Car Hire In Busan, South Korea: Competitive Prices, Confident Driving

Compare great-value options and use our practical, UK-focused guide to pick the right location, avoid hidden fees, and explore beyond the city with ease.

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Busan Car Hire Guide For UK Travellers

Hiring a car in Busan can be an excellent choice if you want flexibility beyond the Metro—especially for coastal drives, day trips and areas where public transport is slower. Expect right-hand traffic, extensive toll roads and generally well-signed routes, but also busy city driving, tight parking and peak-hour congestion around Seomyeon, Haeundae and major bridges/tunnels. UK travellers should plan for an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside a UK licence, confirm whether the rental includes a navigation unit or supports English-language mapping, and understand insurance (collision damage waiver/excess), deposits, fuel policy and toll payment methods. Below are the most popular pick-up points, with straightforward pros and cons to help you choose.

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Gimhae International Airport (PUS) – Car Rental Area

Best for arriving by air and heading straight to regional drives (e.g., Gyeongju, Geoje). Pros: longer opening hours and wider vehicle choice; easy to start your trip without city detours. Cons: airport surcharges may apply; queueing at peak flight times; you may face early toll roads leaving the airport corridor.

Seomyeon (Busan City Centre)

Convenient if you are staying centrally and only need a car for part of your trip. Pros: easy access to major roads after a short city drive; good for flexible pick-up/drop-off times. Cons: heavier traffic, limited curb space and paid parking; allow extra time for collection and return.

Haeundae / Centum City

Ideal for beach-area stays and coastal itineraries. Pros: great base for east-coast routes and scenic drives; modern roads and plenty of hotels nearby. Cons: weekend congestion, especially in summer; parking fees can be high near the beachfront.

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Choose Your Ride

Find the perfect vehicle for your trip. Compare options below.

Airport Pick-Up

City Pick-Up

Why Pick Up At Gimhae International Airport (PUS)

Airport hire suits travellers who want to land and go: extended operating hours, broader car categories and straightforward onward routes for regional day trips. It can cost a bit more due to surcharges, but it often saves time and reduces extra transfers with luggage.

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Busan PUS Airport Car Hire Ratings from Real Travellers

Read verified reviews from real travellers on car rental services at Gimhae International Airport and choose with confidence for your Busan trip.

Rating	Avg. Daily Rate	Pickup Method/Distance	Security deposit	Key Advantages
3.8 2 reviews	$117	4.8 mi from Busan Downtown	-	●Professional Drivers ●Clean Well-maintained Cars ●Responsive Service
3.5 0 reviews	$137	Call for pick-up	Low deposit	●Wide car selection ●Quick pick-up and return ●Great value rates
3.1 64 reviews	$118	4.7 mi from Busan Downtown	-	●Exceptional Staff Professionalism ●Emerald Club Car Selection ●Clean Low-Mileage Vehicles
2.8 17000+ reviews	$234	4.8 mi from Busan Downtown	$300 - $5,000	●Smooth pickup and return process ●Professional and helpful staff ●Quality vehicle options available
2.8 3 reviews	$334	4.9 mi from Busan Downtown	-	●Wide car selection ●Great value rates ●Convenient pick-up locations
2.1 200+ reviews	$36	4.5 mi from Busan Downtown	-	●No hidden fees pricing ●Easy booking process ●Friendly helpful staff
2.0 3,100+ reviews	$107	4.7 mi from Busan Downtown	-	●Efficient Pickup and Return Process ●Clean and Quality Vehicles ●No Hidden Charges
1.8 24K+ reviews	$116	4.7 mi from Busan Downtown	$344	●Friendly and helpful staff ●Smooth and efficient process ●Clean and well-maintained vehicles
1.3 4700+ reviews	$168	In terminal, Walk to counter	-	●Professional helpful staff ●Quick efficient service ●Clean vehicles provided
1.2 5,700+ reviews	$335	4.8 mi from Busan Downtown	-	●Easy booking process ●Friendly and helpful staff ●Clean and reliable vehicles

*Rating and review data are sourced from Trustpilot. Policy details may vary by location and vehicle type. Please confirm at the time of booking.

