OK without a Korean SIM! A Complete Guide to Signing Up for Kakao Taxi with a Foreign Number

One of the most frustrating moments when traveling in Korea is catching a taxi. Especially if you don't know Korean, waiting for a taxi on the street is really daunting. But fortunately, all these problems can be solved with the Kakao Taxi (Kakao T) app.

"But can I sign up if I don't have a Korean phone number?" I'm sure many of you have worried about this. The conclusion is that you can definitely sign up with a foreign number.

Creating a Kakao ID: It's simpler than you think

To use Kakao Taxi, you first need a Kakao ID. All you need is an email address and phone number, but the important thing here is that it doesn't have to be a Korean phone number.

Download the KakaoTalk app and enter your overseas number when creating an account. You'll receive a verification code via text, so any country code is fine as long as you can receive the text. Many people give up thinking, "I won't be able to do it without a Korean number," but in reality, that's not the case at all.

Install the Kakao Taxi app and change it to English

Once you've created a Kakao ID, you need to download the Kakao Taxi (Kakao T) app separately. Search for "Kakao T" in the app store and a yellow taxi icon will appear.

When you first launch the app, it will be in Korean, but don't panic and switch to English. You can change the language to English in the bottom right 'More' → Profile Settings → Language Settings. The interface will be completely changed to English, making it much easier to use.

The Key to Calling a Taxi Without a Korean Number

This is the most important part. If you select the 'Pay to the driver' option in Kakao Taxi, you can call a taxi without a Korean phone number. If you select this option, you'll pay the taxi driver directly in cash or by card.

Conversely, if you select 'Kakao Pay' or another online payment method, you'll need to link it to a Korean financial service, which may require Korean phone number verification. So the most reliable way is to select 'Pay the driver directly' from the beginning.

Smart Ways to Enter Your Destination

Here's a tip for entering your destination. If it's difficult to type a Korean address directly, search for the place you want to go on Google Maps, copy the Korean address, and paste it into Kakao Taxi. This method is much more accurate and faster.

Choosing a Taxi Type: Which One Should I Choose?

Kakao Taxi has several types of taxis:

Regular Taxi: The most basic taxi. The fare is cheap, but it can be difficult to catch
Large Taxi: Useful when you have a lot of luggage or people
Blue Taxi: A premium taxi that costs more to call, but you can catch a taxi much more easily

To be honest, Blue Taxi is expensive, but I recommend it when you need to catch one quickly because you can definitely catch one. It's especially difficult to catch a regular taxi at night or on rainy days.

Fares and Payments: Things You Must Know

The basic taxi fare in Korea is ₩4,800 in Seoul and ₩3,800 in other regions. Fares are transparent because they use a meter. However, sometimes there are taxis that try to overcharge you without turning on the meter, so you must check that the meter is on.

You can pay with cash, credit card, or T-money card. Most credit cards are accepted, so you don't have to worry too much. However, sometimes they may ask for cash, saying that the card machine is broken, so it's a good idea to have some cash on hand.

Check Points When Meeting the Taxi Driver

When you call a taxi, the driver's name and vehicle number will be displayed. Be sure to check this information when the taxi arrives. In particular, be sure to check the license plate number. Sometimes people get into the wrong taxi by mistake.

Another tip is that a taxi with a blue light on is already reserved. Don't bother waving your hand at it because it won't stop.

What to Do When You're Refused a Ride

Taxi refusal is illegal in Korea, but it happens frequently in reality. You may be refused if you're going a short distance or to a place with heavy traffic. In this case, it's best to move to a nearby taxi stand. It's difficult to refuse a ride at a taxi stand.

Or, it's definitely better to just call a Kakao Taxi. Taxis called through the app know your destination in advance, so the chances of being refused are much lower.

Other Options Besides Kakao Taxi

Kakao Taxi is the most widely used, but there are other apps:

UT Taxi: A similar service to Kakao Taxi
TADA: A more luxurious service, the fare is more expensive but the service quality is good

But to be honest, Kakao Taxi has a lot of taxis and is easy to use, so I don't think you need to install other apps.

Tips for Using Taxis at Night

Since the pandemic, there has been a shortage of taxi drivers, making it really difficult to catch a taxi at night. It's almost impossible between 2-4 AM. During these hours, you can choose a Blue Taxi or wait for the first subway.

If you're leaving a club or a place like Hongdae or Gangnam late at night, it's a good idea to call a taxi in advance and wait. If you call one on the spot, you may have to wait a long time.

Things to Note

Finally, here are a few things to keep in mind:

The taxi door opens automatically, so don't try to open it by force
It is common to sit in the back seat (the driver may be embarrassed if you sit in the passenger seat)
Prepare your payment before arriving at your destination
If you need a receipt, say "영수증 주세요 (yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo)" or use gestures

If you set up the Kakao Taxi app properly, getting around in Korea will be really easy. It looks complicated at first, but it's simpler than you think once you try it. You don't need a Korean SIM card at all, so don't worry and download it and use it.