Only partially. Due to mapping-data regulations, Google Maps cannot give driving or walking directions in Korea — only transit. Use Naver Map or KakaoMap instead: both have full English interfaces and far better local data.
Download Naver Map or KakaoMap before arrival and save your hotel. Both show real-time bus arrivals, subway exit numbers and indoor maps of major stations.
🙋 People also ask
Is Naver Map or KakaoMap better for foreign travelers in Korea?
Both are excellent, but Naver Map tends to be the favorite for tourists thanks to its strong English UI, accurate subway and bus routing, and detailed business hours. KakaoMap shines for taxi-hailing via Kakao T and slightly cleaner walking directions, so many travelers install both.
Do I need a Korean SIM or eSIM for these map apps to work?
You need mobile data, not a Korean phone number, so any tourist eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi works fine. Expect to pay roughly ₩5,000–₩10,000 per day for unlimited 5G data from providers like KT or Airalo, and both Naver Map and KakaoMap function fully on foreign accounts.
Can I use Google Maps to navigate the Seoul subway?
Yes, Google Maps handles public transit well, including Seoul Metro routes, transfers, and timing. However, for door-to-door walking guidance to and from stations it falls short, so pair it with Naver Map or KakaoMap, or tap your T-money card and follow station signage.
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