When you travel in Korea, one of the first apps you might open is Google Maps. It works perfectly almost everywhere in the world — from navigation to restaurant searches and transit information.

However, in Korea, many visitors are surprised to find that Google Maps doesn’t work properly. The main reason lies in Korea’s national security policy on map data. High-resolution geographic data is considered sensitive information, and exporting it outside the country is restricted.

Since Google processes its maps on overseas servers, it cannot fully comply with this regulation. As a result, real-time navigation and precise route guidance are not available in Korea.

In Korea, locals use Naver Map and Kakao Map instead of Google Maps.

Both apps provide highly accurate road, subway, and bus information, as well as real-time traffic updates. For travelers, Naver Map supports English, Japanese, and Chinese interfaces; Kakao Map only supports English.

NAVER MAP

KAKAO MAP

Here’s how to get started:

1. Search “Naver Map” or “Kakao Map” on the App Store or Google Play and install.

2. Open the app and change the language to English, Japanese, or Chinese in the settings.

3. Type your destination and choose between driving, public transit, or walking for detailed directions.

While both apps are great, I personally recommend Naver Map. It’s the most widely used map app among Koreans and offers more detailed local information.

With Naver Map, you can see restaurant reviews, operating hours, blog posts, and user photos all in one place. When looking for good places to eat, the reviews and star ratings help you make reliable choices. It’s updated frequently, visually clean, and perfect for both locals and travelers.

In short, while Google Maps doesn’t fully work in Korea, Naver Map and Kakao Map are excellent alternatives. Among the two, Naver Map is the go-to app for most Koreans and is highly recommended for travelers. Before your trip, make sure to download it — it’ll make exploring Korea smoother, easier, and much more enjoyable.

Every spots featured on Seoulshopper includes both Naver Map and Google Map links at the bottom of the article. These links are there to help you easily find directions and save your favorite spots for later.

Please note that Google Maps’ navigation functions are limited in Korea, so the Google Maps links are mainly provided for reference only.

For actual navigation or saving places to revisit, we recommend using the Naver Map link  instead. Simply tap “Save” within the Naver Map app to add the place to your favorites or “Want to visit” list — you can easily access it later whenever you need directions or travel inspiration.

At Seoulshopper, we’ve carefully added these links to every post so that travelers can explore Seoul effortlessly and confidently. Whenever you find a place you love, make sure to save it on Naver Map — it’ll make your next Seoul adventure even smoother and more memorable.

#seoulshopper #navermap #kakaomap #seoulmap