When traveling to Korea, you’ll find that having the useful apps can make your experience much smoother and more enjoyable. Whether it’s navigating the city or hailing a taxi these apps will help you every step of the way. From my own experiences in Korea, I can confidently say that these four apps are the most essential for any traveler. Here are 4 useful apps I highly recommend when visiting Korea.
Useful Apps when Traveling in Korea #1: Naver Map
One of the first things you’ll need when you arrive in Korea is a reliable map app. While Google Maps works in Korea, it’s not nearly as accurate as Naver Map. Naver’s map service is more detailed and updated more frequently. Due to military security requirements, Korea has its own mapping system, which is why Naver Map is more accurate.
The app also shows detailed information about subway stations, bus stops, and walking routes, making it perfect for travelers who are unfamiliar with the city layout.
If you’ve rented a car, Naver Map can also be used as your navigation system. I’ve used it myself while driving around, and it made navigating the roads a lot easier, especially since the app provides real-time traffic updates and clear routes.
Supported Languages : Korean, English, Japanese, simplified Chinese
Useful Apps when Traveling in Korea #2: Kakao T (Kakao Taxi)
When it comes to taxis in Korea, Kakao T (Kakao Taxi) is the local app you need. In many countries, people use Uber, but in Korea, Kakao Taxi is by far the most popular choice. The app lets you easily book a taxi from your location, track your ride, and even pay through the app itself.
In addition to hailing taxis, Kakao T also offers useful features like Kakao T Parking. If you’ve rented a car, this feature is incredibly helpful in finding nearby parking spots. It is useful especially when looking for parking in busy areas like shopping districts or tourist spots. The app shows available parking lots in real-time, making it easy to find a convenient place to park without the stress of driving around aimlessly.
Supported Languages : Korean, English, Japanese
Useful Apps when Traveling in Korea #3: Korail
When traveling across Korea, taking a train is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to get from one city to another. Korail is the official app for booking train tickets, and it supports not only regular trains but also KTX (Korea’s high-speed train) and SRT (another high-speed rail option). You can use it to reserve tickets, check schedules, and get real-time updates.
There are two main types of trains you can take between cities in Korea: regular trains (Mugunghwa, ITX-Saemaeul, etc) and high-speed trains (KTX, SRT). The primary difference between them is speed, comfort, and price.
Regular trains such as Mugunghwa and ITX-Saemaeul are slower but cheaper options. A trip from Seoul to Busan on these trains typically takes 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours and costs around 30,000 KRW to 45,000 KRW depending on the class and type of train.
High-speed trains like KTX and SRT are much faster, covering the same distance in about 2 hours 30 minutes. The price for a standard KTX ticket is approximately 59,800 KRW(Economy Class), while the SRT ticket costs slightly less, around 50,000 KRW. While they are more expensive, the convenience of speed and comfort makes them a popular choice for those with limited time.
Supported Languages : Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese
Useful Apps when Traveling in Korea #4: Google Translate
If you’re not fluent in Korean, Google Translate will be your best friend. Over the years, I’ve used several translation apps, but Google Translate is by far the most accurate and user-friendly. One feature that I find particularly useful is the ability to speak into the app and have it instantly translate your words into Korean. You can also use the camera function to translate text, such as restaurant menus, by simply pointing your phone at them.
I’ve had several moments where I’ve used Google Translate to understand food items or road signs while traveling. It’s saved me from making embarrassing mistakes, and the ability to translate images with the camera feature has been a game-changer for navigating local menus.
Having the right apps when traveling in Korea can truly enhance your experience and make your trip much more convenient. The apps I recommended above will ensure that your trip to Korea is as seamless and enjoyable as possible!
If you want to see useful phrases you can use while traveling in Korea, check out my previous post.
