Can you still take the high-speed ferry (Queen Beetle) from Hakata to Busan?

No, you cannot. JR Kyushu Jet Ferry suspended the Queen Beetle in August 2024 and subsequently withdrew from the route, leaving no high-speed ferry service between Hakata and Busan. As of October 2026, the only regular passenger ferry operating between Hakata and Busan is Camellia Line's New Camellia.

How long does the ferry take from Hakata to Busan?

On the New Camellia, Hakata to Busan departs at 12:30 and arrives at 18:30, taking about 6 hours. From Busan to Hakata, it is an overnight sailing where passengers board by 20:00 and disembark starting at 7:30 the next morning. Arrival times may vary depending on weather conditions.

Is it cheaper to take a ferry or fly from Japan to Busan?

At regular prices, they are roughly comparable. A 2nd class one-way ticket on the New Camellia costs 15,000 yen, plus a 1,400 yen fuel surcharge, 3,000 yen international tourist tax, and 500 yen terminal fee (effective October 1, 2026). Flights between Fukuoka and Busan can sometimes be found from the low 10,000 yen range one-way during LCC sales. The ferry suits travelers with heavy luggage or those who prefer walking straight from the port to Busan Station, while flights are best for those prioritizing speed.

Is there a ferry from Shimonoseki to Busan?

Yes, there is. Kampu Ferry operates one daily sailing, departing Shimonoseki at 19:45 and arriving in Busan at 8:00 the next morning, and departing Busan at 21:00 and arriving in Shimonoseki at 7:45 the next morning. The adult one-way 2nd class fare is 12,000 yen, with terminal facility fees, fuel surcharges, and the international tourist tax charged separately at boarding.

Do I need a K-ETA to travel from Japan to Busan?

Japanese passport holders, along with citizens of 21 other countries and regions on the temporary exemption list (including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore and Taiwan), do not need a K-ETA through December 31, 2026 (Korea Standard Time). Regulations for 2027 and beyond have not yet been announced as of October 2026. Exempt travelers need to submit an e-Arrival Card (electronic arrival declaration) for entry.

How to Get from Japan to Busan 2026: Ferry vs Flight from Fukuoka, Shimonoseki & Osaka

The Hakata–Busan high-speed ferry Queen Beetle has ended service. In 2026, traveling from Japan to Busan means choosing between ferries (New Camellia, Kampu Ferry, Panstar Miracle) and flights. Here is a complete comparison of schedules, fares, travel times, getting from Busan Port into the city, and entry preparations.

Busan is just about a one-hour flight from Fukuoka, or a half-day journey by sea. However, with the retirement of the Hakata–Busan high-speed ferry Queen Beetle in 2024, route options have changed considerably in recent years. Here is a breakdown of the available routes in 2026, comparing ferries and flights.

⚡ Bottom Line (as of October 13, 2026): No high-speed ferries are currently operating between Hakata and Busan. If you want to travel by sea, your three options are the New Camellia from Hakata (approx. 6 hours), the Kampu Ferry from Shimonoseki (overnight), and the Panstar Miracle from Osaka (3 sailings per week). If speed is your priority, direct flights from Fukuoka, Narita, Kansai, and other hubs (about 1 hour from Fukuoka) are the fastest way to go.

Route Comparison: Japan to Busan at a Glance

Route	Operator / Vessel	Schedule (One-way)	Est. Adult One-way Fare	Best For
Hakata → Busan (Ferry)	Camellia Line “New Camellia”	Dep. 12:30 → Arr. 18:30 (approx. 6 hrs)	2nd Class 15,000 yen + fees	Kyushu residents, heavy packers
Shimonoseki → Busan (Ferry)	Kampu Ferry	Dep. 19:45 → Arr. 8:00 next day (Overnight)	2nd Class 12,000 yen + fees	Western Honshu travelers, saving on lodging
Osaka → Busan (Ferry)	Sanstar Line “Panstar Miracle”	3 sailings/week, approx. 19 hrs	From 20,000 yen (at 2025 launch)	Travelers wanting a cruise experience
Tsushima → Busan (High-speed ferry)	Multiple operators (approx. 1 hr 30 min from Hitakatsu)	Varies by operator and day	Check with operators	Pairing with a Tsushima trip
Fukuoka → Busan (Flight)	Air Busan, Jin Air, Jeju Air, T’way Air, etc.	Approx. 1 hr	From low 10,000s yen on LCC sales	Travelers prioritizing speed

