Jeju Rental Car Refueling: How to Use a Korea Gas Station
Renting a car is the easy part of a Jeju trip. The moment that catches many international travelers off guard is the first fill-up, where the screen is in Korean and you are not sure which fuel to pick. This guide walks you through how to refuel a rental car in Korea step by step, how to choose the right fuel, how to pay, and how to avoid the one mistake that gets expensive.
Self-service vs full-service stations
Korean gas stations come in two types. A self-service station is marked with the word 셀프 (self), which means you pump the fuel yourself and usually pay a little less per liter. A full-service station has an attendant who fills the car for you while you stay inside.
Either type works for a rental car. Self-service stations are common across Jeju and often cheaper, so it helps to know the simple steps before you pull in.
Know your fuel: gasoline or diesel?
This is the one thing to get right. Most rental cars in Korea run on gasoline, shown on the pump as 휘발유. Some are diesel, shown as 경유. A few special vehicles use LPG, and electric cars charge instead of refuel.
Putting the wrong fuel in the tank can cause serious engine damage, and your rental agreement usually makes you responsible for the repair. Before you fill up, confirm your car's fuel type on the label inside the fuel door and on your rental contract. If you are not sure, ask your supplier before you leave the pickup point.
Step by step: using a Korean self-service pump
The screens are mostly in Korean, but the flow is the same as anywhere. Many machines have a language button if you look for it.
- Stop with the fuel door on the same side as the pump, and switch off the engine.
- Open the fuel door (a release is usually inside the car, near the driver's seat or on the door).
- On the screen, select your fuel: 휘발유 for gasoline or 경유 for diesel.
- Choose how much: a set amount, or a full tank (가득 or 만땅).
- Pick payment: card or cash. If it asks for a membership or point card, you can skip that step.
- Lift the matching nozzle, insert it fully, and squeeze until it clicks off on its own.
- Hang up the nozzle, close the fuel door, and take your receipt (영수증).
Paying at the pump
Most self-service pumps accept credit and debit cards, and international Visa and Mastercard are widely usable. A few older machines are cash only or expect a Korean membership card, so keep some cash as a backup.
Tell your bank you will use the card abroad so the payment is not blocked for unusual activity, and check whether the card can be charged in Korean won. Rentals in Korea normally use a full-to-full fuel policy, so you return the car with the same fuel level you received. See our fuel policy guide below for the details.
Find cheaper fuel and plan refuels in Jeju
Fuel prices change daily and vary by station and brand. Opinet, the official price site run by the Korea National Oil Corporation, shows live average prices for gasoline, diesel, and LPG and helps you find the cheapest station near you. In mid-2026 the national average for gasoline was around 2,000 won per liter. Check Opinet for the current rate.
In Jeju, stations are easy to find in Jeju City and along main roads, but they can be sparse in rural eastern areas and the mountain routes, and some close at night. Top up before heading somewhere remote, and refuel before an early return to the airport so you are not searching for an open station with a flight to catch.
How Orcar makes your Jeju rental smoother
Orcar is built around transparent pricing, so the price you see is the price you pay, with no surprise fees at the counter. Identity verification is 95% automated and vehicle pickup is 92.6% touchless, which means less time on paperwork and more time on the road. Multilingual support lets you ask about fuel, insurance, and pickup in your own language before you commit.
Before your trip, review your Jeju rental car fuel policy, and if you booked an electric car, read our Jeju EV charging guide instead. New to renting in Jeju? Start with the foreigner rental checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Is my Jeju rental car gasoline or diesel?
Most rental cars in Korea are gasoline (휘발유), but some are diesel (경유). Check the label inside the fuel door and your rental contract, and ask the supplier if you are unsure. Using the wrong fuel can be expensive to fix.
Can I use a foreign credit card at Korean gas stations?
Usually yes at self-service pumps for Visa and Mastercard. Keep some cash as a backup, since a few machines are cash only or expect a Korean membership card, and tell your bank you will use the card abroad.
What does 셀프 mean on a gas station sign?
It means self-service. You pump the fuel yourself and usually pay a little less per liter than at a full-service station, where an attendant fills the car for you.
How do I find the cheapest gas station in Jeju?
Use Opinet (opinet.co.kr), the official Korea National Oil Corporation price site, or its app, to compare live prices for gasoline and diesel and find nearby stations.
What if I need help in English while refueling?
Call the 1330 Korea Travel Hotline at +82-2-1330, which offers support in several languages, and contact your rental supplier. In an emergency, dial 112 for police or 119 for fire and ambulance.