Fukuoka to Busan Ferry – Our Review
TL;DR
We took the Camellia Line ferry from Fukuoka to Busan.
When we travel, we try to avoid flying as much as possible. That’s why we decided to take the ferry from Japan to Korea.
We chose the Camellia Line Ferry because it was the cheapest option. Also, we can not resist cruising with an Onsen.
Our Ferry from Fukuoka to Busan Travel Guide
Getting from Fukuoka to Busan
You have three options to get from Fukuoka, Japan, to Busan, Korea:
- Flying
- The Queen Beetle fast ferry
- The Camellia Line slow ferry
Camellia Line vs. Queen Beetle Ferry
Should you take the Camellia Line or the Queen Beetle Ferry from Fukuoka to Busan? Here’s our comparison:
Camellia Line Duration |
Queen Beetle Duration |
|
6 h |
3.5 h |
Camellia Line Departure Times |
Queen Beetle Departure Times |
|
Fukuoka: 12:30 pm |
Fukuoka: 9:00 am |
Camellia Line Cabins |
Queen Beetle Cabins |
|
Yes |
No |
Camellia Line Food |
Queen Beetle Food |
|
Snacks and drinks from the kiosk or vending machines. |
Snacks and drinks from the kiosk or vending machines. |
Camellia Line Amenities |
Queen Beetle Amenities |
|
|
Camellia Line Bathrooms |
Queen Beetle Bathrooms |
|
Toilets and showers. |
Toilets and a powder room for women in business class. |
Camellia Line Price |
Queen Beetle Price |
| Starting from 40€ | Starting from 58€ |
Camellia Line WiFi |
Queen Beetle WiFi |
|
No |
Yes but spotty |
Camellia Line Luggage |
Queen Beetle Luggage |
|
Max 20kg |
Max 20kg |
Camellia Line Boarding and Departure Point |
Queen Beetle Boarding and Departure Point |
|
Same:
|
Same:
|
Our Camellia Line Review
We thoroughly enjoyed our ferry ride from Fukuoka to Busan and can 100% recommend it.
The whole process was super smooth and convenient – from the embarkation in Fukuoka to the disembarkation in Busan.
It was literally smooth sailing as we had lovely weather. We watched Fukuoka disappear and Busan appear on the sun deck, we went to the spa, we had some snacks, and we even got in a nap. We felt so relaxed that it felt like time was flying.
Camellia Line Cabin Options
Your cabin options on the New Camellia Line Ferry are (listed from cheapest to most expensive):
- Economy
- First Class
- Single Room (toilet and shower)
- Twin Room (toilet and shower)
We chose the economy room as we cruised during daylight hours and wanted to save money. This room type has a capacity of 11 - 24 people. We didn’t mind because we stayed in many hostels on this trip anyway. Dividers between the beds provide a sense of privacy. You can store your luggage in the compartment overhead.
Camellia Line on Board Amenities
Here’s a quick overview of the amenities of the Camellia Line Ferry between Japan and Korea:
Spa
The spa was the main draw for us to choose the Camellia Line Ferry from Japan to Korea. It features two basins with hot water and multiple showers.
It is free to enter but you can opt to pay for a locker. Men and women are separated.
Games and Karaoke
There are various gaming machines and karaoke rooms. You have to pay a small fee to use both.
Shop and Vending Machines
You can find a small kiosk with snacks and drinks as well as multiple vending machines on board. We especially liked the Ramen vending machine.
Restaurant
If you’re craving a proper meal, there’s a restaurant on board that serves Japanese, Korean, and Western food.
Indoor and Outdoor Seating Areas
If you don’t want to hang out in your room, you can find plenty of indoor and outdoor seating areas.
Fukuoka to Busan Ferry FAQ
Fukuoka or Hakata
Don’t be confused: Fukuoka and Hakata used to be separate cities which fused under the name of Fukuoka. For some reason, they decided to keep the old names for Hakata Station and Hakata Port 🤷♀️
How to Get to Hakata Port
Bus route no. 88 takes you directly from Hakata Station to Hakata Port International Terminal. If you’re staying in other parts of the city, other bus routes like no. 80 might be available to you.
How to Get to Busan Port
Busan Port is just behind Busan Station. The walk is super quick.
Boarding and Immigration Procedures in Fukuoka
The check-in and immigration process in Fukuoka is very straightforward. It is recommended to arrive at the international port around 1.5 hours before departure. We had booked online so we just had to show our passports and were handed our paper tickets at the check-in counter. After check-in, we headed one floor up for the immigration procedures. After immigration, there’s a duty-free shop.
Disembarking and Immigration Procedures in Busan
Once we arrived in Busan, we lined up for immigration in Korea. There were three lines for Korean passengers and only one line for foreign passengers but we made it eventually. We then exchanged our last Japanese Yen for Korean Won in the Busan Port International Terminal and were good to go.
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