10 Essential Apps for Traveling in Korea

Ever been frustrated trying to use Google Maps to find your way around Korea? Korea is the only country in the world where Google Maps doesn't show walking directions. This is due to security reasons, which makes local apps even more important.

To truly enjoy your trip to Korea, you need to use local apps. Some are used by over 90% of Koreans, and others are specifically designed for foreign tourists. I've handpicked the apps that I've found to be the most useful.

Transportation Apps - Go Anywhere with These

Subway Apps

Seoul Subway Official is the official Seoul subway app. It provides real-time schedules, directions to the nearest station from your current location, station maps, and even restroom locations. A particularly useful feature is the congestion level indicator for each car, which is great for knowing which cars are less crowded during rush hour.

Subway Korea covers not only Seoul but also Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, and Daejeon, covering the entire country's subway systems. It also supports English, Chinese, and Japanese, making it great for recommending to your foreign friends.

Book Train Tickets with KorailTalk

Book your KTX or Mugunghwa train tickets in advance with KorailTalk. It's especially important on weekends and holidays when it's nearly impossible to find tickets on the day of. You can even select your seat in the app, allowing you to snag a window seat in advance.

Buses with Kakao Bus

Korean buses can be really confusing. Even with the same number, buses can go in completely different directions. Kakao Bus provides bus information for 60 cities nationwide and tells you the exact stop, so you won't get confused.

Taxi Apps - Choose the One That Fits Your Needs

Most Popular: Kakao T

Kakao T is the most popular taxi app in Korea. However, it requires a Kakao account and a Korean phone number, which can be a bit tricky for foreigners. If you have a Korean number, this app is the most convenient.

Foreigner-Friendly Apps

K.ride is designed for tourists and allows you to use overseas credit cards. TADA offers more premium vehicles and allows you to verify with an international phone number.

There's also TABA, which is directly operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. It supports multiple languages, so give it a try. Honestly, Uber is available in Korea, but local apps are cheaper and have more taxis available.

Translation App - Papago is Really Good

I highly recommend Naver's Papago. It translates Korean much more naturally than Google Translate. It even recognizes Korean slang and new words used by young people, making it really useful when reading menus at cafes or shopping online.

It also has a camera translation feature, so if you don't know what's on the menu at a restaurant, just take a picture and it'll translate it right away.

Convenience Apps

Weather: KMA Weather

The official app of the Korea Meteorological Administration, KMA Weather, is the most accurate. The weather in Korea can be unpredictable, so accurate forecasts are important. You can also check real-time fine dust information.

T-Money Card Management

You can check your T-Money card balance and usage history with the BucaCheck app. No need to search for charging stations at subway stations; just check and recharge in advance.

Luggage Storage: T-Locker

Use the T-Locker app when you have a lot of shopping bags or want to store your luggage after checking out of your hotel. You can reserve lockers at subway stations through the app. Prices start from ₩2,200 for 4 hours on weekdays.

Restaurant and Accommodation Booking

Restaurant Reservations: Catch Table

Popular restaurants often have long waits, so it's a good idea to make a reservation in advance with Catch Table. You can also see restaurant reviews and make reservations directly through Naver Maps.

Accommodation: Agoda is Great

Agoda has a wide selection and good prices for booking hotels in Korea. Booking.com and Expedia are also decent, but Agoda has more detailed information about Korean accommodations.

Tourist Pass Apps

Seoul: Discover Seoul Pass

With the Discover Seoul Pass, you can get free admission to over 70 tourist attractions. It also offers discounts on public transportation and 따릉이 (public bikes), so if you're in Seoul for more than 3 days, you can definitely get your money's worth.

Busan: Visit Busan Pass

If you're traveling to Busan, the Visit Busan Pass is a similar concept. You can save on admission fees to major tourist attractions like Haeundae and Gamcheon Culture Village.

Tours and Ticket Booking

If you want K-POP concert tickets or special experiences, try Trazy. It's a Korea-based tour company, so the local information is accurate, and they often have tickets that are hard to find elsewhere.

Klook also has a lot of discount coupons. If you buy tickets for theme parks like Everland or Lotte World in advance, you can get them much cheaper than buying them on-site.

Internet Connection is Essential

You'll need internet to use these apps. You can buy a SIM card or eSIM at Incheon Airport or Busan Gimhae Airport. It's cheaper if you book in advance on Klook.

Renting a WiFi router is also an option. You can rent one from Trazy for about 2 euros per day, which can be more economical if you're traveling with a group.

Interested in Beauty? UNNI

If you're interested in Korean beauty procedures, there's also the UNNI app. You can book appointments at plastic surgery clinics and dermatology clinics, and there are over 1 million reviews. However, be careful as there are many fake reviews, so choose wisely.

If you install these apps in advance, your trip to Korea will be much more convenient. Especially the transportation apps are essential, and you can choose the rest according to your travel style. Have a convenient trip in Korea like a local!