Traveling independently in South Korea has never been easier thanks to the country's smartphone apps designed for tourists. During our road trip in South Korea, we found several apps to be extremely useful, and we couldn't have navigated the country without them.
The first app that we used frequently was XE currency. This app provides real-time conversion rates between South Korean Won and your home currency, which is helpful when calculating expenses on the go.
If you plan on traveling around Seoul, Kakao Metro is a must-have app. It guides you through the city's spaghetti-like metro network, and it also works in other major cities like Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, and Daejeon. Another app that's useful for getting around is Kakao T. This app enables you to call and pay for a taxi, similar to Uber. You can even rent an electric bike through the app.
Mangoplate is another useful app for foodies. It provides information on nearby restaurants, including reviews. And if you don't speak Korean, don't worry - Papago is an app that offers fast and accurate translation of South Korean to 13 different languages, including English, French, German, Japanese, and Chinese. The quality of translations on this app is top-notch and beats that of Google Translate. Plus, it works offline, which is great for travelers who may not always have an internet connection.
Safety is always a top priority when traveling, and the Emergency Ready app provides valuable information in case of emergencies. This app, provided by the Ministry of Interior and Safety, contains information about shelters, police, and fire stations. The government also shares updates in case of natural disasters like typhoons.
The Visit Korea app, provided by the Korea Tourism Organization, is also worth downloading. It contains opening hours, prices, and other useful information about the many sights of the country. To get the app, simply scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “KTO Mobile apps.”
If you plan to visit Lotte World or Everland, using the theme park apps will help you check the waiting times at the attractions.
While it's possible to use WiFi hotspots in larger cities like Seoul, we found mixed results when testing them. Therefore, we recommend getting a prepaid SIM card for your phone as roaming costs can be expensive. South Korea has the world's best 4G network, so it's worth taking advantage of it during your visit.
In conclusion, traveling independently in South Korea is easy and convenient thanks to the country's numerous smartphone apps designed for tourists. From getting around to finding restaurants and staying safe, these apps make exploring the country a breeze. So, be sure to download them before your trip!
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