Ferry to Jeju
Wando - Jeju
The fastest car ferry link between the mainland and Jeju, run by Hanil Express
- About 2 hours 40 minutes across 104 kilometres
- Up to 3 sailings a day, every day of the week
- Car ferries Silver Cloud and Gold Stella with cabins and pet rooms
Table of Contents
Getting to Wando and the terminal
Wando is reached by road. Intercity buses run to Wando bus terminal from Gwangju and from Seoul, and the drive from Gwangju takes around two hours. From the bus terminal it is a short taxi ride to the ferry terminal in the harbour. If you drive your own car, follow the signs to the passenger terminal and join the vehicle lanes; parking for a car left behind is available near the port.
Check-in and boarding
Buy your ticket online or at the terminal counters. Boarding closes before departure, and vehicles need to be in the lane well before foot passengers, so treat the published check-in deadline as part of the departure time. Every passenger passes an ID check at the gangway: passport or Korean residence card, matching the name on the ticket. Online bookings with the operator carry a small discount on passenger fares.
On board
The Silver Cloud and the Gold Stella are car ferries in the classic Korean coastal style: large open seating rooms in the cheaper classes, bunk rooms and family cabins above, suites at the top, plus pet rooms that can be booked for travel with a dog or cat. There are kiosks and vending machines rather than full restaurants; most passengers bring snacks. For 2 hours 40 minutes an economy seat is fine, a cabin is comfort rather than necessity.
Vehicle, bike and on foot
Cars, motorbikes and bicycles all cross on the same ships. The vehicle fare depends on the class of the vehicle, and the crew lashes every vehicle for the crossing; small marks from the securing straps are at the owner's risk, which the operator states explicitly. Vehicle space is the bottleneck on busy days. Foot passengers have the easier life here, buses connect Wando with the mainland cities and Jeju City's bus network starts at the arrival port.
Arrival on Jeju and onward travel
Mind the two terminals in Jeju City port: the Gold Stella uses the international terminal, the Silver Cloud the coastal terminal. Both are on the northern edge of Jeju City, a short taxi ride from the old town and the bus terminal, from where lines fan out across the island.
Tickets and fares
Fares are per person and by cabin class, with vehicles priced separately by class; a fuel surcharge and a small terminal fee come on top, and weekends and Korean holiday periods carry a premium. Current amounts per class are on the prices page. Book early for summer weekends and the days around Chuseok, they sell out first.
Wando - Jeju
The workhorse crossing to Jeju
Wando - Jeju is the shortest car ferry corridor to the island and the one most travellers end up on. Hanil Express sails up to three times a day, every day, with the Silver Cloud and the Gold Stella, and the crossing takes about 2 hours 40 minutes. Both are proper car ferries with reserved seats, cabin classes up to suites, and dedicated pet rooms.
Wando itself is a fishing town at the end of the peninsula south of Gwangju. That means a longer journey on land than to Mokpo with its KTX station, but the shorter sea leg usually wins on total time, and the frequency gives you options when a sailing is full or cancelled.
- Crossing time
- approx. 2 hrs 40 min
- Operator
- Hanil Express
- Frequency
- up to 3 sailings daily
- From price
- €15
Next departures
FAQ Wando - Jeju
FAQ
Frequent questions about the Wando - Jeju crossing.
How long does the ferry from Wando to Jeju take?+
About 2 hours 40 minutes for the 104 kilometres, on both the Silver Cloud and the Gold Stella. Add the check-in deadline on land and, on summer weekends, time for the vehicle queue.
How often does the ferry run?+
Hanil Express sails up to three times a day in each direction, every day of the week. Exact departure times shift with the season and the ship rotation, so check the timetable for the current day rather than relying on a remembered time.
Can I bring my car or motorbike?+
Yes. Both ships carry cars, motorbikes and bicycles. Vehicle space sells out earlier than passenger space, and the fare depends on the vehicle class. Book the vehicle deck as early as you can and be at the terminal by the vehicle check-in deadline; loaded vehicles are lashed down by the crew.
Is an ID check really enforced?+
Yes, ID checks are standard on Korean coastal ferries. Bring your passport or Korean residence card for every passenger, children included. The name on the booking must match the document.
Which terminals do the ships use?+
In Wando, both ships use the ferry terminal in the harbour. On Jeju, mind the difference: the Gold Stella docks at the international terminal, the Silver Cloud at the coastal terminal next door. The two are close to each other in Jeju City port, but taxis and buses drop you at different entrances.