The 30-second version
| You need to… | Use | Korean number needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Walk or ride somewhere | Naver Map (or Kakao Map), set to English | No |
| Call a taxi | k.ride, or hail on the street | No |
| Book or queue for a restaurant | CatchTable Global | No |
| Have a local number for calls | Tourist eSIM/SIM with a 010 number | It gives you one |
1. Maps: why Google Maps lets you down here
Google Maps works for searching places and shows public transport routes in Korea, but it does not give step-by-step walking directions: the walking parts of a route are just dotted lines. Korea gave Google conditional approval to export detailed map data in February 2026, and Google says it is building toward full navigation, but as of November 2026 walking directions are still not there.
What to do: install Naver Map before you fly and switch it to English in settings. It gives full walking and transit directions, shows which subway exit to use and when the next bus is coming. Kakao Map works too. Keep Google Maps for saving places and reading reviews.
2. Taxis: k.ride or the street
Kakao T is the taxi app most Koreans use, but it is built around a Kakao account and verification, and foreign cards don't always register. k.ride is Kakao Mobility's app made for visitors: you sign up with email, Google or Apple and pay with a foreign card. It calls the same taxis.
Street taxis are easy in Busan too. Show the driver the Korean address on your phone and pay by card (many taxis take international cards; have cash or T-money as a backup).
3. Restaurants: CatchTable Global
Many popular places take bookings or run waitlists through apps that ask for a Korean number. CatchTable Global is the visitor version: sign in with Google, Apple or email, and pay any deposit with a card issued abroad. You can also join a remote waitlist, so you wander nearby instead of standing in the queue.
Not every restaurant is on it. For casual places (markets, BBQ, noodle shops) you simply walk in.
4. eSIM with a Korean 010 number: what it does and doesn't do
Some Korean eSIMs and SIMs for tourists come with a local 010 number for calls and texts. That helps when a restaurant, guesthouse or delivery driver needs to call you.
But a tourist 010 number usually won't pass Korean identity checks ("본인인증") used by local shopping, delivery and booking apps: those are tied to a residence card. So use the visitor apps above rather than expecting the number to unlock everything.
Korea eSIM plans, data or data + 010 number (Klook)Before you fly: 5-minute checklist
- Install Naver Map and switch it to English.
- Install k.ride and add your card.
- Install CatchTable Global and sign in.
- Choose an eSIM; pick one with a 010 number if you expect calls.
- Bring some cash in won for topping up your T-money card (it is topped up with cash).
← Before you go · The 3-day route
Sources we checked
- The Korea Herald: Google Maps in Korea shows transit routes but no walking directions; Google building a Korea team toward full navigation (Aug 2026)
- TechCrunch, 27 Feb 2026: South Korea's conditional approval for Google to export map data
- The Korea Times / Asia Economy, June 2024: Kakao Mobility launches k.ride for foreign visitors (sign-up without a Kakao account)
- VisitKorea (Korea Tourism Organization): CatchTable Global, sign-in with Google, Apple or email, deposits with cards issued abroad
- Korean telecom eSIM product pages (KT, LG U+, SKT via Klook and Trazy): 010 numbers included on some plans; SMS identity verification only for residence card holders