Planning a trip to South Korea?
Lucky you!
Korea is a country that I have dreamed about visiting for so long and when I finally made it, I was the happiest girl on Earth. It’s so beautiful, so modern, so clean, and overall, so fascinating, but when you don’t speak the local language it could also be a bit more challenging to navigate than some other countries.
Thankfully, there are a host of mobile apps that can make your trip smoother and more enjoyable. Whether you’ll be exploring the bustling streets of Seoul, savoring the delicious street food, or diving into the rich cultural history, having the right travel apps for South Korea is of utmost importance when preparing for your trip.
In this article, I’ll share which are the essential South Korean travel apps that every tourist should download before embarking on their adventure. I will break them into three categories: must-have apps for visiting South Korea, recommended/good-to-have apps for visiting South Korea, and ones that I haven’t personally used because I’ve learned about them too late, but depending on your interests and purpose of visit can be very useful.
So, let’s get to the point…
Table of Contents
Must-Have Travel Apps for Visiting South Korea
1. Naver Map
Naver Map is an indispensable app for navigating South Korea. Unlike Google Maps and Apple Maps, which have limited functionality in Korea, Naver Map offers detailed and accurate maps, public transportation options, and real-time traffic updates. While I found it quite useful, I won’t lie – Naver is not my favorite app. It is fairly easy to use, but I experienced some issues with it, like getting kicked out of my account (in which I stored all my bookmarks), and occasional navigation freezing (which might have to do with poor connection and not the app tho). Despite these hiccups, it’s an essential app for getting around and an absolute must-have app for visiting South Korea.
Download Naver Map: iOS | Android
The view to Lotte World Tower from the subway.
2. Kakao Map
KakaoMap is another excellent South Korean navigation app, particularly for transportation navigation and directions. Like Naver Map, it provides comprehensive maps and navigation features, but I found it a bit more reliable for transit information. It’s a great alternative if you experience any issues with Naver Map, offering detailed directions for walking, driving, and public transport.
Download Kakao Map: iOS | Android
Absolutely fell in love with the buses in Seoul! This is on the line getting to the N Tower.
3. KOREA TOUR CARD Tmoney
Based on the logic above for categorizing these travel apps for traveling South Korea, the KOREA TOUR CARD Tmoney should have been in the “Other South Korea Travel Apps” category, but I feel it is one of the most important ones. Unfortunately, we only learned about it on our way to the airport when leaving Korea. I wish we had known about it earlier, as it would have made our trip much more convenient. I’m surprised it isn’t more widely recommended, as it is an absolute must-have app for traveling in South Korea, in my opinion.
The mobile KOREA TOUR CARD is the app version of the KOREA TOUR CARD, incorporating the functionalities of the Tmoney card. Using the NFC function on your smartphone, this app allows you to make payments not only for public transportation (subway, bus, taxi, etc.) but also at convenience stores, cafes and restaurnats. The benefits extend beyond mere convenience, offering discounts for cultural events and tourist destinations.
Unfortunately, I only found it to be available for Android users. If anyone find it on the Apple store, please let me know so I can add it here for the others. Thanks!
Download KOREA TOUR CARD Tmoney: Android
We’ve had the physical cards and only found out about the app when leaving…
4. Subway Korea
Navigating the extensive subway systems in South Korea can be daunting, but the Subway Korea app makes it straightforward. It provides detailed subway maps, route planners, and real-time arrival information. The app covers multiple cities, including Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, making it invaluable for efficient travel.
Download Subway Korea: iOS | Android
In Seoul, they have the cutest music playing when the train approaches.
5. Papago
Papago, developed by Naver, is an exceptional translation app that supports text, voice, and image translations. I found it particularly helpful for translating Korean signs, menus, and conversations. It’s user-friendly and highly accurate, making it easier to communicate with locals and understand your surroundings. It’s a must-have app for overcoming language barriers.
Download Papago: iOS | Android
I used Papago all the time to translate the labels on the food items in grocery stores.
6. South Korea eSIM
I highly recommend getting an eSIM for South Korea. I must admit that I am new to eSIMs and never had issues purchasing physical SIM cards in new countries. However, I found eSIMs to be incredibly convenient and time-saving. They can be activated remotely and become active as soon as you land in the country, meaning you are connected as soon as you arrive. In the future, I plan to opt for eSIMs exclusively.
In South Korea, using an eSIM not only saved me time but also money. My boyfriend bought a physical SIM card locally, which ended up costing significantly more than the eSIM I got from ByteSim. While the eSIM generally worked well, as I mentioned earlier I think poor connection was the reason why sometimes the Naver map was failing in navigation. Additionally, I encountered a problem where I couldn’t access an important work-related app. This limitation meant I had to either find a Wi-Fi network or rely on my boyfriend’s mobile hotspot for connectivity.
Given these challenges, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend ByteSim, in fact, I would recommend checking other South Korean eSIM providers, such as Holafly, Yesim, or Airalo.
