As a foreigner living in Korea, you may often feel the urge to escape for a quick getaway over the weekend. Instead of spending your weekends solely within Seoul, why not take a short trip outside the city for 1–3 days? In such cases, using a weekend short-term car rental can make it much easier and more comfortable to access attractions that are difficult to reach by public transportation. In this post, I’ll share a real-life experience of renting a car for a 1–3-day weekend trip, along with some helpful tips for those considering car rental while traveling in Jeju Island.
Weekend Traffic and Peak Time Warnings
One of the major discomforts often mentioned during weekend trips is heavy traffic during return trips to and from Seoul. From Friday evening to Saturday morning, many cars leave Seoul, and from Sunday afternoon to early Monday morning, inbound traffic into Seoul increases. Since foreigners may not be familiar with this pattern, adjusting departure and return times to avoid peak hours is wise. For instance, departing immediately after work on Friday might lead to long traffic jams; instead, it’s better to leave late at night or very early on Saturday morning.
Also, highway rest areas can become extremely crowded over the weekend. Long restroom lines and wait times for meals are common. While Korea’s unique rest area culture can be fun to experience, it’s a good idea to minimize stops or prepare light snacks in advance to save time.
Jeju Island Car Rental: Ideal for 1–3 Day Trips
Jeju Island, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Korea, can be challenging to explore fully using only public transportation. Although the bus system is decent, having a car allows for a much more efficient and comfortable trip. Therefore, many foreigners traveling to Jeju opt for 1–3 day short-term car rentals.
Tips for Booking a Rental Car in Jeju
Jeju Island’s rental car market is highly competitive, with many companies vying for customers through pricing and service deals. It’s beneficial to use comparison sites or travel platforms to review multiple offers at once. Typically, pickup locations are clustered around the airport, and after your flight arrival, you can take a shuttle bus to the rental car pickup point.
During weekends or peak seasons (summer holidays, year-end, New Year holidays), vehicles can quickly become fully booked. Making a reservation at least 2 weeks to 1 month in advance is highly recommended. Insurance coverage should include at least collision damage waiver (CDW) for better protection. Since Jeju’s roads often involve coastal drives and hills, driving can be slightly tricky for beginners, so having insurance helps for more relaxed travel.
Personal Experience Driving Around Jeju
A recent foreign visitor rented a car for 2 nights and 3 days, circling the entire island. Starting from the airport, they traveled westward (Aewol, Hyeopjae), down south (Jungmun), and eastward (Seongsan, Udo Island), fully appreciating Jeju’s breathtaking natural beauty. The drive around Hallasan Mountain and along the coastal highway was particularly impressive. While you can take your car onto the ferry to Udo Island, parking spaces are very limited, so many travelers choose to visit Udo without a car, utilizing the ferry or adjusting their schedule accordingly.
Cost vs. Efficiency: Public Transportation vs. Short-Term Car Rental
Some people might worry that renting a car for a weekend trip will be more expensive than using public transportation. Indeed, if traveling with only one companion, using buses or trains might be cheaper. However, for groups of three or more, public transport costs multiply, while rental costs can be shared. Factoring in fuel, toll fees, and rental charges, a car rental could turn out to be more economical.
Furthermore, when your travel route is complicated or your accommodation is located far from public transport, the “freedom of mobility” a car provides is priceless. Being able to stop anywhere, travel at your own pace, and return late at night without worries can greatly enhance your overall satisfaction with the trip.
Important Notes When Renting a Car for a Weekend Trip
Even if renting a car for just 1–3 days, you should never neglect essentials like car insurance, international driver’s license requirements, and vehicle inspections. Check the car’s exterior thoroughly when picking it up and confirm tire conditions and fuel levels. Some rental companies require cars to be returned with a full tank, while others charge only for the used amount—so ensure you know the specific conditions to avoid unexpected extra charges.
If you plan to leave your car parked outdoors for extended periods, consider basic security measures against theft or damage. Korea is generally very safe, but it’s good practice to lock your vehicle properly and never leave valuables inside.
