Naver Map in English: How to Get Directions in Korea

Naver Map in English: How to Get Directions in Korea

 

Download Naver Map before you land in Korea.

Google Maps in Korea shows places and public transit, but it does not give walking or driving directions because of Korean map data rules, so Naver Map or KakaoMap is what locals and savvy visitors use, and both have an English mode.

We are a family in Seoul, and every visitor we host asks the same thing on day one: why is Google sending me the wrong way?

This guide sets up Naver Map in a few minutes and covers the habits that save you from walking in circles.

Why doesn't Google Maps work well in Korea?

Korea restricts exporting detailed map data overseas for security reasons, and Google has not been allowed to use it for full navigation.

The result: Google Maps may show your hotel and a bus route, but walking directions are missing or rough, and car navigation does not work.

Korean apps use the full local data, so they know every alley, subway exit and pedestrian crossing.

 

Feature	Google Maps in Korea	Naver Map	KakaoMap
Walking directions	Limited or missing	Yes	Yes
Subway and bus routes	Yes	Yes, with exit and car numbers	Yes
English interface	Yes	Yes	Partial, improving
Place reviews in English	Some	Mostly Korean	Mostly Korean
Real-time bus arrival	Limited	Yes	Yes

 

How do I change Naver Map to English?

Naver Map follows your phone's language in many cases.

If it opens in Korean, tap your profile or the menu, open Settings, find the language option and choose English.

Place names will then appear in English where available, with Korean alongside.

Some smaller shops only have Korean names, which is why it helps to keep the Korean spelling of your hotel address saved somewhere.

How do I search for a place on Naver Map?

English search works for big landmarks, hotels and stations.

For restaurants and small shops, Korean names work much better.

Our trick is to copy the Korean name from an Instagram post, a blog or your hotel booking page, and paste it into Naver Map.

If the place has a Naver Map link, open it directly on your phone and it jumps into the app.

Save places with the star icon so your day's list shows up as pins on the map.

How do I read a subway route on Naver Map?

Search your destination, tap directions and choose public transit.

Naver Map shows several options with total time, number of transfers and fare.

Tap one and it gives you details that Google does not:

1. Which car to board for the fastest transfer or exit.

2. Which exit number to leave by.

3. Walking time from the exit to the door.

4. Real-time train and bus arrivals.

Exit numbers are the most useful.

Big stations have more than ten exits, and the wrong one can mean a 10-minute walk around a block.

Is KakaoMap better than Naver Map?

Both are good.

Locals tend to have a favorite, and many use both.

Naver Map is usually easier in English for first-time visitors.

KakaoMap is popular for walking routes and connects well with the Kakao T taxi app.

If one app does not find a place, try the other.

What mistakes do visitors make with Korean map apps?

The first is searching in English for a small restaurant and picking the wrong place with a similar name.

Check the photo and the neighborhood before you go.

The second is trusting closing times blindly.

Small shops change hours often, and Mondays are a common closing day for restaurants and museums.

The third is forgetting about data.

These apps need a connection, so get an eSIM, a SIM card or a pocket Wi-Fi before you leave the airport.

 

Habit	Why
Copy Korean names into the search	Small places often have no English name
Check the exit number before leaving the train	Saves long walks in big stations
Save places with the star	Your plan becomes a map
Check «closed» days	Many places close on Mondays
Keep your hotel address in Korean	Useful for taxis and searches

 

Can I use Naver Map for taxis and driving?

Naver Map gives car directions, and many rental car drivers use it or KakaoMap for navigation.

For taxis, use a taxi app such as Kakao T, and show the driver the Korean address if there is any confusion.

Driving yourself in Seoul is possible, but parking is hard and traffic is slow; the subway is usually faster.

How do I use Naver Map for buses?

Buses are where Naver Map really shines.

When a route includes a bus, the app shows the bus number, the stop name, how many stops to ride and when the next bus arrives.

Tap the bus to see its live position.

Seoul buses are color-coded: blue buses run long trunk routes, green ones are neighborhood feeders, red ones go to the suburbs and small yellow ones loop around central areas.

Tap your card when you get on and again when you get off, so transfers are counted and you are not overcharged.

Naver Map will even tell you which door to use at some stations.

What other Korean apps help with getting around?

 

App	What it does	Why it helps
Naver Map	Maps, transit, walking routes	Best all-round map in English
KakaoMap	Maps, transit, walking routes	Good second opinion
Kakao T	Taxis	Book a taxi without explaining the address
Papago	Translation	Strong for Korean, can translate signs with the camera
Korail Talk	Train tickets	Book KTX and other trains

 

Papago, made by Naver, is very handy alongside the map.

Point your camera at a menu or a sign, and it translates in place.

How do I share a location with a taxi driver?

Open the place in Naver Map and show the Korean name and address on the screen.

Drivers read Korean addresses quickly, and many will put the address straight into their navigation.

Better still, book through a taxi app, where the destination is set before the car arrives.

What did we learn from guiding visitors with Naver Map?

Most of our guests are comfortable after one day.

The biggest win is exit numbers.

The second is real-time bus arrivals, which turn buses from a mystery into a good option.

The third is the walking route through alleys, which finds shortcuts Google never shows.

How do I use Naver Map at the airport?

Open Naver Map as soon as your phone has data after landing.

Search your hotel and choose public transit; the app compares the airport railroad, airport limousine buses and subway routes with times and fares.

For Incheon Airport, it shows which terminal stop to use and where the bus platforms are.

Save your hotel with the star before you fly, so it is one tap away when you are tired at arrivals.

We also screenshot the route in case the airport Wi-Fi drops while we find the train.

Frequently asked questions

Does Google Maps work in Korea?

Partly. It shows places and transit routes, but walking and driving directions are limited. Use Naver Map or KakaoMap.

Is Naver Map free?

Yes. It is a free app for iPhone and Android.

Do I need a Korean account to use Naver Map?

No. You can search and get directions without logging in. An account is only needed for saving lists across devices and writing reviews.

Does Naver Map work offline?

Mostly no. Plan on mobile data or Wi-Fi.

Once you find that hidden café on the map, MARU explains why nobody clears your table in a Korean café.

 

Related on MARU Magazine: Korean Cafe Etiquette: 1 Drink Per Person, Trays, Seats

Sources: Visit Korea (english.visitkorea.or.kr) travel apps guide; Naver Map app help (map.naver.com); Korea Tourism Organization Korea Travel Hotline 1330.