Useful Apps for Korea

KAKAOTALK! Evvvvvvverybody has KakaoTalk, the most popular messaging app. You need it, trust me. Download this and you’ll be able to talk to your friends whenever you have WiFi, regardless of what phone or network you use (*international data plans are so expensive! WiFi is everywhere in Korea, and you can easily get by with it. However, if you don’t mind paying a bit (but probably still less than a data plan), you can rent a WiFi egg from the airport and carry it with you wherever you go. Some Airbnb’s also offer a WiFi egg complimentary while you stay there! That’s the best!). 

NAVER MAPS and KAKAO MAPS are the way to go for navigation. Google is hopelessly confused about Korean geography and often incorrect. I personally prefer Naver, but both of these apps are good and easy to use! 

SEOUL SUBWAY has a full map of all the Seoul and Incheon subway/train lines. It’s a very clear map, and you can check the timetable for any train by simply clicking on the station. You can see how many stops it will take you to get where you’re going, so you don’t have to worry about missing your stop. You can also search for a station, and mark your favorite ones. (Also, the subways here make all stop announcements in Korean, English, and Japanese! The airport railroad also does Chinese, I believe.). 

KAKAO T is an app for calling taxis. Simply put in where you are and where you’re going, and it will call a taxi nearby. Check the license plate to make sure it’s the right taxi, and off you go! The driver will already have the address of where you’re going, so you don’t even have to try to communicate it if you don’t speak Korean. 

Speaking of speaking! Aside from Google Translate (which can be a bit sketchy), a little more reliable are the translator apps PAPAGO and MICROSOFT TRANSLATOR. Also, NAVER DICTIONARY is great for translating words and small phrases (but not for conversations).

Happy travels, friends!