Top 5 Must-Have Apps When Traveling in Korea (Local’s Guide)
Quick Summary: Which Apps Do You Need in Korea?
| App | Best For |
| Naver Map | Maps, directions, restaurants, attractions |
| Kakao T | Taxis and getting around by car |
| Papago | Korean translation |
| Subway Korea / KakaoMetro | Subway routes and train schedules |
| Catch Table / Creatrip | Restaurant reservations and popular spots |
Why Doesn’t Google Maps Work Well in Korea?
One of the first surprises many international travelers have in Korea is that Google Maps doesn’t work the same way it does in other countries. Having the right apps for traveling in Korea can make your trip much easier from the moment you arrive.
Google Maps is available in Korea, but its navigation and mapping capabilities are more limited than what travelers may be used to in places like the United States or Europe. For detailed walking directions, driving routes, local businesses, and public transportation, many people in Korea rely on local map services instead.
That’s why Naver Map is one of the first apps I recommend installing.
The good news is that you don’t need to replace every app on your phone. You just need a few Korean services that fill the gaps.
And trust me: downloading these apps before you arrive is much easier than trying to figure everything out after landing.
1. What Is Naver Map, and Why Do You Need It?
What Is Naver Map?
Naver Map is probably the most important app on this list. Think of it as Korea’s answer to Google Maps, but with information and features that are much more useful for navigating Korea.
Useful for
- Restaurants and cafes
- Hotels and attractions
- Subway stations
- Bus stops
- Walking routes
- Public transportation routes
- Driving directions
- Business hours and local information
Why Do You Need Naver Map in Korea?
If you’re exploring Seoul, Busan, Jeju, or another Korean city, you’ll probably use a map app dozens of times a day. You might use it to figure out how to get from your hotel to a cafe, check how long it takes to walk somewhere, find the nearest subway entrance, or see whether a restaurant is actually open.
Local Pro Tip
Don’t just search for a restaurant by its English name. If you see a restaurant on Instagram, TikTok, or a travel blog, try copying the Korean name into Naver Map. This can make it much easier to find the exact location. Also, pay attention to the specific subway exit number listed in the directions.
2. How Do You Call a Taxi in Korea?
What Is Kakao T?
Kakao T is a transportation app that lets you request taxis and access other transportation services. It’s widely used in Korea and is especially convenient when you don’t want to stand on the street trying to flag down a taxi.
Why Do You Need Kakao T in Korea?
There are plenty of taxis in major Korean cities, but using an app makes the experience much more predictable. With Kakao T, you can request a taxi from your current location, enter your destination in advance, see information about your ride, avoid explaining your destination in Korean, and get transportation when you’re not sure where to find a taxi.
Local Pro Tip
Before requesting a taxi, double-check the pickup location. Large subway stations, shopping areas, airports, and tourist attractions can have multiple entrances, and your driver may not be able to stop exactly where you are standing. If possible, choose an easy-to-identify pickup point and keep an eye on the driver’s location in the app.
3. Is Papago Better Than Google Translate for Korean?
What Is Papago?
Papago is a translation app developed by Naver. It supports Korean and is particularly useful for travelers who don’t speak the language.
Useful for
- Korean text
- Menus
- Signs
- Short conversations
- Messages
- Directions
- Restaurant information
Why Do You Need Papago in Korea?
English is widely used in major tourist areas, but you’ll still encounter plenty of situations where Korean is the only language available. Maybe you’re looking at a restaurant menu with no English translation, need to explain a food preference, or are standing in front of a Korean sign and have no idea what it says.
Local Pro Tip
Don’t rely on translation apps to create long, complicated sentences. For everyday situations, short and simple translations work better. If you’re communicating with restaurant staff or a taxi driver, keep your message clear and specific. Whenever possible, show the translated Korean directly on your phone rather than trying to pronounce it yourself.
4. Which Subway App Should You Use in Seoul?
What Is Subway Korea or KakaoMetro?
Subway Korea and KakaoMetro are popular apps designed specifically for navigating Korea’s subway systems. They can help you find the fastest subway route, check transfer stations, see estimated travel times, identify subway lines, plan your route between stations, and understand the subway network.
Why Do You Need a Subway App in Korea?
Seoul’s subway map can look overwhelming at first. There are many lines, stations, transfers, and exits, and a route that looks simple on the map can involve several transfers. A subway app takes most of the guesswork out of it.
Local Pro Tip
Always check the exit number before leaving the station. Some subway stations are enormous, and different exits can put you on completely different sides of a busy intersection. If Naver Map tells you to use Exit 3, use Exit 3. It can save you from spending the next 10 minutes walking around the block trying to find your destination.
5. How Do You Make Restaurant Reservations in Korea?
What Are Catch Table and Creatrip?
Catch Table is a popular restaurant reservation platform that allows users to find and book restaurants in Korea. Creatrip is another useful travel platform that offers restaurant bookings along with other travel-related services and information. Availability, language options, and reservation requirements can vary depending on the restaurant, so it’s worth checking both platforms when you’re trying to book somewhere popular.
Why Do You Need a Restaurant Reservation App in Korea?
Some of Korea’s most popular restaurants can be difficult to visit without a reservation. This is especially true for trendy restaurants, famous barbecue spots, popular cafes, and restaurants that have gone viral on social media.
Local Pro Tip
Don’t wait until you’re already hungry to look for a popular restaurant. If there’s somewhere you really want to try, check the reservation options ahead of time. For particularly popular restaurants, it’s a good idea to check availability several days in advance. And if you can’t get a reservation, look at the restaurant’s waiting-list options or consider going during an off-peak time.
Final Advice: Download These Korea Travel Apps Before You Fly
Traveling in Korea for the first time can feel overwhelming at first, especially when you encounter unfamiliar signs, subway maps, restaurant systems, and local apps. But once you have the right tools on your phone, everything becomes much easier.
If you only remember five apps from this guide, remember these: Naver Map for navigation; Kakao T for taxis; Papago for translation; Subway Korea or KakaoMetro for public transportation; Catch Table or Creatrip for restaurant reservations.
You don’t necessarily need to become an expert in every app before your trip. Just download them, create any necessary accounts, and spend a few minutes exploring how they work. That small amount of preparation can save you a lot of time once you’re actually in Korea.
And here’s my biggest piece of advice as a first-time visitor: Don’t try to plan every minute of your trip. Use these apps to make transportation, communication, and reservations easier, but leave yourself some room to explore.
Some of the best experiences in Korea happen when you turn down a side street, discover a little restaurant you weren’t expecting, or stumble across a neighborhood that wasn’t on your original itinerary. The apps will help you get there. What you do once you arrive is up to you.