Jeju Recommendations no one asked for- Jeju East:
1) Airport Car rental from Orcar at least 30% cheaper than Lotte.
2) Waking up at 430am and taking 1 hour drive to UNESCO “Sunrise Peak” was worth it. Reached at 6am and everyone was already rushing to the top. Read that the climb was about 30min. I may or may not have reached the top in 10min. It was a cloudy and windy morning but still one of the best experience with the sun rises above the tuff cone. Lotsa breakfast options nearby. Stopped by Starbucks for some matcha Latte and Pink Salt Shio Pan.
3) Took a gamble and board the ferry (need passport) to Udo island (15min ferry ride) to see if I can ride the cute e-scooter without bike license. By right, you need IDP Bike license too. Found the one and only shop that accept (Thank you TikTok). Watch till the end for the rental shop name. 1 round of the island takes about 1 hour without stopping. Stopped for their famous peanut ice cream and Sotong. Quite fun despite being abit touristy.
3. Seabirds eating Prawn crackers.
If you’re planning a trip to East Jeju and want to stick to a budget, I highly recommend using Orcar for airport car rentals—they are at least 30% cheaper than popular alternatives like Lotte. This saved me a significant amount and gave me the freedom to explore at my own pace. I woke up at 4:30 AM to catch the sunrise at UNESCO’s Sunrise Peak. Although others said it would take about 30 minutes to climb, I managed it in 10 minutes and was rewarded with a stunning sunrise above the tuff cone—despite some clouds and wind. Nearby, there are plenty of cozy breakfast spots where I grabbed a matcha latte and the local pink salt shio pan at Starbucks. One of the highlights was taking a ferry to Udo Island (you do need a passport). I was curious about renting an e-scooter without a bike license, which generally requires an International Driving Permit. Thanks to a TikTok tip, I found a rental shop that accepted this and got to enjoy a whole one-hour loop around the island. The ride was fun, and I enjoyed tasting local treats like peanut ice cream and sotong. It’s a bit touristy but definitely worth it. Also, be sure to feed the seabirds prawn crackers—it's a charming little moment. For getting around and budget-friendly travel tips, consider checking out bus passes like the Namma Metro's new QR code unlimited travel passes for unlimited convenience. Overall, Jeju doesn’t have to be expensive if you plan accordingly and indulge in these affordable yet memorable experiences.
