are part of the equation.

I don't know if I'd take a car. I'd take a bike. A motorcycle would be cake on Jeju.

[VanIslander]

[Dude Ranch]

thanks tobias, good stuff


I have been told about jeju
a) very beautiful in the spring/summer. Great way to see the island is to rent scooters and go around
b) famous pork dish is made from pigs that they keep below the outhouses, so they eat human fecies, but I hear it is mashesayo

[Tobias]

[Dude Ranch]

ya a korean person that is from jeju told me this

[muffintop]

When you fly to Jeju you only need the ARC not passport..so why would you need to take the passport for the boat?

Just curious?

[Tobias]

If you have an ARC, that's all you'll need, really. If you don't have an ARC (some people are here months before getting it), take your passport. It's one or the other.

[dimnd]

Thanks for clarification, Tobias.

[cmr]

[Tobias]

To reassure others like me who love bacon, most pigs in Korea are raised in pens. I'll still take a long look and wonder the next time I eat pork, though.