Planning your first trip to Korea?
Whether you're coming for food, culture, or adventure, navigating Korea can feel overwhelming—especially if you don’t speak the language.
But here’s the good news: South Korea is one of the most app-friendly countries in the world.
From calling a taxi to translating a menu or finding the nearest subway, apps can help you do everything like a local.
Here are the Top 8 must-have apps that will make your Korea trip easier, safer, and way more fun in 2025.
📍 1. Naver Map (네이버 지도)
🧭 Why Google Maps doesn’t work well in Korea? Try this instead.
Google Maps is limited in Korea due to local restrictions.
Instead, Naver Map is the go-to app for accurate navigation, transit info, and restaurant search.
-
Multilingual support (English, Chinese, Japanese)
-
Real-time subway/bus routes
-
Walking directions and points of interest nearby
✅ Perfect for planning routes across Seoul, Busan, and other cities.
🗺️ 2. Kakao Map (카카오맵)
🗺️ A clean, simple design with powerful features.
Like Naver Map, Kakao Map offers excellent navigation—but with a more modern UI.
It’s ideal for walking paths, saving favorite locations, and browsing local businesses.
-
Quick search for restaurants, cafes, and shops
-
Accurate public transport directions
-
Street view & real-time traffic updates
🚕 3. Kakao T (카카오 T - Taxi App)
🚖 No Korean? No problem. Just tap and go!
Hailing a taxi in Korea is stress-free with Kakao T.
You can enter your destination in English and the app will translate it for the driver.
-
Call taxis without phone calls
-
Estimate fares in advance
-
Option to pay via app or in person
💡 Some international cards may not work. Use cash or get a Korean SIM for full features.
🌐 4. Papago (파파고 - Translation App)
📷 Point your camera at Korean signs and menus—instant translation!
Papago is developed by Naver and built specifically for Korean translation.
It’s better than Google Translate when it comes to Korean grammar and phrases.
-
Text, voice, and image translation
-
Real-time conversation mode
-
Perfect for ordering food, asking for directions, or reading signs
🚇 5. Korea Subway / Subway Korea App
🚉 Master the subway system like a pro!
Korea’s subway networks are clean, safe, and efficient—but can be confusing at first.
This app provides everything you need.
-
Subway maps for Seoul, Busan, Daegu, etc.
-
Real-time train arrival times
-
First/last train alerts and transfer info
🧭 Supports English and easy to use offline.
🏨 6. Yanolja or Yeogi Eottae (야놀자 / 여기어때)
🛌 Book hotels, guesthouses, and Korean-style stays (hanok).
Korean apps like Yanolja offer better local rates than international platforms.
-
Hotel, spa, guesthouse, and sauna (jjimjilbang) booking
-
Activities like theme parks or massage included
-
English versions in progress (some parts auto-translated)
🔑 Registering might require a Korean phone number.
💳 7. Toss / Naver Pay (간편결제 - Mobile Payment Apps)
💸 Go cashless in Korea—like everyone else!
Korea is almost fully cashless.
If you have a Korean bank account or prepaid card, these apps make life easier.
-
Use QR codes at cafes, shops, and restaurants
-
Send or receive money instantly
-
Track your spending
🧾 If you’re staying long-term, getting a Korean SIM and bank account is recommended.
✅ Summary Table: Korea Travel App Essentials
| Use Case | App Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Navigation | Naver Map / Kakao Map |
| Taxi & Transport | Kakao T |
| Subway/Train | Korea Subway, Subway Korea |
| Translation | Papago |
| Food Discovery | MangoPlate |
| Hotel & Activities | Yanolja / Yeogi Eottae |
| Mobile Payment | Toss / Naver Pay |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Korea Travel Apps for Foreigners
Q1. Why can't I use Google Maps properly in Korea?
A: Due to local mapping policies, Google Maps doesn't offer full functionality in Korea.
That's why this blog recommends Naver Map and Kakao Map, which provide accurate routes and support English and other languages.
Q2. Is Kakao T available in English? Can I use it without speaking Korean?
A: Yes! Kakao T offers English support and auto-translates your destination.
It's perfect for foreigners who want to take a taxi without language barriers.
Just like we mentioned in the blog, it’s one of the most useful apps during your stay.
Q3. What if my credit card doesn’t work in Korean apps like Toss or Kakao T?
A: Some apps only accept Korean-issued cards.
In the blog, we suggested using cash or getting a Korean SIM card to unlock full features like app-based payments and SMS verification.
Q4. Can I really just take a photo of a sign and translate it with Papago?
A: Absolutely! As introduced in the blog, Papago lets you point your phone at any Korean text—like a street sign or restaurant menu—and gives you instant translation.
Q5. Is MangoPlate better than Google for finding Korean restaurants?
A: Definitely. MangoPlate is made for foodies in Korea.
Unlike general search results, it shows local reviews, photos, and curated lists that match your location—like mentioned in the restaurant section of the post.
Q6. Will the Korea Subway app work outside Seoul?
A: Yes! Apps like Korea Subway or Subway Korea support multiple cities including Busan, Daegu, and more.
They match exactly what was introduced under the transport section in this blog.
Q7. I don’t have a Korean phone number. Can I still use the apps?
A: For most features like navigation or translation—yes, Wi-Fi is enough.
But as we noted in the blog, taxi booking and mobile payments often require a local number or SIM.
Q8. What are the 3 apps I should install first before my trip?
A: Based on this blog post, we recommend:
-
Kakao T for taxis
-
Papago for translation
-
Naver Map for navigation
These three alone will save you tons of time and confusion during your Korea trip.
✈️ Final Tip: Download Before You Fly!
Getting ready for your Korea trip?
Download these apps in advance, connect to Wi-Fi or get a local SIM, and you’ll enjoy a smooth, smart journey from the moment you land.
📲 Think of these apps as your personal Korean travel assistant.