No eSIM-related photo so here’s one of a beautiful park in Seoul instead. 🙂
7. Korailtalk
For those planning to travel across South Korea by train, Korailtalk is an essential app. It allows you to check train schedules, book tickets, and manage reservations. The app covers the extensive Korail network, making it easier to explore beyond the major cities. It’s especially useful for booking high-speed KTX trains and planning day trips.
Download Korailtalk: iOS | Android
This is the bus from/to the airport – very comfortable and spacious.
8. XE Currency
XE Currency is a staple on my phone whenever I travel. It provides live exchange rates and helps you keep track of your expenses in different currencies. It’s a simple yet powerful tool for managing your travel budget.
Download XE Currency: iOS | Android
I spent a lot of money on shopping and food…
Good-to-Have Travel Apps for Traveling South Korea
9. KakaoTalk
KakaoTalk, often referred to as the “Korean WhatsApp”, is South Korea’s most popular messaging app. It’s a great way to stay in touch with locals and many businesses use KakaoTalk to provide their services online and customer service. While I had it installed, I ended up not using it much, as I mostly booked appointments and experiences via Instagram by direct messaging businesses.
Download KakaoTalk: iOS | Android
Color analysis are very popular in Korea. I booked mine through Instagram.
10. Visit Seoul
Visit Seoul is the official tourism app of Seoul, providing a wealth of information about attractions, events, accommodations, and dining options. It’s perfect for discovering hidden gems and planning your itinerary in the vibrant capital city. The app also includes maps and helpful tips for tourists, making it a comprehensive guide for exploring Seoul.
Download Visit Seoul: iOS | Android
11. Kakao Taxi / Taba
Kakao Taxi and Tada are essential apps for hailing cabs in South Korea. In my opinion and experience, I don’t think you’ll need to use taxis a lot. We only used a taxi once on our way to the airport as the public transportation system, especially in Seoul, is pretty good and can take you everywhere, but these apps can come in handy in case you want or need to leverage their services. They offer options to pay through the app and you can also track your ride in real-time, ensuring a secure journey.
Download Kakao Taxi: iOS | Android
Again, no taxi photo but a charming neighborhood of Seoul instead.
12. Yogiyo
Yogiyo is your go-to app for food delivery in South Korea. It features a wide variety of restaurants, allowing you to order Korean dishes right to your doorstep. The app offers menus, user reviews, and delivery tracking, making it a convenient option for dining in. Whether you’re craving Korean BBQ, fried chicken, or any other local delicacy, Yogiyo has you covered.
Download Yogiyo: iOS | Android
Korean fried chicken. 🫶🏻
Other South Korea Travel Apps
13. BucaCheck App
If you have a transit card and are unsure about its remaining balance, the BucaCheck App is a handy tool. With this app, you can check your balance by simply scanning your transit card. This feature saves you the hassle of finding a top-up machine or risking insufficient funds. The app requires your phone to have NFC capabilities (Near Field Communication) to read the card’s data.
Download BucaCheck App: iOS | Android
Make sure to visit the pretty waterfall across from cafe Pokpo.
14. NAMANE Card App
This pre-paid card functions not only as a transportation card, like T-money, for subway and bus rides but also as a debit card for use at restaurants, stores, cafes, and more. You can easily recharge the card through the app, making it a versatile tool for cashless transactions, especially as more stores in Korea adopt a no-cash policy.
Download NAMANE: iOS | Android
I’d travel back to South Korea for the cheese dog alone.
15. T Locker App
Many people visit South Korea for its vibrant shopping scene. While there’s so much more to Korea than just shopping, chances are you’ll find yourself indulging in a shopping spree, even if that’s not the main purpose of your trip. Shopping in Korea is an adventure, with countless places to explore and an abundance of options to choose from. However, carrying around heavy shopping bags or luggage can quickly become a hassle.
The T Locker App is a helpful South Korean travel app for anyone who want to lighten their load, making it easier to enjoy both shopping and sightseeing without the burden of carrying bags. The app has an extensive network of lockers throughout Seoul, particularly in subway stations. It enables you to locate all T Locker locations, check locker availability, and view pricing information. You can even reserve a locker in advance and pay directly through the app, ensuring a secure place for your belongings while you continue to explore the city.
Download T Locker: iOS | Android
Conclusion
With these 15 helpful travel apps for visiting South Korea, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the country like a local. From finding your way around to discovering the best food, translating restaurant menus and navigating Seoul’s overwhelming transportation system, these apps are essential for making the most of your trip. Download them before you go and enjoy a seamless travel experience in South Korea!
I hope that this article gave you a good overview of how to prepare for your trip to South Korea. If you have any additional questions or comments, please let me know in the comment section below, and don’t hesitate to contact me.
If you like this post, please share it with your friends and follow Owl Over The World on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more travel tips & inspiration.
Thank you for reading,
Bilyana
