Traveling to Korea can be an amazing experience—delicious food, beautiful sights, friendly locals. But what happens when you need a taxi, and you don’t speak Korean? Don’t worry. Even if you don’t know a word of Korean, you can still call a taxi easily using a few helpful apps that are foreigner-friendly.
Why Getting a Taxi in Korea Can Be Tricky Without Korean
In major cities like Seoul or Busan, you might expect hailing a cab to be simple. But some drivers don’t speak English, and writing your destination in Roman characters (like “Myeongdong” or “Hongdae”) may not help much.
There’s also the risk of miscommunication leading to wrong destinations or awkward rides. That’s why using the right app with translation or pre-set addresses can make your trip smoother.
1. Kakao T – Korea’s Most Popular Taxi App
Kakao T is Korea’s go-to app for calling taxis. It supports both regular and premium taxi services and works similarly to Uber.
- You can enter your pickup and destination in English.
- Payment is easy: use a foreign credit card or pay the driver directly.
- It also shows fare estimates and driver info in real time.
While the app interface is mostly in Korean, the iOS version allows partial English use, and the map-based interface is intuitive enough for basic use.
2. TADA – English-Friendly Interface and Foreign Card Support
TADA is a popular alternative for foreigners because of its clean UI and easy English navigation.
- Clean, Uber-like design
- Accepts Visa and Mastercard
- No need to talk to the driver—just enter your destination
TADA works especially well in Seoul and Incheon. However, it may be limited in rural areas.
3. International Taxi Service (Incheon Airport → Seoul)
If you’re landing at Incheon Airport and need to get into Seoul, the government-backed International Taxi Service is a safe bet.
- English-speaking drivers
- Flat-rate pricing
- Book in advance through their website
It’s more expensive than local taxis, but worth it if you’re nervous about language barriers on your first day.
4. Uber and Grab? Not Quite in Korea
You might wonder: Can I use Uber in Korea? The answer is tricky.
Uber is available in Korea, but only in a limited “Black” (premium) format, and often more expensive. Uber fare estimates in Korea can be 1.5x to 2x higher than local taxis.
As for Grab, it doesn’t operate in Korea at all. Stick with Kakao T or TADA for better coverage.
Useful Phrases If You Need to Speak
If you’re in a situation where you have to say something to the driver, here are a few phrases you can memorize or show:
- “이 주소로 가 주세요” (Please go to this address)
- “카드로 계산할게요” (I’ll pay by card)
- “공항 가 주세요” (Please go to the airport)
Or even better, show the address in Korean on your phone and point. Most drivers will understand what to do.
Best Practice: Set Your Hotel Address in Korean
One common mistake is showing an English address to the driver. Korean drivers often don’t recognize addresses written in English.
Tip: Ask your hotel to text or email you the Korean version of the address, and save it on your phone. This makes calling a taxi much easier, even without an app.
Other Transportation Options for Non-Korean Speakers
Taxis aren’t your only option in Korea. Subways are foreigner-friendly, with signs in English, Chinese, and Japanese. You can use the Korea Subway app to navigate stations and transfer lines.
If you’re using buses, just be aware that English signage is more limited. Apps like Bustago help with intercity travel but may not support English fully.
Final Thoughts
Calling a taxi in Korea without speaking the language might seem scary, but with the right apps like Kakao T or TADA, and with a few small tricks, it’s totally manageable.
Whether you’re heading to a palace in Seoul, a beach in Busan, or just back to your hotel after a long day, don’t let language stand in your way. Let the apps do the talking, and enjoy your ride.