*Prices are based on rates as of April 2025.
Useful tools for travelling around Korea
First, we will introduce some useful apps and tools that you can use immediately after arriving in Korea and when traveling around the country.
WOWPASS: Travel and make payments with just one card
"WOWPASS" is a prepaid card and mobile app service for foreign tourists that began service in Korea in July 2022. It is a card with three functions: a prepaid card, a currency exchange function, and Tmoney (Korean transportation IC card), and it is a great way to travel cashlessly with just one card. It can be obtained at Incheon Airport and Gimpo Airport, so you can use it as soon as you arrive.
The biggest attraction of WOWPASS is that it can be used at almost all stores in Korea, except for some places where cash payment is required, such as food stalls. It also functions as a transportation IC card, so you don't need to have a separate Tmoney card, and you can travel smoothly on trains, buses, etc. with just this one card.
Another benefit is that you can charge the card using a Japanese credit card or PayPal from the dedicated app, eliminating the need to exchange won for cash after arriving in Korea. There are conditions, but you can also withdraw any remaining balance in cash from the WOWPASS machine, making it possible to use it all up without waste.
Download here (App Store / Google Play)
For detailed information on how to use WOWPASS, check out the article below!
Kakao T: A safe taxi app
If you want to use a taxi in Korea, the ride-hailing app "Kakao Taxi (Kakao T)" is convenient. It is a major tool used by more than 80% of taxis in Korea. Just enter your destination on the app and you can arrange a nearby taxi. You can check the fare in advance, and it is also convenient that you can pay cashlessly with a credit card or the aforementioned WOWPASS. However, you will need to create a "Kakao account" in advance.
Kakao Mobility, which operates Kakao Taxi, also offers a ride-hailing app called "k.ride" for foreign tourists. Even if you don't have a Kakao account, you can easily register with your Google account, Apple account, or email address. Another attractive feature is that you can search for destinations in Japanese and communicate with drivers via chat with a translation function, so you can use a taxi without worrying about the language barrier.
Download "Kakao Taxi" here (App Store / Google Play)
Download "k.ride" here (App Store / Google Play)
Check out the article below to find out how to use Kakao Taxi and the taxi situation in Korea!
Climate Travel Card: The longer you stay, the more you save
The "Weather Companion Card" is a prepaid transportation card that allows unlimited use of Seoul's subways and buses, and is popular among commuters. It is more suitable for people staying for a week or more and planning to visit various tourist spots than for short-term travelers.
You can choose the period of use from 1 to 7 days, and once you charge it, you can use public transportation without additional charges within the designated travel area. For example, first purchase the card for 3,000 won (about 300 yen in Japanese yen), and if you choose a 3-day pass, charge 10,000 won (about 1,000 yen in Japanese yen). This makes the total amount 13,000 won (about 1,300 yen in Japanese yen). The basic fare for the Korean subway is 1,400 won (about 140 yen in Japanese yen) one way when paying with Tmoney, so if you take the subway 5 times in 3 days, it will pay for itself. The longer you stay, the more convenient the card is, as it allows you to travel at a much cheaper rate than a regular Tmoney card.
However, please note that Incheon International Airport is not covered by the Climate Companion Card, so you will need to use a separate Tmoney card or WOWPASS to access the airport.
Where to buy: Customer Safety Offices on Seoul Metro Lines 1-8 (Line 1: Seoul Station - Cheongnyangni Station) / Convenience stores around Line 9, Uisinsol Line, and Shinlim Line stations
Climate Accompaniment Card
Useful apps for when you're in an emergency! Useful apps for traveling in Korea
From here on, we will introduce some useful apps that you can use when you get into trouble while traveling. We will introduce apps that will help you when you get lost or when you have trouble with language issues that tend to occur when traveling abroad.
NAVER Maps: A highly accurate app that also supports Japanese searches
"NAVER Maps" is one of the most used map apps in Korea. In Korea, locals generally use "NAVER Maps" because the map information on Google Maps, which is the major app in Japan, is inaccurate and some places cannot be searched.
Its great advantage is that it has high accuracy in address searches and allows you to find your destination smoothly. In addition, it is possible to search subway and bus routes and check real-time operation status, making it an essential app for those using public transportation.
It also supports Japanese, and makes it easy to search for tourist attractions and restaurants. You can also check the opening hours and reviews of restaurants, which is useful for choosing restaurants during your trip. It's one of the apps you should download before traveling to Korea to make your travels in Korea smoother.
Download here (App Store / Google Play)
Papago: A translation app for a variety of situations
"Papago" is a highly accurate translation app developed by "NAVER", the same company that operates the aforementioned "NAVER Map". In particular, the accuracy of the translation between Korean and Japanese is very high, making it useful for communication and information gathering during travel in Korea.
In addition to text translation, the app has a variety of functions, including voice translation, image translation, and real-time conversation translation. In particular, image translation using the camera function can translate Korean signs, menus, product labels, and more on the spot, making it useful when dining or shopping.
In addition, using voice translation makes it easy to converse even if you don't speak Korean, making interactions in taxis and stores smoother. It's a must-have app that will help you overcome the language barrier while traveling in Korea and make your stay more comfortable, so we recommend installing it before you leave.
Download here (App Store / Google Play)
Useful tools to make your entry and exit to Korea smoother
Electronic systems are being introduced one after another to make immigration procedures at Korean airports smoother. By registering in advance, you can significantly reduce waiting times at the airport.
e-Arrival card: Apply for your arrival card online
iStock/TanjalaGica
The "e-Arrival Card", introduced in February 2025, is an electronic immigration declaration system to make immigration inspections in Korea smoother. Previously, when entering Korea, it was necessary to fill out a paper immigration card on the plane or after arriving at the airport, but with this new system, you can register your information online in advance, eliminating the need to fill out an immigration card.
Foreign tourists staying for up to 90 days can apply for the e-Arrival Card on the official website from three days before their arrival in Korea. All you have to do is upload the photo page of your passport, fill in the entry date, departure date, flight number, place of stay, purpose of stay, etc., and submit the application.
This card reduces the chance of inputting errors compared to a regular immigration card, and also eliminates the hassle of filling out missing information, allowing for a smoother entry into the country. However, please note that you must apply for it before leaving Japan.
Please note that if you already have a valid K-ETA(※), you do not need to create an e-Arrival Card.
* Electronic Travel Authorization System: No application required until December 31, 2025
e-Arrival Card
Use these tools to have a comfortable trip to Korea!
To make your trip to Korea more comfortable, it's important to use tools that will help you in each aspect of your trip: transportation, payments, translation, and immigration. Prepare your tools and apps in advance to make your trip to Korea more convenient and enjoyable!
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The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
