How to plan a 2D1N Jeju weekend trip for under $500

Forget clearing days off work — with direct flights from Singapore to Jeju, a dreamy weekend escape to the “Hawaii of South Korea” is totally doable. Yes, just a weekend!

Thanks to red-eye flights on T’Way and Scoot, you can land in Jeju early in the morning, pack your days with adventure, and still make it back to Singapore by Sunday night (technically early Monday morning).

If you’ve read our recent guide to flying direct to Jeju for as low as S$300 round trip, this 2D1N itinerary shows you how to squeeze maximum fun into a quick island getaway — without breaking the bank or burning your annual leave.

Jeju Travel Essentials: What to sort out before you go

A little prep goes a long way. Here are the must-dos to ensure a smooth, fuss-free trip:

Book your flights

• Cost: From $300 per person (round trip)
• Duration: ~6 hours
• Airlines: Scoot, T’Way

Both airlines operate overnight flights, so you can maximise your time exploring as soon as you land.

To get the best balance of timing and value, we recommend T’Way Flight TW166: it departs Singapore at 2:15am and lands in Jeju at 9:20am. While Scoot’s earlier flight arrives at 7:15am, T’Way includes 15kg of free checked baggage (vs. Scoot’s 10kg carry-on only) and its arrival time aligns better with car rental opening hours — no waiting around to start your adventure.

Estimated cost: $305 per person

Budget-friendly hotels

You don’t need to splurge to stay comfortably in Jeju. For convenience, consider:

• Aewol: ~20–30 minutes from the airport
• Tapdong Plaza: ~15 minutes from the airport

Hotels here go for around $50–S$70 per night, giving you a cosy home base close to food, shopping, and attractions.

Budget-friendly picks:

• Jeju Rich Hotel
• Olle Resort
• Hotel Whistlelark Jeju
• Cadelhas (my fave — huge in-room jacuzzi)

Estimated cost: $30 per person per night

Rent a Car

The easiest way to explore Jeju is by car. Expect to pay about $20–$35 per day with full Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) coverage — essential since Jeju is left-hand drive.

• Orcar is the most convenient option for tourists — fully online, no language barrier.
• Rainbow Rent (Korean site) and SK Rent (foreigner-friendly) often have better rates than big players like Lotte Rent-A-Car, which is pricier and geared to English-speaking visitors.

Must-have if you drive: International Driving Permit (IDP)

Must-have: Bring your physical driving licence and an International Driving Permit (IDP), which costs $20 from the Automobile Association of Singapore and is valid for one year.

Estimated cost: $18 (car) + $20 (IDP) per person

Get an e-SIM

Stay connected without hassle — you can find e-SIMs as low as $1.39 on Shopee

Estimated cost: $2 per person

Buy Travel Insurance

A small expense for peace of mind. FWD or Etiqa are reliable options with straightforward claims.

Estimated cost: $15 per person

Total Estimated Pre-Trip Cost: ~$390

That leaves you some wiggle room for food, attractions, and spontaneous Jeju adventures — all while keeping your 2D1N trip under S$500.

Jeju Weekend Itinerary – Day 1: Beaches, Waterfalls, Scenic Drives & Seafood

Highlights:

• Noraba Seafood Ramyun
• Gueom Stone Salt Flats
• Jeju Salt Coffee
• Saebyeol Oreum
• O’sulloc Tea Museum
• Innisfree Jeju House
• Sanbangsan
• Jeju Black Pork BBQ
• Sanbangsan Mountain Carbonate Hot Springs

With your flights, hotel and car sorted, it’s time to dive into the itinerary — one that squeezes every minute out of your short getaway. And because Singaporeans love a good deal, everything on this list comes with free parking and zero entry fees (unless otherwise stated).

2:15am – 9:20am: Catch T’Way Flight TW166 from Singapore (2:15am) and land in Jeju around 9:20am. According to my personal experience, immigration is usually fuss-free — you should be out of the airport by 10:30am.

