The South Korea Guide

Renting a Car and Driving in South Korea

· 7 min read Practical
Silver car driving along a Korean road with Korean-language signs and shops, Gangwon-do, South Korea

Contents

  1. IDP Requirements and Licence Rules
  2. Renting a Car in South Korea
  3. The Expressway and Toll System
  4. Navigation: What Works and What Doesn’t
  5. Driving in Jeju
  6. Driving Culture and Practical Notes
  7. Related Guides
  8. Plan Your Trip

Driving in South Korea is straightforward once you understand a few systems that differ from Western norms. The roads are generally well-maintained, the expressway network is extensive, and Korean drivers follow a broadly predictable pattern. The friction points for foreign visitors come at the rental desk (IDP requirements), on the expressways (toll payment), and in cities (navigation apps that work vs. those that don’t).

IDP Requirements and Licence Rules

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory for foreign nationals renting and driving in South Korea. You need to obtain this before arriving in Korea - it cannot be issued locally. The IDP must be carried alongside your original domestic driving licence.

How to get an IDP:

  • USA: Apply through AAA (American Automobile Association) - in-person or online, approximately USD 20
  • UK: Apply through the Post Office - in-person, approximately £5.50
  • Australia: Apply through your state motoring authority (NRMA, RACV, RACQ, etc.) - fees vary around AUD 25–35
  • Canada: Apply through CAA (Canadian Automobile Association)

The IDP is typically issued same-day for in-person applications and within a few days by post. Processing times vary; apply at least two weeks before travel.

Countries with bilateral agreements: A small number of nationalities can drive on their home licence without an IDP, including (as of 2026) Canadians, Austrians, and Swiss nationals. The Korea Road Traffic Authority (Korean: 도로교통공단) publishes an updated list - verify this before your trip, as the list changes.

Rental companies at Korean airports and city offices will check your IDP and original licence at collection. If either is missing or the IDP covers a different vehicle class, the rental will be declined with no refund.

Renting a Car in South Korea

Age requirements: The minimum rental age at most Korean agencies is 21, with a full year’s driving experience. Some companies set the minimum at 26 for vehicle classes above small/economy.

Major rental operators:

  • Lotte Rent-a-Car: Large domestic network, widely available at airports and KTX stations. English booking available online.
  • SK Rent-a-Car: Good availability at Incheon and Gimpo airports, English-language booking.
  • Hertz / Avis / Enterprise: International operators with Korean branches. Prices are typically 10–20% higher than domestic operators for equivalent vehicles.
  • Jeju-specific agencies: Multiple local operators at Jeju Airport offer competitive pricing for island rentals.

Typical rental costs (as of 2026):

  • Economy (Hyundai Avante or similar): approximately KRW 40,000–60,000 per day
  • Mid-size SUV (Hyundai Tucson or similar): approximately KRW 70,000–100,000 per day
  • Minivan: approximately KRW 90,000–130,000 per day
  • Electric vehicles (EV): available at major rental desks; charging cards are sometimes included

Insurance: Basic CDW (collision damage waiver) and liability insurance are typically included in rental rates in Korea. Optional full coverage (자차보험, jacha boeom) adds approximately KRW 10,000–20,000 per day and is worth taking for narrow city roads or unpaved routes.

The Expressway and Toll System

South Korea’s expressway network connects all major cities. Expressways are designated with route numbers (Seoul–Busan Expressway is Route 1) and are operated by Korea Expressway Corporation.

Paying tolls:

  1. Manned booths (유인 요금소): Accept cash and most Korean bank cards. International credit cards are sometimes accepted but not universally - carry some Korean won for backup.
  2. Hi-pass (하이패스): Korea’s electronic toll collection. Transponders are fitted in most rental vehicles. Confirm with your rental company whether Hi-pass is active and whether tolls are automatically billed to your card or settled at return.
  3. Do not enter Hi-pass lanes without an active transponder: The fine for doing so is the standard toll plus a penalty surcharge.

Sample toll costs (as of 2026):

  • Seoul → Busan (approximately 400 km via Gyeongbu Expressway): approximately KRW 20,000–22,000
  • Seoul → Gwangju (approximately 280 km): approximately KRW 14,000–16,000
  • Seoul → Gangneung (approximately 200 km via Yeongdong Expressway): approximately KRW 9,000–11,000

T-money cards (the transit card used for subways and buses) cannot be used to pay expressway tolls directly - the systems are separate.

The core problem with Google Maps: South Korean mapping law historically required domestic map data to be stored on Korean servers, which meant Google Maps could not use the same underlying geographic data as domestic providers. The result is that Google Maps driving directions in Korea are often incorrect, slow to update, and unreliable on rural routes. This situation has partially improved as of 2024–2025, but domestic apps remain significantly superior for routing.

Naver Maps (네이버 지도): The recommended app for driving in Korea. Real-time traffic data, speed camera alerts, accurate turn-by-turn routing, and English mode available through settings. Download the app before arriving and set the interface language to English (Settings → Language). Voice guidance can be set to Korean or English.

T Map (티맵): Popular with Korean drivers. Speed trap warnings, real-time congestion data, and EV charging station routing. English interface has improved significantly as of 2024. More commonly used for urban driving than Naver Maps by locals.

