Mukho to Ulleungdo Ferry 2026: Your Essential Travel Guide
Heading to Ulleungdo? Get ready with vital ferry tips from Mukho Port: learn about travel times, weather impacts, boarding deadlines, and essential ID requirements for a smooth journey.
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Heading to Ulleungdo? Get ready with vital ferry tips from Mukho Port: learn about travel times, weather impacts, boarding deadlines, and essential ID requirements for a smooth journey.
Booking Your Ferry to Ulleungdo 🚢
How to Get to Ulleungdo from Mukho Port
While wondering where to go for this summer vacation,
I ended up taking a trip to Ulleungdo! 🌊
It was perfect for water activities, and the scenery was absolutely stunning,
making it a dream destination I definitely want to revisit! ✨
Anyway, today I'll start by introducing how to get to Ulleungdo.
You can take a ferry from various ports like Pohang or Mukho,
and for this trip, we decided to use a ferry departing from Mukho Port.
Since my home is in Gyeonggi-do, Mukho was more convenient for us to travel to than going all the way down to Pohang,
plus, I had been wanting to explore Mukho anyway.
We combined our Mukho trip with our Ulleungdo adventure,
and it's true what they say – Mukho is a really popular destination these days!
It was bustling with people, and every restaurant had a waiting line.
Anyway, having personally experienced the ferry journey to Ulleungdo,
getting to Ulleungdo was much easier than I expected,
and the very idea of setting off on a trip to an island felt incredibly special and romantic ✨.
So, today I'll share my personal experience of booking and boarding the Mukho to Ulleungdo ferry!
Where to Catch Your Ulleungdo Ferry?
If you search for ferries heading to Ulleungdo,
you'll find several departure points like Pohang, Mukho, and Gangneung.
However, when I made my booking, I don't recall there being any ferries departing from Gangneung.
For this trip, I decided to take the ferry from Mukho Port to Ulleungdo's Dodong Port!
The biggest reason I chose to depart from Mukho was not only because it was convenient for travel from the Seoul metropolitan area,
but also because I wanted to explore Mukho on this trip too!
While a trip solely to Ulleungdo is wonderful,
if you're like me and want to experience Mukho as well,
taking the ferry from Mukho Port could be a fantastic option.
Bringing Your Car? Pohang is Your Best Bet!
Just a heads-up, ferries departing from Mukho Port Coastal Passenger Terminal generally do not allow vehicle boarding.
So, if you're planning to bring your car to Ulleungdo,
you'll need to carefully check your departure point.
There are also Ulleungdo ferries that depart from Pohang,
so you can choose the most convenient departure point based on your travel itinerary or where you're coming from. 🤗
Ulleungdo Ferry Schedule
Mukho Port → Ulleungdo Dodong Port
🕗 Departs at 08:20
Ulleungdo Dodong Port → Mukho Port
🕔 Departs at 17:10
This was the schedule I used.
However, ferry times can vary slightly depending on the date and operating schedule.
I had originally expected there to be ferries departing around 1-2 PM,
but on the day we booked, there was only a ferry at 5 PM.
Also, Ulleungdo ferry departures can change based on weather conditions!
While rain doesn't necessarily mean ferries will be cancelled,
if there are strong winds or adverse weather conditions,
operations might be altered.
So, it's always a good idea to check before your trip.
Official announcements also state that operating times may be adjusted due to weather changes,
and advise travelers to inquire with the respective ferry company before departure.
Luckily, when we went, the weather was fantastic,
so we were able to safely reach Ulleungdo.
Ulleungdo Ferry Booking Prices
I booked my ferry ticket in advance before the trip,
and the fare when I booked was
~ $53 per person one-way.
If you calculate round-trip, it's about ~ $104 per person,
but depending on the season, seat type, fuel surcharge, etc.,
the fare can vary, so it's best to check the actual payment amount when booking.
Maybe it was because I traveled before the peak season,
or perhaps because the number of visitors to Ulleungdo has decreased recently, I'm not sure,
but the ferry wasn't as full as I expected.
Nevertheless, if you're planning a trip to Ulleungdo,
I highly recommend booking your ferry tickets in advance.
Especially during busy periods like summer vacation or long holidays,
when many people are traveling,
tickets for your desired date and time
might sell out.
