[Image Source] Pixabay, Peggy Marco
TL;DR – Don’t travel Korea without these!
South Korea is app-powered, and if you're visiting, having the right apps can make all the difference.
From navigating with Naver Maps to translating with Papago, calling taxis through Kakao T, or ordering food via Shuttle Delivery—these tools help you travel smart, not stressed.
This post highlights 15+ essential apps for transportation, food, emergencies, and more, so you can explore Korea like a pro.
These days, there are countless tools available to help you when traveling abroad—from maps to translation apps, you name it. Especially when visiting Korea, local Korean apps often provide more accurate and detailed information. So here are 15 essential apps you’ll want to have for traveling and living in Korea.
1. Naver Maps
Google Maps operates with limited functionality in South Korea, making Naver Maps a go-to app for accurate navigation and public transportation guidance. It supports multiple languages, including English, ensuring accessibility for international travelers.
l Supports English, Chinese (Simplified/Traditional), Japanese, and Korean.
l Provides optimal routes for public transportation (bus and subway), car/taxi, and walking/biking.
l Offers precise taxi fare predictions for car route options.
l Features navigation for cars, walking, and biking.
l Includes comprehensive location information about destinations.
l Highly praised by foreign users for reliability and usability.
l Recommends nearby restaurants.
l To use Naver Maps, you must first sign up for Naver.
Links:
📲 AppStore | GooglePlay
📌 Alternatively, installing Kakao Map can provide the same functionality.
2. Kakao T
Kakao T consolidates various transportation services into one app, including taxi hailing, public transport, and bike rentals. Its English interface ensures ease of use for foreign travelers.
l Functions similar to Uber or Grab are not widely used in South Korea.
l Requires accurate selection of your current location on the map for smooth operation.
l Be aware that taxis might be scarce during peak hours or in remote areas.
l To use Kakao T, you must first sign up for Kakao Talk.
Links:
📲 AppStore | GooglePlay
3. Kakao Metro
This app offers intuitive and convenient experiences for subway users, making navigating Seoul’s extensive subway system a breeze. It supports both English and Japanese.
l Provides live subway arrival updates, service status, and crowd levels.
l Suggest optimal routes with details like travel time, transfers, and walking distances.
l Includes detailed station information, nearby facilities, and exit details.
l To use Kakao Subway, you must first sign up for Kakao Talk.
Links:
📲 AppStore | GooglePlay
📌 Alternatively, installing Subway Korea can provide the same functionality.
4. Naver Papago
Developed by Naver, Papago is an AI-powered translation app that supports seamless communication across multiple languages. It’s an essential tool for breaking language barriers while traveling in South Korea.
l Supports 14 languages: Korean, English, Chinese (Simplified/Traditional), Spanish, French, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, German, Russian, Portuguese, Hindi, and Arabic.
l Features text, voice, and image translation for versatile use.
l Provides an offline translation mode for areas with limited internet connectivity.
l To use Papago, you must first sign up for Naver.
Links:
📲 AppStore | GooglePlay
📌 Installing Google Translate can provide the same functionality. However, Papago is optimized explicitly for Korean translation.
5. Shuttle Delivery
Shuttle Delivery is an English-friendly food delivery app for foreign travelers and expatriates in South Korea. It’s beneficial for those unfamiliar with the Korean language.
l Offers an array of international and local food options for delivery.
l User-friendly interface with complete English support.
l While other popular delivery apps like Baedal Minjok, Coupang Eats, and Yogiyo offer a wider range of choices, they typically require some familiarity with the Korean language.
Links:
🔗 ShuttleDeliveryOfficial Website
📲 AppStore | GooglePlay
6. Discover Seoul Pass
This app simplifies exploring Seoul by integrating tickets to major tourist attractions and public transportation passes into a single platform. It helps save money while optimizing travel plans.
l Offers a wide range of benefits, including free entry to select attractions and discounts for tours and shopping.
l Includes real-time availability updates and a digital guide for tourist destinations.
l Passes can be activated anytime and used for a set period (24, 48, or 72 hours).
Links:
🔗 DiscoverSeoulPass Official Website
📲 AppStore | GooglePlay
7. LugStay
Travelers often struggle with their luggage during layovers or early checkouts. LugStay solves this issue by offering convenient luggage storage services across Seoul.
l Allows users to locate and reserve nearby luggage storage facilities.
l Fees are budget-friendly, typically from $3 to $10 daily.
l Ensures secure storage with flexible pick-up and drop-off times. The fees depend on the weight of your luggage.
Links
📲 AppStore | GooglePlay
8. Emergency Ready App
The Korean government provides the official emergency preparedness app.
l Supports English and provides real-time disaster alerts and response guides.
l Offers evacuation locations and emergency rescue service information.
l Includes safety tips for earthquakes, typhoons, fires, and other emergencies.
l Provides essential emergency contact numbers and reporting methods.
Links
📲 AppStore | GooglePlay
Restaurant Recommendation Apps
Unfortunately, no widely recommended apps in Korea provide comprehensive restaurant reviews in English. For diverse options, Google Maps, Naver Maps, and Tripadvisor remain the most reliable resources for locating nearby restaurants with reviews and ratings.
