Guides · Trip essentials

Can Foreigners Use Kakao Taxi? Kakao T vs K.Ride vs Uber in Korea (2026)

Which app should you use?

TABA is another option for visitors. It offers English, Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Russian, and auto-pays with a card in the app.

Kakao T

VISITKOREA says you need a Kakao account made through KakaoTalk. Try the signup before you fly.

The simple way to pay is to choose to pay the driver directly at the end of the ride, by card, cash or transit card.

K.Ride

K.Ride (k.ride) is a Kakao Mobility app built for foreign visitors, launched in 2024. According to VISITKOREA:

• No KakaoTalk account needed. Sign up with Google, Apple or email. A 2024 report says you enter a phone number when signing up, and official guidance doesn't say whether it must be Korean.
• Register your own overseas credit card and pay automatically.
• English, Japanese and Chinese (traditional and simplified), plus auto-translation in 100+ languages for destination search and driver chat.
• Same taxi types as Kakao T: Regular, Deluxe, Blue, Venti (van) and Black.

It is still active. The fare estimate in the app shows what you'll pay, so check it before you book.

Uber in Korea

Uber's Korean taxi service, UT, was renamed Uber Taxi in February 2024. Since then, visitors can use the same Uber app they use at home.

Uber says Taxi is available in Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon, Ulsan and some other cities, with licensed local taxi drivers. You see an estimated fare before you book.

It may change if you add stops, change the route or pass a toll.

Kakao T vs Uber: Uber is easier to set up if you already have an account. K.Ride gives you Kakao's taxi network with a foreigner-friendly signup, so it's a good middle ground.

Hailing a taxi and paying

• Regular taxis have yellow license plates and a "TAXI" roof sign. Deluxe taxis are usually black and cost more.
• International Taxis have drivers who speak English, Japanese or Chinese. Book at intltaxi.co.kr or +82-1644-2255.
• Pay by cash, credit card or transit card. No tipping.
• Taxi stands are at bus terminals, big subway stations and large malls.
• The 1330 Korea Travel Helpline (+82-2-1330) offers interpretation in English, Japanese, Chinese and more if you get stuck.

Seoul taxi fares (official)

Taxis must charge by the meter. If you call a taxi by phone, a call fee applies (₩1,000 by day, ₩2,000 at night).

App calls follow each app's own fees, shown in the app.

Incheon Airport taxis

Taxi stands at Incheon Airport:

International Taxi fixed fares from Incheon Airport to Seoul, tolls included (Seoul Metropolitan Government):

Regular taxis from the airport use the meter, plus night surcharges and tolls. Uber, Kakao T and K.Ride show an estimate in the app before you book, so compare there.

The AREX train and airport limousine buses are much cheaper. Check current fares on the Incheon Airport website.

Showing your destination in Korean

Drivers may not read English addresses. Before you get in:

1. Find the place in Naver Map or Kakao Map and copy the Korean name or address.
2. Show the screen to the driver, or better, book in an app so the destination is already set.
3. For hotels, keep the Korean address from your booking confirmation.

Common concert venues:

After the concert

Taxi demand jumps when tens of thousands of fans leave at once. These habits help:

• Walk a few blocks away from the venue before you request a ride.
• Or take the subway a few stops first, then get a taxi.
• After 23:00, Seoul's night surcharge reaches 40%.
• INSPIRE Arena is next to Incheon Airport, far from central Seoul. A taxi back to Seoul is a long, expensive trip, so check the organizer's notice for shuttle buses before the show.

FAQ

Can foreigners use Kakao Taxi?

You need a Kakao account (VISITKOREA), and the app has English and Japanese. You can pay the driver directly.

If you don't have an account, use K.Ride or Uber.

Can I use a taxi app without a Korean phone number?

Uber works with your existing account. K.Ride lets you sign up with Google, Apple or email and pay with an overseas card, but a 2024 report says you enter a phone number when signing up, and official guidance doesn't say whether it must be Korean.

Kakao T vs Uber in Korea: which is better?

Kakao T needs a Kakao account, and you can pay the driver directly. Uber is the easiest if you already use it.

K.Ride combines Kakao's network with a visitor-friendly setup.

How much is a taxi or Uber from Seoul to Incheon Airport?

International Taxis charge fixed fares of ₩70,000–95,000 (regular size) or ₩100,000–140,000 (large or deluxe), tolls included, depending on your Seoul district. Uber and other apps show an estimate before you book.