How to Catch the Ferry to Ulleungdo from Mukho Port
This was my first time taking a ferry this far,
so I was a little worried it might be complicated.
But it was much easier than I thought!
You'll receive instructions via text message before boarding.
After arriving at Mukho Port a bit earlier than your booked time,
just tell them you have a reservation at the counter.
They'll check your ID and issue your ticket.
🚨 Don't forget your ID!
When taking the ferry to Ulleungdo,
you absolutely need your original ID.
Photos of your ID or
ID pictures taken with your phone are NOT accepted,
you MUST bring your physical ID.
They say you can't board the ferry without it, so
definitely remember to bring it on your travel day!!
I actually completely forgot to pack my ID,
but I usually carry it in my wallet, so
I was able to board without any issues.
If you're someone who doesn't usually carry your ID,
make sure to pack it well in advance before your trip! 👍
Also, instead of rushing there right before departure,
I recommend arriving a bit earlier to allow ample time for ticketing and
boarding the ferry.
They say boarding closes 10 minutes before departure, so
it's probably best to give yourself plenty of time.
But when I went, they said two people were still on their way to board,
and they actually waited for 2 minutes before departing?
My Ferry Experience 🚢
Finally, we boarded the ferry and set off for Ulleungdo!
Honestly, I was worried because I heard people get severe seasickness on ferries,
and that they even hand out vomit bags.
Since the ferry ride takes about 3 hours,
I wondered what I'd do if I got really seasick.
I needed to be ready to explore right after arriving, and seasickness would definitely dampen my mood 💦.
So, I took motion sickness medication in advance before departure,
and thankfully, I didn't feel seasick at all!
I was seated on the second floor,
but when I asked a staff member, they said the first floor
tends to be less shaky.
If you're prone to severe motion sickness, opt for seats on the first floor!
If you usually get bad seasickness,
it might be helpful to keep this in mind when choosing your seat.
However, since the ferry ride lasts about 3 hours,
even without seasickness, it was a bit boring.
I slept soundly for about 2 hours on the way there,
and another hour on the return journey,
which made it less boring.
The air conditioning on the ferry felt a bit chilly, so
I also recommend bringing a light jacket.
It's a completely different feeling from traveling by plane!
Departing from Mukho Port by ferry,
the journey of cutting through the sea to Ulleungdo was
one of the most memorable moments of this trip.
Three hours isn't exactly short, but
by sleeping on the way there and on the way back,
I found it quite manageable! 😊
Good Things to Know Before Booking Your Ulleungdo Ferry Ticket
✔ Mukho → Ulleungdo (Dodong Port) takes approximately 3 hours
✔ Final departure status may vary depending on weather conditions
✔ Boarding closes 10 minutes before departure, so arriving with plenty of time is recommended
✔ Physical ID is a must when buying tickets at the counter
(No photos of ID accepted)
✔ It can get a bit chilly on board, so pack a light jacket
✔ If you're prone to seasickness, bring motion sickness medication with you
✔ For severe seasickness, seats on the first floor are recommended
If you're starting from the Seoul metropolitan area like me,
an itinerary that lets you enjoy Mukho before heading to Ulleungdo
is quite a great option, so it might be worth considering! 😊
📍 Mukho Port
Mukhojin-dong, Donghae-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province
📍 Dodong Port
Dodong-ri, Ulleung-eup, Ulleung-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
The ferry departs from Mukho Port to Ulleungdo's Dodong Port at 8:20 AM, and from Ulleungdo's Dodong Port back to Mukho Port at 5:10 PM. However, ferry times can vary slightly depending on the date and operating schedule, so it's advisable to check in advance.
When the article's author made the reservation, the one-way fare per person was ~$53. A round trip costs approximately ~$104. Fares can vary depending on the season, seat class, fuel surcharges, and other factors.
Ferries departing from Mukho Coastal Ferry Terminal do not allow vehicle loading. If you plan to bring a vehicle to Ulleungdo, it is recommended to use the ferry service departing from Pohang.
When using the Ulleungdo ferry, an original physical ID card is mandatory. Photos of ID cards or pictures taken with a mobile phone are not accepted, so you must bring your physical ID.
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