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Voykit pocket guide · South Korea
Gapado
가파도
A half-day trip from Jeju: 2 hours on the island, enough to walk the 4 km coast. Go for the barley fields in spring or the flat coastal walk; skip if you want cliffs or more time.
Gapado is a flat, farmed island south of Jeju, reachable by ferry from Unjin marina. Most visitors spend about 2 hours walking the coastline or cycling. The barley fields turn green in April–May, and the island is part of the Jeju Olle Trail. It is quieter than Marado and easier to walk.
- Country
- South Korea
- Local name
- 가파도
- Best months
- Apr–May (barley season), Sep–Oct
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot, humid, typhoon risk)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- KRW
- Money
- Cards work almost everywhere, including taxis, convenience stores and many market stalls; carry ₩30,000–50,000 in cash for street food, small markets and temple donations.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₩30,000–50,000 (ferry + snack) · Mid ₩50,000–80,000 (ferry + meal + bike rental) · High ₩80,000+ (ferry + meal + bike + overnight) (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- SK Telecom, KT and LG U+ sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs at airport arrivals; a passport is required, and data-only plans are cheapest.
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Fire and ambulance 119 · Korea Travel Helpline 1330
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 220 V · 60 Hz · Round two-pin European plugs fit; US and UK plugs need an adapter, and US-only appliances need a converter.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and cafés: No tip; a service charge appears only in top hotels.; Taxis: No tip; pay the meter.; Hotel porter: Not expected; ₩1,000–2,000 in luxury hotels if you want.; Private guide or driver: Not expected; ₩10,000–20,000 or a meal is a thank-you.
- Water
- Officially safe from the tap; most people drink filtered water, and restaurants serve it free. Bottles cost ₩800–1,500 at convenience stores.
- Toilets
- Free, clean public toilets in every subway station; paper goes in the toilet in new buildings, in the bin where a sign asks. Bidets are common.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Return ferry from Unjin marina | ₩10,000–20,000 |
| Bike rental on Gapado | ₩5,000–15,000 |
| Simple meal (noodles, rice) | ₩5,000–15,000 |
| Bottle of water | ₩1,000–2,000 |
| Bus from Moseulpo to Unjin marina, one way | ₩1,200 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CJU · Jeju International Airport
- From the airport, take a bus or taxi to Moseulpo (about 1.5 h), then a local bus to Unjin marina.
Typical fares
- Return ferry from Unjin marina
- about ₩10,000–20,000, check
- Bus from Moseulpo to Unjin marina, one way
- about ₩1,200, check
- Bike rental on Gapado
- about ₩5,000–15,000, check
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk the 4 km (2.5 mi) coast in about 1 hour; bicycles can be rented near the ferry dock. The island is flat.Walk the 2.5 mi (4 km) coast in about 1 hour; bicycles can be rented near the ferry dock. The island is flat.
See and do
Known for
- Flat coastal walk
- Barley fields and green barley festival (Apr–May)
- Olle Trail Route 10-1
- Gapado Lookout
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Marado Island | Ferry from Unjin marina (same operator); about 30 min | About 1 h from Jeju |
| Jeju City | Bus from Moseulpo to Jeju City, about 1.5 h | About 2.5 h |
| Seogwipo | Bus from Moseulpo to Seogwipo, about 1 h | About 2 h |
Sleep
- Gapado (island itself)
- A few guesthouses exist; most visitors return to Jeju the same day.
- Moseulpo / southwest Jeju
- Closest mainland base; bus to Unjin marina about 30 min.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | 안녕하세요annyeonghaseyo |
| Thank you | 감사합니다gamsahamnida |
| How much is it? | 얼마예요?eolmayeyo? |
| One ticket to Gapado, please | 가파도 가는 표 한 장 주세요gapado ganeun pyo han jang juseyo |
| Where is the ferry? | 배는 어디에 있어요?baeneun eodie isseoyo? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A slight bow with a 'annyeonghaseyo'; handshake with the right hand, left hand touching the right forearm; avoid: Hugs and cheek kisses with people you have just met
- Age and rank: Expect to be asked your age; it sets how people speak to you. Let the eldest sit and start first; avoid: Calling older people by their given name
- Handing things: Two hands for money, cards, gifts and drinks; avoid: Passing things with one hand to older people
- Subway: Quiet voices, bags off seats, queue at the marked lines; avoid: Priority and pink pregnancy seats, even when empty
- Home visit: Shoes off; bring fruit or a boxed gift; refuse once before accepting; avoid: Writing names in red ink — it is used for the dead
- Temples: Covered shoulders and knees; bow at the main hall; avoid: Stepping on thresholds; loud talk; pointing at Buddha statues
- Numbers: Know that 4 is unlucky; buildings may show F instead of a fourth floor; avoid: Giving gifts in sets of four
- Sensitive topics: Listen; follow your host's lead; avoid: Comparing Korea with Japan or China casually; jokes about the North, the Japanese colonial era, or plastic surgery
Scams and watch-outs
- Last ferry from Gapado departs at 16:10; check the schedule on the ferry operator's website.
- You need a passport or Korean ID to board the ferry.
- No ATMs on the island; bring cash.
- The marine park fee is included in the ferry ticket.
Gapado is very safe. The main risks are missing the last ferry (16:10) and sun exposure on the exposed coastal path. Bring water and sunscreen.Gapado is very safe. The main risks are missing the last ferry (4:10 PM) and sun exposure on the exposed coastal path. Bring water and sunscreen.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Gapado yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Flat coastal walk
- Barley fields and green barley festival (Apr–May)
- Olle Trail Route 10-1
- Gapado Lookout
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Ferry operator (Wonderful Island): www.wonderfulis.co.kr/boarding_guide/time/
- Jeju Olle Trail: www.jejuolle.org/trail_en#/road/10_1
- Wikivoyage: Gapado, revision 4975573 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4975573
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Gapado가파도
이 주소로 가 주세요
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
Most embassies are in Seoul; the nearest consulate for many countries is in Jeju City. Check your country's website.
No ATMs on Gapado; bring cash.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/gapado). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.