Nova Ferry to Tsushima 2026: Save on Regional Departures

Nova Ferry to Tsushima 2026: Save on Regional Departures | TRVLOGUE

Ferry to Tsushima,

Which One Should You Take?

Why the NOBA Ferry from Regional Departures Saves You Money

Sitting on the first train heading to Busan Port,

how many times have you checked your watch?

If you're planning a trip to Tsushima,

you'll eventually realize that the departure time

is even more crucial than the ferry price.

This is especially true if you're departing

from a region other than Busan, like Daejeon,

Chungcheong, or the Seoul Metropolitan Area.

Having traveled to Tsushima multiple times myself,

I've spent more than expected due to this very reason.

01. Same Ferry Price, But Your Travel Expenses Could Differ by Over ~$69

When booking a ferry to Tsushima,

most people start by comparing prices.

However, for those departing from regional areas,

whether you need to spend a night in Busan

becomes a much bigger factor than the ferry fare itself.

Because of seasickness,

I used to prefer the Tsushima Link Ferry.

The problem, however, was that

the first ferry departed at 8:40 AM.

Even if you took the first KTX from Daejeon,

you'd arrive at Busan Station around 8:10 AM,

making it practically impossible to catch the 8:40 AM

Tsushima Link Ferry.

The result? An overnight stay in Busan.

Adding accommodation, dinner, and breakfast,

I ended up spending more in Busan than on the Tsushima ferry ticket itself.

At the time, I thought it was just how things were,

but recently, while helping a friend with their travel itinerary

and looking at the NOBA Ferry timetable,

'This was a game-changer!'

I realized.

02. Three Reasons Why I Recommend the NOBA Ferry for Regional Departures

① You don't need an overnight stay in Busan.

The NOBA Ferry offers flexible departure times:

9:10 AM on weekdays,

and both 9:10 AM and 12:30 PM on weekends.

Especially the 9:10 AM weekday departure is a huge advantage

for travelers coming from regional areas.

Using Daejeon as an example, if you take the first KTX:

* Arrive at Busan Station around 8:10 AM

* Busan Station → Busan Port International Passenger Terminal (approx. 10-minute walk)

This allows for plenty of time to get there comfortably.

On the other hand, the Tsushima Link Ferry departs at 8:40 AM,

which means you'd either need to stay overnight in Busan the day before

or face the challenge of leaving very early in the morning and driving.

② You can save at least ~$69 in travel expenses.

Comparing just the ferry fares, there might not seem to be a big difference.

However, in a real travel scenario, it's a different story.

If you stay overnight in Busan, you're looking at additional costs for:

Accommodation

Dinner

Breakfast

Transportation

Even for two people traveling frugally, these costs combined will easily add

at least ~$104 to your trip.

Conversely, with the NOBA Ferry, you can arrive the same day,

eliminating these extra expenses entirely.

In other words,

your total travel expenses will be significantly reduced.

③ Wider Range of Time Options

Another advantage of the NOBA Ferry is the option to choose

your departure time on weekends when booking.

Depending on your travel style, you can plan for:

Same-day departures

Relaxed departures

Weekend itineraries

and a variety of other arrangements.

The further you're traveling, the more significant this difference will feel.

03. A Quick Look: Comparison at a Glance

Category	NOBA Ferry	Tsushima Link Ferry
First Departure	9:10	8:40
Using First Regional Train	Highly Possible	Practically Difficult
Overnight Stay in Busan	Can Be Skipped	Absolutely Necessary
Additional Travel Expenses	None beyond Tsushima travel costs	Busan overnight accommodation, transportation, dinner & breakfast costs

04. Let's Be Honest

The NOBA Ferry isn't the perfect solution for everyone.

If you live in Busan or the Gyeongsang region,

the departure time actually

might not be a major concern.

There's no need to insist on only the Novah ferry.

However,

for those who need to travel to Busan from regions like Daejeon, Chungcheong, or the Seoul metropolitan area,

it's a different story.

For these travelers, whether they need to spend a night in Busan

determines their travel budget more than the ferry fare itself.

05. What I Was Most Satisfied With When Planning a Friend's Trip

Recently, I helped a friend plan their Tsushima trip itinerary.

At first, they were just looking at ferry prices to book,

but after reconfirming the departure times,

the Novah ferry turned out to be much more advantageous.

No need for an overnight stay in Busan,

can easily align with train schedules,

and avoiding fatigue right from the first day of the trip.

When I explained the itinerary, my friend also said,

"Going this way is much more comfortable."

and the most satisfying aspect was precisely the departure time.

06. What's the Best 1-Night, 2-Day Itinerary for the Novah Ferry?

My group's 1-night, 2-day trip involves entering and exiting through Hitakatsu,

but since they wanted to cross over to Izuhara,

I had them book the Tsushima direct bus, the Miracle Link Pass,

which goes from Hitakatsu to Izuhara.

The reason is that if you take the first bus at 13:00 (1 PM),

you can visit Saiki, a Value Mart in Tsushima with lower prices.

Normally, people shop at Value Mart Ohura in Hitakatsu, but this is

one of the most expensive places on Tsushima.

