Map apps by country: Naver, Kakao, Amap and Baidu

Why one country can need its own map app

A global map app works well in many countries, but its quality depends on how much road, transit and place data the company can access there. Some countries have rules about map data and about sending it abroad, so a foreign app may show less than you expect: fewer walking routes, less detailed transit timings, or thinner restaurant listings.

Local apps are built around that country's systems: station names in the local language, station exits, and reviews written by residents. The trade-off is that some are designed mainly for locals, so English may not cover every screen. That is a good reason to try them at home rather than opening them for the first time at the arrival airport.

South Korea: Naver Map and KakaoMap

Naver Map and KakaoMap are both widely used by people in Korea. They show subway, bus, walking routes and business listings, and depending on settings the interface and place names can appear in more than Korean. Features change between versions, so open the app after installing and check whether an English interface is available.

The reason travellers are often told to use these two is that some global map apps give less detailed driving and navigation data in Korea, partly because of limits on map data, while transit searches in the local apps are often clearer. Nobody can promise this stays the same, so search a route you actually plan to take before you go.

• Search the place name in Korean script when you have it, because results are usually more accurate than a romanised spelling.
• Some local taxi apps are tied to a map app and may need a payment card or phone number they accept, so check the conditions inside the app.
• Save your hotel, main stations and meeting points as favourites before the flight.

China: Amap (Gaode) and Baidu Maps

In China the widely used apps are Amap, also called Gaode (高德地图), and Baidu Maps (百度地图). Both show metro, bus and walking routes, and some features let you request a ride. English support differs between them and changes by version, so judge from the real app before you travel rather than from hearsay.

Another thing travellers notice is that foreign map apps may load slowly or not at all in China, and a pin can sit slightly away from the real spot, which relates to the coordinate system used in the country. The local apps handle this themselves, while foreign apps may be less precise.

Installing Chinese apps may involve an account or a phone number for verification, and the first screens are sometimes in Chinese only. Try the sign-up and log-in at home to find any sticking point, rather than meeting it while standing in the middle of a railway station.

Japan and elsewhere: a special app is not always needed

Not every country calls for a change of app. In Japan many travellers use the global map they already know alongside a dedicated train route-search app, because those show platforms and timings in detail. In Europe and North America, a global map plus the city's transit app is often enough. The principle is to pick the app that answers the questions you will ask most often: how do I get there, when, and how do I pay.

Preparing before the flight: set it up at home

1. 1Install and open each appInstall from your phone's app store and open it on Wi-Fi so you get through the welcome screens, location permission and any verification.
2. 2Set the languageChoose English if offered and note where the language menu is, since some apps may reset to the local language after a region change.
3. 3Save your placesSearch for your hotel, stations and attractions and save them as favourites, plus screenshot the local-language names to show a driver or passer-by.
4. 4Download offline kaartenIf the app supports offline use, download the cities you will visit. Offline maps help with position and walking when signal drops, though live transit information may still need internet.

Staying connected so the maps work from landing

Online maps need internet to load routes and live position. Having data from landing lets you find the train, taxi or hotel straight away without hunting for signs. A travel eSIM is one option, and it lets you keep your main SIM for SMS and OTP codes, but check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked, and read the plan details for each country before you buy.

For China, check the plan's conditions on how traffic is routed and which apps you rely on. Do not assume your foreign apps will open, and keep a local map app you have already tested as the fallback.

Navigating on the day: small habits that help

• Check the station exit number, because large stations have many exits and the wrong one can mean a long walk.
• Use battery saver during long navigation, since GPS and the screen drain power; carry a power bank too.
• If an app disagrees with reality, compare with the signs and ask station staff. Maps can be wrong; signage and staff are more current.
• Screenshot key routes in case signal drops on the way.

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Read about apps and connections in China