Map and navigation apps

Google Maps has limited walking and driving directions in Korea.

Which apps to use

• Naver Map / KakaoMap — the most accurate in Korea, covering public transport, walking and driving.
• They support English, so foreign residents can use them. Change the language in settings.
• Google Maps is usable for finding places but limited for directions.
• TMAP — widely used for driving navigation.

Useful features

1. Public transport routing — bus and subway transfers with journey times. See subway-use and bus-use.
2. Real-time bus arrival information
3. Place search — hospitals, pharmacies, government offices, restaurants. See hospital-finder.
4. Street view — see what a building looks like before you go.
5. Favourites — save home, work and regular destinations.
6. Location sharing — useful for meeting up and for safety. See my-location.

Understanding Korean addresses

• Korea uses road-name addresses in the form "○○-ro 12-gil 34". See korean-address.
• Searching by building number is the accurate method.
• For deliveries, give the road-name address plus the detail (building and unit number).
• Pasting an address into a map app will find the location.

Where to go

• 1330 tourist information (directions too, 24 hours)
• 120 and other local call centres
• 1345 interpretation support
• 112 / 119 emergencies (if you don't know where you are, describe nearby buildings and signs)

Questions people ask

The app is Korean only. You can switch to English in settings. Both Naver Map and KakaoMap support it.

I'm lost. Check your current position in the map app, and if unsure call 1330 and describe where you are. Naming a convenience store or station helps.

It's an emergency and I don't know where I am. Call 119 and describe nearby buildings, signs or utility pole numbers. They can also locate you by phone. See my-location.

Does it work in rural areas? Public transport information can be thinner than in cities. Check intercity bus timetables at the terminal. See intercity-bus.

Take care

Handling a phone while driving is prohibited. Use a holder and enter the destination before setting off. See driving-rules. Share your location only with people you trust — never share live location with strangers.

Related

korean-address · apps-essential · subway-use · bus-use · my-location

Source

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport www.molit.go.kr / As of 2026-08