Not Lost in Translation: Apps & Advice That Had My Back in Korea
- wanderingazuki
- Jul 2
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 9
Table of Content
🌺 Introduction 🫘
“A good tool improves the way you work. A great tool improves the way you think.” — Jeff Duntemann
Before I even boarded the plane to Korea, my phone was already prepped for adventure. I’d downloaded everything from maps for navigating winding streets to apps for booking taxis, translation tools, reserving restaurants, and even managing my tours. But beyond the tech, some of the most valuable prep came from heart-to-hearts with friends who’d been before—sharing honest tips, must-eats, and things they wished they knew. This phase of the trip felt like the warm-up before the wander: part digital planning, part personal storytelling.
🧰 Downloading the Essentials: My Korea Travel Toolkit 📲
I’ve always been a bit old school when it comes to travel research—I’d usually turn to Tripadvisor, travel blogs, and good old Google Maps. But a friend recently recommended TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube videos, and it opened my eyes to a whole new world of travel inspiration. The amount of thoughtful, creative content out there is amazing—and it's part of what inspired me to start sharing my own journey too!
While I haven’t fully wandered into the world of TikTok and Instagram for research just yet, they’re definitely new tools I hope to explore and use more in future trips.
For this one, I leaned on YouTube and conversations with friends to figure out which apps were essential for travelling in Korea. And I’m so glad I did. Having the right tools on my phone made all the difference—it kept things smooth, efficient, and (mostly) stress-free.
Here’s what I had ready before landing:
📍 Naver Map – The go-to app for directions, public transport info, and real-time traffic updates. Since Google Maps doesn’t work reliably in Korea, this became my main navigation tool.
📅 Klook, Trip.com & Trazy – My holy trinity for booking activities, attraction passes, and transport. I used them to check for discounts on day tours, SIM cards, and airport transfers.
🚖 Kakao T – A must-have for booking taxis in Korea. It made getting around so much easier, especially on rainy days or when I had luggage. I’ve had great experiences with taxis on past Asia trips, and since I still get a bit nervous using public transport abroad, this was my safety net.
📡 Papago – My quick-translate lifesaver when English wasn’t an option.
📲 Maya Mobile – I used this to buy an eSIM ahead of time, which gave me instant data access the moment I landed—no need to queue for a physical SIM. I first used Maya on a previous trip and had such a smooth experience that it’s now my go-to eSIM provider. They offer a range of options and durations, which made it easy to find what I needed.
Having all of these apps pre-downloaded meant I wasn’t scrambling on the spot trying to figure things out. Everything I needed was already at my fingertips.
👭Tapping Into Travel Wisdom: Advice from Friends 🤗
When it comes to travel, there’s no substitute for the wisdom of those who’ve already been there. Before heading to Korea, I reached out to a few friends who had already explored the country, and they shared some priceless tips to help me navigate my trip smoothly:
💡 Get a T-Money card: A transport card that needs to be topped up to use on public transport. It’s a convenient and cost-effective way to get around Seoul and other cities.
💡 Use K-Limousine for airport transfers in Seoul: A very convenient and reliable service between Incheon Airport and Myeongdong, so you don’t need to worry about booking a taxi. I booked one through Klook.com. I couldn’t find one that goes to and from Gimpo Airport though.
💡 Store luggage with Bounce: A great option to store your luggage safely while exploring the city without the burden of your bags. But do check with your hotel - they may be able to keep your luggage in storage.
💡 Check out tours on Trazy and Trip.com: These platforms offer a variety of local tours and activities that are perfect for getting the most out of your visit.
💡 Book tours in Jeju: If you don’t have access to a car, booking tours is the best way to explore the island’s highlights, as public transport options are limited.
💡 Wear a hanbok for free entry to Gyeongbokgung Palace: Donning the traditional Korean dress not only gives you free access to the palace but also adds a special cultural touch to your visit! There are plenty of rental shops nearby where you can hire one for a few hours.
💡 Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace at night: Twice a year—typically for two weeks in spring and two weeks in autumn—the palace opens for evening visits (usually around 6–9pm). It’s a magical and rare experience. Tickets can be booked online once the dates are confirmed and are generally reserved for foreigners (non-Korean passport holders). However, wearing a hanbok guarantees entry, even without a ticket.
💡 Emergency contact: My friend gave me her mum’s phone number just in case I needed to contact someone in Korea in an emergency. Knowing I had someone to reach out to was reassuring. So if you happen to know someone in S.Korea do reach out to them!
💡 Entry requirements: Be sure to check your government’s website for the latest entry requirements for South Korea. As a UK citizen, I didn’t need a completed K-ETA or visa at the time, but it’s always best to double-check at least six months before your trip.
💡 Baggage Allowance: For long-haul trips, always double-check that your flight includes enough checked luggage allowance. For this trip, my mum and I each had two 23kg checked bags flying out of London. I also made sure that our connecting flights between cities offered the same—or checked if we’d need to pay extra.
A fun tip💫: pack your suitcase inside a larger suitcase on the way out. That way, you’ve got an empty one ready for souvenirs on the way back! Just remember—you’ll need to carry all that extra luggage around during your trip and when flying home. So plan accordingly!
With these tips in mind, I was ready to make the most of my trip and avoid any travel hiccups.
🧳Your Turn to Wander In 🧋
Which travel apps do you swear by when you’re abroad? Any hidden gems I should know about?
Have you ever received a travel tip that completely changed your experience?
Do you prefer relying on tech when you travel, or do you like going analogue with maps and phrasebooks?
What’s your top tip for navigating a new country smoothly?
If you've been to Korea, what app or advice saved you the most stress?
Do you have any travel content creators you follow and can recommend?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories and experiences!
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