⚠️ Schedules and fares reflect information published on official operator websites as of October 2026. Non-operation days and fuel surcharges fluctuate monthly, so always verify the latest details on official websites before booking.

Hakata to Busan: New Camellia (Camellia Line)

Following the withdrawal of Queen Beetle, the only regular passenger ferry connecting Hakata and Busan is Camellia Line’s New Camellia. It operates 7 sailings a week, though scheduled maintenance or suspension days vary by month.

Sailing	Check-in	Departure	Arrival
Hakata → Busan	10:30–11:30	12:30	18:30
Busan → Hakata	16:30–18:30	20:00 (Boarding closes)	7:30 next morning (Disembarkation begins)

Fares (Effective October 1, 2026 / Adult One-way): 2nd Class 15,000 yen, 2nd Class Berth 17,000 yen, 1st Class (Japanese / Western style) 21,000 yen. Round-trip and student discounts have been discontinued.

Departing from Hakata incurs the following additional fees on top of the base fare:

Fuel surcharge: 1,400 yen
International Tourist Tax: 3,000 yen (free for children under 2)
Terminal fee: 500 yen for adults

Booking a one-way 2nd class ticket brings the total to roughly 19,900 yen. For sailings departing Busan, fares are converted to yen at the prevailing exchange rate for the booking month, and separate fees apply, including a 14,000 won fuel surcharge and a 6,000 won port facility tax.

The return trip from Busan to Hakata is an overnight sailing, allowing you to explore Busan until the final evening and arrive in Hakata the next morning—even heading straight to work or school.

Boarding tickets are also available on Klook. It is a good idea to compare rates and seat availability with the official website before booking.

New Camellia Ferry Ticket (Fukuoka ⇔ Busan)

Departs from Hakata Port International Terminal. Features onboard public baths and a restaurant. Choose your room type and book easily.

See price & reviews· Klook

Shimonoseki to Busan: Kampu Ferry

If you are traveling by ferry from Honshu, Kampu Ferry is your go-to route. It operates one daily sailing, alternating between two ships: the Hamayuu and the Seong Hee.

Sailing	Passenger Check-in	Departure	Arrival
Shimonoseki → Busan	15:00–18:00	19:45	8:00 next day
Busan → Shimonoseki	15:00–17:30	21:00	7:45 next day

Fares (Adult One-way): 2nd Class 12,000 yen, 1st Class 16,000 yen, Deluxe 23,000 yen, Suite 34,000 yen. The following fees are payable at the terminal upon boarding:

Shimonoseki Port: Facility fee 620 yen, fuel surcharge 1,900 yen (as of October 2026), International Tourist Tax 3,000 yen
Busan Port: Facility fee 7,000 won, fuel surcharge 19,000 won

Because you board in the evening and arrive the next morning, Kampu Ferry doubles as transport and overnight accommodation, saving you the cost of a hotel night.

Osaka to Busan: Panstar Miracle

Departing from Osaka Nanko (Osaka South Port), the Panstar Miracle is a new vessel that entered service in April 2025, replacing the former Panstar Dream. It operates 3 sailings per week and takes about 19 hours. At its launch in 2025, departures from Osaka were on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while departures from Busan were on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Standard one-way fares were announced starting from 20,000 yen.

While the travel time is long, spending a night on board and arriving in Busan the following morning makes it feel like a mini-cruise. Check the official Sanstar Line website for official 2026 timetables and fares.

