Naver Map vs Kakao Map: Complete English Search Guide for Foreigners in Korea
September 04, 2026
Naver Map and Kakao Map are essential tools for navigating Seoul’s subway system.
You open Google Maps in Seoul, tap “Get Directions,” and nothing useful comes back. No walking directions. No crosswalk info. No real-time bus arrivals. This is not a glitch — it is a known limitation backed by South Korean law. According to The Korea Herald, South Korea restricts detailed map data from leaving its borders, which prevents Google from offering the same navigation quality it provides elsewhere.
The solution every local and seasoned expat uses: Naver Map and Kakao Map. Both apps are free, support English, and cover every subway line, bus route, and walking path across the country. This guide covers exactly how to set them up and search effectively — with verified facts from official app stores and the Korea Herald.
Key Takeaways- Google Maps lacks full navigation in Korea due to government map-data restrictions — use Naver Map or Kakao Map instead.
- Both apps support English and are free to download on iOS and Android with no Korean phone number required for basic use.
- Naver Map supports English, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese; launched its official multilingual tourist guide on December 30, 2024.
- Kakao Map holds a 4.7/5 App Store rating (4,900+ reviews) and lets you search by phone number — handy when English search returns no results.
- For best search results on either app, copy the Korean name of your destination from Google and paste it into the search bar.
Seoul’s infrastructure is increasingly bilingual — but map apps vary significantly in their English support.
Why Google Maps Does Not Work Properly in Korea
South Korea’s law requires that high-resolution map data remain on servers located inside the country. Google’s servers sit abroad, which means it can only access maps at 1:25,000 scale — far less detail than Naver and Kakao use. The practical result: Google Maps in Korea shows no walking directions, no crosswalk routing, no stairway or underpass guidance, and no real-time bus or subway arrivals.
A Korea Herald report from 2026 notes that Korea’s interagency review body voted to allow Google access to 1:5,000-scale data under strict security conditions — the same standard local services use — but this change has not yet fully rolled out. Until it does, Naver Map and Kakao Map remain the only reliable navigation tools in the country.
Naver Map English Guide
Naver Map is developed by NAVER Corp. — the same company behind South Korea’s largest search engine. The app was built primarily for Korean users but has added strong multilingual support over several years. As of its December 30, 2024 official multilingual guide launch (reported by The Korea Herald), Naver Map supports English, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese navigation.
- Developer: NAVER Corp.
- Languages: Korean, English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese
- App Store rating: 3.1 / 5 (1,200+ ratings, iOS App Store)
- iOS requirement: iOS 16.0 or later
- App size: 419.9 MB
How to Change Naver Map to English
- Open Naver Map and tap the three-line menu (☰) in the top-left corner.
- Tap the Settings icon (⚙️).
- Select Language (언어).
- Choose English and confirm.
The map interface and navigation instructions will switch to English. Note: business names, addresses, and user reviews generally remain in Korean (Hangul) even after this change, because that content is entered by Korean business owners.
How to Search Effectively in English on Naver Map
English search on Naver Map works for major landmarks (“Gyeongbokgung Palace,” “Incheon Airport”) but often fails for smaller restaurants or local businesses. The most reliable method:
- Find your destination on Google Search or your hotel booking app.
- Copy the Korean name (Hangul) of the place.
- Paste it directly into Naver Map’s search bar.
If you only have an English name, use Papago (Naver’s own translator) to convert it to Korean first, then paste the result.
Key Navigation Features on Naver Map
Real-time subway and bus information is one of Naver Map’s strongest features for foreigners.
- Public transit: Filter by bus or subway; sort by shortest time or fewest transfers. Subway directions show line colors, boarding car positions, and exit numbers.
- Walking routes: Choose fastest path, easiest path (fewest stairs), or stair-free route. Crosswalk counts are displayed.
- Driving: Real-time traffic updates, toll cost estimates, and fuel usage calculations.
- Taxi estimate: Fare estimates shown without leaving the app.
- Smart Around: Suggests nearby cafes, restaurants, and attractions based on your location, including average per-person cost.
- Business listings: Restaurant pages show service style, pricing, photos, menu images, and ratings.
Choi Seung-rak, head of Naver’s map service, stated at the December 2024 guide launch: “As more tourists visit Korea, we aim to make Naver Map the go-to travel tool for exploring the country with ease.” (Korea Herald, Dec 2024)
Printed multilingual leaflets are available at Incheon Airport, Airport Railroad information desks, and the Myeong-dong Welcome Center.
Kakao Map English Guide
Kakao Map is developed by Kakao Corp. and is the highest-rated navigation app for Korea on the iOS App Store. Its English interface is clean, and it carries a strong advantage for foreigner-accessible search options.
- Developer: Kakao Corp. (contact: maps@kakaocorp.com)
- Languages: English, Korean
- App Store rating: 4.7 / 5 (4,900+ ratings, iOS App Store)
- iOS requirement: iOS 17.0 or later
- App size: 445.3 MB
- Also available on: iPad, Apple Watch, Mac
How to Change Kakao Map to English
- Tap the Menu icon (≡) at the top-left of the home screen.
- Tap the Settings icon (⚙️) in the top-right of the side menu.
- Go to App Settings → Language.
- Select English.
Many users find that Kakao Map defaults to English automatically after download, depending on your device language settings.
Three Ways to Search on Kakao Map
Kakao Map’s subway maps cover Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, and Daejeon systems.
Kakao Map offers three distinct ways to find a destination — particularly useful when English search doesn’t return results:
- English text: Type the place name in English. Works well for major landmarks and chain businesses.
- Korean (Hangul): Copy the Korean name from Google or your hotel booking and paste it into the search bar.
