Mastering Naver Map for Travel in Korea (When Google Maps Fails)

How to use Naver Map (Best map app in Korea) | Guide, tips, English settings (YouTube link)

The video by Young from "Your Korea Friend" explains how to use Naver Map, an essential navigation app for traveling in Korea, as Google Maps is less effective there. 

Google Maps: Unreliable for bus ETAs and routes in South Korea but useful for tracking your location (blue dot) to know when to stop. Not all roads are shown.

Why Naver Map? Google Maps doesn’t work well in Korea, and Naver Map, while primarily in Korean, is the go-to app for navigation, though its limited English translation can make it challenging for non-Korean speakers.

This video aims to help travelers navigate Korea using Naver Map effectively, with practical workarounds for non-Korean speakers.

Key Points

Downloading and Language Settings

• Download Naver Map from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android), or use the browser version (link here).
• Best for finding nearby bus options with minimal walking though its limited English translation can make it challenging for non-Korean speakers.
• Overcome Language Barrier: 
• English address to Korean (link here): this website is the official site for South Korea’s Road Name Address System, operated by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. The site provides address search and conversion services, allowing users to find or convert addresses between Korea’s road name and lot number systems.
• Change the language to English: Go to the menu, select settings, find "Ono" (language), choose English, and restart the app. For the browser, use the Google Translate Chrome extension.
• After downloading the app, the language on my Samsung phone was already set to ‘System setting,’ which was English. So, no additional adjustments were needed on my part.
• Use Korean/Hangul addresses (copy from Google Maps) if English searches fail.
• Screenshot stops from Naver, translate via Google Translate or Papago, and monitor stops on the bus’s screen or by listening.

Key Features

• Offline Maps: Download maps by province (e.g., Seoul, Jeju, Busan) to reduce data usage and view maps offline (navigation requires data).
• Subway Map: Access subway maps for Seoul and other cities, select stations (e.g., Hongdae to Myeongdong) for routes and schedules.
• Search Tips:
• Search by place name (e.g., Namsan Tower), but results may be in Korean—use Google Translate or select places with high reviews.
• Search by address: Convert English addresses to Korean using Papago, then paste into Naver Map.
• Search by phone number for attractions or restaurants for easier results.
• Nearby Search: Find restaurants, cafes, etc., near a location (e.g., Myeongdong Station) and translate details using Google Translate.
• Directions: Choose routes by public transport, driving, walking, or cycling. Subway and bus options are detailed, with tips like "fast transfer" (indicating optimal subway car/door) and exit numbers for efficiency.
• Saving Locations: Save places or routes using the star icon or bookmark section (up to 5,000 locations, 400 lists). Saved content requires a data connection.

Additional Tips

• Subway timetables are available, but bus timetables are not.
• For restaurant reservations, use the Catch Table app (English version) as Naver Map’s reservation feature requires Korean phone verification.

Fig. 1  Getting Around with Ease: How to Customize Your Naver App Settings

Navigating with the Naver App

When using the Naver app to get from point A to point B, you have several options to customize your route (Fig. 1):

• Transportation Options: Choose how you want to travel: Transit (public transportation), Drive, Walk, or Bike.
• Departure Time: Specify your desired date and time of departure.
• Sort Options: Prioritize your route based on what's most important to you: 
• Best route (Naver's recommended balance)
• Least time
• Fewest transfers (for transit)
• Least walking (for transit)

Example Route: Toyoko Inn Seoul Gangnam to Toyoko Inn Seoul Yeongdeungpo

Let's look at an example to see these options in action:

From: Toyoko Inn Seoul Gangnam

To: Toyoko Inn Seoul Yeongdeungpo

• Best Route: This route takes approximately 58 minutes.
• Fastest Route: This option gets you there quicker, in about 46 minutes, and involves the following subway transfers:

1. Take the Shinbundang Line (Subway) at Gangnam Station.
2. Transfer to Line 9 at Sinnonhyeon Station.
3. Transfer to Line 5 at Yeouido Station.
4. Get off at Singil Station.

Despite language barriers, Naver Map is manageable with these tips and examples. 

Fig 2.  After Choosing the Fastest Route, a Split Screen Displays:
Overview Map at the Top, Detailed Information Below

 

Fig 3.  Preview a Detailed Map of Boarding Stations by Scrolling with the Left and Right Arrows