The best apps for travelling in South Korea
Updated on November 5, 2026 · Mustapha Hamadi
For South Korea, install Naver Map to get around (Google Maps only gives public transit routes there, with no turn-by-turn walking or driving navigation), Papago to translate, and a taxi app that works for visitors, such as k.ride, TADA or TABA. A data eSIM gives you no Korean phone number, so pick apps that accept a foreign number, an email address or a Google or Apple account, and set up your accounts before you fly.
Maps: Naver Map first, Google Maps as a backup
Google Maps is limited in Korea for regulatory reasons: the country tightly controls the export of its detailed map data. As of late August 2026, Google Maps only offered public transit directions there, with no turn-by-turn guidance. In February 2026 the government gave Google conditional approval to export high-precision map data, and Google confirmed it plans to bring full navigation, without giving a date. Don't rely on it for walking or driving on this trip.
Naver Map is the map app recommended by VisitKorea, the Korea Tourism Organization's site: routes and journey times on foot, by bike, by car and by public transit, plus reviews, opening hours and bookmarks. It's available in Korean, English, Japanese and Simplified Chinese. Since 2025 its real-time subway information covers cities beyond Seoul and Busan, and it can search ferry routes too.
KakaoMap is the other major Korean map, handy for a second opinion. English data is patchy in both apps: Naver admits a lot of English data isn't established yet, and Kakao says English place names aren't standardised.
In a study by Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization carried out in late 2023, 56.2% of foreign visitors used Naver Map to get around, against 33.9% for Google Maps.
Can't find a place in English? Copy its name or address in Korean (from your hotel booking, the venue's website or Papago) and paste it into the Naver Map or KakaoMap search bar.
Taxis: Kakao T, k.ride, TADA and TABA
According to VisitKorea, Kakao T is the most widely used taxi app, by Koreans and tourists alike. It needs a Kakao account created through KakaoTalk, and the tourism board mentions signing up with a local mobile number. Signing up with a foreign number isn't officially documented, so test it before you leave and keep a second app installed.
| App | Sign-up | Languages | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kakao T | Kakao account (via KakaoTalk) | Korean, English, Japanese | cash, card or T-money to the driver, or auto-pay |
| k.ride | phone number, email, Google or Apple; no KakaoTalk needed | English, Japanese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese | overseas card, Alipay+ |
| TADA | accepts international mobile numbers | Korean, English | credit card |
| TABA | mobile number, or Google or Apple ID | English, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Russian | saved card, charged automatically |
k.ride was launched in 2024 by Kakao Mobility for international visitors. It shows the estimated route and fare, and its vehicles carry an automatic translator covering more than 100 languages.
Subway, bus and train: pay with your phone
On iPhone, since April 2026 the MobileTmoney app lets international visitors register, top up a T-money balance in Apple Wallet with a Mastercard, then tap to pay at subway gates, on buses and in taxis. VisitKorea says the app also accepts American Express and UnionPay. On Android, Mastercard points visitors to the KOREA TOUR CARD app on Google Play, which can also be topped up with a Mastercard.
WOWPASS is a prepaid card with a transit card function, managed from its app. For trains, KorailTalk books KTX seats (in Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Thai), and the Korail Pass lets you hop on and off at no extra cost for a set number of days. GoHanpass (sign-up with your passport) books KTX, express buses and taxis, and Klook covers express buses too.
Translate, book and get help
- Papago (by Naver): translates text, photos, handwriting, web pages and speech. Scan the name of a Korean dish and it pulls up the VisitKorea entry. In late 2023, 48.3% of foreign visitors used it, against 23% for Google Translate.
- Catchtable: table bookings, real-time queue status, reviews and rankings (Korean and English).
- Creatrip: restaurants, beauty salons, concerts and tours; VisitKorea says restaurant bookings and food delivery work without verifying a Korean mobile number.
- Emergency Ready: the government's emergency app (alerts, shelters, hospitals, embassies), in English and many other languages.
- 1330 Korea Travel Helpline (+82-2-1330), in English among other languages: call it from your usual SIM or a calling app.
Korean phone numbers: what a data eSIM changes
Our Korea eSIMs are data-only plans: no Korean number, no regular calls or SMS. Internet calling apps work fine. Some features in Korean apps may ask for SMS verification, sometimes with a local number, so check each app before you go.
- Before you leave, on Wi-Fi: install the eSIM, then your apps (Naver Map, Papago, one or two taxi apps, MobileTmoney or KOREA TOUR CARD).
- Create your accounts and add your bank card while your usual SIM can still receive verification texts.
- Keep your usual SIM active for SMS codes, but turn off its mobile data and roaming to avoid charges from your carrier.
- When you land, switch on the eSIM line and data roaming on that line.
- Don't delete the eSIM during your trip: a deleted profile can't be reinstalled.
Always have a plan B: two map apps, two taxi apps. If a sign-up gets stuck on a Korean number, switch to an app that takes an email address or a Google or Apple account.
Before buying, dial *#06#: if an EID number shows up, your phone supports eSIM. It also needs to be unlocked (not carrier-locked). The list of models is on the /compatibility page.
Frequently asked questions
Does Google Maps work in South Korea?
Partly. As of late August 2026 it offered public transit directions but no turn-by-turn walking or driving navigation. Google got conditional approval in February 2026 but hasn't announced a launch date. Use Naver Map or KakaoMap.
Do I need a Korean number to book a taxi?
Not necessarily. k.ride accepts a phone number, email, Google or Apple account, TADA accepts international numbers and TABA a Google or Apple ID. Kakao T goes through a KakaoTalk account, so test the sign-up before you travel.
Which translation app works best in Korea?
Papago, by Naver, is the one VisitKorea lists. It translates text, photos, handwriting, web pages and speech, and was used by 48.3% of foreign visitors in a late-2023 government study.
Can I pay for the subway with my phone?
On iPhone, yes: the MobileTmoney app lets you top up a T-money balance in Apple Wallet with a Mastercard and pay on the subway, buses and taxis. On Android, Mastercard points to the KOREA TOUR CARD app.
Will I get verification texts on the eSIM?
No. Our eSIMs are data-only, with no phone number. Keep your usual SIM active to receive codes, with its data and roaming turned off to avoid charges from your carrier.
Destinations in this guide
Sources
- VISITKOREA (Korea Tourism Organization) — Helpful Apps & Resources
- VISITKOREA — 5 Essential Apps for Seamless Travel in Korea (2026-05-28)
- VISITKOREA — Ride-hailing Apps in Korea
- VISITKOREA — Korail and Naver Upgrade Transportation Services for International Visitors (2025-05-30)
- Korea.net — Foreign tourists prefer domestic apps like Naver Map (2024-03-06)
- 9to5Google — Google Maps is finally going to bring turn-by-turn navigation to Korea (2026-08-27)
- TechCrunch — South Korea opens the door to let Google Maps operate fully (2026-02-27)
- The Korea Herald — Why Google Maps is still broken in South Korea (2025)
- The Korea Times — Local maps gain popularity, but leave foreigners unsatisfied (2025-04-18)
- The Paypers — Mastercard enables contactless transit payments for international visitors in South Korea (2026-04-09)