How to Transfer from ICN to Jeju(CJU): Ultimate Day 1 Itinerary & Night Exploration

Starting a trip to Jeju Island is always thrilling, but if you are flying in from abroad and transferring to a domestic flight at Incheon International Airport (ICN), it can feel a little overwhelming at first. Don’t worry! I’ve got you covered with a step-by-step guide to make your domestic transfer smooth, stress-free, and full of insider tips.

1. Getting to the Domestic Check-in Counter at Terminal 1

If you are taking the Airport Railroad Express (AREX) subway to get to Incheon International Airport, your journey to the domestic terminal starts right from Terminal 1.

  • Head to Check-in Counters A–E: Once you get off at Incheon Airport Terminal 1 Station, make your way toward check-in counters A through E.
  • Follow the “Domestic Flights” Signs: As you walk along the path, you will spot standing signposts pointing toward “Domestic Check-in” and directing you to move toward Gate 3.
  • Look Up for the Overhead Sign: Keep an eye out for the ceiling sign that reads “DOMESTIC.” You’ll find this sign right next to the escalator that leads up to the international departures area.
  • Reach Gate 3: Once Gate 3 comes into sight, you are almost there! Just keep walking straight all the way to the very end, and you will see the domestic flight check-in area waiting for you.

2. Insider Tip: What to Expect Inside the Domestic Boarding Area

Once you clear security and head inside the domestic boarding zone, things are quite simple—but there are a few crucial things you need to know before you go through!

  • Zero Convenience Facilities Inside: Unlike the massive duty-free shopping zones in the international terminal, the domestic boarding area is extremely basic. There are no convenience stores, cafes, or shops inside once you pass security.
  • The Bathroom Situation (Good News!): You might hear rumors that there are no restrooms inside, but that’s not entirely true. When I visited, I noticed they had set up a temporary pathway using barricades. A security staff member was stationed right there, keeping a small gap open so passengers could still use the restroom. However, don’t rely on finding anything else!
  • Grab Snacks and Water in Advance: Because there are no amenities inside, make sure to stop by a convenience store outside to pick up some water and snacks before you check in.

3. Timing is Everything: When Should You Go Through Security?

Since there are no shops or facilities to explore inside the domestic gate, there is no need to rush inside too early!

  • Super Fast Security Process: Walking from check-in to the boarding gate takes only about 5 minutes.
  • The Sweet Spot for Timing: Because it’s so quick and there’s nothing to do inside, I actually checked in and headed through security just 15 minutes before boarding time. It saved me from standing around waiting in an empty area. Take your time outside, grab your coffee, and head in right when it’s time to board!

4. Landing in Jeju: Welcome to “Hello Jeju!”

Once your flight lands and you step out into the arrival hall, you’ll be greeted by the iconic “Hello Jeju” sculpture. That’s your official confirmation—you’ve safely made it to the island. Welcome to Jeju!

  • Renting a Car vs. Taking a Taxi: Many travelers rent a car right away. If you picked up your vehicle on Day 1, simply follow the rental car signs out to the shuttle zones, where designated company shuttles will pick you up based on your assigned section.
  • Why I Chose a Taxi: Since I planned to rent a car starting on Day 2, I took a taxi for the first day. Head out to the designated TAXI STAND right outside the exit. Even if the line looks long, taxis move very fast because multiple passengers often share rides. Just wait until the guide at the front directs you to stand in lanes 1 through 4. It’s super organized!

5. First Stop: The Ultimate Black Pork Feast at “Udo Geungogi” (우도근고기)

Right after grabbing a taxi, I headed straight to one of my absolute favorite black pork spots on the island, Udo Geungogi. This is a top-tier recommendation that I’ve visited multiple times, and even my travel companion voted it the best meal of the entire trip. Five stars! ✨
Here are the 3 highlights of this amazing place:

  1. Dombe-gogi (Jeju-style Boiled Pork): As a complimentary starter, they serve Dombe-gogi, traditional Jeju boiled pork cooked slowly until ultra-tender. It melts in your mouth! Follow it up with the side noodles they provide—they’re refreshing and great for kicking off your appetite.
  2. The Magic Oil Pasta: Point number two! They tuck a small foil packet of oil pasta right onto the grill alongside your black pork. The fusion flavor infused while grilling with the meat is a total game-changer. (Their soybean paste stew (doenjang-jjigae) is also a must-order!)
  3. Jeju Bracken (Gosari): Jeju is famous for its tender bracken. Wrapping grilled black pork and savory bracken together in a lettuce leaf, then dipping it in their special sauce, is a match made in heaven.

6. Night Vibes at Dongmun Traditional Market

After a satisfying dinner, we hailed a taxi to Dongmun Night Market for some late-night street food snacks.

  • How to Call a Taxi in Korea: Regular standard taxis can be tricky to hail on standard apps sometimes, so I used Kakao T Blue, a paid dispatch service that guarantees a quick pickup.
  • Dongmun Night Market Experience: The night market usually runs until around 10:00 PM (though rainy days might cause vendors to close earlier). The biggest visual highlight here is the grand fire show at the lobster food stalls—fun to watch just for the spectacle!
  • Food Reviews:
    • I tried Udo Peanut Ice Cream, which was deeply nutty, savory, and full of rich flavor.
    • I also bought the Garlic-flavored Awang Dakgangjeong (Sweet & Crispy Chicken), but fair warning—it wasn’t quite my style. The garlic flavor was so overwhelmingly intense that it felt like eating raw minced garlic rather than fried chicken! (Let’s just say my friend’s breath smelled like garlic until the next day). I’d recommend trying a half-and-half flavor mix instead!

7. Where I Stayed: Seomun Residence Hotel

For our first night, we stayed at Seomun Residence Hotel.

  • Check-in / Check-out: Check-in is at 15:00, and check-out is at 11:00.
  • The Good: The room was exceptionally clean, and the location was great—about a 20-minute walk to Dongmun Market. It features a 4-person dining table, making it super convenient for eating takeout. It also comes equipped with a simple kitchenette, a washing machine, a microwave, and a laundry drying rack on the balcony, making it ideal for longer stays. The air conditioning and heating were super powerful too. Overall, it feels less like a luxury hotel and more like a high-value, practical serviced residence. I would definitely stay here again if I base myself in Jeju City!
  • A Quick Tip on Location & Parking: If you take a taxi here, map apps can sometimes be a bit glitchy. Our driver dropped us off in a slightly random spot, forcing us to lug our heavy suitcases around a long detour in the rain. Pro-tip: Tell the taxi driver to head directly to the exact address: 16-6, Seomun-ro 4-gil, Jeju-si. Parking on-site is also easy and hassle-free if you are driving.

And that wraps up DAY 1 of the adventure! Stay tuned for Day 2!