Planning a trip to South Korea? These apps will help you navigate and enjoy your journey more smoothly. Check out the key features and download the ones that suit your needs.
1. Naver Map
Naver Map is the most widely used navigation app in Korea, offering directions for public transportation, driving, and walking. You can easily find restaurants, cafes, and tourist attractions. Most place names are in Korean, so it’s helpful to search in English first and then use the Korean name in the app. For accurate navigation, you can copy addresses from Google Maps and paste them into Naver Map
2. KakaoTalk
KakaoTalk is the most popular messaging app in Korea. Many restaurants and bars use it to communicate with customers. It’s also essential for making reservations at restaurants, salons, and other venues. You’ll need a KakaoTalk account to use other Kakao services like KakaoTaxi
3. KakaoTaxi
KakaoTaxi is a must-have for calling taxis in Korea. It helps you avoid taxi scams and provides access to both Kakao’s own cabs and regular taxis. You can use your KakaoTalk account to register and start using KakaoTaxi.
4. Seoul Subway
Seoul Subway provides a comprehensive subway map with English, Japanese, and Chinese translations. It offers useful information about subway stations, including locker locations, fare prices, restrooms, and ATMs. This app is especially useful for foreigners navigating Seoul’s extensive subway system.
5. Google Translate
Google Translate is great for translating menus, road signs, and other text in real-time. While many public transportation hubs have English signs, having Google Translate handy can make your travels easier, especially when dealing with menus and self-service kiosks.
6. Papago
Papago, developed by Naver, excels at translating Korean. It’s particularly useful for shopping or requesting specific items. While Google Translate is versatile, Papago often provides more accurate translations for Korean, making it a valuable tool for communication.
7. KorailTalk
KorailTalk is essential for booking and checking schedules for KTX (Korea Train Express) lines. It helps you plan your long-distance travels within Korea by providing up-to-date train schedules and reservation options.
8. Coupang Eats
Coupang Eats is one of Korea’s top food delivery apps and offers an English interface. It covers a wide range of restaurants and has an easy-to-use interface. Perfect for ordering food after a long day of sightseeing, you can even have food delivered to parks for a hassle-free picnic.
Using these apps will make your trip to South Korea more convenient and enjoyable. Have a safe and wonderful journey!