How to Get a Taxi in Seoul: Kakao T, K-RIDE, Taxi Types&Cost, and Practical Tips
Photo by Janis Rozenfelds on Unsplash
Seoul's subway system is excellent — I say this all the time and I mean it. But there are days when the subway is not the answer. When you are heading somewhere with no convenient station nearby, carrying too much to comfortably squeeze into a rush hour train, or out late when the last train has already left, a taxi is just the better option.
I usually get around by car, but there are times when a taxi just makes more sense — heading somewhere with no parking, or a neighborhood where driving just adds stress. On those days I call one through Kakao T. It takes a few taps and a car is outside within minutes.
This guide covers how to do exactly that — which apps to use, how to pay as a foreign visitor, what the different taxi types mean, and a few practical things worth knowing before you get in.
In this guide
Kakao T: What It Is and How to Use It
Korean taxis are metered, regulated, and generally honest. The base fare in Seoul starts at around 4,800 won for a standard taxi, and most short to medium rides within the city come in well under 20,000 won. Koreans barely hail taxis from the street anymore — everyone uses the app. Honestly, it has made taking taxis so much easier that I use it without thinking now.
Kakao T is made by Kakao Mobility, the same company behind KakaoTalk. It is what most Koreans use to call taxis, and because almost every licensed taxi driver in Seoul is on the platform, dispatch is fast — typically three to five minutes even in busy areas or residential side streets. The app is available in English.
Setting up Kakao T
Download Kakao T from the App Store or Google Play. You will need to create a Kakao account — you can do this with your regular phone number, including a foreign number. Enter your country code and number, receive the verification code, and complete the setup. Note: if you are using a foreign number, account approval can take a day or two rather than the near-instant verification Korean numbers get.
Calling a taxi
Tap the taxi icon, enter your pickup location (it defaults to your current GPS location) and your destination — you can type in English. Select your taxi type and confirm the request. A driver is matched and you can track their approach on the map. I always double-check the pickup pin on the map before confirming — GPS near tall buildings can drift slightly, and you can easily drag the pin to your exact spot if needed.
How foreigners pay
Koreans typically register a card in the app for automatic payment when the ride ends. For foreign visitors, this requires a Korean phone number for verification — which most tourists do not have. The solution is straightforward: when you reach the payment step before confirming your ride, select "Pay to the driver." The app dispatches the taxi without charging you upfront, and you pay the driver directly on arrival — cash, or your international Visa or Mastercard via the card terminal in the taxi. T-money cards also work.
The "Pay to driver" option sounds less convenient than auto-pay, but honestly it is fine. I have never had an issue paying with a card at the terminal in the taxi.
K-RIDE: The Foreigner-Friendly Alternative
K-RIDE is a separate app launched by Kakao Mobility in 2024, built specifically for international travelers. It runs on the same Kakao T taxi network — same drivers, similar dispatch speed — but removes the friction points foreigners hit on the main app.
What K-RIDE does differently:
- No Kakao account required — sign up with email, Google, or Apple ID
- No Korean phone number needed
- Foreign credit cards can be registered directly for automatic payment
- Available in English, Japanese, and simplified and traditional Chinese
- Destination search in over 100 languages
For a first-time visitor who wants to set everything up before arriving, K-RIDE is the more straightforward option.
A practical note: K-RIDE's app reviews are mixed. Some users find it clean and easy; others report occasional bugs with address display and location accuracy. Double-check your pickup location every time rather than trusting the GPS pin. If you run into problems, Kakao T with the "Pay to driver" option is a reliable fallback.
Taxi Types and What They Cost
General taxi — The standard option. Silver, white, or orange cars. Base fare around 4,800 won in Seoul. For 90% of my trips I just pick General — it is fast, cheap, and there is no real reason to upgrade unless you have a lot of luggage or are traveling in a group.
Deluxe taxi — Black cars with a yellow sign. Higher base fare around 7,000 won. Worth considering for airport runs or trips with a lot of luggage.
Venti — A larger van-style vehicle for groups of five or more, or for trips with significant luggage.
Black — Premium luxury vehicles. Significantly more expensive and generally not necessary for most trips.
Practical Tips
Download the app before you arrive. Both Kakao T and K-RIDE are available internationally. Setting up your account at home on WiFi saves the hassle of doing it while standing on a street in Seoul.
Taxi doors are not automatic. Unlike in Japan, Korean taxi doors are manual — open and close them yourself.
Keep some cash as a backup. If your card terminal does not cooperate, cash means you are never stuck.
Late at night, apps beat street hailing. After midnight on weekends, empty street taxis become harder to find. Having an app ready means you can get a car when you need one.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need a Korean SIM card to use Kakao T?
- Not necessarily. You can create a Kakao account with a foreign number, though approval takes longer. You do need mobile data to use the app while requesting a ride, so make sure you have a SIM card, eSIM, or pocket WiFi active during your trip.
- Is Kakao T safe for foreigners?
- Yes. All drivers on the platform are licensed and registered. The app shows you the driver's name, photo, and license plate before they arrive, and you can share your trip details with someone else via the app.
- What if my destination is hard to find or describe?
- This is exactly where the app helps. Instead of trying to explain an address to a driver in Korean, you type or search the destination in the app and the driver navigates using their own system. For less well-known locations, having the address saved in Korean — a screenshot from Naver Map works well — is useful as a backup.
Taxis in Seoul are genuinely easy once you have the app set up. Download Kakao T or K-RIDE before you land, and getting around the city becomes one less thing to think about.
More Seoul travel tips coming soon. Stay tuned!
