Last updated: November 2026
⚡ TL;DR: Download these before you fly: Naver Map (Google Maps can’t give you walking or driving directions in Korea), Papago (translation, with camera mode for menus), Kakao T (taxis), KakaoTalk (everyone in Korea uses it) and Korail Talk (KTX trains). Add a prepaid travel card like WOWPASS for easy payments and T-money. Set everything up with Wi-Fi at home, not at the airport.
Here’s the moment every visitor to Seoul hits sooner or later: you open Google Maps, type in a restaurant, hit “Directions”… and nothing useful happens. No walking route. No driving route. Just a pin and a shrug.
It’s not your phone. Korea simply runs on its own apps. After 30-plus years in Seoul, here’s the exact set I tell every friend to install before they land, and what each one is actually good for.
The essential apps at a glance
| App | What it’s for | English? |
|---|---|---|
| Naver Map | Walking, subway, bus and driving directions; real-time bus arrivals | Yes |
| KakaoMap | Backup map app, great transit routing | Partly |
| Papago | Translation: text, voice and camera mode for menus and signs | Yes |
| Kakao T | Calling taxis, all over Korea | Yes |
| Uber | Taxis in Seoul and some other cities, with your usual account | Yes |
| KakaoTalk | Messaging; many guesthouses, tours and shops use it | Yes |
| Korail Talk | Booking KTX and other trains | Yes |
| WOWPASS (or a similar travel card app) | Prepaid card for payments, currency exchange and T-money | Yes |
| Subway app (e.g. Kakao Metro) | Subway maps, transfers and exit numbers | Yes |
Getting around
Naver Map: your new best friend
Naver Map is the app Koreans actually use. It gives walking, subway, bus and driving directions, shows which subway exit to use, and has real-time bus arrival times. Switch the language to English in settings. My tip: search places in Korean when you can (copy the name from Papago or a blog), because Korean results are always the most complete.
Why Google Maps doesn’t work
Google Maps shows places in Korea, but it can’t give walking or driving directions, because of Korean rules on map data. Use it for saved pins and reviews, then open Naver Map to actually get there.
Taxis: Kakao T or Uber
- Kakao T is Korea’s main taxi app and works almost everywhere, including outside Seoul. Install it at home and link a card before you fly, so you’re not setting it up at the curb.
- Uber also works in Seoul and some other cities, and lets you use the account and card you already have.
- You can always just hail a taxi on the street, too. Most take cards.
Trains: Korail Talk
For KTX trips to Busan, Gyeongju or Jeonju, book on Korail Talk or the Korail website. Weekend and holiday trains sell out, so book a few days ahead.
🔥 Hot take: The most useful thing Naver Map tells you isn’t the route. It’s the subway exit number. Pick the right exit and you’ll save ten minutes of wandering around a giant station.
Talking and translating
- Papago is the best translator for Korean. Use camera mode on menus, signs and product labels, and conversation mode with taxi drivers or pharmacists.
- Download the Korean offline pack before you fly in case your data drops.
- KakaoTalk is how Korea communicates. Guesthouses, tour guides and some shops will ask for your Kakao ID instead of a phone number.
Paying for things
Korea is very card-friendly, and most places take foreign credit cards. A few things make life easier:
- Prepaid travel cards such as WOWPASS let you exchange cash at kiosks, pay by card and use the same card as a T-money transit card
- T-money is the transit card for subways, buses and many taxis; you can also buy one at any convenience store, see my convenience store guide
- Keep some cash for street food stalls and traditional markets; see my winter street food guide
- Tax refunds are often instant at big stores like Olive Young; bring your passport
💡 Friend tip: Set up every app at home on Wi-Fi: create accounts, link cards and switch them to English. The airport arrivals hall with a dying battery is the worst place to discover that an app wants an SMS code. Sorting out data first? See my eSIM vs pocket WiFi guide.
Nice-to-have apps
- Restaurant booking apps such as Catch Table, for popular restaurants that take reservations
- Food delivery apps (Baemin, Coupang Eats) are amazing, but often need a Korean phone number; ask your hotel or a Korean friend
- Naver for searching local reviews and opening hours
- Olive Young app for daily deals and sale dates; see my Olive Young sale guide
🙅 Skip: relying on Google Maps for directions, setting up taxi apps at the curb, and assuming delivery apps will work with a foreign number.
FAQ
Does Google Maps work in Korea?
Google Maps shows places in Korea but cannot give walking or driving directions because of Korean rules on map data. Use Naver Map or KakaoMap for directions.
What is the best map app for Korea?
Naver Map is the most useful for visitors. It has English, shows subway exit numbers and gives real-time bus arrivals. KakaoMap is a good backup.
Can tourists use Kakao T in Korea?
Yes. Kakao T has an English interface. Set it up and link a card before you arrive. Uber also works in Seoul and some other cities.
What translation app is best for Korean?
Papago is the most accurate for Korean, and its camera mode is great for menus and signs. Download the offline Korean pack before you travel.
Which app saved your trip in Korea? Tell me in the comments.
👋 Written by Brian. A Seoul-based physician who performs aesthetic skin treatments, and a Seoul local for 30+ years. I’ve traveled much of Korea, spent two months living in Jeju, cook at home a lot and will happily cross the city for one good bowl of noodles. More about me →
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