How to find a cheap car rental deal in South Korea
Pick up a cheap rental car in South Korea from £6 a day and drive away happy. We do the hard work for you by searching all the top rental companies, helping you find and book the best deal fast.
Longer adventures come with better value, starting at £40 for a weekly rental.
Check out the range of car rentals in South Korea. This is where you'll find the cheapest wheels in South Korea.
Overall, the most popular city to rent a car in is Seoul.
Check the deals from Rainbow rental before making a decision. It's chosen by more travellers than any other provider in South Korea.
Step off the plane and into the driver's seat by picking up a ride at the airport. Incheon International Airport, Jeju Airport and Gimpo International Airport all provide access to car rentals.
Seoul, Jeju, Busan, Cheongju and Daegu are some of the most convenient cities to organise a set of wheels.
Book a one-way rental and you could pay less. If a city is running low on vehicles, providers often drop the price to encourage returns there. Select 'Return car to a different location' to find those cheaper routes.
Need wheels for a few weeks? Sometimes you can score a discount with a month-long booking, so play around with your dates to find the best rates.
Avoid extra costs by choosing a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You pick up the car full and bring it back full, paying only for what you use.
Unlimited mileage lets you focus on the journey rather than the odometer. Find this feature under the 'Policies' filter and cover more ground without added fees.
Best time to book a car rental in South Korea
Timing is everything when it comes to finding the best price on a car rental in South Korea. Try booking around one week before you go.
The most affordable month to rent a car is November, with an average rate of £51 a day.
July tends to be the most expensive time of year.
Compare car rental types in South Korea
Economy: Living up to its name, this option is built with savings in mind. It pairs some of the cheapest rates available with low fuel consumption to help keep the total spend down. When you'd rather save than splurge, this is the clear winner.
Small: This category covers mini and economy cars that focus on doing the basics well. Compact dimensions, fuel-efficient engines and easy manoeuvrability make it a practical choice when searching for a cheap rental car in South Korea.
Medium: Want more space without going all out? Medium rentals (which include compact and intermediate models) strike the perfect middle ground. They feel right at home in city traffic, on highways and almost everywhere in between.
Large: More people, more bags, more on the agenda. Large cars offer extra passenger space and increased luggage capacity, making them a great match for families and long-distance drives. Choose one of these full-size rides when room is non-negotiable.
SUV: From busy highways to scenic detours, SUVs can do it all. With a higher driving position, flexible seating layouts, and the ability to take on different terrain with ease, they work perfectly for road trips across South Korea.
Van: When there's plenty to pack in, a van rises to the occasion. This category of car for rent in South Korea makes room for everything and everyone. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're a sensible choice for group transport, moving or business use.
Luxury: Want to go beyond the standard upgrade? From bold good looks to cutting-edge tech and powerful performance, luxury vehicles kick the entire driving experience into high gear. This is what to book when you expect nothing less than exceptional.
Insurance and optional extras
Car rental excess insurance isn't a necessity, but it's something to think about. If you're in a collision, no matter how minor, it can help you avoid paying a hefty excess fee. Different providers have different insurance policies and cover levels, so check the details before booking.
Make your trip smoother when you rent a car in South Korea by adding a few nifty extras. Think things like a GPS unit to keep you headed the right way, or reverse cameras that'll help you park like a pro.
Driving in South Korea: What you need to know
Check each company's age requirements before booking your car rental in South Korea. Rules can vary, and extra charges or restrictions may apply if you're a younger driver. At the start of your search, simply uncheck the 'Driver aged between 25–70' filter and enter your age to explore your options.
If the kids are coming with you, find out if you need to add a car seat to your car rental reservation in South Korea. Whether required by local laws or not, they're always the safest way for youngsters to travel.
Bring the right documents to make pick-up as quick as possible. You'll typically need your physical driver's licence (no digital copies) and another form of photo ID. Have a credit card ready for the deposit too. If extra documents are required, they'll be listed in your booking.
Get familiar with your rental. Check your seat and mirrors, test the brakes and blinkers, and get a feel for its handling before you set off. And remember to stick to the right side of the road in South Korea.
Local speed limits can vary, but it's usually around 45kph (30mph) in built-up areas and 100kph (65mph) or so on highways. Always check the posted signs.
