Renting a car in South Korea: all our tips
Planning to rent a car during your trip to South Korea? From the advantages to rental conditions, vehicle type selection, rental companies, and budgeting
Thinking about renting a car during your trip to South Korea? From the advantages to rental conditions, vehicle type selection, rental companies, and budgeting, we've put together all our tips for renting a car in South Korea.
Why rent a car in South Korea?
Renting a car in South Korea comes with numerous advantages. The first is the freedom to travel at your own pace. If you value independence and want to save time during a self-drive tour in South Korea, car rental is the ideal solution.
It will allow you to discover the country's fabulous landscapes in complete comfort. You can stop whenever and wherever you wish, and venture into remote areas that are often difficult to reach. While bus and train networks are fairly well-developed across the country, certain regions lack adequate public transportation. Renting a car will thus give you complete immersion in South Korean nature!
That said, car rental has limited appeal in South Korea's major cities. Indeed, it's easier to visit large cities like Seoul, Busan, or Jeonju using public transportation. Like all major cities, road traffic is intense and can prove hazardous. You'll end up losing time rather than saving it.
This is why we recommend organizing your stay based on your itinerary. You could, for example, start with a stay in Seoul and pick up your rental car at the end of your time in the capital, then head off to discover rural areas.
Requirements for renting a car in South Korea
To rent a car in South Korea, most rental agencies generally require the same conditions:
You must be at least 21 years old and have one year of driving experience (a license issued more than a year ago). Note that conditions may vary depending on the vehicle type and size. Additionally, the minimum age and years of experience required may increase if you're renting a vehicle with many passenger seats.
An International Driving Permit. This permit is issued free of charge by your local prefecture in France. Note that obtaining it can take several weeks, so plan ahead and submit your application well before departure. To collect your rental car, you must present your International Driving Permit along with your French national license and passport for identity verification.
Payment is typically made by international credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc.). The card must be in the name of the main driver listed at the time of reservation.
What types of cars can you rent in South Korea?
South Korea's road network is extremely well-maintained. Whether highways, secondary roads, or mountain passes, all roads are in perfect condition. This is why renting a 4x4 or SUV isn't necessarily justified.
Vehicle choice ultimately depends on your individual preferences. It comes down to your comfort and space requirements (for passengers and luggage alike). If a compact, fuel-efficient car is perfectly suitable for a solo or two-person trip in South Korea, a sedan or estate car will provide greater comfort on longer journeys, particularly for family travel.
Generally, South Korean rental companies offer vehicles from Korean brands such as Kia, Daewoo, and Hyundai.
What budget should you plan for renting a car in South Korea?
The cost of renting a car in South Korea varies depending on the vehicle type chosen. For budgeting purposes, expect around 35 to 50 euros per day for an economy car and 80 to 120 euros per day for an SUV-type model.
Which car rental company to choose for a trip to South Korea?
Before traveling, you can consult various car rental comparison websites.
Your Cap Corée agency has reliable partner companies for car rental in the case of a reserved self-drive tour. Beyond quality recommendations, you'll benefit from the Roadbook and Transportbook Cap Corée.
Frequently asked questions
To rent a car in South Korea, you must have an International Driving Permit, accompanied by your French national license and passport. The International Driving Permit is issued free of charge by your local prefecture in France. Plan ahead, as obtaining it can take several weeks.
Car rental costs in South Korea vary by vehicle type. Expect around 35 to 50 euros per day for an economy car, and between 80 to 120 euros per day for an SUV. These rates may vary depending on the season and rental company chosen.
Car rental is ideal for exploring rural areas, national parks, and regions poorly served by public transportation. However, in major cities like Seoul, Busan, or Jeonju, public transportation (metro, buses) is more convenient, affordable, and avoids traffic and parking issues.
No, a 4x4 or SUV is generally not necessary in South Korea. The road network is extremely well-maintained, including mountain roads. An economy car suits solo or two-person trips, while a sedan or estate car offers greater comfort for family travel or when carrying substantial luggage.
Google Maps is unreliable in South Korea. Local apps like Naver Maps or Kakao Maps are strongly recommended, as they're better adapted to the Korean road network and available in English. Download offline maps before departure in case of connectivity issues.
Most rental agencies require a minimum age of 21 years and at least one year of driving experience (license obtained more than a year ago). These conditions may vary depending on the vehicle type: for large-capacity vehicles or those carrying many passengers, the minimum age and required years of experience may be higher.
