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Useful Apps for Visiting Korea: What to Install (2026)

Checked against official sources on October 20, 2026

Wide avenue with buses beside Seoul Station seen from an elevated walkway

Summary

Install Papago for translation, Naver Map or KakaoMap for directions, k.ride or Kakao T for taxis, and KORAIL+ for trains before you fly. Add the government's Emergency Ready App for disaster alerts. As of October 2026, most of these work without a Korean phone number. Baemin lets visitors order food as non-members with an overseas number and card.

At a glance

Translation
Papago
Directions
Naver Map or KakaoMap
Taxis
k.ride or Kakao T
Trains
KORAIL+
Disaster alerts
Emergency Ready App
Food delivery
Baemin, overseas number and card

Details

A few apps make Korea much easier. They cover translating a menu, finding the right bus exit, calling a taxi and getting disaster alerts in your language. Install them at home over Wi-Fi, then set them up before you land. KoreaStep isn't affiliated with any of these apps, and the list isn't ranked.

Before you start

  • Mobile data. Most of these apps need a connection. See eSIM, SIM or pocket Wi-Fi.
  • Your app store. Papago, Naver Map, KakaoMap, Kakao T, k.ride and KORAIL+ are all listed on the US App Store, so you don't need a Korean account.
  • A sign-in method. Have an email address, or a Google or Apple account, and your passport ready for apps that verify your identity.

Step by step

Step 1 — Set up Papago for translation

Papago, made by Naver, translates 14 languages: Korean, English, Japanese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Spanish, French, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, Russian, German, Italian and Arabic. Its main modes have these names in the Korean version:

  • 텍스트 번역tekseuteu beonyeokText translation — type or paste text.
  • 이미지 번역imiji beonyeokImage translation — photograph a menu or sign.
  • 음성 번역eumseong beonyeokVoice translation — speak and hear the result.
  • 대화 번역daehwa beonyeokConversation — two people speak in turn, each in their own language.

It also offers offline text translation, website translation and handwriting input.

Step 2 — Install a Korean map app

Google Maps finds places but isn't reliable for directions here. Install Naver Map, which has Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese map labels, or KakaoMap, which lists English and Korean. See map apps for Korea.

Step 3 — Choose a taxi app

k.ride is Kakao Mobility's app for foreign travelers. You sign up with Google, Apple or email, and it accepts overseas cards and wallets such as Alipay. Kakao T is the main Korean app, with Korean, English and Japanese menus. Uber's app can also request local taxis in Seoul. See taxis and Kakao T.

Step 4 — Add KORAIL+ for trains

KORAIL+ replaced Korail Talk in August 2026. Since 1 September 2026 it also sells the former SRT trains from Suseo. The app is available in English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese. See KTX and trains.

Step 5 — Set up food delivery (optional)

배달의민족Baedarui MinjokBaemin is one of Korea's major delivery apps:

  • Since February 2026 it has offered English, Chinese and Japanese for searching, menus, payment and order tracking.
  • Since June 2026, Apple Pay works with overseas-issued Visa, Mastercard, JCB and American Express cards.
  • In July 2026, Seoul said visitors can order as non-members by verifying an overseas phone number, and can pay with overseas cards or Chinese mobile wallets.

Have your exact address in Korean ready for the rider.

Step 6 — Install the Emergency Ready App

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Emergency Ready App is its version for foreign visitors. It gives disaster and safety information in English, Chinese and Japanese, and sends disaster alerts in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese. Korean authorities issue emergency alert texts (재난문자jaenan munjaEmergency alert text) in Korean for hazards such as earthquakes, heavy rain and heat. The app gives you alerts in the languages above.

What each app costs and needs

App What it's for Cost Korean number needed?
Papago Translation (text, camera, voice, conversation) Free Not stated by Naver
Naver Map / KakaoMap Directions, transit, places Free No, for search and directions
k.ride Taxis for visitors Fare only No: Google, Apple or email sign-up
Kakao T Taxis and other transport Fare only Not stated in its listing
KORAIL+ Train tickets Fare only Not stated; Korail's English website is an alternative
Baemin Food delivery Food and delivery fee No: non-member orders with an overseas number
Emergency Ready App Disaster alerts and safety info Free No
1330 Korea Travel Hotline Phone help in English, Japanese and Chinese 24 hours; Russian, Vietnamese, Thai and Malay/Indonesian 08:00–19:00 Phone call No

What needs a Korean phone number

  • Text codes. Some services send a code to a Korean number. A tourist data-plus-voice plan gives you a 010 number that can receive them.
  • Real-name verification. Banks and some apps require Korean real-name identity verification (본인인증bonin injeungIdentity verification). Carriers say tourist lines don't support it.
  • Alternatives for visitors. Many apps now offer them. Naver added passport verification for sign-up in 2026. k.ride uses Google, Apple or email. Baemin takes overseas numbers for non-member orders.

Common problems

The app isn't in your store. Search the English name, for example "NAVER Map" or "KakaoMap". Some Korean apps use different names in different regions.

Sign-up asks for a Korean number. Look for a foreign-number, email, Google or Apple option. If there isn't one, use the website version or an alternative app.

The app opens in Korean. Check the app's own settings for a language option, then your phone's language setting.

Translation misses menu items. Take a clearer, closer photo, or type the dish name into text translation.

No alerts in your language. Install the Emergency Ready App and allow notifications.

Questions and answers

Does Papago support my language?

Papago lists 14 languages: Korean, English, Japanese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Spanish, French, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, Russian, German, Italian and Arabic. Mongolian isn't among them.

Can I order food delivery without a Korean phone number?

Yes, on Baemin, according to a July 2026 announcement by the Seoul city government. You order as a non-member, verify an overseas phone number, and pay with an overseas card or a supported mobile wallet.

Which app should I use to call a taxi?

k.ride was built for foreign travelers. It uses English, Japanese and Chinese menus and takes overseas cards. Kakao T and Uber also work in Seoul.

Will I get emergency alerts on a foreign phone?

The Emergency Ready App sends disaster alerts in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese. Install it and allow notifications so you aren't relying on Korean-language text alerts.

Who can I call if an app doesn't help?

Call the 1330 Korea Travel Hotline. It answers in Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese 24 hours a day, and in Russian, Vietnamese, Thai and Malay/Indonesian from 08:00 to 19:00. From a foreign phone, dial +82-2-1330. For emergencies, see emergency numbers and help.

Official sources (11)

Last checked October 20, 2026Next check due April 18, 2027

Rules can change. Confirm on the official site before you travel.

Next stepKorea Travel Budget: Daily Costs in Seoul, Busan and Jeju (2026)

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