3 Must-Have Korea Travel Apps to Make Your Trip Smoother (and More Local!)

If you’re visiting Korea and want to go beyond the typical tourist experience, the best place to start is your phone. Korea travel apps are not just helpful—they’re an essential part of local life. In this post, I’ll show you the apps that Koreans use every day, and how they can make your trip smoother, richer, and more local.

Unlike many countries where Google and WhatsApp dominate, Korea’s digital world is led by homegrown platforms like Naver and Kakao. These companies don’t just make apps—they build ecosystems that locals use for everything: chatting, searching, getting around, and more.

Another app that may come in handy if you are planning to stay in Seoul, is 따릉이 (Seoul Bike, or Ttareungi). It’s the official public bike rental system in Seoul, and it’s incredibly easy to use once you download the app. With just a few taps, you can unlock a bike and start riding — whether it’s a quick commute or a scenic ride through along the Han River. It’s not just practical, it’s also a fun way to see the city like a local.

As someone who lives in Seoul, I’ll guide you through the apps I personally use on a daily basis, why they matter, and how they can improve your travel experience.

Naver Map: The Local’s Guide in Your Pocket

In Korea, Naver Map is the go-to navigation app — and it’s far more accurate and reliable than Google Maps at least in Korea, especially in busy, dense cities like Seoul. Naver Map handles all the details of the road with impressive precision.

Here’s what makes it a must-download for any traveler:

• Walking and public transit directions are locally optimized — including subway exits, bus routes, and real-time updates. If you’ve ever been lost trying to find the right metro exit in Gangnam, you’ll know how much this matters.
• Restaurant reviews and photos come from Korean users, not international tourists. That means more accurate ratings, realistic food pics, and reliable opening hours.
• Cafe, shopping, and cultural site listings are updated more frequently than on Google Maps. Many Korean businesses don’t even show up on Google, but they’ll have full profiles on Naver — sometimes with menus, photos, and even reservation links.
• And since Naver is also Korea’s #1 search engine, it’s deeply integrated into how locals discover places. Searching on Naver Map is like tapping into what Koreans are actually looking for.

Also, Naver Map offers full English-language support, including recommendations for places to go nearby based on your location and directions for how to get there. You can switch between English and Korean names to help navigate both as a traveler and as someone who might be reading signage in Hangul.

KakaoTalk: Korea’s #1 Communication App

KakaoTalk is more than a messaging app — it’s how Koreans stay connected, organize plans, make reservations, share files, and even pay for things. If you’re planning a trip to Korea and hoping to make new friends, downloading KakaoTalk is almost essential.

Here’s why it matters:

• It’s the national messaging platform — used by nearly everyone, from students to grandparents. If you meet locals or join a tour or meetup group, chances are the first thing they’ll ask is, “Do you have KakaoTalk?”
• Free voice and video calls work seamlessly — useful if you’re using Wi-Fi or don’t have a Korean SIM card.
• Group chats are commonly used for coordinating events, making plans, or staying in touch with fellow travelers.
• KakaoTalk also connects with other Kakao services like Kakao T (for taxis), Kakao Navi, KakaoPay. If you plan to stay in Korea for a while, you will probably end up having these apps on you phone sooner or later.

Meet the Characters

One of the most delightful aspects of both Naver and Kakao is how they humanize technology with signature characters.

• Naver’s Line Friends:
  While Line, Naver’s messaging service has not been that successful in Korea, it is more popular in other parts of Asia. Naver uses its Line Friends to bring familiar, friendly characters to its platform. Check out the official Line Friends online shop here.

• Kakao Friends:
  Kakao Friends are a phenomenon in Korea. These characters are not just cute—they’re deeply integrated into the brand. They appear on everything from app interfaces to merchandise and cafes, much like how WhatsApp’s stickers and emojis add fun to your chats. In Kakaotalk, You can personalize your chats with cute themes, animated emoticons, and character stickers. You can findn the Online store for Kakao Friends here.

Naver and Kakao both make merchandise featuring their beloved characters, which also makes for fun and memorable souvenirs to take home. Have a look out for official stores in tourist areas or even in at the airport if you are willing to take one home.

따릉이 (Ttareungi): Rent a Bike Like a Local

One of the best ways to explore Seoul — especially around wide, open areas like Olympic Park, Hangang River, or even quiet backstreets — is by bike. And for that, 따릉이 (Seoul Bike) is your go-to.

Ttareungi is Seoul’s official public bike-sharing system. The name comes from the sound of the bells you ring on your bike. (Ttareung = ring ring) You’ll spot the green-and-white bikes docked near subway stations, parks, and major intersections all over the city. It’s also incredibly affordable: a 1-hour pass costs just 1,000 KRW (roughly $1 USD)

In my opinion, the best places to ride are along the Hangang River and in spacious parks like Seoul Olympic Park — where wide paths, open views, and fresh air make the ride especially enjoyable. You can also check out my post on Olympic Park here for tips on what to see and how to get there.

How to Use It:

1. Download the “서울자전거 따릉이” app (search “Seoul Bike” in the app store, available in English).
2. Sign up using a phone number and simple ID verification (tourists can register using a foreign number or pass through email verification).
3. Choose a plan (hourly, daily, or multi-day passes) and make a payment.
4. Use the app to find a bike station near you and unlock a bike with a QR code.
5. After your ride, just return the bike to any official dock — it doesn’t have to be the same one you started at.

Tip: The 1-hour and 2-hour passes don’t mean you can only use the bike for that exact duration once. Instead, they mean you must return the bike to a dock within the time limit, but you can immediately unlock another bike again during the 24-hour rental window. It’s basically a hop-on, hop-off system, great for spontaneous rides.

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Korea travel apps aren’t just tools—they’re a window into modern Korean life. By using the same apps we locals rely on, you’ll move through the country more smoothly, enjoy local spots with confidence, and maybe even see Korea a little differently.