Data source: QEEQ Car Rental

Last updated: Jun. 6 2026

Essential Rental Hub

Everything you need to know before you drive off. Select a topic to get the full brakdown.

Refuelling a Rental Car in South Korea: A Guide

This guide provides essential tips for refuelling a rental car in South Korea, covering fuel types, station choices, and step-by-step instructions for both full-service and self-service stations.

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Busan Car Rental Insurance: Essential Guide Before You Drive

Comprehensive guide to car hire insurance in Busan: explains mandatory third‑party liability (dae‑in/dae‑mul), Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Super CDW (zero excess), common exclusions (tyres, wheels, glass, undercarriage), Non‑Operation Charge (NOC), theft and personal accident cover. Compares rental‑desk full insurance with third‑party excess reimbursement, includes real traveller case studies and a practical pre‑flight and accident checklist so you can choose the right cover and drive with confidence.

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Busan Self-Drive & Toll Guide - Rent a Car in South Korea

Comprehensive guide from Busan for tourists: understand hi-pass lanes, toll types, hire-car billing and admin fees, sample route costs, pick-up checklist and how to verify unpaid tolls.

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Platform Insights

Car Rental Expert Advice

By QEEQ Platform Expert Team

Expertise Metrics

Platform Recognition

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023&2024

Booking Volume

Review Quality

10,000+ verified 5-star reviews

Market Experience

Data Authority

Expertise Verification

QEEQ data verified against local official data sources

Key Expert Insights

Platform Analysis

"Busan Gimhae Airport captures 35-40% of car rentals, with city-centre locations holding 40%. Lotte, SK, and AJ Rent-A-Car dominate South Korea's market with 65% combined share."

Booking Patterns

"Compact cars lead at 48% of Busan rentals; peak seasons Apr-Jun and Sep-Nov see 25% surge. Average rental duration is 2.4 days, with advance booking 1-2 weeks ahead."

Customer Pain Points

"Insurance confusion affects 36% of car rental customers, the top pain point, followed by hidden fees at 29% and pickup wait times at 24% in South Korea."

Data Sources

QEEQ internal booking databse
Statista - South Korea Car Rental Market
Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) - TourStats
Grand View Research - South Korea Car Rental Market
Korea Tourism Organization - TourStats Annual Report
Consumer Affairs Agency Japan - Car Rental Consumer Survey
J.D. Power Car Rental Satisfaction Studies

Popular Self-Drive Routes And Trips From Busan

Recommended Scenic Routes:

Busan Coastal Highlights Loop (Haeundae–Gijang)

Coastal sightseeing loop2.5–4 hours driving (half-day with stops)

A relaxed coastal loop linking Busan’s best-loved seaside districts with Gijang’s ocean views. Ideal for first-time visitors wanting beaches, viewpoints and cafés without long motorway stretches.

Haeundae Beach, Dongbaekseom (Nurimaru APEC House), Gwangalli Beach, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Songjeong Beach

Busan To Gyeongju Heritage Day Route

History and culture day trip1 hr 10 min–1 hr 40 min each way (full day with visits)

Drive north-east to South Korea’s ancient capital for UNESCO-listed heritage, royal tombs and museum-quality sites. Roads are straightforward, and the route suits families and culture-focused travellers.

Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Daereungwon Tomb Complex, Cheomseongdae Observatory, Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond

Busan To Tongyeong & Geoje Island Coast

Island and coastline drive2–2.5 hours each way (full day; overnight recommended)

A longer but rewarding coastal run to the South Gyeongsang shoreline, combining harbour towns, panoramic viewpoints and island scenery. Best enjoyed with an early start to avoid peak traffic around bridges and tollways.

Tongyeong Cable Car (Mireuksan), Dongpirang Mural Village, Geoje Windy Hill, Oedo Botania (ferry access), Haegeumgang (boat viewpoint area)

Popular Short Trips By Car:

Taejongdae & Yeongdo Seaside Afternoon

3–5 hours

An easy trip within Busan for cliffs, coastal walks and lighthouse views. Go later in the day for softer light and fewer tour groups.

