CJU Airport: Jeju International Airport Explained

CJU is the airport code for Jeju International Airport, the main air gateway to Jeju Island off the southern coast of South Korea. If you have been searching for the Jeju airport code, CJU is the IATA code you will see on tickets and departure boards, and RKPC is the ICAO code used by pilots and air traffic control. In Korean the airport is called 제주국제공항.

The airport is run by Korea Airports Corporation, the state company that manages most of South Korea's regional airports. It sits on the edge of Jeju City, the island's capital, and handles both domestic flights to the Korean mainland and international flights around East and Southeast Asia.

For visitors who fly, nearly every trip to Jeju, from a weekend on the beach to a hike up Hallasan, starts and ends at this terminal.

Where Is Jeju Airport (CJU)?

Jeju International Airport lies on the northern coast of the island, about 4 km west of central Jeju City. That makes it unusually close to town. A taxi from the terminal to downtown Jeju City normally takes around ten minutes, traffic permitting.

The official address is 2 Gonghang-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. From here, the resort area of Jungmun and the city of Seogwipo lie on the opposite, southern side of the island, so allow roughly an hour or more by road to reach them.

Flights from Jeju CJU: Domestic and International

Domestic flights to the Korean mainland

Domestic flying is the heart of Jeju Airport. The route between Jeju and Seoul Gimpo is extremely busy, with departures throughout the day. There are also frequent flights between Jeju and other cities on the mainland, so a flight from Jeju to Seoul is usually easy to find at short notice.

A long list of Korean airlines serves the airport. Korean Air and Asiana Airlines both have a large presence, and low-cost carriers including Jeju Air, Jin Air and Eastar Jet run bases here. Jeju Air, whose name many travellers search when looking for Jeju air tickets, takes its name from the island.

International flights from Jeju

CJU also has a growing international network. Flights connect Jeju with mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, with some seasonal routes as well. Among the routes travellers ask about most are Jeju to Shanghai, Jeju to Osaka, Jeju to Fukuoka and Jeju to Tokyo. A nonstop flight also links Jeju with Singapore, which takes around six and a half hours.

International schedules shift from season to season, and some routes run only a few times a week. Compare the current options for your dates on Traveloka before you plan the rest of your trip.

Jeju International Airport Terminal and Facilities

Jeju Airport uses a single passenger terminal building. One side handles domestic flights and the other handles international flights, so check which side your flight uses before you queue. Arrivals and ground transport are on the ground floor, and check-in and departures are on the upper floors.

Inside, you will find free Wi-Fi, restaurants and cafés, convenience stores and duty-free shopping for international passengers. The airport offers services for travellers with reduced mobility, families with young children and pregnant passengers, as well as accessible facilities. There is a medical centre in the terminal, and car parks sit right in front of the building for anyone picking up or dropping off.

Check-in and bag drop times vary by airline, as the airport itself points out. Low-cost carriers can be strict about closing their counters, so do not leave it until the last minute.

Getting to and from Jeju Airport

Airport limousine buses

Airport limousine buses leave from stops right outside the arrivals level. Limousine bus 600 runs through Jeju City and on to the Jungmun Tourist Complex, then continues to Seogwipo. The ride to Jungmun takes around 50 minutes, and Seogwipo is further on. Bus 800 skips Jungmun and heads more directly to Seogwipo. These buses are a comfortable option if your hotel is on the south coast.

City buses

Regular island buses stop at the airport and connect it with Jeju City and other parts of the island. They are slower than the limousine buses but reach a wider set of stops.

Taxis

Taxis wait at the rank outside arrivals. Because the airport is so close to Jeju City, a taxi to downtown usually takes only around ten minutes. For longer trips to the south of the island, a taxi is quick but costs considerably more than the bus.

Rental cars

Many visitors rent a car to explore Jeju, since the island's sights are spread out. Several rental companies operate at the airport. If you have booked in advance, look for the rental car shuttle stop outside the terminal, which takes you to the rental car centre to collect your vehicle.

Jeju Airport Travel Tips and Entry Rules

• Know the Jeju visa waiver. Jeju runs its own visa-free entry scheme. Holders of most ordinary passports can stay on Jeju for up to 30 days without a visa, as long as they fly directly into Jeju from abroad. The scheme does not let you continue to the mainland, and some nationalities are excluded. Check the current rules, including any K-ETA requirement, before you travel.
• Allow time on busy days. Weekends, Korean public holidays and the summer season bring big crowds to the domestic side of the terminal.
• Watch the weather. Strong winds and summer typhoons can disrupt flights to and from the island. If a storm is forecast, check your flight status before you head to the airport.
• Carry your passport for international flights. You will need it at check-in and for immigration on the international side.

Exploring Jeju Island from CJU

Jeju is a volcanic island known for its coastline, lava landscapes and relaxed pace. Hallasan, the dormant volcano at the centre of the island, is a favourite with hikers. On the east coast, Seongsan Ilchulbong, a crater rising from the sea, draws visitors at sunrise. The south coast around Jungmun and Seogwipo has resorts, waterfalls and beaches.

Closer to the airport, Jeju City has the Yongduam rock formation on the seafront and the busy Dongmun Market, where you can try local specialities such as black pork and tangerines. Because the airport is so close to town, it is easy to fit these into the first or last day of your trip.

Planning your Jeju getaway? Compare flights to and from CJU and set a Price Alert on Traveloka to find the right fare.