Major city · South Korea
Jinju진주
Give Jinju one full day and one night: the fortress and Namgang lanterns are the point, and the city is small enough to walk.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- KRW
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct (lantern festival)
- avoid Jul–Aug (heavy rain, 300 mm+ in July), mid-winter cold snaps
- Airports
- HIN · PUS
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- South Korea ↗Check K-ETA and visa status on the official sites before you fly; the list of nationalities exempted from registering online changes year by year.
- South Korea ↗Google Maps gives poor walking and driving directions in Korea; use Naver Map or Kakao Map for routes.
- South Korea ↗Buy a T-money card (or use a phone-based transit pass) for subway and buses; it also pays at convenience stores and many taxis.
Jinju is a mid-sized city in South Gyeongsang split by the Nam River, known for the Imjin War fortress, the October lantern festival and its own raw-beef bibimbap. Most travellers pass through on the way between Busan and the west, or stop for one night during the festival. Two nights covers the fortress, the museum and a river walk without rushing.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Jinju, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cards work almost everywhere, including taxis, convenience stores and many market stalls; carry ₩30,000–50,000 (≈ US$25–40) in cash for street food…South Korea-wide
- SIM or eSIMSK Telecom, KT and LG U+ sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs at airport arrivals; a passport is required, and data-only plans are cheapest.South Korea-wide
- Tap waterOfficially safe from the tap; most people drink filtered water, and restaurants serve it free.South Korea-wide
- TippingRestaurants and cafés: No tip; a service charge appears only in top hotels.South Korea-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.South Korea-wide
- SafetyJinju is a low-crime city and walking the centre at night is normal.
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in every subway station; paper goes in the toilet in new buildings, in the bin where a sign asks.South Korea-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 1330 (≈ under US$1) Travel helpline (24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysPalaces close one weekday (Gyeongbokgung Tuesday, others mostly Monday); national museums open daily but close on 1 Jan, Seollal and Chuseok days.South Korea-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportHIN Sacheon Airport (About 20 km from the city; daily flights to Seoul Gimpo and twice-weekly to Jeju.HIN Sacheon Airport (About 12 mi from the city; daily flights to Seoul Gimpo and twice-weekly to Jeju.
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable and the Nam River has a riverside park with bike paths and restrooms.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee₩4,000–6,000 (≈ US$3–5)
- Beerdraught / convenience-store can₩4,000–6,000 (≈ US$3–5)₩2,000–3,500 (≈ US$2–3)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₩15,000–35,000 (≈ US$11–30)
- Museum or sight ticketFortress admission₩1,000 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person₩15,000 (≈ US$11)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per room₩100,000 (≈ US$75)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per room₩200,000 (≈ US$150)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₩60,000 (≈ US$45) · Mid ₩100,000 (≈ US$75) · High ₩180,000 (≈ US$130)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HIN Sacheon Airport (About 20 km from the city; daily flights to Seoul Gimpo and twice-weekly to Jeju. Bus to the centre about 25 min, ₩4,000–5,000 (check).) · PUS Gimhae International Airport (Busan) (About 1.5 h by road; the practical international gateway for Jinju.)HIN Sacheon Airport (About 12 mi from the city; daily flights to Seoul Gimpo and twice-weekly to Jeju. Bus to the centre about 25 min, ₩4,000–5,000 (check).) · PUS Gimhae International Airport (Busan) (About 1.5 h by road; the practical international gateway for Jinju.)
Weather and climate
Jinju: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C45°F
−6°C21°F
5 rd
Feb
10°C50°F
−4°C25°F
5 rd
Mar
14°C57°F
1°C34°F
7 rd
Apr
20°C68°F
6°C43°F
8 rd
May
25°C77°F
12°C54°F
9 rd
Jun
27°C81°F
17°C63°F
10 rd
Jul
30°C86°F
22°C72°F
14 rd
Aug
31°C88°F
22°C72°F
13 rd
Sep
27°C81°F
17°C63°F
9 rd
Oct
22°C72°F
9°C48°F
5 rd
Nov
16°C61°F
2°C36°F
5 rd
Dec
9°C48°F
−4°C25°F
4 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable and the Nam River has a riverside park with bike paths and restrooms. City buses cost ₩1,300 (₩1,250 with a reloadable card bought at a convenience store); stops at the KTX station, the intercity bus terminal and the fortress usually carry English or romanised names, but local neighbourhood stops are Korean-only, so have your destination written in Hangul. Taxis start at ₩3,300 and most rides inside the city stay under ₩7,000. Bus routes 126, 127, 131, 132, 134 and 135 serve the KTX station.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 2 h
Intercity bus from Jinju's terminal, about 1.5 h
Buses leave roughly every 10 min from Busan Seobu terminal; the reverse works as a day trip but Busan deserves its own stay.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Bus or train toward Masan, about 1 h
Gyeongsangnam-do's provincial capital: Jungang Park, Yongji Lake and a compact downtown; a solid half or full day from Jinju.