That's why visiting Saiki is truly appealing.

And since you arrive in Izuhara at 4 PM,

you'll have plenty of time for shopping and exploring local eateries.

On the second day, taking the first Miracle Link Pass bus again,

you can make a quick stop at Manzeki Bridge to see the ocean,

and then arrive back in Hitakatsu by 10:10 AM.

You can have breakfast at a restaurant near Hitakatsu Port,

then take the second loop bus at 12:30 (12:30 PM),

explore Hitakatsu until 14:45 (2:45 PM),

and then board your ferry for a truly packed 1-night, 2-day trip.

Japan Tsushima Bus Tour Hitakatsu Loop Izuhara Direct Miracle Link Pass Loop Bus Reservationnaver.me

07. "If the ferry fare is a bit cheaper, wouldn't another ferry be better?"

You might be asking this question.

My answer is, if you're departing from a regional area,

"Be sure to calculate your total travel expenses."

Many people try to save only ~$7 to ~$14 on the ferry fare,

only to end up spending over ~$104 more on Busan accommodation, meals, and transportation.

Conversely, if the Nova ferry allows you to reduce your accommodation costs in Busan,

it could actually be a more economical choice!

It's not necessarily a no-brainer recommendation for everyone.

However, if you're departing from an area outside Busan,

it's definitely not a disadvantage...

08. Check Nova Ferry's Lowest Prices in Advance!

Nova ferry prices can vary depending on the season

or seat availability.

The lowest price currently observed starts from ~$21,

and during peak season, seats tend to sell out quickly,

so if your travel dates are set,

I recommend checking in advance.

I checked, and even though it's heading into peak season,

there are still special discount tickets available!

Grab those special tickets before they sell out!

▶ Book Nova Ferry's Lowest Prices Here!

Busan to Tsushima Ferry Nova Ferry: Book Round-Trip Tickets, Day Trips to Hitakatsu/Izuhara, Tsushima Bus Tours, 1 Night 2 Daysnaver.me

09. Wrapping Up

When planning a trip to Tsushima,

to be able to depart early in the morning

without needing an overnight stay in Busan...

I can't believe I only just found this out! T_T

Whenever I thought about a Tsushima trip,

I often felt like the money spent unnecessarily in Busan

was such a waste...

If you use the Nova ferry, those departing from other regions

can save at least ~$104 or more.

Now that I know, I'm definitely, definitely taking the Nova ferry! ^^

So, if your travel dates are set,

check if any special discount seats are left and book them!

▶ Book Nova Ferry's Lowest Prices Here!

Busan to Tsushima Ferry Nova Ferry: Book Round-Trip Tickets, Day Trips to Hitakatsu/Izuhara, Tsushima Bus Tours, 1 Night 2 Daysnaver.me

Get Affordable Tsushima SIM Cards Here↓↓↓↓

Japan eSIM Unlimited Data SIM 4G 5G: Osaka, Tokyo, Fukuoka, Okinawa, Sapporo, Miyakojima, Matsuyama, Kumamoto, Tsushima, Takamatsu (Ringtalk)naver.me

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the specific reasons why it's difficult to use the Tsushima Link ferry departing at 8:40 AM when traveling to Tsushima from Daejeon, Chungcheong region, or the Seoul metropolitan area?

Even if you take the first KTX from Daejeon, you would arrive at Busan Station around 8:10 AM. Therefore, it's practically impossible to board the Tsushima Link ferry departing at 8:40 AM due to the tight schedule. This often necessitates an overnight stay in Busan the day before.

Why can travelers departing from regional areas avoid an overnight stay in Busan when using the Nova ferry?

The Nova ferry has departure times at 9:10 AM on weekdays, and at 9:10 AM and 12:30 PM on weekends. If you take the first KTX from Daejeon, you'll arrive at Busan Station at 8:10 AM, and then it's about a 10-minute walk to the Busan Port International Passenger Terminal, allowing you to comfortably catch the 9:10 AM ferry.

What are the specific reasons why the Nova ferry can save at least ~$69 or more on travel expenses compared to the Tsushima Link ferry when traveling to Tsushima?

If you have to stay overnight in Busan when using the Tsushima Link ferry, additional expenses such as accommodation, dinner, breakfast, and transportation can amount to at least ~$104 or more for a party of two. In contrast, the Nova ferry allows for same-day departure, eliminating these extra costs and thus saving on overall travel expenses.

What is the specific way to visit the affordable Saiki Value Mart during a 2-day, 1-night Tsushima trip with Nova ferry, specifically for a Hitakatsu in/out itinerary?

You should book the Miracle Link Pass, a direct bus service from Hitakatsu to Izuhara, and board the first departure at 1:00 PM. This bus allows you to stop at Saiki Value Mart for shopping, and you will arrive in Izuhara around 4:00 PM.

What is the starting price for Nova ferry's cheapest round-trip ticket currently, and what should be noted when booking?

The currently confirmed lowest price for Nova ferry tickets starts from ~$21. During peak season, seats tend to sell out quickly, so it is recommended to check and book in advance once your travel dates are set.