Best Korea Travel Apps to Download For Your Trip in 2025

When I first went to Korea, I went ham on prep mode. I watched every video guide, downloaded 10 different apps, and thought I had it all figured out. In the end, most were left unused and I still ended up lost several times in my trip (but that’s more to do with my terrible navigation skills. Anyways.) 

On my second trip (where I stayed for a month), I proudly trimmed it down to six. But the more time I spent there, the more I noticed which apps my Korean friends actually used in daily life. Over time, I quietly phased out the extras… and now I’m down to just four essentials.

So here are the apps that I think are essential for your Korea trip, without cluttering your phone screen!

Also read: 10 Hidden Gems in Seoul for Singaporeans to Discover

1. Naver Map 

Google Maps in Korea doesn’t really work very well. It won’t show proper directions, real-time transport, or even accurate pins half the time. That’s why Naver Map is the most basic must-have. And don’t worry, it’s available in English! 

Use it for:

1. Subway and bus directions
2. Choosing the right exit at subway stations (very essential)
3. Real-time arrival info

Just a tip, save key spots like your hotel or nearest convenience store before you head out. When I was cycling around in Jeju, I saved the locations I wanted to hit beforehand so that when cycling, I didn’t have to keep referring to my phone. 

Also read: 16 Things to Know Before Travelling to Korea

2. Kakao T

I don’t know about you, but I think it’s kinda scary to hail down a cab in a foreign country, not knowing what rates to expect. Kakao T makes it way easier because you can book a ride in-app, see estimated fares, and also pay through the app.

Use it for:

1. Late-night rides
2. Airport transfers

In my experience, most drivers won’t speak English, but thankfully, the app handles all the communication for you. There was once when my data wasn’t working, so I had to flag down a taxi on the road, and all I can tell you is that taking a taxi with a major language barrier was quite the stressful experience.

Also read: Everything That Went Wrong During My First Trip to South Korea

3. Papago

Made by Naver, Papago translates Korean more naturally. This is especially useful for things like menus or signs, because Google Translate sometimes gets wonky there. I assume you would want to know what you’re ordering. 

Use it for:

1. Reading restaurant menus
2. Asking for directions
3. Understanding random skincare labels

Tip: You can use the camera function to snap photos of Korean text and get translations instantly.

I managed to order this KBBQ set through Papago! And the waitress actually used the app to let me know that there was a special student discount going on, so we even managed to save some money. 

4. Shuttle

What’s a Korea trip without that chicken-and-beer supper? Shuttle is a foreigner-friendly delivery app that works in English and doesn’t require a local phone number. It was the easiest delivery app for me to use, so it quickly became my go-to. 

Use it for:

1. Ordering food without fuss
2. Late-night delivery
3. Avoiding the “wait, what did I just order?” feeling

Tip: Some areas have more restaurant options than others, so check coverage beforehand. 

This was one of my many suppers in Korea, all ordered through Shuttle. There was no hassle at all, and they even threw in a free drink (the coke) as well as sides (the radishes). 

Also read: Korea Food Alleys: Discovering the Best Things to Eat in Seoul, Busan, and More!

Final note

Don’t stress too much about downloading every app out there. Just make sure you’ve got your other travel essentials sorted, like a transport card, SIM card, and enough data. This list is just here to help you save phone space for what really matters — all the beautiful photos you’ll take in Korea (Case in point, the photo above, which I took while strolling around Seoul Forest).

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Featured Image Credit: Vincent_St_Thomas/ Canva Pro