Taxis are one of the most convenient means of transportation for foreigners. They are useful when you have a lot of luggage or are going to places that are difficult to reach by public transportation such as buses. In Korea, you can call a taxi through an app like Kakao T. In this article, I will tell you about Korean taxis and how to use Kakao T.
In Korea, there are many cities with well-developed public transportation, so taxis are not essential. However, in situations where it is difficult to use public transportation, such as when you have a lot of luggage, taxis are used. Below, I will explain taxi fares and precautions.
The basic taxi fare varies slightly by region and may increase slightly. Below is a summary based on regular taxis.
Basic rate: 4,000 to 5,000 won
Distance fare: Approximately 1,000 won per 1 km (fares are charged even when stopped, so the more traffic there is, the higher the cost.)
Night surcharge: 20% ~ 40% (applied differently depending on time zone)
Over-the-counter surcharge: 20% ~ 30%
Combined surcharge (in case of night and intercity overlap): 40% ~ 60%
In fact, there isn't much to be particularly careful about when taking a taxi in Korea. The public safety is good, so the possibility of crime is low, and if you use an app like Kakao T, the fare won't deviate much from the set price.
One thing to note, however, is that in cities like Seoul, it may not be a good idea to take a taxi during the day on weekdays. Especially in the morning and evening rush hours, traffic congestion is severe and buses and subways are often faster. Therefore, we recommend using a map app to check the travel time before taking a taxi.
Kakao T is the most used taxi app in Korea. It can be used anywhere in the country and is available 24 hours a day. Since it is an app that can be used by foreigners as well, if you are planning to visit Korea, I recommend using Kakao T.
First, install Kakao T through the link below. To use Kakao T, you must first create a Kakao account. We recommend that you sign up for Kakao because it provides various services in Korea, such as Kakao Talk and Kakao Map.
If you have completed logging in with your Kakao ID, you must register your language settings and payment method. Kakao T only supports English, Chinese, and Japanese, so you can choose the language you prefer. You can register your payment method as you prefer. After that, when you take a taxi, payment will be automatically processed with the registered payment method.
Once you have completed the setup, you can now call a taxi. Select Taxi on the home screen. The departure location will automatically be set to your current location. If you want to change it, you can specify it directly through the search or map. Please specify the destination location in the same way.
Kakao T allows you to call a variety of taxis. Each type has different features and prices.
General request (General Requests): This is the most common taxi. Unless you have a special reason, you can use a general taxi.
Blue Partners (Blue Partners): If a regular taxi is not called through the Kakao T affiliate taxi service, you can use Blue Partners at a slightly higher price.
Venti (Venti): A large taxi used when there is a lot of luggage and passengers.
Model (Deluxe): Provides wider space and higher quality service than regular taxis.
Black (Black): A higher grade than the model taxi, it provides premium sedan vehicles and VIP service.
After selecting the taxi type and pressing the request button, a taxi will be called. Payment is made at the actual fare after the taxi ride is over, and the amount displayed on the screen is an estimate. When you are matched with a taxi driver, you can check the location of the taxi in real time. If you are a foreigner and your phone number is not registered, it may be difficult for the taxi driver to find you, so please check the vehicle number at the exact call location and get on the taxi.
When using Kakao T It is a good idea to know the Korean sign for your destination. It is easier to find a destination when you search in Korean before calling a taxi. Also, since taxi drivers may not be familiar with foreign languages, it is recommended that you learn some basic Korean. In fact, communication with taxi drivers is not necessary in most cases, so you do not have to worry.