Summary

• Google Maps in Korea is available, but not widely used.
• For finding authentic restaurants, Google Maps can be a hidden gem.
• In rural areas, taxis are a better option than relying on public transport.
• Don’t hesitate to ask locals for help—they’re friendlier than they look!

Google Maps in Korea: Why Isn’t It Popular?

Many travelers visiting South Korea wonder: Does Google Maps work in Korea? The short answer—yes, but with limitations. While Google Maps in Korea is available, its market share remains relatively low. Most locals, especially those in their 30s to 50s, prefer Naver Maps or Kakao Maps over Google Maps.

Koreans have a habit of thoroughly researching places before visiting, especially when it comes to restaurants and cafes. While Google holds about 36% of the general search market, Naver dominates in user-generated content, accounting for approximately 56% of searches. Since Naver operates its own mapping service, users naturally rely on Naver Maps for location-based searches, further strengthening its ecosystem.

For foreigners, Google Maps is often the go-to navigation tool worldwide, but in Korea, it lacks full functionality due to government restrictions on mapping data. This means Google Maps in Korea may not provide accurate real-time directions, especially for public transportation.

Google Maps: A Hidden Gem for Finding Authentic Restaurants

Even though Google Maps isn’t widely used in Korea, it can actually be an underrated tool for finding authentic local restaurants. Many assume that Naver Maps is the only way to discover hidden gems, but I don’t fully agree.

Even as a Korean, I often avoid Naver Maps and prefer Google Maps or Kakao Maps—less mainstream services with a smaller user base. Why? Because Naver Maps no longer has a star rating system (this feature was removed due to business complaints). Instead, many restaurants rely on influencer marketing and paid promotions, making it harder to find genuinely good places.

On the other hand, Google Maps in Korea has fewer users, which means reviews tend to be authentic and honest. Since businesses don’t monitor or manipulate these platforms as much, a high rating on Google Maps is more reliable.

That said, businesses are catching on, so to verify authenticity, check if a reviewer has consistently left reviews on Google Maps. If it’s a one-time review, it might be paid content.

Traveling to the Countryside in Korea?

Many travelers ask, “Can I use Google Maps in Korea’s countryside?” While it works decently in major cities like Seoul and Busan, once you head to rural areas, public transport accuracy drops significantly. Even as a local, I find this frustrating.

For countryside trips, Naver Maps or Kakao Maps might be necessary, but whether their translations are accurate enough is another question. While subway systems are straightforward, bus arrival times can be inconsistent.

If you’re relying on public transport in rural areas, I strongly recommend taking taxis instead. This applies to locals as well. You can take a bus if you’re lucky, but don’t expect English-speaking drivers or exceptionally friendly service.

Luckily, Uber Taxi has been available in Korea for a while and works well. Another option is Kakao T, a local taxi app with a similar user experience. While Korean taxis typically don’t negotiate fares, be cautious—without an app, some drivers may take longer routes to increase the fare.

Getting Around Korea: Navigating Transport Apps & Local Help

Korea has numerous public transport apps, making things seem more complicated than they actually are. Locals don’t really notice because they’re used to it, but for visitors, reading bus/subway maps or ticket kiosks can be challenging. AI translation tools help, but they don’t always work perfectly.

One great thing about traveling in Korea? Koreans may appear expressionless, but they’re generally friendly. Even if their English isn’t perfect, most will try their best to help.

And sometimes, the best part of traveling is asking for directions and seeing where the journey takes you!