๐ How to Rent a Car in Seoul โ The Complete Guide for Foreigners
โ ๏ธ Please note
Prices, English support, opening hours, and vehicle types differ by company and branch and change often. The information below is for reference and may change, so always check each company's official website or app for the latest details before booking or visiting. In peak season (summer and holidays), popular vehicles sell out fast and prices rise, so booking early is recommended.
โฑ๏ธ 30-Second Summary โ Just Remember This!
๐ชช IDP โ A 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit is required; get it in your home country first
๐ Documents โ Passport + IDP + home-country driver's license + credit card in your own name ๐ Requirements โ Age 21+, 1+ year of driving experience, within 1 year of entering Korea
๐ข Companies โ Lotte and SK Rent-a-Car support English booking; KlookยทTrip.com offer discounts
๐ก๏ธ Insurance โ Always take Korean CDW (foreign insurance is not accepted)
๐ Branches โ Airport desks are right in the arrivals area; check official sites for city branches
๐ฑ Car-sharing โ SocarยทGreencar mostly require a Korean license; tourists should use rental cars
1. ๐ชช The Most Important Item โ Your International Driving Permit (IDP)
To drive in Korea, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is legally required. And here's the point foreigners get wrong most often.
Korea only recognizes IDPs issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. If your permit was issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention instead, rental companies and police may treat it as invalid. Visitors from countries like Germany, France, and Thailand have actually been refused at the counter for this reason. Before you leave, check which convention your country's IDP is based on.
One more thing: an IDP is a physical paper document, so it can't be emailed. You must get it in your home country before departure.
2. ๐ Documents You Need to Rent a Car
The basic documents required at the counter are: your passport (for identity and to verify your entry date), your International Driving Permit (IDP), your home-country driver's license (original), and a credit card in your own name. The credit card is used not only for payment but also as a security deposit hold, so debit cards or cash alone may not be enough.
3. ๐ Age, Experience, and Time Requirements
To rent a car you generally must be 21 or older with at least 1 year of driving experience. Some companies require a higher age for certain vehicles (luxury or large cars).
Also, with an IDP you may only drive within 1 year of your date of entry. This applies to permits issued in the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, the UK, and so on. To keep driving after that year, you'd need to exchange for or obtain a Korean license. (Short-term travelers rarely need to worry about this.)
4. ๐ข Recommended Rental Companies & How to Book
Lotte Rent-a-Car โ Korea's No. 1 company, with many branches nationwide and online sign-up and booking. It supports not only Korean but also English (ENG), Japanese (ๆฅๆฌ่ช), and Chinese (Traditional & Simplified) โ just switch the language menu at the top right to browse branches and book in your own language, which makes it very convenient for foreigners. It partners with Hertz, so you may see Hertz branding at some branches. English phone support is available via the call center (1588-1230).
SK Rent-a-Car โ One of the largest companies alongside Lotte. It runs an English booking portal and tends to be a bit cheaper for comparable vehicles.
Overseas booking platforms (Klook, Trip.com, KAYAK, etc.) โ Compare multiple Korean rentals at once and grab promotional discounts. For reference, Klook has listed Seoul compact cars from around USD 32/day (as of April 2026). (Prices vary by season and vehicle.)
Global brands (Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, etc.) โ If you prefer a familiar brand, you can use their airport and city branches.
5. ๐ก๏ธ Insurance โ Always Take the CDW!
Korean rental companies do not accept foreign insurance as a substitute for their CDW. You must take the Korean company's collision coverage.
CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) covers damage to the rental car itself caused by driver fault. Basic CDW still leaves a deductible (self-payment, e.g., โฉ300,000โโฉ500,000) you pay in an accident, while Super CDW covers that deductible and the "idle-car" fee during repairs. For a worry-free trip, Super CDW is recommended.
CDW plus Super CDW together runs about โฉ15,000โโฉ45,000 per day (varies by vehicle and company; for reference).
6. ๐ฃ๏ธ Tolls ยท Hi-Pass
Almost every rental car comes with a Hi-Pass terminal and a post-paid card built in, so there's nothing extra to prepare. Highway tolls are settled all at once by the rental company after your trip. Note that if you only drive within central Seoul (Gangnam, Hongdae, Myeongdong, etc.), you'll rarely pay tolls. At toll gates, use the blue-marked Hi-Pass lanes.
