Naver Map, Kakao Map or Google Maps in Korea: Which to Use
Why Google Maps is limited for walking and driving directions in Korea, what Naver Map and KakaoMap do better, and how to use them with English and Korean names.
The short answer
Install Naver Map and KakaoMap before you arrive, and keep Google Maps for general searching, reviews and your home-country habits. Inside Korea, the two local apps have far more accurate walking, driving and bus information than Google Maps does. Many visitors are surprised the first time they open Google Maps in Seoul, ask for walking directions and are told none are available.
The reason is a matter of map data rules. Korean regulations have restricted exporting detailed map data, which is why global services have long had limited turn-by-turn coverage in the country. Public transit directions in Google Maps work reasonably well in big cities, but walking and driving routes are limited. Rules and features can change, so test your apps at home if you can, and treat this as a general guide rather than a promise.
Naver Map
Naver is Korea's biggest search portal, and Naver Map is the app most locals use to find a restaurant, a bus or a route. It has an English interface, and you can use it without creating an account. It shows walking, transit, car and bicycle directions, real-time bus arrival information and subway exits, and it lists opening hours, menus, photos and reviews for most businesses.
Its listings are very detailed, down to small restaurants and cafes, and reviews are written mostly by Korean users. For that reason you will often find a place on Naver Map that has no entry on Google Maps at all. The details are strongest in Korean, so the best way to search for a small business is to copy its Korean name. On Korea Trip Map, every place shows its English name and its Korean name together, and each place links to Naver Map and Google Maps so you can open the exact spot.
Tip: save places to a favorites list in the app. When you visit a city, you can see all your saved restaurants and sights on a single map, which is useful for deciding how to order a day.
KakaoMap and the Kakao ecosystem
KakaoMap is the other major local app, from the company behind KakaoTalk, the messaging app that almost everyone in Korea uses. Its directions are accurate, its interface is clear, and it works in English. Some people find it better for bus arrival times and for walking directions in older neighborhoods, while others prefer Naver. Having both costs you nothing, and comparing them is a quick way to catch an error.
Kakao also operates a taxi-hailing app, Kakao T. Ride-hailing in Korea works differently than in some countries because the taxi industry is regulated, but apps like Kakao T make it easier to get a car without speaking Korean, as the destination is entered on the screen. Support for foreign phone numbers and foreign payment cards has improved, but it varies, so set it up before you need it and have a fallback such as paying the driver with cash or a transit card. Other ride apps also operate in some cities, and availability depends on where you are.
Using Google Maps well
Google Maps is still useful for several things. It is excellent for finding your way from the airport, for transit routes in the main cities, for reading reviews in English, and for saving places you found before you left. Many places in tourist areas are listed in English, and the app can show a rough travel time between two points, which is good enough for planning.
Where it falls short is turn-by-turn walking and driving navigation. If Google gives you a transit route, it is generally fine; if it cannot find a walking route, switch to Naver Map or KakaoMap. Do not rely on Google Maps for rural roads or for driving on Jeju, where a local app is much safer.
Apple Maps users should expect similar limits to Google Maps. If you use a car in Jeju, a good local navigation app plus a good phone mount is more useful than any travel guide.
Searching tips and translation help
Search in Korean whenever you can. For a small restaurant or shop, English spellings can differ widely, and a search for a romanized name may return nothing. Copy the Korean text from the place page on our site, or from a sign, and paste it into the search box. Another approach is to search for the nearest station or a landmark, then browse the area.
A translation app such as Papago, from Naver, or Google Translate with its camera mode is very helpful for menus and signs. Both can translate text in images, which solves most of the problems with restaurant menus written only in Korean. Papago also performs well with Korean place names and polite phrases.
Download offline language packs for your translator before you travel, and keep your phone charged. A small power bank is a good companion on long sightseeing days, because map apps drain the battery quickly. Connectivity is a separate topic, which we cover in our guide to SIM cards, eSIM and Wi-Fi.