KOREA? WONIVERSE!

10 Must-Have Apps for Traveling Korea

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by

woniverse

So you’ve booked your flight, packed your bags, and watched 37 K-dramas to prepare for your trip to Korea. Excellent.
But unless your phone is loaded with the right apps, you might find yourself lost in a subway tunnel or accidentally ordering live octopus.
Here are 10 essential apps that will make your Korea trip smoother, smarter, and a whole lot more fun.

1. Naver Map

Google Maps is a global giant… except in Korea, where it’s about as helpful as a paper map in a wind tunnel. Naver Map is the true hero here, offering detailed directions for walking, driving, biking, and all things public transport.
It has accurate GPS, reliable routes, and includes even tiny alleyway cafés your friends on Instagram will envy.
Bonus: The English version actually works well, and real-time traffic info helps you dodge the jams.
If you’re planning to explore Seoul, Busan, or even remote islands, this app will guide you better than most locals.

2. 지하철 종결자 – Smarter Subway

The Seoul subway is like a high-functioning spider web: fast, efficient, and enormous. This app is the best way to keep your transfers sane and your direction clear.
It shows real-time train schedules, accurate transfer times, and even alerts you when the next train is coming (no guesswork required).
You can search routes by time, distance, or number of transfers — whichever hurts less.
Great for beginners and subway pros alike, it even works offline in case your data dies in the tunnels.

3. Seoul Bike (따릉이)

Want to explore Seoul without being stuck in traffic or subways? Hop on a green public bike! 따릉이 is the city’s bike rental system, and this app helps you locate, unlock, and return bikes with ease.
It supports English, shows bike availability in real time, and even suggests nearby stations.
Perfect for riverside cruising or café hopping in Hongdae, and much cheaper than taxis.
Just watch out for those hills — Korea isn’t as flat as it looks on Instagram.

4. Airport Railroad (AREX)

Arriving at Incheon and heading to central Seoul? The AREX express train is the fastest, easiest, and least confusing way to make that journey.
This app lets you book tickets, check train times, and even select your seat — no need to battle with ticket machines in Korean.
It’s super tourist-friendly, much cheaper than a taxi, and skips all the city traffic.
Bonus tip: seats come with free Wi-Fi and USB charging. Welcome to Korea.

5. Papago

Imagine Google Translate, but with a Korean soul and way fewer mistakes. Papago is made by Koreans for Korean translation, and it shows — from menus to metro signs to awkward text conversations.
It supports text, voice, handwriting, and image translation, so you can point your camera at anything and get instant help.
The app even reads aloud with correct pronunciation, so you can sound like a local (or at least fake it convincingly).
If you’re dealing with anything written in Hangul, Papago is your pocket interpreter.

6. Catch Table

Trying to dine at a trendy Korean BBQ spot or a rooftop brunch cafe? Many of the best restaurants in Korea require reservations — and Catch Table makes it easy.
The app lets you book tables across Seoul and beyond without making a single phone call.
You can browse by location, cuisine, or popularity, and some listings even include English menus and photos.
Perfect for foodies who like to plan ahead (or avoid long wait lines).

7. TABA

Need to take a long-distance bus or airport limousine? TABA helps you check schedules, compare prices, and book tickets — all in English.
Whether you’re heading to Busan, Gangneung, or a ski resort in Pyeongchang, this app keeps things smooth.
No more guessing at bus terminals or accidentally boarding a night route to the wrong city.
It even shows available seats, so you can avoid the dreaded middle spot by the bathroom.

8. Uber (Korea Edition)

Uber in Korea isn’t exactly like the US version, but it works — kind of like Uber meets Kakao Taxi.
The app lets you book taxis through a familiar interface, which is a godsend if you don’t speak Korean.
You’ll get fare estimates, route tracking, and cashless payments, plus no awkward waving on the street.
Works best in Seoul and larger cities — not ideal for rural mountain villages, unless your driver moonlights as a hiker.

9. Namane

No Korean SIM? No problem. Namane is a mobile T-money card — meaning you can ride subways, buses, and even pay at convenience stores with just your phone.
Skip the card vending machines and top up directly in-app with your card or digital wallet.
It’s tourist-friendly, supports English, and works almost everywhere a physical T-money card does.
Plus, you’ll look extra tech-savvy tapping your phone like a local.

10. WOWPASS

Don’t want to carry Korean cash or figure out local banking apps? WOWPASS gives you a prepaid card made just for travelers.
It combines transportation, shopping, and currency exchange — and comes with its own app to track spending and recharge.
The app includes ATM finder, balance check, and even exchange rate tools.
Perfect if you’re staying a while or want to go totally cashless in Korea.