The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in South Korea is 0.03%. Because alcohol affects each person differently, the best way to be sure you're safe to drive is not to drink at all.
The South Korean won (KRW) is the currency you'll be using for day-to-day purchases and activities. Pay with your card when it's possible, and keep a little cash when electronic payments aren't an option.
The language most widely spoken in this country is Korean.
Where to road trip in South Korea?
South Korea is easy to explore by car, with major rental hubs in Seoul, Busan and Gyeongju, plus airport pickup points like Incheon International Airport and Gimhae International Airport. If you're planning car rental in South Korea, these routes show how different pickup points, trip lengths and vehicle types can shape your journey.
History and Culture: The Ancient Capitals of the Gyeongju Basin and the Central Interior
Pick up your car in Daegu and head northeast into one of South Korea's most historically dense regions, where ancient burial mounds and palace ruins sit alongside everyday city life. It's a strong choice if you want a culture-rich drive without covering huge distances each day.
Recommended car: Compact sedan.
Suggested pickup point: Daegu International Airport.
Good for: History enthusiasts, couples, solo travellers.
Road conditions: Paved urban roads, well-maintained rural highways, smooth multi-lane expressways.
Best time to go: April or October for mild temperatures.
Trip length: Four to five days.
Key stops: Gyeongju, Andong.
Nature and Adventure: The Mountain Interior from Wonju to the Southern Highlands
Pick up your car in Wonju and drive south through the rugged highland spine that runs the length of the Korean interior, passing deep river gorges and high mountain passes. This route suits active travellers who are comfortable with winding uphill roads and want to stop and hike rather than simply drive through.
Recommended car: Mid-size SUV.
Suggested pickup point: Wonju city centre.
Good for: Hikers, nature lovers, adventure travellers.
Road conditions: Winding mountain roads, forested highland routes, occasional steep gradients.
Best time to go: September or October for fall foliage.
Trip length: Five to seven days.
Key stops: Juwangsan, Danyang.
Coastal: The South Sea Shore from Yeosu to the Southwestern Peninsula
Pick up your car in Yeosu and follow the southern coastline west through a landscape of island-dotted bays, fishing villages and tidal flats that stretch toward the far southwestern tip of the peninsula. Daily distances are short, making it easy to stop frequently without feeling rushed.
Recommended car: Compact SUV.
Suggested pickup point: Yeosu Expo Station area or Yeosu city centre.
Good for: Couples, food travellers, slow travellers.
Road conditions: Paved coastal roads, narrow village lanes, well-maintained seaside routes.
Best time to go: May or June before summer humidity peaks.
Trip length: Five to six days.
Key stops: Boseong, Mokpo.
Weather and driving conditions in South Korea
Weather
South Korea moves through four distinct seasons — spring runs March through May, summer brings humid conditions and a monsoon period from late June through July, and fall stays dry and mild from September through November. Winter covers December through February, with cold and often snowy conditions, especially inland and in the north.
Driving in South Korea means you'll face heavy monsoon rain in summer, so slow down and increase your following distance on wet roads. Winter snowfall settles on mountain passes and higher-elevation routes, so check road conditions before you set out and give yourself extra stopping distance.
Driving conditions
South Korea's highways are well-maintained and clearly signed, making a road trip in South Korea straightforward even for first-time visitors. Rural roads, especially in mountainous areas like the interior highlands, are paved but can be narrow, so take them at a relaxed pace.
South Korea's cities move fast, and Seoul in particular has dense traffic during peak hours, complex multi-lane interchanges, and limited street parking that makes paid parking garages your most practical option. {NS} Outside the cities, roads through South Korea's mountainous interior can narrow quickly, and while signage is often bilingual, gas stations become less frequent the deeper into rural areas you travel.
Wild boar are the most relevant hazard, particularly on forested mountain roads in rural South Korea. You're most likely to encounter them at dawn or dusk, so extra alertness pays off on quieter highland routes.
Complete your road trip with a hotel
Whether you're going far or keeping it local, a comfortable place to stay makes a big difference after a long day on the road. After booking your car rental in South Korea, browse the range of hotels in Seoul if you're passing by this major stop. You can also compare Jeju accommodation options or check out more places to stay in Busan while you work out the rest of your itinerary.
