Known as the backyard of South Korea, Jeju is one of the most beautiful places in the world. I have to agree with that statement. Given a chance, I’d love to fly back at this moment!
The best part is that direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Jeju! During non-peak months, you can easily snatch a $200 return ticket. KL is just a short flight away from Singapore, but instead, I took a different route to get there.
- My Journey from Singapore to Senai Airport
From Woodlands Train Checkpoint, I took the air-conditioned train (SGD5) from the northern tip of Singapore to Johor Bahru CIQ. The travelling took around 5-7 minutes, and I went through both Singapore and Malaysian customs at the train station on the Singapore side.
Upon reaching, I took the escalator up to the ground floor and found the escalator toward street level. There is a bus station – where other passengers like myself can board buses that go in all directions, even as far as Larkin and Senai Airport.
I took the bus to Senai Airport from Johor Bahru CIQ (more information here: https://www.causewaylink.com.my/airport-shuttle-bus) for only 8 MYR. I paid the driver on the bus, but there is also a counter nearby when you go down the escalator.
- Upon Reaching Senai Airport
After a 50-minute bus ride to Senai Airport, I just walked around and waited for time to pass by. The airport’s small with a few runways. There are Starbucks, KFC and a few other restaurants and fast-food options. There are also hotels nearby, which prices are pretty reasonable if you ever land late at night. I did consider staying one night near the airport so that I did not have to rush out of the house in the morning.
My flight from Senai to KLIA2 was at 11 am. Customs was pretty chill, perhaps due to it being a domestic flight. There is also an international flight service between Singapore and Senai Airport, but the prices are pretty steep (around SGD 80 round-trip), so it’s not worth it imo!
- Reaching Kuala Lumpur
I had made prior plans with my cousin, Kak Aimi. It was my first time taking the trains alone in Malaysia, and I was scared. However, that was unfounded because most ticketing machines were similar to Singapore’s. The only thing that bothered me was the weather – it was humid and hot. There were not many trees in the cities, and it immensely bothered me 🙁
Soon after, I met my cousin, and we had a chilled time reading books and working on work at a book cafe in one of the newer malls in Ara Damansara. I would stay a night with my relatives, and why not? I hadn’t met them in a while.
- The Real Journey
My flight was at an unearthly hour at 6 am, and I was pretty thankful that my cousin sent me real early, around 3 am. (Thank you, Kak Aimi!! I owe you many!)
I had a restless sleep, partially because I was in a different bed (my cousin’s) and going on a real early flight – what if I missed my flight? But anyway, I got on the flight just fine because right when I settled into my seat, I dozed off for 4 hours straight. FOUR!!
- And… I reached Jeju!
It wasn’t that difficult. I just had to keep praying till the plane had successfully landed!
The first thing I did was get a SIM card – KT Telco, which allowed me to get some data. I did not need any text/message functions because my friend, Gladys, had a local number. (At this point, she would be arriving much later, around 7 pm).
Soon, I had to find my way to the rental car booths conveniently located near the telco booths. The car rental agency I rented our car from was AJ Rent-a-Car.
TIP: I highly recommend you rent online months in advance, especially if you’re planning to come during the peak months like Cherry Blossom and summer. Prices can double! Also, you will have a piece of mind knowing that your car is booked ahead, and you don’t need to grapple with a low supply of rental cars.
- Car Information
Car Rental Agency: AJ Rent-a-Car
Method: Reserved before the trip
I rented a Kia Morning for 108,000 won from 8 to 12 May 2018. This includes the CDW. I highly recommend you get the most expensive insurance because we got into a minor incident at the traffic light; a car banged into our rear. Because of our insurance coverage, we need not pay anything.
I took a shuttle bus to the car rental agency from the airport and found myself taking a ticket and waiting for my ticket number to be called out. The counter person asked for my booking reservation and my International Driving Permit. You cannot use your home license – it needs to be translated!
Are you from Singapore? I got my IDP from https://www.aas.com.sg/our-services/international-driving-permit-idp.html for only $20!
In half an hour, the car was ready. One of the runners helped set up the in-car GPS (provided free with most car rentals) and set it into English. I received a short tutorial on using the GPS – it was simply entering the telephone number of the intended destination. Only landline numbers can be used (mobile numbers will not be detected).
- Checking In – Hae Hotel
As I was travelling with my friend, Gladys, and she would only be reaching much later, I didn’t want to stay at a hotel too far away from the airport. Also, I drive on the opposite side than in Jeju (it was my second time driving an auto car), which took some time to get used to.
Plus, our general itinerary went around Jeju island in an anti-clockwise manner, so staying near the airport and the sea made sense, if possible. Affordable and clean, Hae Hotel checked my expectations for the first stay. As I drove around the perimeters of Jeju island, I was so amazed by the view that the hotel was facing.
Soon, it was time to fetch Gladys – time flew by when I was alone. The drive back to the airport was somewhat congested, but it was not too bad till it made me feel extremely anxious. I was ready and drove defensively since I was still adjusting to the different driving conditions.
Parking was relatively easy. There were tons of parking lots, just that the emptier ones were further away. To be safe, I parked further away because I didn’t want to be pressured by the locals + an unfamiliar car.
Fetched Gladys, and we were off to Loveland! It was closed at midnight and… such a sexually-funny place.
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