Door to door: 2–3 h
Bus toward Hapcheon, then local transport to Haeinsa
Haeinsa Temple and the Tripitaka Koreana are the draw; too far for a comfortable return day.
Door to door: 2.5–3.5 h
Bus via Tongyeong or direct, 2–3 h
Island coast and beaches; plan at least one night.
Door to door: About 2 h
Train or bus, about 1.5–2 h
Quiet riverside town; check connections before committing.
Door to door: 2.5–3.5 h
Bus or train via Changwon/Masan, 2–3 h
Industrial city with few sights for a short trip; skip unless you have a specific reason.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / north bank near the fortress
Hotels, the intercity bus terminal and the fortress all sit on the north bank; walkable and best for a short stay.
Near Jinju Station (south bank)
KTX and express bus terminals are south of the river; convenient if you arrive late or leave early, but a taxi or bus ride from the sights.
Gyeongsang National University area
Cheaper rooms and student food; the new train station is at the southern end of town.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₩60,000–90,000 (≈ US$45–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₩90,000–150,000 (≈ US$65–110) excl. bed
- High
- ₩150,000 (≈ US$110)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × ₩100,000 | ₩100,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₩100,000 | ₩200,000 |
| City bus ride2 × ₩1,300 · check | ₩2,600 |
| Taxi across town1 × ₩7,000 · check | ₩7,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₩20,000 | ₩40,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₩35,000 |
| Trip total≈ ₩192,300 per person per day, bed included | ₩384,600≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in won; flights and intercity travel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ₩4,000–6,000 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Jinju-style bibimbap set | ₩8,000–12,000 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Grilled eel set (per person; rice extra)check | ₩22,000–27,000 (≈ US$16–20) |
| Steamed buns at Subok bakery (four) | ₩4,000 (≈ US$3) |
| Beer: draught / convenience-store can | ₩4,000–6,000 (≈ US$3–5) / ₩2,000–3,500 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Fortress admission | ₩1,000 (≈ under US$1) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ₩15,000–35,000 (≈ US$11–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus stop signs are almost entirely in Korean; have your destination written in Hangul.
- The intercity bus terminal is central, but the express bus terminal is further south across the river — check which one your ticket uses.
- July and August bring the year's heaviest rain; pack for it if you travel then.
- Fortress and museum hours are seasonal and can change; confirm before a long trip.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Travel helpline (24 h, English)
- 1330
Pocket card
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Jinju진주
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
이 주소로 가 주세요To this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Fire and ambulance119
- Travel helpline (24 h, English)1330
Embassy
No embassies in Jinju; most are in Seoul, with consulates in Busan. Check your own country's list before travelling.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Sacheon Airport → Jinju centre, bus: about ₩3,000 (≈ US$3), about 25 min (check)
- Jinju → Busan, intercity bus: about ₩6,900 (≈ US$5), about 1.5 h (check)
- City bus ride: ₩1,300 (≈ under US$1) (₩1,250 (≈ under US$1) with card)
Say or show
- 안녕하세요 — Hello (annyeonghaseyo)
- 감사합니다 — Thank you (gamsahamnida)
- 이거 주세요 — This one, please (igeo juseyo)
- 얼마예요? — How much is it? (eolmayeyo)
- 카드 돼요? — Can I pay by card? (kadeu dwaeyo)
- 화장실이 어디예요? — Where is the toilet? (hwajangsiri eodiyeyo)
Bus and taxi fares are cash or card; tipping is not expected.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Jinju. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Oct (lantern festival) · avoid Jul–Aug (heavy rain, 300 mm+ in July), mid-winter cold snaps · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for HIN and PUS: last bus times, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters: fortress and Chokseongnu, Namgang riverfront and musical fountain, downtown market and shopping streets.
- Place pages with verified hours and cutoffs (fortress, National Museum, Chokseongnu) and eat pages with last orders.
- Festival fixtures for the October lantern festival and May Nongae Festival so gates can go green.