Kakao T (formerly KakaoTaxi) is still the easiest way to hail a cab in Korea and now it’s friendlier than ever for English speakers. It’s one of the essential apps you will need for Seoul 2026 !
The app brings together Taxi, Driver (designated driver), Navi, Parking, and more on a redesigned home screen, so you can quickly pick what you need without digging through menus.
Download and language
Kakao T is free to download on the App Store and Google Play.
If your phone or app language is set to English, most buttons and menus appear in English. Some place names and driver messages can still show in Korean, so having your destination written in Korean is helpful.
Hailing a taxi with Kakao Taxi is simple: the app automatically detects your pick up location or you can enter it manually, input your destination, your type of desired vehicle and lastly, your method of payment.
Payment methods in 2026
Originally, Kakao Taxi leaned heavily on Korean cards saved in the app. Now in 2026 you have more flexibility:
- In‑app payment: Works best if you have a Korean phone number and local card, or you’re using Kakao’s foreigner‑friendly flow that supports some international cards.
- Pay to the driver: Ideal for most visitors, just select this option and pay at the end by cash or physical card. Many taxis accept foreign cards, but carrying some cash is still smart.
Some foreigner‑focused options may default to premium vehicles, so if you want normal taxi prices, stick to General Taxi in the main Kakao T screen.
What’s new and useful
Recent updates focus on making Kakao T smarter and easier to use:
- A cleaner home screen groups services by everyday situations like when you’re moving, driving, or going overseas.
- A “My” area lets you pin your most‑used services so they’re always on top.
- Search now shows extra info at major destinations, like airport congestion or big hospital departments, so you can plan better.
- Kakao is rolling out AI‑based tweaks that quietly improve route and destination suggestions over time.
You still book a taxi the same way; it just feels more helpful and less cluttered.
Prefer biking?
If you’d rather ride than ride‑hail, Kakao Map (a separate app) offers bicycle routes with elevation, calories, and turn‑by‑turn directions, with growing English support.
Prefer to travel via bicycle? Check out our guide to using the Seoul Citywide Free Bike rental system !
