Essential Apps for Korea
Load these up before you land, because getting around, staying online, and ordering without Korean all lean on them. Point your phone at the QR, or just tap a store button.
Naver Map
NavigationThe map to have in Korea - transit, walking, and places, and it has an English mode.
KakaoMap
NavigationA solid second map, strong on indoor floor plans and quick, accurate routing.
Papago
TranslationNaver's translator, the sharpest for Korean, and it does photo and voice too.
Kakao T
TaxiHail a metered taxi from anywhere - the standard ride app, and English-ready.
KakaoTalk
MessagingKorea's default messenger, and often what bookings and shop enquiries run on.
Subway Korea
SubwaySpot-on subway timetables and transfers, with English support that just works.
Quick answers
Do these apps work in English?
They do - all six run in English. Naver Map, KakaoMap, Papago, and Subway Korea are clearly built with travellers in mind, and Kakao T and KakaoTalk carry English menus too.
Are they free?
Yes - all six are free to download and use. You'll pay taxi fares or the odd optional in-app purchase, of course, but the apps themselves don't cost a thing.
Why not just use Google Maps?
You can, for subway and walking - those come out fine. Car navigation is the part that tends not to work properly in Korea, which is usually put down to the limits on exporting detailed map data. For driving and live arrival times, Naver Map and KakaoMap are what locals use instead.
By Hyouk Seo · Last updated: 2026-08-19