KakaoMap - Korea No.1 Map icon
KakaoMap: Comprehensive Analysis of Korea's Leading Navigation Platform

by Kakao Corp.

4.7
IOSNavigation
KakaoMap delivers precise navigation and local discovery services specifically optimized for South Korea. The app excels in real-time transit data, walking directions, and integrated navigation, making it essential for both residents and visitors navigating Korean cities.

Detailed Review

KakaoMap stands as South Korea's dominant mapping solution, offering comprehensive navigation and local discovery services tailored specifically to the country's infrastructure. Developed by Kakao Corp., the application positions itself as an all-in-one solution for transportation routing, points of interest discovery, and real-time navigation without requiring additional applications. The application's core functionality centers on multi-modal routing with daily-updated information for driving, public transportation, walking, and cycling. Its integrated navigation system provides turn-by-turn guidance, while the platform aggregates extensive data on restaurants, attractions, and services across urban and rural areas. The app further distinguishes itself through Apple Watch compatibility and bus stop reminders, creating a cohesive ecosystem for mobile navigation. User experience demonstrates thoughtful design with intuitive route planning and clear visual presentation of transit options. The interface efficiently displays subway exit numbers, bus arrival times, and walking paths, though some elements retain Korean language formatting. Real-world usage patterns show particular strength in urban navigation, with users frequently relying on the app for public transportation coordination and precise location finding in complex urban environments like Seoul's subway system. User feedback consistently highlights the application's accuracy and utility for foreign visitors, with reviewer Howie CE (June 28, 2024) noting how it 'made it very easy to determine which line to take and how to get to the station.' Multiple reviewers, including 96kiloblips (June 20, 2022), praise the walking directions and bus stop reminders, though several note interface elements that remain untranslated, as observed by Adame148 (May 25, 2022) regarding station lists and TheHitlerofsolitaire (March 21, 2024) concerning location descriptions. The application demonstrates clear strengths in route accuracy, comprehensive transit data, and integrated navigation, though limitations appear in language support consistency and pre-trip planning functionality outside Korea. Ideal use cases involve real-time navigation within South Korea, particularly for public transportation users and visitors requiring detailed local information beyond basic mapping services.

Key Features

  • Real-time public transportation routing with bus and subway arrival times, enabling efficient transit planning and station navigation
  • Integrated turn-by-turn navigation for driving, eliminating need for separate navigation applications during Korean travel
  • Precise walking directions with subway exit numbering, particularly valuable for navigating complex urban environments
  • Comprehensive points of interest database with filtering options, covering restaurants, attractions and services across Korea
  • Apple Watch compatibility with English support, providing convenient navigation alerts and directions on wearable devices
  • Daily-updated map data across all transportation modes, ensuring current information for routing accuracy

Why Users Love It

Superior Korean transit data
Integrated navigation system

Perfect for: Travelers and residents requiring precise navigation within South Korea

Screenshots

KakaoMap - Korea No.1 Map screenshot 1KakaoMap - Korea No.1 Map screenshot 2KakaoMap - Korea No.1 Map screenshot 3KakaoMap - Korea No.1 Map screenshot 4KakaoMap - Korea No.1 Map screenshot 5KakaoMap - Korea No.1 Map screenshot 6

Ranking History

Track KakaoMap - Korea No.1 Map's performance in Navigation over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#41

5 from last week

Best Rank

#33

All-time high

Average Rank

#41

30-day average

User Reviews

Howie CE
Jun 28, 2024

We were in Seoul, South Korea and the maps from this app really helped us get around town. We used public transportation quite a bit while we were there. The app made it very easy to determine which line to take and how to get to the station/bus stop; it even provided info on when the bus/subway would arrive. A must have app if you’re traveling to South Korea. Excellent app We were in Seoul, South Korea and the maps from this app really helped us get around town. We used public transportation quite a bit while we were there. The app made it very easy to determine which line to take and how to get to the station/bus stop; it even provided info on when the bus/subway would arrive. A must have app if you’re traveling to South Korea.

96kiloblips
Jun 20, 2022

Kakao Maps is a great alternative to a Google Maps. Walking directions are fantastic, bus stop reminders work really well. The places of interest and the subsequent filtering is really useful both in cities and in rural areas. It even has Apple Watch support (also offered in English)! The only thing keeping me from using Kakao Maps as my main solution is the lack of CarPlay, so will continue to use Naver Maps as my main mapping app until that crucial feature is added. With CarPlay, Kakao Maps is the obvious winner for navigating South Korea. Great Apps for Foreigners , Needs CarPlay Support Kakao Maps is a great alternative to a Google Maps. Walking directions are fantastic, bus stop reminders work really well. The places of interest and the subsequent filtering is really useful both in cities and in rural areas. It even has Apple Watch support (also offered in English)!The only thing keeping me from using Kakao Maps as my main solution is the lack of CarPlay, so will continue to use Naver Maps as my main mapping app until that crucial feature is added.With CarPlay, Kakao Maps is the obvious winner for navigating South Korea.

Jaycob996
Feb 15, 2025

been struggling with walking navigation for the past 2 seoul trips and this came through 🙏 helpful been struggling with walking navigation for the past 2 seoul trips and this came through 🙏

Adame148
May 25, 2022

In the middle of a two week trip in Korea and so far it’s been very useful to navigate the cities. Parts of the app stays in Korean such as the places listed where the trains passes each station. The numbers around the train station indicates the exit points or entrances. Didn’t take too long to put two and two together. Does not have every place recorded but majority are findable so far. Overall, love the app so far! Very useful! In the middle of a two week trip in Korea and so far it’s been very useful to navigate the cities. Parts of the app stays in Korean such as the places listed where the trains passes each station. The numbers around the train station indicates the exit points or entrances. Didn’t take too long to put two and two together. Does not have every place recorded but majority are findable so far. Overall, love the app so far!

TheHitlerofsolitaire
Mar 21, 2024

The app is great for foreigners trying to get around Seoul. The maps were accurate. The location of the subway exits/entrances was very useful as well. Don’t expect it to work well for planning ahead if you’re out of the country. A lot of the locations listed were still in Korean but most had translations that helped enough to get by. Great for foreigners to get around Seoul The app is great for foreigners trying to get around Seoul. The maps were accurate. The location of the subway exits/entrances was very useful as well. Don’t expect it to work well for planning ahead if you’re out of the country. A lot of the locations listed were still in Korean but most had translations that helped enough to get by.

App Details

Developer

Kakao Corp.

Platform

ios

Rating

4.7

Last Updated

10/8/2025