The Tsushima Option

From Hitakatsu Port on Tsushima Island to Busan, high-speed ferries take about 1 hour and 30 minutes. According to Kyushu District Transport Bureau data (as of October 2025), three operators serviced the Hitakatsu–Busan route. However, schedules and operators frequently change, so be sure to check the latest timetables with each company if you plan to combine this with a trip to Tsushima.

Flights: Just About 1 Hour from Fukuoka

If saving time is your priority, flying is the way to go. Fukuoka to Busan takes only about 1 hour, served by low-cost carriers such as Air Busan, Jin Air, Jeju Air, T’way Air, and Eastar Jet. Direct flights are also available from other major Japanese airports, including Narita, Kansai, and Chubu (airlines and flight frequencies vary by season).

Fares: During LCC sales, one-way flights departing Fukuoka can sometimes drop to the low 10,000 yen range.
Air Busan Merger: Air Busan is scheduled to merge into Jin Air on March 17, 2027 (merger contract signed in August 2026). If you are booking for spring 2027 or later, flight numbers and the operating carrier may transition to Jin Air.
Airport to Downtown: Gimhae International Airport takes about 60 to 80 minutes to reach downtown Busan via light rail and subway. For details, see our guide to getting from Gimhae Airport to downtown Busan.

Ferry vs. Flight: Which Should You Choose?

Comparison Factor	Ferry	Flight
Travel Time	6–19 hours	Approx. 1–2 hours
Arrival Point	Busan Port (approx. 10-min walk to Busan Station)	Gimhae Airport (60–80 min to downtown)
Luggage	Generous baggage allowances	LCCs often charge extra for checked bags
Accommodation	Overnight sailings double as lodging	Hotel booking required
Weather Impact	Subject to cancellations/delays	Relatively less affected

Travelers based in Fukuoka with lots of luggage or plans for major K-beauty hauls will love the ferry, while those on short getaways like a 3-day weekend will find flying much more convenient.

Arriving at Busan Port: Getting into the City

Ferries arrive at the Busan Port International Passenger Terminal. From the terminal, it is about a 10-minute walk to Busan Station via a pedestrian connecting bridge.

Toward Seomyeon & Haeundae: Take Subway Line 1 from Busan Station, and transfer to Line 2 at Seomyeon.
Toward Nampo-dong & Jagalchi Market: Just 2 stops from Busan Station to Nampo Station on Subway Line 1.
With Heavy Luggage: Taking a cab from the terminal taxi stand is the easiest option. For ride-hailing instructions, check out our Kakao T Taxi Guide.

For how to ride subways and buses, see our Complete Busan Subway & Bus Guide, and for transit passes, check our Busan Transportation Card Guide.

Pre-Departure Checklist

Passport: Make sure your passport has sufficient remaining validity.
K-ETA: Japanese passport holders (and those from 21 other exempt countries and regions, including the US, UK and Australia) are exempt through December 31, 2026. Requirements for 2027 onward are updated in our guide: Do You Need a K-ETA? 2027 Latest Status.
e-Arrival Card: An electronic arrival declaration required upon entry. Step-by-step instructions are in our Korea e-Arrival Card Guide.
Mobile Data: Set up an eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi so you can use navigation apps immediately upon arrival → How to Choose a Korea eSIM
Accommodations: Staying near Nampo-dong / Busan Station (close to the port) or Seomyeon (the main sightseeing hub) is most convenient → Where to Stay in Busan: Neighborhood Guide

Wondering how long to stay? Check How Many Days in Busan?, and for a sample itinerary, see our Classic 4-Day, 3-Night Busan Itinerary.

📌 Double-Check Before Booking: Before reserving your ferry, hotel, or activities, check our Busan Discount Codes & Promo Guide to see if you can save with available coupons.

This article contains affiliate links. Booking through these links incurs no extra cost to you, but may earn this site a referral commission. For more details, please visit our Affiliate Disclosure.

Schedules and fares are based on official operator websites for Camellia Line and Kampu Ferry (verified October 2026), Kyushu District Transport Bureau publications, and media reports. Always check official operator websites for the latest updates.