Getting to Jeju Island from Daejeon
Jeju Island is Korea's largest island and a popular destination for participants extending their stay before or after the workshop. As Jeju is an island, the only practical way to get there from Daejeon is by air. There is no airport in Daejeon itself; the two realistic routes are via Cheongju International Airport (CJJ), the nearest airport, or via Gimpo Airport (GMP) in Seoul.
Option 1 — Via Cheongju Airport (CJJ, nearest & simplest)
Cheongju International Airport is located about 37 km north of Daejeon (roughly a 35–45 minute drive). Jeju is its main domestic route, served by multiple airlines including Korean Air, Asiana, Jeju Air, Jin Air, Eastar Jet, T'way and Aero K, with frequent daily departures. The flight to Jeju takes about one hour.
Getting from Daejeon to Cheongju Airport:
- By train: Mugunghwa trains run from Daejeon Station to Cheongju Airport Station in about 50–55 minutes at a very low fare. The station is about 600 m from the passenger terminal, with a shuttle bus connecting the two. Note that trains are infrequent (roughly every 2–3 hours), so check the Korail timetable in advance and allow plenty of margin.
- By intercity bus: buses run to the airport from the Daejeon Terminal Complex and from Yuseong. Services are limited to a few departures per day, so check times in advance.
- By taxi or car: the most flexible option, taking about 35–45 minutes from northern Daejeon. This is often the most convenient choice for groups or early-morning flights.
청주국제공항으로 가주세요.
“Please take me to Cheongju International Airport.”
Option 2 — Via Gimpo Airport (GMP, most flight choices)
The Gimpo–Jeju route is the busiest air route in the world, with departures every few minutes throughout the day. This option involves more ground travel but offers far more flight times and fare options:
- KTX from Daejeon Station to Seoul Station (about one hour).
- Subway or AREX from Seoul Station to Gimpo Airport (about 30–40 minutes).
- Flight from Gimpo to Jeju (about one hour, all major domestic carriers).
Total journey time is roughly 4 hours including transfers and check-in, compared with about 2.5–3 hours via Cheongju.
What about ferries?
Passenger ferries to Jeju operate from southern ports such as Mokpo and Wando, not from Daejeon. Reaching a ferry port from Daejeon and sailing to Jeju takes most of a day, so ferries are only recommended if you specifically prefer sea travel or are traveling with a vehicle.
Practical tips
- Book flights early — Jeju routes are heavily used by domestic travelers, and October is a popular travel season.
- Domestic flights require ID (passport for foreign visitors); check-in typically closes 20–30 minutes before departure.
- Baggage allowances on low-cost carriers (Jeju Air, Jin Air, Eastar Jet, T'way, Aero K) are smaller than on full-service airlines; check before booking if you travel with conference materials or posters.
- Flight schedules can be checked and compared on the airlines' websites or on the Cheongju International Airport website.