All major highways in South Korea have toll booths, and fees can be paid by cash, credit card, or using the Hi-Pass electronic system. Some rental cars may already be outfitted with one, but you should make sure that there is a card inserted; otherwise, the device won’t work. It’s also a good idea to rent a GPS device if you can, because it will save you from the hassle of reading local maps while you’re on the road.
Much like in the US, there are closed circuit television cameras (CCTV) in use throughout South Korea, so pay very close attention to speed limits and the rules of the road when driving there. Also, the legal blood-alcohol limit is very low; therefore, you should make sure there is a designated driver if you ever have more than two alcoholic beverages.
Always use designated parking spots if you ever rent a car in South Korea. Most of them are located near tourist attractions and shopping malls or big supermarkets, which may not always be suitable. For this reason, it’s a good idea to plan your journeys carefully, using the car for extended trips and employing public transportation to take care of chores and light travel within the city limits.
All points North, South East and West in South Korea are connected by an excellent network of major highways that eventually find their way to the capital Seoul so if you enjoy a nice scenic drive then you should enjoy exploring this country. Route 50 connects the western reaches with the eastern region of the country, while Routes 1 and 25 are major arteries that connect Seoul with the southern provinces.
25% of our users found rental cars in South Korea for C$ 84 or less
Book your rental car in South Korea at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Off-airport rental car locations in South Korea are around 22% more expensive than airport locations on average
Full-size rental cars in South Korea are around -26% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in South Korea
On average a rental car in South Korea costs C$ 212 per day.
Mini (Class Mini Car or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in South Korea.
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Jeju Rent A Car (C$ 97/day), Avis (C$ 106/day) and Sk Rent (C$ 107/day).
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental company in South Korea is Avis (7.0, 60 reviews).
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to rent a car in South Korea are Jeju City (79% of total searches of users looking to rent a car in South Korea), Incheon (8%) and Seoul (5%).
On average a rental car in South Korea costs C$ 615 per week (C$ 88 per day).
On average a rental car in South Korea costs C$ 2,635 per month (C$ 88 per day).
The driving in South Korea is always on the right side of the road, and all passengers should use seatbelts while the vehicle is in motion. Any child under the age of 6 traveling with you is required to use a child seat, and it is forbidden for vehicles to use bus lanes (blue lanes), so try to avoid them wherever and whenever possible.
In order to rent a car in South Korea, you must be between 21 and 65 years of age and have had a valid driver’s license for at least one year. The age requirement is increased to 25 for certain vehicles (minivans or luxury cars) from selected agencies (Hertz) and you must have an International Driver’s Permit with you at the time you intend to rent the car.
If you are going to rent a car in South Korea, you should know that the average price of a liter of gasoline is about 1,530 KRW (about 1.36 USD), and by the gallon you’ll have to pay about 5.15 USD. For diesel rentals, the price per liter is about 1,395 KRW or about 1.24 USD, while a gallon of diesel is about 4.68 USD.
When vacationing and driving in South Korea, please be aware that there are various speed limits in the country. Within the limits of the city, you are limited to no more than 60 km/h (about 38 mph), while outside of the city limits, the speed limit increases to 80 km/h (about 50 mph). On highways a maximum speed of 120 km/h (about 75 mph) is allowed.
The rates displayed include all taxes and fees for car rentals for the class listed and were found by KAYAK users in the last 48 hours. Offers are subject to change and may not be available on all car rentals listed or dates of travel. Some car rental providers charge additional fees for other services (GPS, infant car seats, etc.). Please check the car rental providers' sites.