The Complete Guide to Booking Ulleungdo Ferry Tickets (Gangneung, Pohang, Hupo)

When you’re planning your first trip to Ulleungdo, the most confusing part is booking the ferry. With four departure ports — Gangneung, Mukho, Hupo, and Pohang — it’s hard to know where to even start. EasyTicket has pulled together everything in one place: ferry details by departure port, booking sites, a 2-night, 3-day itinerary, and the full travel budget.

🚢 Ulleungdo Ferry Routes at a Glance

Ulleungdo has no airport — the ferry is the only way in. From the mainland, there are four departure ports: Gangneung, Mukho (Donghae), Hupo, and Pohang, and you’ll arrive at either Sadong Port or Jeodong Port.

Travel Time by Departure Port

Coming from the Seoul area, Gangneung or Mukho is more convenient; from the Yeongnam region, Pohang or Hupo works better. Compare routes by adding up travel time to the port plus time on the ferry.

📌 How to Book Ulleungdo Ferry Tickets

The ferry is the make-or-break part of an Ulleungdo trip, so the first step is knowing exactly which site to book on — each operator has its own booking site.

Official Booking Sites by Operator

• Seaspovill — Departs from Gangneung and Mukho. Operates the Sea Flower.
• Ulleung Cruise — Departs from Pohang. Operates the Sunflower Cruise.
• Daejeo Ferry (Baetongnyeong) — Departs from Pohang and Hupo. Operates the Eldorado Express.
• Gabogo Sipeun Seom (“Islands I Want to Visit”) — An integrated ferry booking portal where you can check every route in one place.

Booking Windows and Tips

• Booking usually opens 1 to 2 months before the sailing date.
• During the July–August peak season, weekends, and holidays, tickets often sell out right after booking opens.
• If you want to book the moment reservations open, it helps to double-check the exact standard time first.

🎯 Which Port Should You Choose?

Coming from the Seoul Area — Gangneung Port

It’s about 2 hours from Seoul to Gangneung Station by KTX, then a 10-minute taxi ride from the station to Gangneung Port. With few transfers involved, it’s popular with first-time visitors.

For the Shortest Ferry Ride — Mukho Port (Donghae)

This route has the shortest time on the water. Take the KTX-Eum direct from Cheongnyangni to Donghae Station, and the port is close by.

Coming from the Yeongnam Region — Pohang Port

There are more sailings, so it’s easier to find an alternate one. If a sailing is cancelled, you have a better chance of switching to another boat — an advantage when the weather is unpredictable.

For a Quieter Departure — Hupo Port

Located in Uljin-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, this port is relatively quiet. If you’re bringing a car, the Hupo route is also a good option.

🗓️ Planning a 2-Night, 3-Day Itinerary

Since your first and last days in Ulleungdo are largely taken up by the ferry, 2 nights and 3 days is about the right length for real sightseeing. If you want to fit in both Dokdo and Seonginbong, planning the schedule carefully matters.

Day 1 — Arrival and a Loop Along the Coast

Arrive on the morning ferry → check in at your accommodation → stroll the Dodong and Jeodong coastline → Bongnae Falls and Gwaneumdo — this is an easy, comfortable flow.

Day 2 — Dokdo or Seonginbong

Realistically, you’ll pick one or the other depending on your stamina and the weather.

• Landing on Dokdo: Departs from Jeodong Port, round trip about 4 hours. Each landing is capped at 470 people, and the actual time you spend on Dokdo is only about 20 minutes (when docking is possible).
• Climbing Seonginbong: Elevation 986m. Round trip 5–6 hours via the KBS Relay Station route. Hiking boots are a must.

If you’re curious how to apply for a Dokdo landing, check out this post too!

Day 3 — Last Sights and Departure

The smoothest flow is to visit Nari Basin or the Haengnam Coastal Trail in the morning, then depart on the afternoon ferry.

Dokdo landings are frequently cancelled due to weather. 2 nights, 3 days is tight if you want the option of trying on Day 2 and, if that’s cancelled, again on Day 3 — so if Dokdo is a priority for you, we’d recommend 3 nights, 4 days instead.

💰 How Much Does an Ulleungdo Trip Cost?

Costs vary a lot depending on the departure port, season, and accommodation grade. Here’s a rough per-person budget.

Per-Person Budget for 2 Nights, 3 Days (Peak Season)

If planning it all yourself feels like a lot, a package that bundles the ferry, accommodation, and land tour is also a solid option. For first-timers, packages take care of the route planning and docking uncertainties for you, which makes things much easier.

🏨 Tips for Choosing Accommodation

Ulleungdo’s accommodations are concentrated around Dodong Port, Jeodong Port, and Sadong Port. Knowing what each area offers makes planning your route much easier.

• Dodong Port area — Has the most restaurants and amenities. A safe choice for first-time visitors.
• Jeodong Port area — Since the Dokdo ferry departs from here, it’s convenient if Dokdo is on your itinerary.
• Sadong Port area — Where the large ferries arrive and depart. Tends to have more newly built accommodations.

During peak season, we recommend booking your ferry tickets and accommodation on the same day. If you lock in lodging before securing your ferry seats, a cancellation or sold-out sailing could throw off your whole itinerary.

⚠️ Pre-Boarding Checklist and Things to Watch For

Once your tickets are booked, boarding without a hitch on sailing day matters too. Check these in advance.

Pre-Departure Checklist

• Bring a photo ID — this is mandatory. Without one, boarding will be refused; children can use a copy of the family register or a health insurance card.
• Foot passengers should arrive 1 hour before departure, and those bringing a vehicle 2 hours before (source: Ulleung Cruise).
• Check the weather forecast and any cancellation notices the night before and on the morning of departure.
• Take motion-sickness medicine 30 minutes to 1 hour before departure.
• Pack a raincoat, windbreaker, and hiking boots (if you’re climbing Seonginbong).
• Bring some cash, as card payment isn’t accepted everywhere.

Refund Policy (Common Peak-Season Terms)

Refund policies can vary by operator and season. Double-check the operator’s official policy before paying. As a rule, weather-related cancellations get a full refund.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How often are Ulleungdo ferries cancelled?

The annual cancellation rate is known to run around 15–20%. It’s especially frequent during spring swells, summer typhoons, and winter gales. It’s safer to build about a day of buffer into your schedule.

Q. Is a reservation required to land on Dokdo?

You can buy tickets on the spot after arriving in Ulleungdo, but booking online ahead of time is safer during peak season. Capacity is capped at 470 people per landing. Whether the boat can dock depends on the weather, so even after arriving, it may circle Dokdo and turn back without landing.

Q. I get seasick easily — what should I do?

Choose the Mukho Port route, which is the shortest crossing, and pick a seat toward the center and lower level of the ship, where there’s less motion. As a rule, take motion-sickness medicine 1 hour before departure.

Q. Can I bring my car?

Yes. Car ferries (the Eldorado Express and Sunflower Cruise) allow you to load a vehicle. Bringing your vehicle registration is mandatory, and you should arrive 2 hours before departure. That said, many travelers report that renting a car on the island is more efficient for the round-island route.

Q. Can I freely use the internet and a transit card?

Coverage from all three carriers is generally good. That said, there are dead zones in a few spots, like Nari Basin and some coastal cliff sections. Transit cards aren’t accepted at some shops, so keep a bit of cash on hand.

With an Ulleungdo trip, booking the ferry is half the battle. Sort out your port choice, booking timing, and a backup plan for cancellations in advance, and even a first visit won’t be difficult. Use this guide as a checklist and prepare step by step.