7. ๐ ฟ๏ธ Driving & Parking Tips in Seoul
Parking in central Seoul averages about โฉ1,000โโฉ4,000 per hour. Curb colors tell you the rules: blue lines mean parking is allowed, yellow lines mean no parking, and red lines mean no stopping at all.
One thing to know: some unmanned parking exit machines only accept Korean cards, which can leave a foreign driver stuck at the barrier. Keep about โฉ10,000 in cash โ most gates have an intercom button to call an attendant who can process a cash payment.
8. ๐ฆ Driving in Korea โ What to Know
Korea drives on the right side of the road. Speed limits are generally 110 km/h on expressways, 80 km/h on multi-lane roads, 60 km/h on single-lane roads, 50 km/h on urban and rural roads, and 30 km/h in residential areas and school zones. School zones are enforced very strictly with heavy fines, so be sure to obey them. Central Seoul has heavy traffic and expensive, limited parking, so the subway is far easier for getting around the city; a rental car really shines for trips to Seoul's outskirts, coastal roads, mountains, and the countryside.
9. ๐ฑ Is Car-Sharing (SocarยทGreencar) Right for Tourists?
Many people are curious about app-based car-sharing (Socar, Greencar). But it's hard to recommend for tourists. Greencar can't be used with an IDP alone, and Socar is mainly open to foreigners who hold a Korean license (e.g., international students), so the conditions are tricky for short-term visitors. For tourism, a standard rental like Lotte or SK is the surest choice.
10. ๐บ๏ธ Seoul Rental Branches & Finding Them on Google Maps
Seoul has a lot of rental branches, and their addresses and hours change often. So we recommend always checking branch locations on each company's official "Find a Branch" page. When you open a branch on the official site, you get the map, directions, phone number, and hours all together โ the most accurate and up-to-date info.
In particular, the Lotte Rent-a-Car website flows seamlessly from branch info to booking and has a well-built English interface, making it the easiest for foreigners. If you want to find a branch and book right there, we recommend making full use of the Lotte website.
โ Find branches here (official) ยท Lotte Rent-a-Car nationwide branches: https://www.lotterentacar.net/hp/kor/info/allBranchArea.do?branchcat= ยท Lotte Rent-a-Car main (booking): https://www.lotterentacar.net/hp/kor/main/index.do ยท SK Rent-a-Car (SK direct): https://www.skdirect.co.kr/ Select the "Seoul" region on screen to see the city branch list and map. For English booking, use each site's English/ENG menu.
โ๏ธ Airport branches โ right next to you on arrival
The most convenient option is an airport branch. After you land and collect your luggage, you can walk straight to a rental desk inside the same building โ barely any extra travel needed.
Gimpo Airport โ Rental desks (Lotte and others) are on the arrivals floor of the domestic terminal. Just follow the "Rent-a-Car" signs.
Incheon Airport โ Rental desks are gathered inside Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Follow the signs to the "Car Rental / ๋ ํฐ์นด" area to see several companies in one place.
Picking up at the airport is great for heading straight to the provinces or outskirts on arrival. Confirm exact desk locations and gate numbers on your chosen company's official branch page.
๐๏ธ City branches in Seoul
Seoul has branches all over โ Seoul Station, Gangnam, Hongdae, Gongdeok, Magok, and more. Branch names often aren't registered on Google Maps, so the surest approach is to pick your area on the official "Find a Branch" page and follow the address and map shown there. If you set your pickup branch when booking, you'll also get location guidance.
11. ๐ป How to Book a Rental Car on the Official Sites (Lotte ยท SK)
Foreigners can book directly on the official sites. Both follow a similar flow: โ Choose pickup branch & time โ โก Choose a vehicle โ โข Choose insurance & options โ โฃ Enter driver details โ โค Pay. Your booking is confirmed only after payment.
๐ด Lotte Rent-a-Car (lotterentacar.net)
First, choose 'ENG' (English) from the language menu at the top right to switch to English. Then, under 'Quick Reservation' at the top, pick what fits your trip โ 'Domestic (mainland)' for Seoul and the mainland, 'Jeju' for Jeju, or 'KTX + Rental Car' if combining with the train. Next, set your pickup branch, pickup time, return branch, and return time and search for vehicles. Choose a car, select CDW/Super CDW insurance and add-ons (navigation, car seat, etc.), enter your driver details, and pay by credit card to complete the booking. Phone booking and English support are available at the call center 1588-1230 (from overseas: +82-2-1588-1230).