10:30am - 11:30am: Hop on the free airport shuttle (5–10 minutes) to your rental office to pick up your rental car.

• Orcar: Unlock via app, no human interaction needed.
• SK / Rainbow Rent: Allow extra time for paperwork.

Seafood ramyun at Noraba

11:30am - 1:00pm: Kickstart your trip with hearty seafood ramyun and ocean views at Noraba in Aewol (20-minute drive). Known for its abundant seafood ramyun and stunning ocean views, it’s the perfect spot to kick off your Jeju adventure with a satisfying meal and great vibes.

Menu highlights:

• Octopus ramyun — ₩15,000 (S$13.80)
• Seafood ramyun — ₩11,000 (S$10.12)
• Octopus sashimi — ₩12,000 (S$11.04)
• Korean lunchbox — ₩6,500 (S$5.98)

Estimated cost: ~$12 per person

Walk the Gueom Stone Salt Flats

1:00pm - 1:30pm: After lunch, stretch your legs with a stroll along the stunning Gueom Stone Salt Flats. This special coastal spot is known for its old salt-making tradition using seawater evaporated on black volcanic rocks, offering breathtaking views and fantastic photo ops to show off your Jeju trip!

Estimated cost: Free

Coffee break at Jeju Salt Coffee

1:30pm - 2:00pm:Take a breather at this charming new cafe just a few weeks old, tucked next to Noraba’s parking area. The owner, who lives in the cafe itself, specialises in a must-try salt cream coffee priced at 6,000₩ (S$5.52). You’ll also find refreshing drinks like Jeju green tangerine ade, grapefruit ade, and a variety of coffees on the menu.

The highlight? The cafe’s super chill dog aptly named Salt who lounges peacefully — even with the gate wide open, he doesn’t wander off. 

Estimated cost: ~$6 per person

Hike Saebyeol Oreum

2:00 - 3:30pm: Drive 20 minutes to Saebyeol Oreum, a volcanic cone blanketed in silver grass. The climb is free, the parking lot is spacious and free, and the trail is well-maintained, making for a chill, refreshing hike. The 30- to 60-minute hike rewards you with panoramic views of Jeju’s countryside, coastline, and city.

Estimated cost: Free

O’sulloc Tea Museum & Innisfree Jeju House

3:30pm - 5:00pm: Just 15 minutes away, visit Jeju’s most famous tea fields and learn about skincare that is made with Jeju’s botanicals.

• The O’sulloc Tea Museum: Learn about Korean tea culture, wander the lush fields, and treat yourself to matcha desserts.
• Innisfree Jeju House: Browse skincare made with Jeju botanicals, pick up postcards, or join fun workshops.

Estimated cost: Free (unless you go shopping)

Explore Sanbangsan

5:00pm - 6:00pm: Wrap up your afternoon with a quick 15-minute drive from Innisfree Jeju House to Sanbangsan, the bell-shaped lava dome that stands out against the coastal landscape. Explore Sanbangsan Bomunsa Temple nearby, famous for its striking architecture and impressive Buddha statues — no need to climb up if you’re just here to take in the vibes. Or check out Sanbangsan Land for quirky activities like sledding or mini rides (~$5).

Estimated cost: Free (unless you pay for activities at Sanbangsan Land)

Dinner at a restaurant that serves Jeju’s famous black pork BBQ

6:00pm - 7:30pm: No Jeju trip is complete without its famous black pork barbecue. Around Sanbangsan, you’ll find plenty of popular joints. A great pick: Don Go Pang (돈고팡), known for alfresco dining and generous set meals.

Set for 2: ₩49,000 (S$45) — includes 400g black pork belly, kimchi stew, steamed egg, rice, and drinks.

Estimated cost: ~$23 per person

Try an authentic Korean spa experience

8:00pm: Wind down the night with a true jimjilbang (Korean spa) experience. Jeju pretty much winds down after dark, so there aren’t many things to do at night.

