5 Essential Apps To Download in South Korea As a Foreigner

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Navigating a new country can be daunting, especially when you don’t speak the local language. South Korea is no exception with its buzzing cities and overwhelming transportation systems.

This article aims to simplify your journey by introducing the top 5 apps that every foreigner should have while visiting or staying in Korea.

These apps make traveling around South Korea a lot easier. They help you translate from Korean to your native language and they help you find reliable ways of getting around in Seoul and South Korea in general.

Ready to explore Korea like a local? Let’s dive in!

Top 5 Essential Apps for Foreigners Traveling in South Korea

These are the top 5 essential apps for foreigners traveling in South Korea:

Papago: For translating

Navigating a country is a lot easier when you can speak or read the local language. Papago is a great app for translating Korean to English. It helps you break down the language barrier during your trip in South Korea.

You can for instance scan a Korean menu and you’ll get most of it back in your native language. It’s very convenient while traveling here.

It also works with 12 other languages. The app is made by Naver Corporation, a Korean company.

Many people find Papago more helpful than Google Translate because it gives clearer translations from Korean into foreign languages.

Papago is known for its accuracy and has many useful features. With Papago, you can easily communicate with locals and understand signs, menus, or directions in Korea. Hence, it’s a really great app to download if you’re going to travel in Korea.

Papago app for translating in South Korea

KakaoTalk: Korean WhatsApp

KakaoTalk is like the Korean version of WhatsApp. You can use it to send messages and make calls. Almost all people in Korea use this app for chatting. Even ex-US President Barack Obama used it! So, if you go to South Korea, get KakaoTalk on your phone.

It’s a popular messaging app that allows you to chat with friends and make calls for free. It’s widely used by Koreans, so it’s a must-have app if you’re planning on staying in Korea for a while.

This popular app has been around since 2010. Not only Koreans but also many travelers love using KakaoTalk. It’s a great way to keep in touch with new Korean friends or other foreigners you meet during your trip.

Just open the app, type a message and hit send – it’s that simple with Kakaotalk!

Kakao Talk app in South Korea — Kakao Talk

KakaoMap: Korean maps

KakaoMap is a must-have app if you’re traveling in South Korea. It’s one of the top navigation apps, loved by Koreans for its high accuracy. You don’t have to worry about getting lost as it gives clear directions.

If you need help navigating around Korea, KakaoMap is the app for you. It has detailed maps of all the major cities and provides real-time information on public transportation routes.It’s easy to use and makes travel around South Korea a breeze.

Do you want to know where the lively Myeongdong Shopping Street is located and how far it is to walk to the cable car to Namsan Seoul Tower? Use these maps.

Google Maps hardly gives any walking routes in Korea, so using this app is a lot more convenient.

Tip: You can also download the app Navermap as well. This is also a highly used maps in Korea.

Another tip is to check on this map what subway exit is located the closest to the place you’re trying to reach. Sometimes there are up to 12 metro exits, so it can get a bit confusing where to go.

Kakao T: Taxi in Korea

One essential app for foreigners traveling in South Korea is Kakao T, a local ride-hailing app that functions similar to Uber. With Kakao T, you can easily request a taxi and enjoy affordable transportation options throughout the country.

The best part? The app supports English language, making it accessible for foreign travelers. Whether you’re exploring Seoul or venturing to other cities in Korea, Kakao T will help you navigate the streets hassle-free.

So don’t worry about language barriers or finding a reliable ride – just download Kakao T and get ready to explore South Korea with ease!

For getting around by taxi, Kakao T is the go-to app in Korea. It’s similar to Uber and allows you to book taxis with just a few taps on your phone. This makes it super convenient when you’re exploring new places or heading home late at night.

Tip: First make a Kakao ID with the Kakao Talk app.

Subway Korea: Metro app

If you’re traveling in South Korea, an essential app to have is the Subway Korea app. This public transportation app will help you navigate the subway system easily and efficiently.

It provides detailed maps of all the subway lines in different cities, so you can plan your routes and find the best way to get to your destination.

The first time I saw the Seoul metro map and all the different stations I felt so overwhelmed. With this app, you won’t have to worry about getting lost or confused while using the subway.

It’s a convenient tool that will make your travel experience in South Korea much easier and a lot more enjoyable.

Maybe you want to go to the traditional Bukchon Hanok Village or the vibrant Gwangjang Food Market, you’ll need to know how to reach the closest metro stations.

Subway is an essential app if you plan on using the metro system in South Korea. It provides detailed information about subway lines, stations, and schedules. This will make your journey smoother and more efficient.

This is how it works:

In the app, click the subway button right below, then click the search button and type in the metro station where you want to go.
Click on arrive at.
Then go to the search button again, type in the station you’re coming from and then click on depart at.
Click on detail info to see the route.

Tip: In the app you can even see whether you have to exit the metro through the left or the right door, which is really handy.

In conclusion

Whether you’re living as an expat in Korea or just traveling for a while, these apps will make your time here a lot less difficult.

These top 5 apps are essential for foreigners traveling in South Korea. They will help you with translating, navigating the subway system, finding your way around and even hailing a taxi.

Make sure to download these apps before your trip to have a smooth and convenient travel experience while exploring South Korea as a foreigner.

Away with Danae

See more South Korea travel content here:

5 Essential Apps To Download in South Korea As a Foreigner