Apps to Install and Use as Needed
9. KORAIL Talk
The official app for booking KTX and other train tickets in Korea.
l Supports English, Japanese, and Chinese.
l Users can check train schedules, book tickets, and issue mobile tickets.
l Offers refund and ticket change services.
l Enables the purchase of the KORAIL Pass (a rail pass exclusively for foreigners).
Links
📲 AppStore | GooglePlay
10. Goodoc
An app for finding nearby hospitals and
pharmacies in Korea.
l Provides real-time wait time and appointment booking services.
l Offers health check-up reservations and patient reviews.
l Displays medical institution information (operating hours, location, departments, etc.).
l The app is only available in Korean so that basic Korean language skills may be required.
Links
📲 AppStore | GooglePlay
📌 You can also check the locations of
nearby hospitals and pharmacies on the Naver Map and Kakao Map.
11. KMA Weather
The official weather app of the Korea Meteorological Administration.
l Supports English and provides real-time weather updates across Korea.
l Offers detailed forecasts, including acceptable dust levels, rainfall, and typhoon tracking.
l Provides regional weather alerts and emergency updates.
Links
🔗 Official Website
📲 GooglePlay
📌 Alternatively, installing AccuWeather,
The Weather Channel can provide the same functionality.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (Based on Reddit & Quora)
Q1. Does Google Maps work properly in Korea?
A: Not really. Due to local restrictions, Google Maps doesn’t provide accurate driving directions or public transportation data. Reddit users often say:
“Google Maps is the worst mistake you can make. Just get used to Naver Maps.” For the most reliable experience, use Naver Map or Kakao Map instead.
Q2. What’s the best navigation app in Korea?
A:
– Naver Maps is highly praised for accurate bus/subway/car/walking routes and detailed local info.
– Kakao Maps also supports English and performs well in city searches. One Redditor noted,
“Searching in English worked well on KakaoMap.”
– For subway-only travel, apps like Subway Korea or Kakao Metro offer live train data and English UI.
Q3. What’s the most useful translation app?
A: Papago is optimized for Korean and supports text, voice, and image translation—plus offline mode. While Google Translate is familiar, many expats report better results with Papago when translating Korean menus or signs. Others have recently started using Gemini or ChatGPT for more natural translations in context.
Q4. How can I call a taxi without speaking Korean?
A: Use Kakao T (Kakao Taxi). It works with English UI and allows foreigners to pay in cash or register a credit card. One Redditor shared:
“Kakao Taxi worked seamlessly when I was in Korea… I didn’t have a Korean phone number or credit card. Just be sure to set up your account before you leave home.”
Q5. What payment options are available for public transportation?
A: The T-money card is the most common choice. You can buy and recharge it at convenience stores or subway stations.
Some travelers use apps like BucaCheck to check their balance.
There are also multi-function cards like Wowpass or Tmoney GO, which can be used for taxis and intercity buses.
Q6. Are there any other useful apps I should install before visiting Korea?
A: Yes!
– For emergencies, download the Emergency Ready App or call the “1330” Korea Travel Hotline.
– For attraction bookings and tours, apps like Klook and Trazy are popular among international visitors.
– If you want to try Korean food delivery, Shuttle Delivery is great for English speakers. Some also manage to use Yogiyo with cash-on-delivery.
Additional Recommended Apps for Long-Term Residents
12. Zigbang
A real estate app ideal for foreigners looking for housing in Korea.
l Allows users to search for one-room, two-room, officetels, and apartments.
l It provides 3D VR views for remotely checking the interior of properties.
l Offers a filter for foreigner-friendly listings (but no English support).
l Connects users directly with agents and landlords.
Links
🔗 Official Website
📲 AppStore | GooglePlay
📌 Alternatively, installing Dabang can provide the same functionality.
13. Coupang
One of the most popular online shopping platforms in Korea.
l The app is only available in Korean but features an intuitive interface.
l Offers “Rocket Delivery” for fast shipping (overnight delivery in some areas).
l Sells groceries, electronics, home goods, and more.
l Foreigners with an Alien Registration Card (ARC) can use international credit cards.
Links
🔗 Official Website
📲 AppStore | GooglePlay
14. KB Kookmin Bank Liiv
The official mobile banking app of KB Kookmin Bank.
l Allows foreigners to open a bank account and use online banking.
l Provides real-time exchange rates and international remittance services.
l Enables account management from overseas (VPN may be required).
l The app is only available in Korean so that basic language skills may be necessary.
📌 Alternatively, by installing KEB Hana Global Banking, Shinhan SOL Global can provide the same functionality.
[Appendix] Apps for International Users
15. Gmarket Global
A Korean online shopping mall is available for international users.
l Supports English and Chinese.
l Enables overseas shipping of Korean brands and products.
l Supports multiple international payment options (PayPal, foreign credit cards, etc.).
l Offers global shopping and limited edition Korean products.