๐ต SK Rent-a-Car / SK direct (skdirect.co.kr)
SK is centered on the SK direct web and app. Go to short-term rental booking, set your pickup region and pickup/return times, and search for vehicles. Choose a car, select insurance (CDW) and options, enter driver details, and pay. With the app, you can go all the way to booking, checking the car's location, and contactless pickup. The main number is 1544-1600.
โ ๏ธ Check these when booking
The driver age requirement is generally 21 to under 80 (as of the rental date), and some luxury/large vehicles require age 26+. Book under the name of the actual driver (license holder), and prepare a credit card in that same name. IDP holders need a passport to verify the entry date, so make sure your booking details match your documents in advance.
12. ๐งญ From Booking to Return โ On-Site Procedure
The pickup procedure, per official guidance, is: โ Visit your booked branch and give your reservation number or name; foreigners present their passport and IDP. โก Staff confirm your reservation and draw up the rental contract using your license. โข After a final check of rental period, vehicle, and options, pay the rental fee. โฃ Go to the parking area with staff, check the car's condition (existing scratches, etc.), and sign the contract. Photographing any scratches at this point helps avoid disputes at return.
The return procedure is: park the car at the return branch, turn off the engine, take your key and belongings to the office โ hand over the key โ check the car and fuel condition together with staff โ settle any extras (late fees, fuel, traffic fines, etc.). Fuel is Full-to-Full by default โ filled up when you receive it and returned full โ so top up at a gas station before returning. Tolls (Hi-Pass) are settled automatically later.
โ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Can I rent with just my passport and home-country license, without an IDP? A. No. An IDP is legally required, and without it insurance won't apply, so you can't rent.
Q. How do I know if my international permit is valid in Korea? A. Korea only recognizes 1949 Geneva Convention IDPs. The convention is printed on the document when issued, so check before departure.
Q. Can I book in English? A. Yes. Lotte and SK Rent-a-Car support English booking, and platforms like Klook and Trip.com also let you book in English.
Q. Do I really have to take insurance? A. Strongly recommended. Foreign insurance isn't accepted, so taking Korean CDW (ideally Super CDW) is the safe choice.
Q. Do I even need a rental car for a Seoul trip? A. If you're only in central Seoul, the subway is easier. A rental car is far more useful for trips to the outskirts and the provinces.
Q. Can't I just use car-sharing apps (SocarยทGreencar)? A. Most require a Korean license, so it's difficult for short-term tourists. Use a standard rental car.
Q. Is it better to pick up at the airport or rent in the city? A. If you're heading to the provinces right after arrival, a Gimpo/Incheon airport branch is convenient. If you'll spend a few days in Seoul first before heading out, a city branch like Seoul Station or Gangnam is better.
Q. How do I find a rental branch? A. Branch names may not be registered on Google Maps. The most accurate way is to pick your region (Seoul) on the official Lotte/SK "Find a Branch" page and check the address and map. Paste that address into Google Maps, or search in English like car rental Gimpo Airport.
๐ฃ๏ธ Handy English Phrases at the Counter
"I'd like to rent a car. Here's my passport and international driving permit."
"I'd like to add full collision coverage (Super CDW), please."
"The exit machine only takes Korean cards โ can I pay in cash?"
โ Quick Checklist
Got a 1949 Geneva Convention IDP before departure
Passport + home-country license + credit card in your own name ready
Confirmed you're 21+ with 1+ year of driving experience
Booked with an English-friendly company (LotteยทSK) or via KlookยทTrip.com
Took CDW insurance (ideally Super CDW)
Decided pickup branch (airport/city) and saved it (โญ) on Google Maps
Checked the Hi-Pass terminal is installed (usually standard)
Carrying โฉ10,000 cash for parking
Learned speed limits, e.g., 30 km/h in school zones
๐ฆ A guide compiled by the CultureHub team.
๐ As of 2026 ยท โ ๏ธ Prices, English support, information, and operations may vary by season, company, and branch.
CultureHub does not endorse any specific company. Always check each rental company's official channels and a map app for the latest information before visiting or booking. Driving is your own responsibility, and we recommend re-confirming matters such as IDP validity with the relevant authorities.
