9 Must-Have Korean Travel Apps in 2025 (With Local Tips & Bonus Food Tip)

 

9 Must-Have Apps for Traveling Korea (2025 Guide for Tourists)

Traveling to Korea soon? Whether you're exploring palaces, searching for street food, or figuring out the subway, having the right apps on your phone can make your trip smoother, easier, and a lot more fun. Here's our curated list of 9 must-have Korea travel apps that every first-time visitor should download in 2025.

Looking for the best apps to use during your trip to Korea in 2025? These essential Korean travel apps will help you navigate, translate, and enjoy Korea like a local.

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📍 Navigation & Maps

✅ Naver Map

• Korea's most-used navigation app by locals
• Google Maps doesn’t work well in Korea due to military restrictions on map data
• Accurate walking, driving, and public transport routes
• Includes restaurant reviews, menus, photos, and even wait times
• Interface supports basic English

🖼 Example: Here's how a typical subway route looks on Naver Map when traveling from Gyeongbokgung Station to Hongdae.

🗺 Tip: Save places you want to visit on the map in advance and plan your travel route with Naver Map's intuitive layout.

 

🖼 Naver Map is the only app you truly need if you had to pick just one. It combines navigation, restaurant reviews, public transport, and intuitive trip planning—all in one place.

🖼 After searching a restaurant, you can view detailed reviews, store hours, contact info, and star ratings. Tap the “길찾기” button to get directions instantly.

🖼 Scroll through real photo menus uploaded by other users. You can even filter based on price range or dishes you’re curious about.

🖼 Read in-depth reviews with photos to help decide if it’s worth a visit. You’ll often find what dishes are popular or which ones to skip.

🖼 Bookmark your saved places, organize them by day or area, and check travel times between destinations for efficient planning.

 

✅ KakaoMap

• Growing in popularity among younger Koreans
• Offers real-time bus and subway arrivals, detailed directions
• English-friendly and great for exploring neighborhoods

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🌐 Translation

✅ Papago

• More accurate than Google Translate for Korean-English translation
• Developed by Naver, understands Korean context better
• Supports text, voice, camera, and handwriting translation

💬 ChatGPT can also be a good alternative for real-time translation help!

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🚇 Public Transport & Taxi

✅ Subway Korea

• Full subway map of all major cities
• Real-time subway info and easy route planner
• Multilingual support and user-friendly design

🧭 Tip: Naver Map already shows subway routes when searching directions, but if you prefer viewing the full subway line map at once, the Subway Korea app below is useful.

✅ Kakao T (Taxi App)

• Korea's equivalent of Uber, used by most locals
• Taxis in Korea are often booked via app; hailing one on the street can be difficult, especially in busy areas
• Taxis display signs in Korean: "빈차" (available), "예약" (reserved), etc.
• Book rides, track in real time, and pay in-app
• Interface available in English (basic level)

📌 Most taxis driving by are already booked through apps. It’s better to reserve through Kakao T to avoid waiting.

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🍔 Food Delivery

✅ Coupang Eats

• Best delivery app for solo travelers
• English is supported in the app interface
• Menus with photos make ordering easy
• Fast, accurate delivery with clean interface

🍱 You can also check restaurant reviews and photos directly in Naver Map.

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📲 Other Useful Apps

✅ Emergency Ready App

• Official Korean government app for real-time emergency alerts
• Covers natural disasters, missing persons, fires, etc.
• Available in English and several other languages

✅ Visit Korea App

• Created by the Korea Tourism Organization
• Offers curated travel guides, regional highlights, and event info
• Good for browsing ideas if you're unsure where to go next

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🧠 Tips for Using Apps in Korea

• Use a portable Wi-Fi device or eSIM for constant internet access
• Some apps may require a Korean phone number to sign in—stick to those with guest modes
• Don’t rely on Google Maps—it doesn't work properly in Korea. Use Naver or Kakao instead.

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📌 Bonus Tip: Want to Dine Like a Local?

If you speak or read some Korean, consider using the app Catch Table — it’s what locals use to book hot restaurants in advance.

• Reserve popular spots like Michelin-rated restaurants or trendy cafes
• Skip long lines and enjoy guaranteed seating
• The app is in Korean only, but it’s very intuitive with photos and filters
• If you're unsure, you can ask your hotel or a Korean friend for help!

📌 Not essential, but a powerful tool if you want to experience Korea’s food scene like a local.

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📍 Conclusion

With these apps, you'll be navigating, eating, and traveling around Korea like a pro. Whether it’s your first trip or a return visit, having the right tools in your pocket can make all the difference.

But if you could only download one app? Go with Naver Map — it's your all-in-one solution for getting around, exploring, and making the most of your time in Korea.

Need help planning your itinerary or booking airport transfers? Contact us anytime at ktreasuretour@gmail.com.

Happy travels! 🌟