Overview
Jeju — written Cheju in older romanisations — is South Korea's volcanic holiday island, lying in the sea off the southern tip of the mainland. Often called the Hawaii of Korea, it is a place of lava landscapes, black rock coastline, citrus groves, waterfalls and the famous haenyeo women divers, all watched over by the dormant Hallasan volcano. Its volcanic island and lava tubes are UNESCO World Heritage listed, and it is one of the most popular short breaks and honeymoon spots in East Asia.
Best time to fly to Cheju
Spring (April to May) brings cherry blossom, bright yellow canola fields and mild walking weather. Autumn (September to November) is clear and comfortable with good foliage. Summer is the domestic peak: hot and humid, with a rainy spell in late June and July and a small typhoon risk into September. Winters are mild by Korean standards but windy, with camellias in bloom and occasional snow on Hallasan. For the best value, check the When to book chart above — the shoulder months usually win.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights from the UK to Jeju. The standard route is a long-haul flight to Seoul Incheon — Korean Air and Asiana fly non-stop from London Heathrow in around 11 hours — followed by a short domestic hop of about an hour to Jeju. Domestic flights are run by Korean Air, Asiana, Jeju Air, Jin Air, T'way Air and Air Busan, and most leave from Seoul's Gimpo airport, so allow time to transfer across the city from Incheon. One-stop alternatives route via Gulf or European hubs such as Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Emirates), Amsterdam (KLM), Helsinki (Finnair) and Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), or via Asian hubs such as Hong Kong, which has direct flights to Jeju. Expect a total journey of roughly 16 to 19 hours.
Things to do in Cheju
Jeju rewards travellers who like the outdoors, with volcanic scenery you will not see anywhere else in Korea.
- Hallasan National Park: hike South Korea's highest peak, a shield volcano with a crater lake at its summit.
- Seongsan Ilchulbong: a dramatic UNESCO tuff cone rising straight from the sea, best climbed for sunrise.
- Manjanggul Lava Tube: one of the world's finest lava tube caves, cool and floodlit underground.
- Jeju Olle Trails: a network of waymarked coastal paths that together circle the whole island.
- O'sulloc and the green tea fields: rolling plantations and a tea museum in the island's south-west.
At Jeju International Airport (CJU)
Jeju International Airport sits just 4 to 5 km west of Jeju City, making it one of the shortest airport-to-centre trips anywhere — around 10 to 15 minutes by taxi. Airport limousine and local buses serve the city, the northern coast and the Jungmun resort strip on the south coast (45 to 60 minutes); Seogwipo, the island's second town, is about an hour away. Many visitors hire a car, as buses between rural sights can be infrequent.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Cheju
- Book the long-haul leg roughly three to six months ahead, and use the price charts on this page to pinpoint the cheapest booking window.
- Avoid Korean public holidays such as Lunar New Year and Chuseok, and the July to August domestic peak, when the Seoul to Jeju leg fills up.
- Fly midweek and stay flexible by a day either side — Tuesday and Wednesday departures are usually cheaper.
- Compare booking the long-haul and domestic flights together against booking them separately, and check Korean Air and Asiana against one-stop rivals.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders can currently visit South Korea visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days. Before you travel, check whether you need a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation), as the exemption rules for UK nationals have changed more than once. The currency is the South Korean won; cards are accepted almost everywhere and pounds are easy to exchange. No vaccinations are required for entry and there are no longer any COVID-related rules, but make sure your passport has at least six months' validity.