Conclusion: Short-Term Car Rentals Can Enrich Your Weekend Trips
Even short weekend trips can be made much richer and more exciting with the independence that short-term car rentals provide. Whether you’re planning a trip to Gangwon-do, Jeju Island, or nearby areas around Seoul, there are countless amazing places reachable only by car. The freedom and enjoyment you experience while driving will offer a completely different travel experience compared to relying solely on public transportation.
Although driving in a foreign country might initially feel intimidating, with the right insurance and good driving habits, you can fully enjoy your Korean weekend road trips without worries. Since short-term rentals for 1–3 days are quite affordable, I highly recommend them to foreign visitors hoping to make the most out of their weekends. Don’t miss out on discovering Korea’s hidden scenic spots, local delicious food, and the unparalleled joy of free driving.
Why Weekend Rates Are Higher, and How to Work Around It
The same car for the same period costs very different amounts depending on when you book. Understanding the demand-driven structure lets you cut the cost.
- Friday afternoon to Sunday evening is the peak. Collecting Thursday night and returning Sunday morning can cost less for the same two nights.
- Holidays and high season — summer, Chuseok, Lunar New Year and cherry blossom season multiply rates. Jeju swings hardest.
- Booking timing — early for high season, closer in for low season, as a rule. With free cancellation, holding a booking and switching if something cheaper appears also works.
- Vehicle class — compact cars win on both parking and fuel. Korean city and tourist car parks are tight.
- One-way returns — dropping the car in another region adds a fee. Round trips are generally cheaper.
When comparing with public transport, do not compare the rental rate alone. Add fuel, tolls and parking for a real comparison. With two or three people a rental starts winning; alone and near Seoul, trains and buses usually cost less.
What to Watch on a Short Trip
One to three days is tight, which makes it easy to overreach — part of why weekend driving sees more incidents.
- Weekend congestion — leaving Seoul on Friday evening and returning Sunday afternoon are the worst. Allow generous travel time.
- Fatigue — packing long distances into a short trip is where it goes wrong. Stop at a rest area every two hours.
- Navigation on unfamiliar roads — if Korean voice guidance is difficult, change the language before you set off. Adjusting settings while driving is the greater danger.
- Return time — late returns are charged by the hour. Leave slack in the final leg.
- Alcohol — the previous night’s drinks still register at checkpoints. Korea’s thresholds are strict and a violation can affect your residence status.
If you have an accident, notify the rental company without fail. Settling at the scene without involving them can void your waiver. Call 119 if anyone is injured, and 112 if there is a dispute with the other driver.
Jeju Works Differently from the Mainland
Jeju accounts for a large share of weekend rentals, and several rules there differ from the mainland.
- No removal from the island — most Jeju rentals prohibit loading the car onto a ferry by contract, and a breach can void your waiver in an accident.
- Off-airport branches — most operators shuttle you from the airport. Build the shuttle wait into your schedule.
- Weather risk — flight cancellations are common. Check before booking whether cancellation fees are waived when flights are cancelled.
- Refuelling — confirm the fuel policy (return full, or return as received) and note where the stations near the airport are.
- Coastal roads — the views make speed creep up easily. Check limits and camera locations.
For an itinerary covering both Jeju and the mainland, renting separately in each is the normal approach. Taking a mainland car to Jeju carries the same restriction, so confirm before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent for just one day?
Yes, but a 24-hour rental and a same-day return are priced differently. Collecting at 10am and returning at 10am the next day is not the same as returning that evening. Set the exact times on the booking screen.
For a few hours, car sharing is cheaper — booked in ten- or thirty-minute units, and available to foreign residents after licence registration in some services. Registration and verification take time, so sign up in advance rather than attempting it when you are in a hurry.
How are tolls and parking settled?
With a Hi-Pass unit fitted, tolls are billed after the fact. Assuming everything ended at return and being charged days later is common, so do not change the card details on file before you leave the country.
Parking is your own cost. Central Seoul and tourist areas are expensive and short of spaces, so check parking at your destination in advance. Parking fines also come through the rental company, with a handling fee added.
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Last updated: 22 September 2026
Rules, fees and procedures can change over time. Before an important decision, check the latest guidance from the relevant authority.
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