If you open Google Maps in Seoul and ask for walking directions, you'll be disappointed. Google Maps in Korea still doesn't give walking or driving turn-by-turn directions. It shows places, reviews and public transport routes, but for getting from the station exit to the café door, most visitors switch to Naver Map.
Why Google Maps doesn't fully work in Korea
Korea restricts exporting detailed map data to servers outside the country, for security reasons. Google's earlier requests were turned down in 2007 and 2016.
On February 27, 2026, the Korean government conditionally approved Google's request to use high-precision map data, with conditions such as processing the data on servers inside Korea and blurring sensitive sites. In August 2026, Google confirmed it plans to bring turn-by-turn navigation to Korea, but no launch date has been announced yet.
So for now, plan your trip assuming Google Maps will be partly useful. We'll update this page when the new features go live.
What each app does well
| Feature | Naver Map | Google Maps (Korea, now) |
|---|---|---|
| English interface | Yes | Yes |
| Walking directions | Yes | No |
| Driving directions | Yes | No |
| Subway and bus routes | Yes, with live bus arrivals | Yes |
| Subway exit numbers | Yes | Limited |
| Korean restaurants and small shops | Very complete | Less complete |
| Your saved places from home | No | Yes |
How to set up Naver Map in English
- Install NAVER Map from the App Store or Google Play.
- Open Settings in the app and change the language to English.
- Allow location access for walking directions.
You can use it without logging in for basic searches and directions.
Tips for using Naver Map
- Search in Korean when English fails. Copy the Korean name from the place's website or Instagram, or from Google Maps, and paste it into Naver.
- Look for the exit number. Subway routes tell you which exit to use (for example "Exit 3"). This saves a lot of walking in big stations.
- Check the bus arrival time. Tap a bus stop to see when the next bus comes.
- Kakao Map is another good local option with similar features, and pairs well with the Kakao T taxi app.
Final word
Use Naver Map as your main navigation app in Korea, and keep Google Maps for your saved places and reviews. When Google launches full navigation in Korea, that may change, but as of October 2026 it hasn't happened yet.