Taking a taxi in Korea is usually quite simple once you are actually in the car.
The part that can be more confusing for foreign travelers comes before that — choosing an app, setting the pickup point, and making sure payment will work.
So I installed k.ride, Kakao Mobility’s taxi app for international travelers, and went through the setup myself to see what the actual process looks like.
1. Start k.ride and choose your language
When you first open k.ride, you will see two options: Get Started and Log in.
If you are using k.ride for the first time, choose Get Started. If you already have an account, you can use Log in instead.
You can also change the app language by tapping the language option in the top-right corner.
The language menu lets you select English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese or Traditional Chinese.
For this guide, I used English.
2. Verify your phone number
After choosing Get Started, you will need to verify your phone number.
First select your country code and enter your phone number.
The screen also lets you choose a verification method such as SMS or WhatsApp.
The app does not assume you already have a Korean phone number, which matters if you are visiting from overseas.
3. Connect your account
After phone verification, the app asks you to select an account connection method.
On the Android version I tested, there were two options:
Continue with Google
Continue with email
You can simply select the method that is more convenient for you and continue with the registration.
4. Register a payment method
k.ride also allows international travelers to register a payment method in advance.
On the payment registration screen, I found several options including PayPal, credit/debit cards, Alipay+ and WeChat Pay.
One important detail appears directly on the screen: the credit/debit card option states that cards issued in Korea are not accepted.
That line tells you a lot about who this app is for: travelers using overseas cards, not people who already use domestic Korean taxi apps.
There is also a Register later option at the top of the screen, so you do not necessarily have to complete payment registration during the initial setup.
If you choose the credit/debit card option, the next screen asks for information such as your card number, expiration date, security code and cardholder name.
Supported card networks shown on the screen include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Diners Club and Discover.
The app also states that ₩100 will be charged temporarily to verify that the card is valid and refunded within 14 days.
So if you see a ₩100 charge while registering a card, it is a card verification charge rather than your taxi fare.
5. Search for your destination
Once the initial setup is complete, the k.ride home screen is quite straightforward.
The large “Where to?” box is where you enter your destination.
You can search for places such as tourist attractions, train stations, hotels and other destinations.
The practical advantage is simple: you can set the destination before meeting the driver without navigating a Korean-only taxi app.
6. Check your pickup location carefully
After choosing where you want to go, pay particular attention to the pickup location.
This can be more important than it first appears.
At large tourist attractions, stations and busy areas, your GPS location may not necessarily be the easiest place for a taxi to stop.
k.ride can show specific pickup points around a destination or large facility.
For example, when I tested the app with Gyeongbokgung Palace, it showed options such as National Palace Museum Entrance, In front of Yeongchumun Gate and In front of Sinmumun Gate.
Choose the location that matches where you are actually waiting and then tap Set as start point.
This is worth checking carefully before requesting your taxi. Selecting the wrong side of a large attraction or station could make it harder for you and the driver to find each other.
7. Choose the type of taxi you want
After setting your pickup point and destination, k.ride shows the available vehicle categories.
In my test, four options appeared:
- Standard – reasonable price, up to 4 passengers
- Deluxe – experienced driver, up to 4 passengers
- Comfort – extra-space minivan, up to 5 passengers
- Luxury – luxury sedan, up to 4 passengers
The available options may vary depending on your location and the taxis available at that time.
8. Why might k.ride be useful for foreign travelers?
You do not need a taxi app every time you take a taxi in Korea.
As I explained in my separate guide to taking taxis in Korea, you can also use taxi stands or sometimes hail an available taxi directly from the street.
However, k.ride can be particularly useful when you:
- cannot find a taxi nearby,
- want to enter your destination before meeting the driver,
- are concerned about communicating in Korean,
- want to choose a pickup point more precisely, or
- prefer to set up a supported international payment method in advance.
The app also provides multilingual features intended to make destination searches and communication easier for international visitors.
I would think of k.ride as another option, not the only way to take a taxi in Korea.
9. Set up the app before you actually need a taxi
If you plan to use k.ride during your trip, I recommend installing and setting it up before the moment you actually need a taxi.
Phone verification, account connection and payment registration are much easier to deal with at your hotel or accommodation than while standing outside a station with your luggage.
Once everything is ready, the basic process is relatively simple:
Search for your destination → check your pickup point → choose a vehicle → review the ride information → request your taxi.
If you arrive at a train station or airport and taxis are already waiting at an official taxi stand, taking one may simply be easier.
There is no reason to open the app every time just because you have it installed.
If you want to understand the other ways to take a taxi in Korea, see my complete guide to taking taxis in Korea.
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