🚖 How to Get a Taxi in Korea for Foreigners – The Kakao T App Guide
Whether you're visiting Seoul for the first time or living in Korea long-term, there will be times when you need fast, convenient transportation, and Kakao Taxi (also known as Kakao T) is your best friend.
Forget standing in the street waving your hand for 15 minutes. With the Kakao T app, you can call a taxi to your exact location, set your destination in English, and pay easily, all without needing to speak Korean.
This is the must-have app for transportation in Korea, and we’ll show you exactly how to use it as a foreigner.
🚕 Why Use Kakao Taxi in Korea?
Taxis in Korea are:
✅ Affordable compared to many Western countries
✅ Safe and fast
✅ Widely available, especially in big cities like Seoul, Busan, and Incheon
But here’s why Kakao Taxi is even better than hailing a cab on the street:
🔒 Safer & More Transparent
In some countries, taxis may take longer routes to increase fares for tourists. Kakao T prevents this by:
Showing the estimated fare before the ride
Letting you track the route in real time
Giving you the driver’s details before pickup
🌐 Supports English
The app interface is available in English, making it easy for non-Korean speakers to use — perfect for foreign students, digital nomads, and expats renting housing in Korea.
📲 How to Use the Kakao T App – Step-by-Step for Foreigners
Step 1. Download the application
Available on Android and iOS
Make sure to allow location access for accurate pickup
Step 2. Choose the taxi
On the home screen, tap the “Taxi” icon
You’ll also see other options like bike rental, navigation, or parking
Step 3. Enter Your Pickup & Drop-off Locations
Tap the address bar and enter your current location and destination
Suggestions will appear in English, or you can copy/paste Korean addresses
Step 4. Choose Taxi Type
Kakao Taxi offers multiple vehicle options:
General Taxi: Most affordable, standard cars
Deluxe or Black Taxi: Higher-end vehicles with better service
Smart Call or Request: Prioritized pickup with added fee
Step 5. Set Your Payment Method
💳 Online Payment (requires Korean bank account or card)
💵 Pay to Driver (in cash or by credit card — great for foreigners)
If you don’t have a Korean bank account, simply swipe to “Pay to driver” and select Apply.
Note: “Pay to driver” is available for General and Black taxis.
Step 6. Call the taxi
Tap “Request Taxi”
Once matched, you’ll see:
🚘 Car model & license plate
👤 Driver name
📍 Estimated time of arrival
Wait at your pickup point and double-check the license plate — especially in busy areas.
💡 Useful Tips for Taking a Taxi in Korea
Base Fare:
🚗 3,800 KRW (daytime)
🌙 4,600 KRW (late night: after 11 PM)
Rounding System:
Fares are often rounded to the nearest 100 KRW:4,040 KRW → Pay 4,000 KRW
4,050 KRW → Pay 4,100 KRW
No tipping is expected in Korea
Don’t forget your stuff! Lost items can be hard to retrieve unless you note the driver’s info.
🆕 What is K-RIDE? Kakao Mobility’s New App for Foreigners
If you're a foreigner in Korea, there’s exciting news: Kakao Mobility has launched a brand-new app called K-RIDE, designed specifically for international users.
While Kakao T is still widely used by locals, K-RIDE offers an even smoother experience for foreigners, especially those who don’t speak Korean or don’t have a Korean phone number or bank account.
🌍 Built for Foreigners
K-RIDE removes many of the pain points foreign users face on the Kakao T app. Here’s what makes it different:
✅ 100% English-friendly interface
✅ No need for a Korean SIM card or phone number
✅ Accepts global credit cards for online payment
✅ No Kakao account required — just sign up with your email
✅ Available in multiple countries to plan rides before arriving in Korea
This makes K-RIDE a perfect alternative if you're visiting Korea short-term, or if you're a digital nomad or student without a local setup.
Need help finding housing in Seoul near public transport and easy taxi access? 👉 Tap the house icon to get a personalized list of furnished, long-term rentals tailored to your needs, perfect for students, digital nomads, and expats. Enkostay offers English-speaking support to make the process smooth and simple.
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