Guess we all have been in a situation when we pack our bags for a trip, without ever checking out which apps would be most useful in another country. We admit, it happened to us too, on our first trip to South Korea. But having learned our lesson, we are here to guide you on which apps would be most important while embarking on this amazing journey of Living Out Your K-Dreams.
1.Booking Your Flights to South Korea
Once you've decided when to visit South Korea, it's time to start looking at flights! Booking in advance can give you more time to compare routes, departure times and prices, helping you find an option that works for your budget and travel plans.
If you're not sure where to start, you can search for flights to South Korea with Kiwi.com and compare available options for your travel dates.
Before booking, check your baggage allowance, layover times and whether you'll need to change airports during a connection. A cheaper ticket isn't always the best deal if it means a stressful journey or extra costs along the way.
Once your flights are sorted, you can move on to planning your itinerary, choosing accommodation and deciding which Korean experiences you don't want to miss!
2. Naver Maps
Going abroad is all about exploration. You’ve probably checked a few places you’d love to see in Korea, but are not exactly sure how to get there. And that’s when Naver Maps come to help. Inconvenient as it might sound, Google Maps will be of little to no help as you explore the streets of Seoul. In fact, Korea has its own app to help locals and travellers alike. Mark your favourite places on the map, and use it anywhere and anytime!
3. Kakao Talk
At some point, you’ll probably need to contact someone on the phone. Usually, you’d use apps such as WhatsApp, Viber or even Facebook itself. But in South Korea, there is no better app to have than Kakao Talk. Everyone has it (yes, grandparents included), and it is a great way to keep in touch with your friends once you’re back home too. However, be aware, the app is rather addictive, as it’s cute characters will definitely make you fall in love!
4. Yogiyo
Did you know that Koreans are crazy about food? So much so that whenever Koreans meet, their first question is often “Have you eaten?’. However, knowing just how delicious Korean cuisine is, it comes as no surprise that they love their food. Thus, they made it easy for people to deliver food anywhere and anytime. Even if you are hanging out with your friends by Han river, you can order food to be delivered right to the park (crazy, right?) Yogiyo might be just what you need.
5. Hallyu Trail
Alright, we don’t really have an app as such… But if you are looking for travel advice or recommendations send a query our way! We can book single tours as well as arrange full one-day to two-weeks itineraries, with affordable (or FREE) tours, and accommodation to suit our standards and your budget!
6. Subway Korea
Subways are always tricky, let it be London’s underground system, complex Tokyo train lines or the subway in Seoul. As scary as they might seem, it is something one cannot do without. But to your avail, Seoul’s subway system is rather easy to use and the helpful apps like Subway Korea will put your mind at ease
7. Seoul Bus
It took us three visits to Korea, until we finally felt comfortable enough getting on a bus. Most of the busses don’t have any signs in English, and it can be rather difficult to know when exactly do you need to get off. However, having Seoul Bus app will definitely help you out! Although many prefer a subway, but for some routes, taking a bus is a much more convenient and cost effective method than the subway.
8. Papago/ Naver Dictionary
Unless you speak fluent Korean, there is bound to be some struggle conversing with the locals. Mind us, a lot of people do speak English in Korea, but if you’ll happen to visit a local shop in one of the smaller towns, you are most likely going to need a translation app. Both, Papago and Naver Dictionary are great for translating text, words and pictures. But don’t threat about the language barrier, kindness and body language have no borders.
9. Airalo e-sim app
Having mobile data in South Korea makes travelling so much easier. You'll need it to look up directions, translate menus, check public transport routes and find your next café or restaurant.
One of the easiest ways to stay connected is with an eSIM. Instead of buying a physical SIM card when you arrive, you can purchase a data plan online and install it on a compatible phone before your trip. Once you arrive in South Korea, you can connect to a local mobile network without having to find a SIM shop at the airport.
I recommend checking out Airalo's South Korea eSIM plans, where you can choose a plan based on how long you're staying and how much data you expect to use.
Tip: Check that your phone supports eSIMs and that it's unlocked before purchasing. It's also a good idea to install your eSIM before departure and follow the provider's instructions for when to activate it.
10. LOOK / SNOW
Although this app is definitely not a must-have, but it’s still great to know about it. Ever wondered how Koreans look so great in their pictures? Well, there is a secret to it. And it’s called a SNOW app, the app lets you apply different make-up styles and even has an easy to follow video editing tools, making it an overall useful app to have on your phone.
What’s your favourite Korean app? Let us know in the comments below!
Author: Raimonda Kekyte