Shimonoseki - Busan
Ferry to South Korea
Shimonoseki - Busan
Ferry to South Korea
Ferries from Shimonoseki to Busan are operated by 1 ferry company; Pukwan Ferry. The journey usually takes around 12 hours 15 minutes. There are currently 6 weekly sailings on this ferry route. Prices start from as little as £61. Use our Deal Finder to compare prices and availability and book your ferry to Busan today.
Shimonoseki Busan ferry prices tend to range between £61* and £269*. The average price for ferries from Shimonoseki Busan is typically £124*. The cheapest Shimonoseki Busan ferry prices start from £61*. The average foot passenger price is £124*.
Pricing will vary depending on the number of passengers, vehicle type, route and sailing times. Pricing is taken from searches over the last 30 days and is exclusive of service fees, last updated December 25.
You can easily find cheap ferry tickets with our Deal Finder. We recommend booking in advance to get the best possible prices and availability. You can also check out our Special Offers page for the latest deals on Shimonoseki ferries.
Yes, Direct Ferries offers a wide range of discounts all year around. When searching for ferries, senior discounts will be automatically applied if they are available. Just select your age range from the passenger options.
Students and graduates can get a 5% discount on ferry tickets. To take advantage of the discount, you need to register with our partner Student Beans and confirm your student or graduate status. You will then receive a discount code which can be entered during the payment process.
Resident discounts are available on a variety of Spanish and Italian ferry routes. Just click on the "Residents" option when this is displayed in our Deal Finder. The discount is automatically applied to the price. Bear in mind that proof of registration or an identity card with the correct address must be shown at check-in.
Shimonoseki Busan ferries typically depart at 19:45.
Due to the crossing time, ferries between Shimonoseki and Busan are currently not suitable for a day trip.
No, ferry operators currently do not allow cars to travel on sailings between Shimonoseki and Busan.
Whether you can bring your campervan on the ferry from Shimonoseki to Busan depends on several factors like the ship & operator of your preferred crossing. For more information on travelling with campervans & caravans on ferries, use our Deal Finder or visit our blog, where you can find practical tips & travel inspiration for your next adventure.
Currently, you cannot take your bicycle on board any ferries from Shimonoseki to Busan.
Yes, foot passengers can travel with Pukwan Ferry ferries between Shimonoseki and Busan.
Pets are currently not allowed on board the ferries from Shimonoseki to Busan. Use our Deal Finder to find alternative routes that offer travel options for pets.
Please note that even if pets are not allowed on board, different regulations may apply to passengers travelling with guide dogs and assistance dogs. We recommend talking to our customer service to check the specific rules on your preferred sailing. For general information on travelling with assistant dogs and guide dogs, visit our Special Assistance Help page.
Use our Deal Finder to find out whether your preferred ferry is an overnight ferry. Here you can also find the current ferry timetables and crossing times. Please note that the duration of the night ferries are usually slightly longer than that of the day ferries.
Travel requirements can vary depending on the route, so it's important to check what documents you'll need before sailing. In most cases, a valid passport is required when traveling from Shimonoseki to Busan, along with any necessary visas or national ID cards. Requirements may differ based on your nationality and the destination country’s regulations. To avoid delays at check-in, you can find helpful information for your journey in our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide and in our blog post on tips and tricks for international travel.
Book your ferry tickets online with Direct Ferries using our Deal Finder. Just enter your departure and arrival ports and the date you’d like to travel to see all available options and prices. You’ll also be able to view alternative routes and times, so you can find the best deal to suit you.
Look out for early booking discounts or special ticket options such as upgrades or flexi-tickets that allow you to change or cancel your booking. To make your sailing as smooth as possible, make sure you enter all the required information correctly, such as number of passengers and vehicle specifications.
Once you’ve finalised your booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email. It depends on the ferry operator you book with as to how your boarding pass is issued and collected.
Whilst some ferry operators issue the boarding pass as soon as your booking is confirmed, others may ask you to check in at the port. There’s also the option for online check-in, which can be easily done via the Direct Ferries app, if available.
The ticket desks are usually located near the ferry terminals. To avoid any delays at the port, we’d recommend allowing some extra time to collect your tickets and to check-in.
During check-in, you must show your email confirmation, as well as an official photo ID, such as a passport or identity card. You might also be asked to provide documentation for your pet (vaccines, pet insurance etc.) or proof of residence, if you have booked your ticket with a resident discount.
There could be various reasons why there are no departures from Shimonoseki to Busan for the date you’ve requested. For example, a temporary timetable change, limited availability or seasonal changes in the timetable.
We recommend checking for alternative dates. Our Deal Finder automatically compares the desired route with alternative routes and dates, offering up-to-date real time options, all in one place.
The best time to book ferries from Shimonoseki to Busan is usually as early as possible. By booking in advance, you’ll not only get your tickets at the best available prices, but you’ll also get a better choice of departure times and cabin/seating options.
We’d recommend making your booking at least a few weeks in advance to benefit from the best offers. Bear in mind that prices may vary depending on the season and availability.
More routes than anyone else.
Compare fares, times & routes in one place.
Change plans easily with flexi tickets.
Book e-tickets & manage trips in-app.
Live ship tracking & real-time updates.
Top-rated customer support when you need it.
| Shimonoseki - Busan Ferry Route summary | ||
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Yamaguchi | |
| Destination | South Korea | |
| No. of Operators | 1 | |
| Operators | Pukwan Ferry | |
| Average Price | £124 | |
| Average Daily Sailings | 1 | |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 6 | |
| Average Sailing Duration | 12 h 15 m | |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 12 h 15 m | |
| First Ferry | 19:45 | |
| Last Ferry | 19:45 | |
| Distance | 122 Nautical Miles | |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 December 2025.
Rugged mountainside engulfs modern architecture – Shimonoseki is unashamedly Japanese. Drive over the Tsunoshima Ohashi Bridge, the city’s most impressive piece of architecture, on your way to Hinoyama National Park and admire the breathtaking views from the apex of the mountain. The park is perhaps the highlight of the city, affording wonderful views of the verdant foliage and colourful plant life – it’s the perfect setting for a romantic stroll. The walk can prove to be fairly arduous, so after a long day embarking up the steep hillside, treat yourself to some typically Japanese cuisine at one of the high quality restaurants. As enjoyable as the park may be, there are plenty of cultural landmarks and attractions to browse; the Karato Sea Market offers a selection of fresh fish from the surrounding water, sold by fisherman who thrive on haggling with tourists. The market is located right in the heart of the city, encompassed by a range of historical and religious landmarks – the Akama Shrine and Kozanji Temple are often the most captivating.
The island is very small, covering 3.9 square kilometres in total, so it is possible to cover the entirety of it by foot.
The Port of Busan is the largest in South Korea, handling some of the highest amounts of cargo in the world each year. It is situated at the mouth of the Nakton River, on the south-eastern tip of the Korean Peninsula. The city is home to almost four million people, making it the second largest in South Korea. However, Busan is more than just a port. Haeundae Beach attracts thousands of visitors from all over the country, thanks to its long stretch of pristine sand and the variety of excellent restaurants. The Port of Busan is an important gateway to southern Japan, with frequent sailings provided to Osaka, Hakata (Fukuoka) and Shimonoseki.
