Essential Korean Websites and Apps for Travelers
Visiting Korea and not sure which app to install or which site to book on? Google Maps has limited coverage here, most booking sites are in Korean, and some apps reject foreign cards. This page lists the services travelers actually need, with official addresses and a note on whether each one works with an overseas phone number or card.
English articles
Guides written in English for travelers and residents. New articles appear here automatically.
Start with maps, not Google Maps
This surprises most visitors. Google Maps works for finding a location in Korea, but it cannot give walking or driving directions in most cases because of local mapping regulations. Public transit directions work reasonably well, yet everything else falls short. Locals use Naver Map or Kakao Map, and both offer English interfaces. Download one before you arrive and your first day will go far more smoothly.
| Service | Best for | English support | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naver Map | Walking, transit, place info | Yes, in app settings | map.naver.com |
| Kakao Map | Driving, bus arrivals | Yes, partial | map.kakao.com |
| Subway Korea | Metro routes and timing | Yes | App stores |
| Google Maps | Finding an address | Yes | google.com/maps |
Scroll the table sideways on mobile. Address search often works better in Korean, so copy and paste the Korean name when you can.
Getting around and booking travel
Trains and intercity buses fill up on weekends and holidays, so booking ahead matters. Some booking sites require a Korean phone number or a resident registration number, which visitors do not have. Others accept a passport number or run a separate English site for foreign travelers. The table below notes which is which.
| Service | What it covers | Foreign users | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Korail | KTX and regular trains | English booking site available | korail.com |
| SRT | High speed trains, southern routes | Limited, check at booking | etk.srail.co.kr |
| Kakao T | Taxi hailing | Overseas card often rejected | kakaomobility.com |
| Uber Taxi | Taxi hailing | Works with overseas account | uber.com |
| Tmoney | Transit card top up | Buy at convenience stores | tmoney.co.kr |
Buy a Tmoney card at any convenience store and top it up with cash. It works on subways, buses and in many shops.
Cards, cash and staying connected
Korea is close to cashless. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including small shops and taxis, and many places no longer keep change on hand. Foreign cards work at most physical terminals, but Korean apps are a different story. Domestic payment apps usually require a Korean bank account and a local phone number, so plan on using your card or a transit card instead.
Getting a local number
A prepaid SIM or eSIM solves most app problems and gives you data for maps. Airport counters sell them on arrival, and several providers let you order online before your trip. Pocket wifi routers are an option if several people are sharing.
Where cash still helps
Traditional markets, small street food stalls and some older taxis prefer cash. Withdraw at a bank ATM or a convenience store machine that displays a global network logo. Exchange rates at airport counters are usually worse than in the city.
Food, shopping and things to do
Restaurant reservations, event tickets and concert bookings all run through Korean platforms. Some accept international users, some do not. Trying to buy a ticket the night before an event and discovering the site needs a local verification number is a common frustration, so check early.
| Service | What it is | Foreign users | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catch Table | Restaurant reservations | English version available | catchtable.co.kr |
| Interpark Ticket | Concerts and shows | Global site for foreign users | globalinterpark.com |
| Coupang | Online shopping, fast delivery | Overseas card sometimes rejected | coupang.com |
| Olive Young | Cosmetics, global shipping | Global site available | global.oliveyoung.com |
| Naver Webtoon | Korean webtoons in English | Yes | webtoons.com |
Delivery apps generally require a Korean phone number. Ordering at the counter or asking your accommodation for help is often faster.
Before you tap a link
Searching in English for Korean services often surfaces resale pages, unofficial booking agents and copycat sites that charge a markup for something free. Check the domain against the tables above before entering card details or passport information. Official Korean organizations use addresses ending in go.kr or or.kr, and major companies use their own well known domain.
This page is part of a Korean language site that collects official website addresses by category and checks that they still work. Everything listed here was opened and verified before publishing, and the tables are updated when an address changes.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Google Maps not give walking directions in Korea?
Korean mapping data is subject to local regulations that restrict export, which limits what overseas map services can offer. Naver Map and Kakao Map have full data and both provide English interfaces.
Can I use my own credit card in Korea?
Physical card terminals accept international cards almost everywhere. Korean mobile apps are stricter and often require a local bank account or phone number, so keep a physical card with you.
Do I need a Korean phone number?
Not for basic travel, but many apps use SMS verification. A prepaid SIM or eSIM removes that barrier and is available at airport counters on arrival.
How current is this list?
Every address is opened and checked before it is listed, and the page is revised when a service changes its site or policy. If you find something out of date, let us know through the contact page.