- Phone number: Enter the last 7–8 digits of the destination’s phone number. This is the most precise option and works even for small local businesses not indexed in English.
Key Features for Foreigners on Kakao Map
- Real-time bus crowding: Each bus shows one of three statuses — “Empty” (seats available), “Normal” (some availability), or “Crowded” (standing room only).
- Road View: Tap any destination, then tap the camera icon to preview what the building looks like from street level before you arrive.
- Taxi integration: Scroll to the bottom of transit results to find a Taxi Fare option that launches Kakao T with your destination pre-filled. Note: Kakao T requires phone number verification; KakaoMap itself does not.
- Subway maps: Interactive subway maps for Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, and Daejeon. Tap any station to see the full line. You can set departure and arrival stations and add an intermediate waypoint.
- Station alarms: Set alarms for your departure and arrival stations so you don’t miss your stop.
- No account required: Guest mode works for all basic navigation and search functions. A KakaoTalk account lets you save Favorites but is not required.
Naver Map vs Kakao Map: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Naver Map | Kakao Map |
|---|---|---|
| English support | Yes (+ Japanese, Chinese) | Yes |
| App Store rating | 3.1 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 |
| Search by phone number | No | Yes (last 7–8 digits) |
| Bus crowding status | — | Empty / Normal / Crowded |
| Walking route options | Fastest / Easiest / Stair-free | Fastest / Shortest distance |
| Road View (street-level) | Yes | Yes |
| Subway maps | Seoul metro | Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Daejeon |
| Taxi fare estimate | Yes (in-app estimate) | Yes (launches Kakao T) |
| Requires account for navigation | No | No |
| Requires Korean phone number | No | No (Kakao T does) |
| iOS minimum | iOS 16.0 | iOS 17.0 |
| Official multilingual guide | Yes (Dec 2024 at Incheon Airport) | — |
Pro Tips for Navigating Korea as a Foreigner
Seoul’s street-level signage is increasingly bilingual, but map apps remain essential for turn-by-turn guidance.
- Install both apps. Use Naver Map for restaurant discovery and walking routes; use Kakao Map for bus crowding status and the phone-number search trick.
- Search in Korean when English fails. Copy the Hangul name from your booking confirmation or Google Search and paste it. Both apps find Korean text reliably.
- Use exit numbers. Korean subway stations have many exits. Naver Map shows the correct exit number on its directions screen — follow it before surfacing.
- Pick up the Naver Map printed guide at Incheon Airport. Free multilingual leaflets in English, Japanese, and Chinese are available at information desks inside the terminal (as of December 2024).
- For taxis: use Kakao Map to estimate the fare, then open Kakao T to book. Kakao T requires phone verification but gives you fixed-price options and English-language receipts.
- Stair-free route on Naver Map. If you have mobility concerns or heavy luggage, select the stair-free walking option explicitly — the default route may include stairs or steep underpasses.
People Also Ask
Does Naver Map work in English?
Yes. Naver Map officially supports English, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese in addition to Korean. Change the language via Menu → Settings → Language → English. Business names and reviews may still appear in Korean.
Does Kakao Map have an English version?
Yes. Kakao Map supports English and Korean. The app often defaults to English based on your device’s language setting. You can also manually set it via Menu → Settings → App Settings → Language → English.
Why doesn’t Google Maps work in South Korea?
South Korean law restricts high-resolution map data from being stored on overseas servers, limiting Google to 1:25,000-scale maps. This means no walking directions, no crosswalk routing, and no real-time transit information. Use Naver Map or Kakao Map instead.
Do I need a Korean phone number to use Naver Map or Kakao Map?
No. Both apps work in guest mode without any account or Korean phone number. You can navigate, search, and get directions immediately after downloading. An account lets you save favorites; Kakao T (for taxi booking) additionally requires phone verification.
Which is better for foreigners: Naver Map or Kakao Map?
Both are essential. Naver Map has stronger English support (also Japanese and Chinese) and detailed restaurant discovery. Kakao Map has a higher App Store rating (4.7 vs 3.1) and lets you search by phone number — useful when English search fails for small local businesses. Download both.
Can I search Korean addresses in English on Naver Map?
Major landmarks work in English, but for accurate results with smaller locations, copy the Korean (Hangul) name from Google Search or your booking confirmation and paste it into Naver Map’s search bar. If you only have an English name, translate it to Korean using Papago first.
Conclusion
Navigating Korea as a foreigner is straightforward once you know which tools to use. Download both Naver Map and Kakao Map before your trip — they are free, require no Korean phone number, and cover every transportation mode in the country. Set both to English in the settings, bookmark key destinations in Korean, and you will have better navigation data than most visitors who rely on Google Maps.
If you need to look up a Korean address in English or convert it for an international shipping form, Jusome provides Korean address translation and postal code lookup for international users.
Sources / 참고 자료
- NAVER Maps, Navigation — Apple App Store (NAVER Corp. official listing) — app specs, language support, rating
- KakaoMap — Korea No.1 Map — Apple App Store (Kakao Corp. official listing) — app specs, language support, rating
- Korea Herald: “Naver Map launches multilingual guide for foreign tourists” (Dec 30, 2024) — multilingual guide launch, quote from Choi Seung-rak, distribution at Incheon Airport
- Korea Herald: “Why Google Maps is still broken in South Korea” — government map data restrictions, 1:25,000 scale limitation
- Korea Herald: “Korea clears exporting map data for Google, ends 19-year dispute” — recent 1:5,000 scale approval for Google
This article cites information only from the official sources listed above. Details may change — verify the latest information at each official site.
What to do next
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