Does Google Maps work in Korea at all?

Partly. As of late August 2026 it shows places, reviews and public transit routes, but walking parts of a route appear only as dotted lines and there is no turn-by-turn walking or driving guidance.

Which is better for a first trip, Naver Map or KakaoMap?

Naver Map lists more interface languages (English, Japanese and Simplified Chinese besides Korean) and says it offers English navigation, so it is the easier start. KakaoMap's listing offers English and Korean. Many visitors install both.

Do I need a Korean phone number to use these apps?

Neither App Store listing says one is required for searching or getting directions. You do need mobile data or Wi-Fi for live transit times.

Will Google Maps get full navigation in Korea soon?

Google says it plans to, but no launch date had been given as of August 2026. Check again close to your trip.

Naver Map and KakaoMap in Korea: Directions Without Google

What to do

Install Naver Map, KakaoMap or both on your phone before you leave home, while you are on fast Wi-Fi. Keep Google Maps if you like it for saving places, but plan to use a Korean app for walking and driving directions.

Then make sure you will have mobile data on arrival. Live bus and subway times only work online.

Why Google Maps falls short in Korea

For years Korea did not allow its detailed government map data to leave the country, which kept Google from offering full navigation. On February 27, 2026, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport gave Google conditional approval to export high-precision map data, as TechCrunch reported. Conditions include blurring military sites and processing data on a local partner’s servers.

Approval did not switch navigation on. In late August 2026, The Korea Herald reported that Google Maps in Korea still offered place listings, reviews and public transit routes only. Walking legs show as dotted lines, and there is no turn-by-turn guidance. Google said it plans full navigation but gave no date.

Naver Map in English

The Korea Tourism Organization describes Naver Map as the online map most Koreans use, with routes and travel times for walking, biking, driving and public transport (VISITKOREA).

According to its App Store listing:

Maps come in Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese, and English navigation is provided.
The transit tab shows real-time departure and arrival times and can alert you when to get on and off.
One search bar handles places, bus numbers and subway stations.
A bookmark feature lets you save restaurants and sights and share the list.
The iOS app needs iOS 16.0 or later and is 474.9 MB.

KakaoMap in English

KakaoMap’s App Store listing offers English and Korean. It gives routes for cars, public transport, walking and bicycles, with navigation built in.

Other listed features include real-time bus information, a subway map, alerts for when to board and exit on subway trips, Road View street imagery and favorites you can group into folders. The iOS app needs iOS 17.0 or later and is 482.9 MB.

Transit directions, step by step

Open the app and set the language to English if it does not start in English.
Allow location access, so the start point fills in automatically.
Search for your destination. A place name often works better than a typed address. If you have the Korean name or address (for example from your hotel booking), paste that.
Pick the public transport option. You will see several routes with total time, transfers and walking time.
Open a route to see each line, where to board, where to transfer and where to get off.
Turn on the get-on and get-off alerts if offered, so you do not miss your stop.

Fares are charged by your transport card, not the app, so have one ready. The T-money guide covers that.

Naver Map vs KakaoMap at a glance

	NAVER Map	KakaoMap
Interface languages (App Store)	English, Korean, Japanese, Simplified Chinese	English, Korean
Walking directions	Yes	Yes
Driving navigation	Yes, with English navigation listed	Yes, built in
Bicycle routes	Yes (per KTO)	Yes
Real-time transit	Departure and arrival times, get-off alerts	Real-time bus info, subway board and exit alerts
Save places	Bookmarks, shareable	Favorites in folders, shareable
iOS minimum	iOS 16.0	iOS 17.0

Offline and low-signal tips

Neither App Store listing promises a full offline mode, so plan as if you will need a connection.

Download both apps at home. Each is close to 500 MB on iOS, too large for patchy airport Wi-Fi.
Save your places while online. Bookmark your hotel, the stations you will use and the sights for each day. Saved lists are quicker to open than a new search.
Screenshot key routes. Before you head into an area with weak signal, take a screenshot of the route summary with the line names and stops.
Keep your hotel address in Korean. Save it in your notes app. It works in either map and you can show it to a taxi driver.
Sort out data first. A tourist eSIM, SIM or pocket WiFi makes everything here work. See the eSIM, SIM and WiFi guide.

Common mistakes

Waiting for Google Maps to give walking directions. As of August 2026 it does not, so you end up following dotted lines.
Typing a romanized address. Searches tend to work better with the place name or the Korean address.
Forgetting that live times need data. Real-time departures and get-off alerts stop updating when you lose your connection.
Setting up the app on arrival. Downloading two large apps on airport Wi-Fi takes time you would rather spend on the train.

When this does not apply

If you plan to take taxis most of the time, KTO highlights k.ride, a ride service made for international visitors that accepts overseas credit cards and has built-in translation. You still benefit from a map app to check where you are going.

Google’s Korea plans are moving. If Google turns on full navigation in Korea, this advice will change, so check the latest news before you travel.