Gamcheon Culture Village + Songdo Skywalk

4–6 hours

Combine colourful hillside streets with a breezy shoreline stop. Parking can be tight near Gamcheon, so arrive early and expect short uphill walks.

Dadaepo Beach Sunset Run

2–4 hours

A simple west Busan drive for broad sands and one of the city’s best sunsets. Great for travellers who want a low-effort evening outing.

Gijang Café Coast & Lotte Premium Outlets

4–7 hours

A flexible outing that mixes oceanfront cafés and shopping. Works well on hazy days when mountain viewpoints are less rewarding.

Car Rental Planning Tips For Busan

Bring The Right Documents: Carry your passport, driving licence, and an International Driving Permit (IDP) where required. Rental desks can refuse pick-up if names or licence classes do not match.

Expect Tolls On Expressways: Most intercity routes use tolled motorways. Ask for a Hi-Pass-enabled car (electronic tolling) or keep a payment card ready to speed up toll gates.

Plan Parking In Beach Districts: Haeundae and Gwangalli can be congested, especially weekends and summer. Use public car parks and budget extra time for queues and tight spaces.

Fuel Up Before Heading To Rural Stops: Petrol stations are plentiful in Busan, but can be less frequent near some coastal and island areas. Refill before long scenic detours and keep an eye on your range.

Time Your Departures To Avoid Gridlock: Morning and evening peaks can be heavy on bridges and tunnels. For day trips, aim to leave Busan before 08:00 and return after 19:30 where possible.

Use Korean-Friendly Navigation: Apps like Naver Map or KakaoMap often provide better local routing than global alternatives. Save destinations in Korean or by phone number to improve search accuracy.

Choose Sensible Insurance Excess Cover: Check collision damage waiver terms, excess amounts, and exclusions (wheels, windscreen, underbody). Photograph the car at pick-up and drop-off for peace of mind.

Busan Awaits: Your Ultimate Coastal Driving Adventure

Discover South Korea's vibrant port city with essential driving tips - from scenic coastal highways to efficient public transit, plan your perfect Busan road trip today.

LANGUAGES

Korean

CURRENCY

KRW

DRIVE ON

Right-hand side

COUNTRY CODE

+82

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL PRICE

$50 per day

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL LENGTH

2.4 days

SPEED LIMIT WITHIN TOWN

60 km/h

SPEED LIMIT OUT OF TOWN

80-110 km/h

ACCEPTABLE LIMIT OF BAC

0.05% (Strictly Enforced)

AVERAGE GAS PRICE

$1.39/L

LOWEST / HIGHEST GAS PRICE

$1.25/L - $1.55/L

Hiring a Car in Busan: UK FAQ

Practical answers on licences, Hi-Pass tolls, parking, typhoon season and right-hand traffic for British visitors to Busan

Do I really need an International Driving Permit, or will my UK photocard do?

Yes, you need an IDP. South Korea accepts the 1968-convention IDP issued by the UK Post Office (currently £5.50, valid one year), so apply at least a week before you fly. Most rental desks at Gimhae Airport will refuse the car if you turn up with just your photocard. Carry both documents together on every journey: police spot-checks on the Gyeongbu Expressway and around Haeundae are routine, and the on-the-spot fine for missing paperwork is KRW 30,000–50,000. If your licence shows automatic-only entitlement, you cannot legally hire a manual in Korea.

I'm 22 — what's the actual 'young driver' fee at Gimhae Airport?

Most major firms — Lotte Rent-a-Car, AJ Rent-a-Car, SK Rent — set the minimum rental age at 21 and add a 'young driver' surcharge of KRW 10,000–20,000 per day for ages 21–24, usually capped at the first 5–7 rental days. Drivers under 21 cannot rent at all, regardless of experience. The fee is rarely shown in online quotes and is added at the counter, so budget roughly £10–15 per day extra on top of the base rate. Insurers also restrict under-25s to compact categories — request a large SUV and the agent will simply decline rather than upcharge you.

How do Busan–Seoul motorway tolls work, and is the Hi-Pass tag worth it?