Enter Sanbangsan Mountain Carbonate Hot Springs, my go-to night activity in Jeju. But that’s if you don’t mind being naked with other people — because yes, while the indoor baths are gender-segregated, clothing is not allowed. There are outdoor hot springs too, and you’ll need a swimsuit for those.

I’ve personally been here multiple times and totally love the whole jimjilbang (JJB) experience. The entrance fee just costs 13,000₩ (S$11.95), and opens until 11pm daily. I usually spend around 3 hours here. 

• Sauna rooms + classic snacks like kimbap, tteokbokki, and sikhye
• Optional Korean body scrub (~S$20) leaves your skin baby-smooth
• Entrance fee: ₩13,000 (S$11.95)

Estimated Day 1 Cost: ~$53 per person

Jeju Weekend Itinerary – Day 2: Cafés, Coastlines, Shopping & Souvenirs

Highlights:

• Aewol Street Cafes
• Red Horse Lighthouse
• Dodu Rainbow Coastal Road
• Yongduam Rock
• Yongyeon Valley
• Dongmun Market
• Chilsungro Shopping Town
• Jungang Underground Shopping Center

Assuming you take T’Way flight TW165 from Jeju to Singapore departing at 7:50pm, you’ll have until around 4pm or 5pm to make the most of your final day in Jeju.

Breakfast at Aewol Street Cafes

10:00am - 11:00am: After checking out of your hotel, start the morning with coffee and breakfast at Aewol Street, Jeju’s trendiest café district. Some favourites:

• Tribe – known for fluffy soufflé pancakes
• Menuha – cosy Western-style dishes with a sea view

Estimated cost: $15 per person

Red Horse Lighthouse & Dodu Rainbow Coastal Road

11:00am - 12:00pm: After breakfast, head over for some more IG-worthy shots at Red Horse Lighthouse and Dodu Rainbow Coastal Road. They’re a 30-minute drive from Aewol Street Cafe, and just both photo spots are about a 4-minute drive apart, so quick stops are easy. Don’t miss the souvenir stores at the Red Horse Lighthouse if you want to grab a little keepsake.

Estimated cost: Free

Yongduam Rock & Yongyeon Valley

12:00pm - 1:00pm: A 10-minute drive brings you to Yongduam Rock, a volcanic formation shaped like a dragon’s head. After snapping pictures, stroll to Yongyeon Valley and cross the scenic wooden suspension bridge overlooking calm waters.

Estimated cost: Free

Dongmun Market, Chilsungro Shopping Town & Jungang Underground Shopping Center

Sight seeing may be over, but it’s time for even more cardio — shopping. Park at Tapdong Plaza (free parking, 7 minutes from Yongduam Rock) and shop your way through three must-visit retail spots:

• Dongmun Market – street food, Jeju snacks, fresh seafood, and classic Korean banchan (side dishes). Don’t miss Isaac Toast for a quick bite.
• Chilsungro Shopping Town – a modern shopping street with ABC Mart, Nike, New Balance, Crocs, and Artbox.
• Jungang Underground Shopping Center – bargain cosmetics (The Face Shop, Skinfood), luggage, souvenirs, and fashion for all ages.

If these three spots aren’t enough to satisfy your shopping cravings, you can always swing by Top10 (Korea’s Uniqlo) and Emart for groceries. 

Estimated cost: Varies, because you might be shopping up a storm.

Return car & head to Jeju International Airport

Return your rental car with time to spare, refuel, and catch the free shuttle bus to the terminal. Before boarding, grab a box of Paris Baguette Jeju Sand Cookies (18,000₩ / ~S$16.55) — a must-buy sweet souvenir.

Flight home: T’Way TW165 at 7:50pm

Estimated Day 2 Cost: ~$15 (if you don’t go shopping)