Essential Apps for Busan: Naver Map, Papago & Kakao T

Korea has some of the best internet and public transit infrastructure in the world, but travelers are often caught off guard when the Google services they’re used to don’t work well here. Install these four apps ahead of time and your Busan trip gets a lot smoother.

Naver Map / KakaoMap — for directions

Because of restrictions on exporting map data from Korea, Google Maps’ walking and transit directions are less accurate here. Naver Map or KakaoMap, by contrast, give you precise bus/subway transfer info and real-time arrival times. Both apps support an English interface, so switching your phone’s language to English makes them easier to use.

How to use Naver Map

1. Open the app and type a place name or address into the search bar at the top. Even without Korean, searching the English business name (e.g. “Haeundae Beach”) usually works.
2. Tap the place you want from the results, then tap “Directions” at the bottom.
3. Choose walking, transit, driving, or taxi — each tab shows the estimated time and cost.
4. The transit tab shows bus/subway transfer routes and real-time arrivals, so you know exactly how many minutes until the next bus.
5. Switch the language to English in the settings menu (top right) to get menus and voice guidance in English too.

How to use KakaoMap

1. Type a place into the search bar, or pan the map with your finger to find a spot directly.
2. The place detail page shows business hours, phone number, and real visitor reviews and photos.
3. Tap “Directions” for the same walking/transit/driving options as Naver Map — with the added bonus that it links straight into Kakao T for taxi calls.
4. A dedicated subway map feature lets you check transfer stations and exit numbers in detail.

Either app works fine on its own, but if a search comes up empty in one, the other sometimes finds it — worth installing both.

Papago — real-time translation

A translation app made by Naver that’s generally considered more natural than Google Translate for Korean. To get the most out of Papago, remember these three features.

1. Text translation: Type a Korean or English sentence on the main screen for an instant translation. Shorter, simpler sentences translate more accurately.
2. Camera translation: Tap the camera icon and point your phone at a menu, sign, or notice — the translated text overlays the image in real time. Especially handy for reading restaurant menus.
3. Conversation (voice) mode: Tap the microphone and speak, and it interprets automatically into the other language — great for passing the phone back and forth with a taxi driver or shop clerk.

Download the offline translation pack in advance so it still works when you lose wifi.

Kakao T — calling a taxi

Korea’s leading taxi-hailing app, which supports registering an overseas credit card and has an English interface. Here’s how to call a taxi with Kakao T.

1. On first launch, sign up with phone number verification and register an overseas-issued card (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) as your payment method.
2. From the home screen, tap “Taxi” — your pickup location is set automatically by GPS, and you search for and enter your destination. Pasting in the exact place name you already looked up on Naver Map or KakaoMap makes this much more accurate.
3. Choose your ride type (standard, premium/black taxi, etc.) and tap “Call.”
4. Once matched, you’ll see the driver’s info, license plate, and estimated arrival time, plus live location tracking.
5. When you arrive, payment is charged automatically to your registered card — no need to hand over cash or a card at all.

Looking up your destination on a map app first and passing it straight into Kakao T means you never have to explain anything in Korean to the driver.

Setup Tips

Install all four apps and finish signing up for each while you still have wifi, before you land. Registering a card on Kakao T in particular can take a little time, so getting it done in advance means you can use it right away after you arrive.

Related Guides

If you need a data connection first, see our Korea eSIM guide or our eSIM/Wi-Fi router comparison. Curious about the actual subway and bus routes? Check our Busan Subway & Bus Complete Guide too. And before you fly, don’t forget Korea’s mandatory e-Arrival Card — it’s free and takes minutes.

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