Korea's expressways are now effectively cashless. Cars fitted with Hi-Pass glide through the dedicated left lane and the toll auto-debts to the rental company; cash gates still work but cost around 30–40% more per trip. Most Busan rental cars come with Hi-Pass pre-installed and you'll be billed post-rental at the discounted rate. The full Busan–Seoul run on the Gyeongbu Expressway is roughly KRW 18,000–22,000 with Hi-Pass — far cheaper than UK motorway rates. There is no congestion charge into Busan, unlike London. Ask the desk to confirm Hi-Pass is active before leaving the airport, as a faulty unit still triggers full-price tolls.

Where on earth do I park in central Busan — and is street parking free?

Street parking in Nampo, Seomyeon and Haeundae is almost entirely paid zones: KRW 1,000–2,400 per 30 minutes, enforced Mon–Sat 09:00–21:00 by uniformed attendants who chalk tyres and issue paper tickets. Red-painted kerbs are strict no-stop zones. For first-timers, the underground lots under Lotte Department Store (Gwangbok), Shinsegae Centum City or any E-Mart charge KRW 2,000–4,000 for the first hour and are far easier to navigate. Always park fully inside the white lines — straddling a bay triggers a KRW 50,000+ fine, and residential streets in Busanjin and Yeonje are patrolled for illegal parking until 23:00.

I'm driving in Busan between July and September — how bad do typhoons actually get?

Typhoon season runs July–September, peaking in August. KMA 'heavy rain' or 'strong wind' warnings routinely close the Namhae coastal expressway and parts of Gwangan Bridge for 3–6 hours at a stretch; underpasses around Sasang and Busan Station are notorious for flash flooding. The day before a warning, postpone any intercity drive — Korean rental contracts typically waive typhoon damage only if an official KMA alert was active. For winter, Busan itself rarely sees ice, but the drive up to Geumjeong or onward to Daegu can mean black ice on bridge sections; most rental cars run all-season tyres only.

I've only ever driven on the left — is switching to right-hand traffic really that hard?

Honest answer: the first 30 minutes are genuinely disorienting. Crossing oncoming traffic on a left turn, joining roundabouts (which rotate counter-clockwise — the opposite of the UK), and overtaking on motorways all feel counter-intuitive. Book an automatic to free up mental bandwidth, take an empty stretch of road for a 20-minute practice loop before tackling central Busan, and avoid the Bexco junction in Haeundae at rush hour on day one. After two days most UK visitors adapt. One small bonus: the driver sits on the correct side for short right turns and toll-booth reach, so most rentals are easier to step into than, say, a Japanese car.

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Car Hire In Busan, South Korea: Competitive Prices, Confident Driving

Best Car Hire Choices for Your Busan Road Trip

Small

Convertible

SUV

Choose Your Ride

Why Pick Up At Gimhae International Airport (PUS)

Hyundai casper

Kia Ray

Kia Ray

Kia K5

Kia K5

Kia K5

Hyundai Kona

Kia Seltos

Kia Sorento

Busan PUS Airport Car Hire Ratings from Real Travellers

Car Rental Expert Advice

Expertise Metrics

Platform Recognition

Booking Volume

Review Quality

Market Experience

Data Authority

Expertise Verification

Key Expert Insights

Platform Analysis

Booking Patterns

Customer Pain Points

Data Sources

Popular Self-Drive Routes And Trips From Busan

Recommended Scenic Routes:

Busan Coastal Highlights Loop (Haeundae–Gijang)

Busan To Gyeongju Heritage Day Route

Busan To Tongyeong & Geoje Island Coast

Popular Short Trips By Car:

Taejongdae & Yeongdo Seaside Afternoon

Gamcheon Culture Village + Songdo Skywalk

Dadaepo Beach Sunset Run

Gijang Café Coast & Lotte Premium Outlets

Car Rental Planning Tips For Busan

Busan Awaits: Your Ultimate Coastal Driving Adventure

Hiring a Car in Busan: UK FAQ

QEEQ Platform Awards

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2025

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2024

Asia's Best Car hire Booking Website 2023

Asia's Best Car hire Booking Website 2022

Best Car hire Platform Partner 2022 OF ABG

Business Excellence Awards 2024

The Magellan Awards in Car hire Service Category

The Travolution Awards for Best On the Road

Recommended by our customers