Korea Car Rental Guide: Renting a Car in Korea – What You Must Know (2025 Edition)

 







Planning a road trip across Korea or exploring Jeju Island at your own pace? 🚗 Renting a car in Korea is one of the most convenient and flexible ways to see the country. But before you hit the road, it’s essential to know how to rent, what documents you need, and how driving in Korea differs from your home country.

This Korea Car Rental Guide will walk you through everything—from requirements and insurance to local driving tips—so you can travel smoothly and safely in 2025. 🇰🇷✨

📋 What You Need to Rent a Car in Korea

To legally rent and drive a car in South Korea, you’ll need the following:

  • 🪪 Valid Passport
  • 💳 International Driving Permit (IDP) based on the 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna Convention
  • 🏠 Home Country Driver’s License
  • 💰 Credit Card (for deposit and payment)

⚠️ Note: A digital IDP or screenshot is not accepted—you must present the physical booklet. Without an IDP, you cannot rent or drive in Korea.










🏢 Where to Rent a Car in Korea

Major cities and airports have several trusted rental companies offering both short-term and long-term rentals. You can book online in advance or at the counter.

  • 🚗 Lotte Rent-a-Car – Most popular among locals and foreigners; English support available.
  • 🚗 AJ Rent-a-Car (SK Rent-a-Car) – Reliable, wide coverage nationwide.
  • 🚗 Hertz Korea – Ideal for international travelers familiar with global rental systems.
  • 🚗 Jeju Rent Car – Great for visitors flying to Jeju Island.

👉 Pro Tip: Compare prices on aggregator sites like KLOOK, Trazy, or Rentalcars.com for deals and English-language support.

🕒 Age & Experience Requirements

  • 🚙 Minimum age: 21 years old
  • 📅 Must have held a driver’s license for at least 1 year
  • 💳 Younger drivers (21–25) may need to pay a young driver surcharge

💸 Car Rental Prices in 2025

Rates depend on the car type, duration, and location:

  • 🚗 Compact cars: 60,000–80,000 KRW/day
  • 🚙 SUVs: 90,000–150,000 KRW/day
  • 🚐 Vans or family cars: 120,000–200,000 KRW/day
  • 🛣️ Jeju rentals: Often cheaper, especially for compact cars.

💡 Tip: Book online in advance for better prices and guaranteed availability—especially during holidays like Chuseok and Seollal.

🧾 Insurance Options

Always double-check what your rental insurance covers. Most companies include basic coverage but offer add-ons for peace of mind.

  • 🛡️ CDW (Collision Damage Waiver): Covers vehicle damage (you still pay a deductible).
  • 🚦 PAI (Personal Accident Insurance): Covers driver and passengers.
  • 🔑 Full Coverage: Recommended for foreign visitors—it covers nearly everything with minimal fees.

📄 Always take photos of your car before leaving the lot—especially scratches or dents—to avoid disputes later.

🗺️ Popular Places to Drive in Korea

  • 🌊 Jeju Island: Coastal roads, waterfalls, and volcanic scenery—perfect for self-driving adventures.
  • 🏙️ Seoul → Gangwon-do: Mountain views, ski resorts, and lakes just a couple of hours away.
  • 🏖️ Busan Coastal Drive: Beautiful seaside routes from Haeundae to Songdo.
  • 🌸 Gyeongju: Historical sites, temples, and scenic countryside roads.

🛣️ Driving Rules & Essentials in Korea

  • ➡️ Drive on the right-hand side of the road.
  • 🚫 No phones while driving (unless hands-free).
  • 👶 Seatbelts required for all passengers.
  • 🥂 Zero tolerance for drunk driving—even small amounts can lead to severe penalties.
  • 🕹️ Navigation: Use Naver Map or KakaoMap (Google Maps doesn’t work well in Korea).

🚦 Speed limits: 50–60 km/h in cities, 80–100 km/h on highways. Speed cameras are everywhere—drive carefully!

🅿️ Parking & Toll Tips

  • 🅿️ Parking is available at public lots, malls, and roadside spots. Expect to pay 1,000–3,000 KRW per hour in cities.
  • 🛣️ Expressways: Most are toll roads. Pay using a Hi-Pass card (rental cars often include one).
  • 💳 If not, you can pay cash or card at toll booths when exiting.

📶 Connectivity & Navigation

  • 📱 Rent WiFi Korea or buy a KT&G SIM card for GPS and translation apps.
  • 🗺️ KakaoMap and Naver Map provide accurate driving directions in English.
  • 🎧 Voice navigation: Choose English audio guidance to make driving stress-free.

🚗 Returning the Car

When returning your car:

  • ⛽ Refill the tank to the same level as when you picked up the car (keep the receipt).
  • 🧾 Arrive 20–30 minutes early for inspection and deposit refund.
  • 📸 Take final photos of the car for your records.

💡 Pro Tips for First-Time Drivers in Korea

  • 🕔 Avoid rush hours (8–10 AM, 6–8 PM) in Seoul—it can get congested.
  • 🧭 Highway rest areas are great for food stops—try Korean corn dogs or coffee!
  • 🧍‍♂️ Pedestrians always have right of way at crosswalks—stop even if they hesitate.
  • 🌧️ Check the weather before long drives, especially in monsoon season (June–August).

🛏️ Useful Travel Add-ons

  • 🏨 Check hotel deals near Seoul Station or Jeju Airport here.
  • 📶 Rent WiFi Korea for reliable GPS and maps.
  • 📱 Buy a KT&G SIM card to stay connected anywhere in Korea.
  • 🎫 Purchase a T-money card for public transport when you’re not driving.

✅ Conclusion

Renting a car in Korea is a fantastic way to explore beyond the big cities—whether it’s cruising along Jeju’s coastline or discovering hidden temples in Gyeongju. As long as you have your IDP, passport, and a good navigation app, you’ll find driving here surprisingly easy and enjoyable. 🚗💨

Would you prefer driving through Jeju Island or the mountains of Gangwon-do? Share your dream Korean road trip in the comments below!

🏷️ Labels & Hashtags

Labels: Korea car rental guide, Driving in Korea, Rent a car Jeju, Korean travel tips, Road trip in Korea, Foreigner driving in Korea
Hashtags: #bookhotelinSeoul #buyKTandGSimcard #purchaseTmoneycard #rentWiFiKorea #orderKoreancosmetics #KoreaCarRental #DrivinginKorea #JejuRoadTrip #KoreanTrip #VisitKorea

ℹ️ About Hello Korea

Hello Korea shares honest, helpful guides for traveling and living in Korea—from a foreigner’s perspective.

📬 Contact

Questions or inquiries? hello.korea.blog@gmail.com

🔒 Privacy Policy

All personal information will be used solely for the purposes of this blog and will not be used for any other reason.

⚠️ Disclaimer

The information on this blog is based on personal experience and publicly available sources. Actual experiences may differ. Rental policies, fees, and driving rules may change—please confirm with the rental agency or official authorities before driving.

🌤️ Friendly Reminder

8. Information may vary slightly by environment and region. Please use this as a reference only.





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