Ferry to Jeju
Nokdong - Jeju
The unhurried crossing to Jeju, one morning sailing a day with Namhae Gosok
- About 3 hours 40 minutes with the car ferry Arion Jeju
- Out at 09:00, back from Jeju at 16:30
- Small port with easy parking in Goheung county
Table of Contents
Getting to Nokdong and the terminal
Nokdong New Port lies in Goheung county, a rural corner of the south coast. By car it is about ninety minutes from Suncheon and a little over two hours from Gwangju on good roads. Without a car, take an intercity bus to Goheung or Nokdong and a local taxi to the terminal. The port is compact: terminal, vehicle lanes and parking sit next to each other, with none of the walking distances of the bigger ports.
Check-in and boarding
Tickets are sold at the terminal counter and through the operator's Korean booking services; international travellers usually book online in advance. Be at the port comfortably before the 09:00 departure, vehicles first, and have your passport or residence card ready for the ID check at boarding.
On board
The Arion Jeju is a straightforward Korean coastal car ferry: open seating rooms in third class, smaller cabin rooms and beds above, a kiosk for snacks and drinks. It is a working ship rather than a floating hotel, and for a morning crossing of under four hours that is exactly enough. The open deck gives a long view of the Goheung archipelago on the way out.
Vehicle, bike and on foot
Cars, motorbikes and bicycles are carried at class-based fares, secured by the crew for the crossing. With one sailing a day, a full vehicle deck means waiting until tomorrow, so book the slot ahead in summer and around holidays. Foot passengers connect in Jeju City to the island bus network at the arrival port.
Arrival on Jeju and onward travel
The ship docks at Jeju City's coastal terminal on the north shore, a short taxi ride from the city centre and the bus terminal. The 16:30 return departure structures a visit neatly: even day trips are possible, though an overnight stay does the island more justice.
Tickets and fares
Fares are per person in four classes from third-class floor space to first-class beds, plus vehicle fares by class; a fuel surcharge comes on top and weekends and holiday periods carry a premium. Current amounts are on the prices page. With a single daily sailing, the busiest dates sell out earliest on this corridor.
Nokdong - Jeju
One ship, one rhythm
The Nokdong corridor is the simplest of the three: one ship, the car ferry Arion Jeju of Namhae Gosok, one departure a day in each direction. It leaves Nokdong New Port in Goheung county at 09:00 and comes back from Jeju at 16:30; the crossing takes about 3 hours 40 minutes.
Nokdong is a small fishing port without the bustle of Mokpo or the queues of Wando. If you are driving anyway, it is an easy place to start: straightforward roads, uncomplicated parking, a compact terminal. The one thing to plan around are the scheduled rest days, roughly every other week the ship skips a day.
- Crossing time
- approx. 3 hrs 40 min
- Operator
- Namhae Gosok
- Frequency
- 1 sailing daily, rest days
- From price
- €14
Next departures
FAQ Nokdong - Jeju
FAQ
Frequent questions about the Nokdong - Jeju crossing.
How long does the ferry from Nokdong to Jeju take?+
About 3 hours 40 minutes each way with the Arion Jeju, between the Wando sprint and the long Mokpo leg.
How often does the ferry run?+
Once a day in each direction: from Nokdong at 09:00, back from Jeju at 16:30. The ship pauses on set days, usually the first, third and fifth Sunday for the outbound and the matching Saturdays for the return. The timetable shows the actual sailing days.
Where exactly does the ferry leave from?+
Nokdong New Port in Goheung county, on the coast south of Gwangju. There is no rail link; you come by car or by intercity bus to Nokdong via Goheung. The terminal is small, which makes check-in quick, and parking near the port is uncomplicated.
Can I take a vehicle?+
Yes, the Arion Jeju is a car ferry and takes cars, motorbikes and bicycles at fares by vehicle class. As everywhere on the Jeju routes, the vehicle deck sells out before the passenger space around holidays.
Do I need an ID for boarding?+
Bring your passport or Korean residence card; boarding includes an ID check and the ticket must carry your document name. This applies to every Korean coastal ferry, not just this route.