How to tell a taxi driver where to go in Korea
Taxi drivers in Korea may not speak English, and an English place name is hard to type into a Korean navigation app. The easiest way is to show the Korean address on your phone.
Open a place in Naver Map & KakaoMapShow the Korean address
- Find your destination in Korea Map Bridge — paste a Google Maps link or type the name.
- Tap "Show to taxi driver (Korean)". The card shows the Korean name and address in large letters, with a Korean sentence asking the driver to take you there.
- Show the card when you get in, so the driver can enter the address.
Which address to show
- The official road-name address (a road name and building number, like 사직로 161) is what navigation apps find most reliably.
- For big places such as palaces, parks, markets and stations, also show the Korean name — one address can cover a large area with several entrances.
- If the address is marked approximate, show the Korean name and the map as well.
Calling a taxi with an app
Kakao Mobility runs k.ride, a taxi app for foreign visitors (launched June 2024). It works in English, Japanese and Chinese; you can sign up with a phone number or a Google, Apple or email account and pay with a registered overseas card. It only offers the more expensive taxi types and adds a service fee.
Its Korean app, Kakao T, needs a Kakao account. Check the current prices in the app before you book.
Useful Korean phrases
- 이 주소로 가 주세요.
- Please take me to this address.
- 여기서 세워 주세요.
- Please stop here.
- 카드 돼요?
- Can I pay by card?
- 영수증 주세요.
- A receipt, please.