Kakao Maps (카카오맵): Best for searching local businesses and addresses in Korean. English interface is limited for driving; useful as a supplementary tool for finding parking and restaurant locations.

Offline maps: Download Naver Maps or T Map data for the regions you plan to visit before leaving areas with good signal. Rural roads in mountain areas can have weak coverage.

Driving in Jeju

Jeju is the ideal introduction to driving in Korea. The island has a simple ring road (1132 번도로) that circles the entire coastline plus a smaller inner circle road. All major attractions can be reached from these two routes.

Recommended Jeju self-drive route (2 days):

Day 1 (eastern coast and south):

  • Seongsan Ilchulbong (성산일출봉) - sunrise peak, morning arrival recommended
  • Manjanggul Lava Tube (만장굴) - world’s longest lava tube, approximately 1 km walkable
  • Jeju Folk Village Museum (성읍민속마을)
  • Jungmun Beach and Cheonjeyeon Falls

Day 2 (west coast and Hallasan):

  • Hallasan National Park (한라산) - choose the Eorimok or Yeongsil trail for accessible mid-mountain hiking
  • Hyeopjae Beach (협재해수욕장) - white sand and clear water, best on the west coast
  • Biyangdo Island viewpoint (by ferry from Hyeopjae)
  • Suwolbong tuff cone at sunset

Parking on Jeju: Most attraction car parks are free or low-cost (KRW 1,000–3,000). Paid parking machines accept credit cards and T-money.

Speed limits in Korea:

  • Urban areas: 60 km/h (50 km/h in school zones)
  • National roads: 80 km/h
  • Expressways: 100–110 km/h (some sections 120 km/h)
  • Speed cameras are very common - rental vehicles are registered to the owner, and fines are passed on

Driving Culture and Practical Notes

Driving side: Korea drives on the right side of the road.

Fuel: Petrol (gasoline/휘발유) and diesel (경유) are available at stations across the country. Petrol costs approximately KRW 1,600–1,900 per litre as of 2026. LPG fuel is common in Korea but most rental cars do not use it. EV charging infrastructure has expanded significantly, with chargers at most major attractions, shopping centres, and motorway service stations.

Parking: Major cities use colour-coded zones. White lines = free parking; yellow lines = restricted hours; red lines = no parking. Apps like Naver Maps and Kakao Maps show parking areas and fees near your destination.

Mobile data: A Korean SIM card or roaming data plan is essential for navigation. SIM cards are available from vending machines at Incheon Airport on arrival. eSIMs from Airalo or KT/SKT cover most areas of the country.

Emergency number: 112 (police), 119 (fire and ambulance). The Korea Automobile Insurance Federation operates a roadside assistance line; your rental company will provide a specific breakdown number.

Hire a car in South Korea through GetRentacar.

Compare travel insurance with EKTA - check your policy covers driving.

Driving is the best way to explore Jeju Island - the coastal circuit road passes all the main volcanic formations, beaches, and Olle Trail access points in a single day. Our essential apps for South Korea guide covers Naver Maps, Kakao T, and the other navigation and toll payment apps that make self-drive travel significantly easier. For broader trip planning, the first-time visitor guide covers visa, budget, and transport choices including when driving makes sense versus using the KTX.

Plan Your Trip

✈️ Book your flights to South Korea 🛡️ Get travel insurance 📱 Stay connected with an eSIM 🚗 Rent a car

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in South Korea?
Yes. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required for foreign nationals driving in South Korea. The IDP must be accompanied by your original home-country licence - the IDP alone is not valid. Korea accepts IDPs issued under the 1949 and 1968 Geneva Conventions; most issued by AAA (USA), the AA (UK), or equivalent national motoring bodies are valid. Korean authorities accept IDP-1949 from most countries. Without a valid IDP, rental companies will refuse to hand over the vehicle.
Can I drive in South Korea on my home country licence?
Not directly. South Korea requires an IDP for visitors from most countries. The main exception is for nationals of countries that have bilateral driving licence agreements with South Korea - currently including Canada, Austria, Switzerland, and a small number of others. Check the Korea Road Traffic Authority website for the current list before travelling, as agreements are updated periodically.
Is Jeju Island a good place for a self-drive trip?
Jeju is arguably the best destination in South Korea for a self-drive itinerary. Public transport on the island is limited and infrequent compared to the mainland, the road network is simple to navigate, the island is small enough to circle in a day, and the major attractions (Hallasan, Seongsan Ilchulbong, Manjanggul Cave, Cheonjiyeon Falls) are spread out in ways that reward having your own vehicle. Rental agencies are readily available at Jeju International Airport.
How do toll roads work in South Korea?
Korean expressways operate a toll system managed by Korea Expressway Corporation (한국도로공사). Tolls can be paid at manned booths (cash or card) or via Hi-pass, Korea's electronic toll collection system. Rental cars often come with a Hi-pass transponder installed; confirm with your rental company whether it is included and how the toll charges are billed. Using Hi-pass lanes without a transponder results in a fine.
Which navigation app should I use when driving in South Korea?
Naver Maps (네이버 지도) is the most accurate navigation option for driving in South Korea. It has full voice guidance in Korean and - in the Naver Map app set to English mode - will provide English route instructions. T Map (티맵) is also popular among Korean drivers and has improved its English interface. Google Maps has very limited road data for Korea and gives poor or incorrect routing for driving - do not use it as your primary navigation tool.