Ever wonder why the flight between a massive capital city and a volcanic island in the middle of the sea is the busiest air route on the planet? Seriously. It's not London to New York. It's not Los Angeles to San Francisco. It is, year after year, the jump from Seoul to Jeju.
In 2025 alone, over 14.4 million seats were scheduled for this route. Think about that. That is more than the entire population of many European countries shoved into a fleet of planes flying a distance that barely takes an hour.
If you’re planning to take one of these Seoul to Jeju flights, you might think it’s as simple as booking a seat and showing up. It’s not. Well, it is, but you’ll probably overpay or end up at the wrong airport. Most travelers—even some locals—mess up the logistics because they assume all "Seoul" airports are created equal. They aren’t.
The Two-Airport Trap: Gimpo vs. Incheon
Here is the thing. If you search for flights, you’ll see two codes: GMP and ICN.
If you are already in Seoul—maybe eating fried chicken in Hongdae or shopping in Myeongdong—you want Gimpo (GMP). It’s basically in the city. You can take the purple line (Line 5), the gold line (Line 9), or the AREX train and be there in 20 to 40 minutes.
Incheon (ICN) is the giant, award-winning airport where your international flight probably landed. It’s amazing, but it’s far. It’s also mostly for international travel. While some airlines like Korean Air or Jeju Air run a few daily "feeder" flights from ICN to Jeju for people connecting from overseas, the vast majority of domestic hopping happens at Gimpo.
Don't be the person who books a $30 flight from Gimpo but wakes up at a hotel near Incheon. You’ll spend more on the taxi than the plane ticket. Honestly, the traffic on the Olympic Highway can be a nightmare, so if you’re heading to Gimpo, stick to the subway.
Why Seoul to Jeju Flights Are Basically a Bus Service
You don't really "catch" a flight to Jeju. You just sort of wait for the next one.
At peak times, planes take off every 6 to 10 minutes. It’s absurd. You have the heavy hitters like Korean Air and Asiana, but then you have this army of Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs):
- Jeju Air (The orange ones)
- Jin Air (Owned by Korean Air, usually green/blue)
- T'way Air (Red branding)
- Air Busan
- Air Seoul
- Eastar Jet
The competition is so fierce that prices are hilariously low. I’ve seen one-way tickets for $15. That is cheaper than a decent steak dinner in Gangnam. But wait—there is a catch. The "Special Fare" or "Event Fare" tickets usually come with zero checked baggage.
If you’re moving to Jeju for a month with three suitcases, that $15 ticket is going to cost you $60 after fees. Always, always check the weight limit. Most domestic LCC flights give you 15kg for free on a standard fare, but the "event" prices are for backpackers only.
The 2026 Shift: The Merger and the New Players
Right now, the Korean aviation world is in a bit of a shake-up. You might have heard about the Korean Air and Asiana merger. It’s been a long time coming. Because of monopoly concerns, the Korean government is forcing them to give up "slots" (basically permission to land and take off at specific times) to other airlines.
As of January 2026, we’re seeing more variety on the Gimpo–Jeju route. Eastar Jet, Jeju Air, and T'way have been handed more slots to keep the big guys from jacking up prices. There’s even a new player, Parata Air, trying to get a slice of the pie.
What does this mean for you? Better prices. Even though capacity is still a bit below the pre-pandemic highs of 2019, the competition is keeping the average ticket around $40 to $55 for a round trip if you book a few weeks out.
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Timing Your Trip (and Avoiding the Crowds)
If you fly on a Friday afternoon from Seoul, you’re going with every office worker in the city. If you fly back on Sunday evening, you’re in for a bad time. The airports get packed.
Pro tip: Travel on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Not only are the flights cheaper, but Jeju itself is less "Instagram-crowded."
Also, watch the weather. Jeju is called the "Island of the Triple Abundance" (wind, stones, and women), and that wind is no joke. During typhoon season—usually July through September—flights get cancelled left and right. If a storm is coming, don't just wait at the airport. Check the airline apps. They are surprisingly good at real-time updates.
What to Do Once You Land
Jeju International Airport (CJU) is small but efficient. When you walk out of Gate 5, you’ll see the bus stops.
- Limousine Bus 600: This goes to Jungmun (where the fancy resorts are) and Seogwipo.
- Express Buses: These are color-coded (Red) and take you across the island fast.
- Rental Cars: This is the big one. Most people rent cars in Jeju. You take a shuttle bus from the airport to a nearby lot.
Wait! You need an International Driving Permit (IDP). A regular US or UK license won't work. They will look at you, say "No," and you’ll be stuck taking the bus for three days. Get the permit before you leave home.
Dealing with the "Jeju Tax"
There’s been talk for years about a "Visitor Industry Sustainability Contribution"—basically an entry fee or tourist tax. As of early 2026, the local government is still dangling incentives to get people to visit, like the 30,000 won incentives for group travelers that made headlines recently. They want people back, especially foreign tourists who are flocking to see filming locations for dramas like When Life Gives You Tangerines.
How to Actually Book Like a Local
Don't just use Expedia. It's fine, but it doesn't always show the "Member Only" fares for LCCs.
Go directly to the websites of Jeju Air or Jin Air. Or use Naver Flights. Naver is the Google of Korea. Their flight search engine is way more tuned into the local budget carriers. You can see the price fluctuations in real-time.
Actionable Steps for Your Flight
- Check the Airport Twice: Ensure your booking says GMP (Gimpo) unless you are literally landing at Incheon and staying there to connect.
- Download the KakaoMap App: Google Maps is basically useless for navigation in South Korea. KakaoMap or Naver Maps will tell you exactly which gate to go to and which bus to take when you land in Jeju.
- Join the Membership: Even if you only fly once, joining the airline's "Club" (like Jeju Air Refresh Points) can sometimes unlock a fare that is $10–$20 cheaper immediately.
- Pre-book Your Rental Car: If you're going during a weekend or holiday (like Chuseok or Seollal), cars sell out. If you don't have a car, stay near the Jeju City Hall or Hamdeok Beach areas where bus connections are frequent.
- Mind the Curfew: Gimpo Airport has a noise curfew. Flights don't take off after 11:00 PM. If your flight is delayed significantly, they might divert you to Incheon or just cancel it until the morning.
The flight is short—barely enough time for the flight attendants to hand out a cup of water—but it’s the gateway to a completely different side of Korea. From the black basalt beaches to the peak of Hallasan, it’s worth the 60-minute hop. Just make sure you're at the right airport.