Traveling to Korea can be an exciting and enriching experience. From the bustling city streets of Seoul to the stunning natural landscapes of Jeju Island, there's so much to see and do in this vibrant country. However, navigating a new place can be challenging, especially if you don't speak the language. Fortunately, with the right apps, your trip to Korea can be smooth and stress-free. In this article, we'll introduce you to the three must-have apps for traveling in Korea.
If you want to fully immerse yourself in Korean culture, there are various apps available for delivery and travel reservations, among others. However, due to payment issues and overlapping functions between apps, we recommend just three of the most useful apps for tourists. South Korea is renowned for its technological advancements and innovative ideas, leading to the popularity of locally-developed apps such as Naver Maps and Kakao Taxi. In this article, we take a closer look at these must-have apps for traveling in Korea, and how they can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable amidst Korea's unique market environment.
Naver Maps is a navigation app developed by Naver, a Korean search engine company, holding a 56% market share. Naver also provides a messenger service called Line, which has 160 million users in Asia and offers a global webtoon service. It is the most popular mapping app in Korea and has over 30 million users. Naver Maps is an essential app for anyone traveling to Korea as it provides accurate and up-to-date information on locations, directions, and transportation options.
One of the unique features of Naver Maps is its detailed information on public transportation, including bus and subway schedules, real-time traffic conditions, and estimated travel times. This feature is especially useful for tourists who want to explore the city without getting lost or stuck in traffic.
Naver Maps also has a feature that allows users to search for nearby restaurants, cafes, and attractions. This feature is incredibly helpful for travelers who want to find a place to eat or a popular tourist spot.
Overall, Naver Maps is a must-have app for anyone traveling to Korea. It is available in English and other languages, making it accessible to travelers from around the world.
Download Android : Link
Download iOS : Link
Kakao Taxi is a ride-hailing app developed by Kakao, a Korean internet company. It is the most popular taxi app in Korea, with over 18 million users. Kakao Taxi is a convenient and reliable way to get around Korea, especially in areas where public transportation is not readily available.
One of the unique features of Kakao Taxi is its ability to provide real-time location tracking of the taxi. This feature ensures that passengers can track the taxi's location and estimated time of arrival, giving them peace of mind and reducing the stress of waiting for a taxi.
Kakao Taxi also allows users to choose the type of taxi they want, including regular taxis, premium taxis, and large-capacity taxis. Users can also pay for their taxi fare through the app, making the payment process convenient and hassle-free. In the section of Travel, you can rent a car and reserve a flight ticket. Please check it out. You will be surprised.
Overall, Kakao Taxi is a must-have app for anyone traveling in Korea. It is available in English and other languages, making it accessible to travelers from around the world.
Download Android : Link
Download iOS : Link
Google Translate is a translation app developed by Google. It is one of the most popular translation apps in the world, with over 500 million downloads. Google Translate is a must-have app for anyone traveling in a foreign country, including Korea. Google Translate provides instant translations for over 100 languages, including Korean. Users can type or speak a word or phrase and receive an instant translation in their preferred language. This feature is incredibly helpful for tourists who don't speak Korean and need help communicating with locals.
Google Translate also has a feature that allows users to take a photo of a sign or text and receive an instant translation. This feature is especially useful for tourists who want to read menus or signs in Korean. Overall, Google Translate is a must-have app for anyone traveling in Korea or any foreign country. It is available in multiple languages, making it accessible to travelers from around the world.
Papago is a translation app developed by Naver, which is more widely used among Koreans because it is more customized for Korean translation. Many Koreans believe that it is better than Google Translate for translating into Korean. It is up to your choice. Please check it out.
Download Android for Papago : Link
Download iOS for Papago : Link
In conclusion, while there are many apps that people recommend, from a practical perspective, I would recommend installing these three apps on your phone. Naver Maps provides accurate and up-to-date information on locations, directions, and transportation options. Kakao Taxi is a convenient and reliable way to get around Korea, especially in areas where public transportation is not readily available. Finally, Papago is a powerful translation app that can help foreign travelers communicate more effectively with locals.
