Which apps do I need in Korea?

A map, a translator, a subway app, a taxi app, a train app and a restaurant booking app cover most trips.

Guide
What we checked: the app's publisher, its store listing, and that English is listed.What we have not checked: sign-up rules for visitors (Korean phone number, foreign cards).
Checked Nov 1, 2026Re-check due Dec 31, 2026Sources: App Store & Google Play listings

“English listed” means the store shows English among the app's languages. We have not opened every screen. Some Korean apps may not appear in every country's store. Use only the official store links on this page.

Get around

N

NAVER Maps, Navigation

NAVER Corp.

Maps and navigation. A common choice in Korea for finding places and routes.

English listed
App Store ↗Google Play ↗
S

Seoul Subway – Official App

Seoul Metro

The official app of the Seoul subway operator.

English listedAndroid developer not checked
App Store ↗Google Play ↗
K

Kakao T

Kakao Mobility Corp.

Taxi app.

English listedSign-up rules for visitors: checking
App Store ↗Google Play ↗
k

k.ride

Kakao Mobility Corp.

Taxi app whose store listing is aimed at Korea trips.

English listedPayment for foreign cards: checking
App Store ↗Google Play ↗
R

KORAIL+ (formerly KORAIL Talk)

Korea Railroad Corporation

Train tickets, including KTX, from the national railway.

English listedBooking rules for visitors: checking
App Store ↗Google Play ↗

Need the English subway map as a picture? See the official map and T-money guide.

Talk & translate

P

Naver Papago – AI Translator

NAVER Corp.

Translation app.

English listed (13 languages)
App Store ↗Google Play ↗
K

KakaoTalk: Messenger

Kakao Corp.

The messenger many hosts, guides and businesses use. Optional for most visitors.

English listed (15 languages)Sign-up with a foreign phone number: checking
App Store ↗Google Play ↗

Plan & explore

V

VISITKOREA

Korea Tourism Organization

The national tourism organization's official app.

English listed (8 languages)
App Store ↗Google Play ↗
S

Visit Seoul – Official Guide

Seoul Tourism Organization

Seoul's official travel guide app.

English listed (6 languages)
App Store ↗Google Play ↗
K

K-ETA

Ministry of Justice

Apply for the electronic travel authorization. Only needed if your nationality is not exempt. Check your nationality in the app first.

English listed
App Store ↗Google Play ↗

Eat

C

CATCHTABLE: Book Restaurants

WAD corp

Restaurant reservations.

English listed (20 languages)Booking rules for visitors: checking
App Store ↗Google Play ↗

Food-delivery apps (Coupang Eats, Baemin) and concert ticket apps are not listed yet. We have not confirmed whether visitors can sign up and pay.

Sources

  1. Apple App Store search data (US store) for names, publishers, app IDs and listed languages, checked Nov 1, 2026.
  2. Google Play web pages for package names and titles, checked Nov 1, 2026.
  3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs consulate notice on the K-ETA exemption, 2026.

Not legal advice. Apps change their sign-up rules often. Tell us if a link is broken and we will fix it and update the date. Contact

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