How to Call a Taxi in Korea: Kakao T Tutorial in English (2026 Guide)
If you're traveling to Korea, there's one app you absolutely need to download before you land: Kakao T. It's basically the Uber of Korea — except way more popular, with around 30 million users and the largest fleet of taxi drivers in the country. Whether you're heading to Incheon Airport at 4 AM or stuck in the rain in Hongdae at midnight, Kakao T is your best friend.
I've used Kakao T hundreds of times during my time in Korea, and I've also helped many friends set it up for the first time. In this guide, I'll walk you through exactly how to download, register, and use Kakao T in English — including how to pay without a Korean phone number or Korean bank card. Let's get you cab-ready.
Why You Need Kakao T in Korea
Hailing a taxi on the street in Korea still works, but it's not always reliable — especially during rush hour, late nights, or when you need to communicate a complex address. With Kakao T, you can:
- Book a taxi from your phone in under 30 seconds
- See the estimated fare upfront
- Avoid language barriers (the app handles destination input)
- Pay easily with a foreign credit card
- Track your ride and share it with friends for safety
Plus, Kakao T isn't just for taxis — it also offers chauffeur services (designated driver), bike rentals, train tickets, and even parking reservations.
Kakao T vs Other Taxi Apps in Korea
A quick comparison of your options before we dive in:
My honest take: Use Kakao T as your main app, and keep Uber as a backup. Kakao T has roughly 9x more drivers than Uber in Korea, so wait times are shorter. But Uber's English interface is friendlier if you're brand new.
How to Download Kakao T
Kakao T is available on both iOS and Android. Just search "Kakao T" in your app store and look for the yellow icon with a taxi symbol. It's free to download.
Download it before you arrive in Korea so you can set it up on Wi-Fi without rushing.
How to Set Up Kakao T in English (Step-by-Step)
Here's where most foreigners get stuck. The app defaults to Korean, but English is available — you just need to know where to look.
Step 1: Switch the App to English
When you first open the app, it may appear in Korean. To change the language:
- Tap the "내 정보" (My Info) icon at the bottom right — it looks like a person silhouette.
- Scroll down and tap the gear/settings icon at the top right.
- Look for "언어" (Language) and tap it.
- Select English.
The app will now display in English. Note: not every screen is fully translated, but the essential booking flow works in English.
Step 2: Sign Up Without a Korean Phone Number
This is the part that confuses most travelers. Good news: you don't need a Korean phone number to use Kakao T.
You have two options:
Option A — Sign up with your foreign phone number. Use your home country's mobile number with the correct country code (e.g., +1 for the US, +44 for the UK). The app will send an SMS verification code.
Option B — Sign up with a Kakao account. If you already use KakaoTalk (Korea's main messaging app), you can sign in with that account directly. I'd actually recommend installing KakaoTalk first — it makes everything easier.
Step 3: Skip the Korean Card Registration
The app may ask you to register a payment card. You can skip this step. Most foreign credit cards (especially older Visa/Mastercard) won't register successfully, and you don't need to — you can simply choose "Pay to the Driver" at the end of each ride.
How to Book a Taxi with Kakao T (Step-by-Step)
Now the fun part — actually calling a cab.
Step 1: Set Your Pickup Location
Open the app. By default, it uses your current GPS location as the pickup point. You can drag the pin or type an address manually.
Tip: If you're at a hotel or major landmark, type the name in English (e.g., "Lotte Hotel Myeongdong") — the app usually recognizes it.
Step 2: Set Your Destination
Tap "Where to?" and enter your destination. The app supports:
- English place names (e.g., "Incheon Airport Terminal 1")
- Korean addresses
- Romanized Korean (e.g., "Hongdae Station")
If you're not sure of the exact address, search for the nearest subway station or landmark — drivers will know it.
Step 3: Choose Your Taxi Type
Kakao T offers several taxi options. Here's what they mean:
For most tourists, Regular or Kakao T Blue is perfect. If you have lots of luggage or are heading to the airport with a group, choose Large.
Step 4: Select Payment Method
This is the key step. You'll see options like:
- Direct Card (register a card — skip if foreign card)
- Pay to the Driver ← CHOOSE THIS
Swipe through the options and select "Pay to the Driver". This means you'll pay at the end of the ride directly — most Korean taxis accept foreign credit cards, cash (KRW), or T-Money cards.
Step 5: Request the Taxi
Tap the big yellow "Call" button. The app will search for nearby drivers. You'll usually be matched within 1–3 minutes in central Seoul.
Once matched, you'll see:
- Driver's name and photo
- Car model and license plate
- Estimated arrival time
- A map with the taxi approaching
Step 6: Take Your Ride
When the taxi arrives, double-check the license plate before getting in. Korean drivers generally don't speak much English, but the destination is already loaded into their system via the app, so there's no need to explain where you're going.
Step 7: Pay at the End
When you arrive, the driver will show you the meter total. Pay using:
Most taxis have a card terminal between the front seats. Just hand the driver your card or tap it yourself.
Approximate Taxi Fares in Korea (2026)
Knowing roughly what to expect helps avoid surprises.
Tipping is not expected in Korean taxis — please don't tip.
Common Issues and How to Fix Them
A few things that often trip up tourists:
"No drivers available." This happens during rush hour, rain, or major events. Wait 1–2 minutes and try again, or try Uber as a backup.
The app keeps switching back to Korean. Make sure your phone's language is set to English and double-check the in-app language setting under your profile.
My foreign card won't register in the app. This is normal. Use "Pay to the Driver" instead — it works perfectly with foreign cards at the terminal.
Driver cancels the ride. Sometimes drivers cancel if the destination is too short or in heavy traffic. Just request again — the next driver usually accepts.
Address not recognized. Try entering the nearest subway station or famous landmark instead.
Safety Tips When Using Kakao T
Seoul is generally very safe (I've written about this in another post), but here are basic ride safety habits:
- Always check the license plate before getting in
- Share your ride via the in-app sharing feature with a friend
- Keep your phone charged so the driver can call you if needed
- Use the in-app SOS button if anything feels off (rare)
- Late at night, sit in the back seat rather than the front
Final Thoughts
Honestly, Kakao T is a game-changer for foreign travelers in Korea. Once you set it up, calling a taxi becomes as easy as ordering coffee — no language barrier, no haggling, no getting lost. I'd genuinely recommend setting up the app before your flight to Korea, so you can hop in a taxi the moment you land at Incheon.
If you found this guide helpful, save it for your trip — or share it with a friend planning their first visit to Korea. And if you have questions about taxi fares to a specific destination, drop them in the comments. Safe travels!
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