Essential apps holidaying in South Korea

If you're like us and want to spend more time taking in and enjoying your destination, then you would want to download the apps you need in advance. Travelling around is easy but you will need to have the right apps for South Korea. Here are our top apps.

Kakao maps or Naver + Google Maps

Google maps is familiar for travel around the world and still is our first place go to digital map in Korea. The majority of places can be found using English with accurate subway and bus instructions how to get to the location. Ignore the walking time because Google maps does not have accurate information on this.

You are going to need to use Kakao maps (iOS and android) or Naver (iOS and Android) for more accurate walking or car information. Similar to Google maps, you can add your locations to a favourite list. Finding a location using English in these apps will be hit and miss. Here's one way we got around this:

• Find the location you want in Google maps

• Press the speaker button. Google maps will say the Korean name which is useful in itself when communicating to taxi drivers or others

• Tap on the displayed Korean name to copy it into your clipboard

• Go to the Kakao maps app

• Search by pasting in the Korean name into the search bar

• Favourite the location and give it the English name you will recognise

We will create a Kakao favourites list of the attractions we recommend that is freely available for you so stay tuned.

An alternative popular app instead of Kakao is Naver, so feel free to give that one a try as well.

Kakao T

One thing that we need to remember when we travel is that we aren't always in an Uber so can't just get out without paying when we get to our destination. It's just Uber is so easy and convenient, so of course we recommend downloading Kakao T (iOS and android) while you are in Korea. Kakao T is just like using Uber, except you are booking a certified taxi. You don't even need to put in your card details into the app if you don't want because you can pay the driver like normal after arriving at your destination.

Conveniently, Kakao T knows of your locations in your favourite list in Kakao maps to make things easier. You can easily set your pickup and destination location which saves you the hassle of trying to get the driver to understand where your destination is. It gives you a very accurate estimate of the fare. A taxi will be assigned to you so make sure you only get into the right taxi.

Kakao Navi (if driving)

If you are using Kakao maps and need a navigation system for driving around Korea, then make sure to download the Kakao Navi app (android). It's absolutely essential for car navigation but think of it as a silent add on because everything is controlled in Kakao maps.

Google translate or Papago

You will encounter some language barriers whenever you go to any country where your language isn't primarily spoken and Korea is no exception. Fortunately, a lot of signs are in English and we found it easy to get by with some basic Korean phrases and communication through hand gestures. It's always helpful to be able to pull out an app to help when it is needed.

Google translate (iOS and Android) is an option that a lot of people will already have on their phone. The function we used the most was using the camera to translate Korean text. If it's a small amount of text, the "instant" function works well as a point and read. For longer or smaller text, the scan function has saved us many times because it will process everything smoothly in one go. Google translate also has a conversation mode to easily communicate with others.

Naver Papago (iOS and Android) is an excellent alternative to Google translate with the added benefit of being able to save your translations.

Currency converter app (we use plain old google in a web browser)

Travelling around the world requires a way to convert the local currency into your preferred currency. We have tried specific apps before but nowadays find it easier to have a tab that already has 1,000 KRW in AUD googled in our mobile web browser. Whenever you need to work out the conversion, open up your web browser and simply replace the 1,000 with the number you want.