✈️ 10 Must-Have Travel Apps for Korea in 2025 📱

 

Planning a trip to South Korea? Whether you’re wandering through Seoul’s neon alleys, catching cherry blossoms in Gyeongju, or surfing in Jeju, having the right apps will make your journey smoother, cheaper, and way more fun 😎

Here are 10 essential travel apps for Korea in 2025—all free, updated, and foreigner-friendly.

 

 

1. NAVER Map 🗺️

Best for: Navigation, walking routes, and public transport
Why you need it: Google Maps doesn’t work well in Korea. NAVER Map is the go-to for real-time subway, bus, and walking directions. It even tells you which subway exit to use.

🌍 Language: English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean
🔗 iOS | Android

 

 

2. KakaoMap 🧭

Best for: Discovering local spots (cafés, restaurants, stores)
Why you need it: If NAVER is Google Maps, KakaoMap is Korea’s Yelp + Apple Maps. Want a rooftop cafe in Hongdae or a vegan brunch in Gangnam? Start here.

🔥 Tip: Use KakaoMap + KakaoMetro together for full travel control.

 

 

3. KakaoMetro 🚇

Best for: Subway navigation
Why you need it: Plan your subway route in seconds, see real-time arrivals, and avoid confusing transfers. Works across Seoul, Busan, Daegu, and more.

💡 Tip: It shows how long transfers take and which doors to exit from.

 

 

 

4. Papago 🗣️

Best for: Real-time translation (text, voice, image)
Why you need it: Made by NAVER, Papago is the best Korean-English translator. Use it to read menus, signs, or have full conversations with locals.

🔥 Better than Google Translate for Korean. Way better.

 

 

5. KakaoTaxi (now Kakao T) 🚖

Best for: Booking taxis with no Korean
Why you need it: Hailing a cab in Seoul? Use Kakao T. It's like Uber, but for Korea. No need to talk—just input your destination and you're good to go.

💳 Supports credit card, T-money, or in-app payments.

 

 

6. Subway Korea (지하철) 🚆

Best for: Simple subway use, even offline
Why you need it: Prefer a lightweight app for just the metro? This one shows accurate routes, fares, and exits, even without Wi-Fi.

 

 

7. MangoPlate 🍽️

Best for: Finding restaurants with reviews
Why you need it: Think Yelp, but Korean. Get honest reviews, ratings, and food photos—especially helpful when looking for non-touristy eats.

🌍 English support is decent; photos tell the story anyway.

 

 

8. Klook / Trazy 🎟️

Best for: Booking activities, passes, and tours
Why you need it: Want to book a DMZ tour, get a discounted KTX ticket, or reserve Everland fast passes? These platforms offer deals in English and accept foreign cards.

🔥 Bonus: Many come with instant QR codes—no printing needed!

 

 

9. Visit Korea App (KTO Official) 📚

Best for: Verified travel info and emergency help
Why you need it: This official app from the Korea Tourism Organization includes attractions, events, emergency contacts, and cultural tips.

📲 Good offline content for rural or low-signal areas.

 

 

10. Wise / Revolut / Global ATM Finder 💳

Best for: Managing money on the go
Why you need it: Korean ATMs sometimes reject foreign cards. Use Wise/Revolut for cheaper exchange rates + a backup card, and Global ATM Finder to locate machines that work with your network.

 

 

✨ Bonus Apps (If You Have Space)

• Coupang Eats or Shuttle Delivery – for food delivery
• T-Money Pay – recharge your transport card digitally
• KorailTalk – for train ticketing (KTX, ITX)
• Hi Korea – for immigration & visa help (short-term stay)

 

🧳 Before You Go

 

✅ Download apps before arriving (Wi-Fi might be spotty at the airport)
✅ Change app language to English in settings if needed
✅ Turn on location + notifications for transit apps
✅ Consider buying a Korean SIM card or eSIM for seamless app use

 

 

🗂️ Final Thoughts

Your trip to Korea doesn’t have to be stressful. With just a few of these apps, you’ll navigate like a local, eat like a foodie, and travel smart in 2025. Most of them are free, English-friendly, and work offline too.