30+ Essential Travel Apps for Japan, Korea and Taiwan

Embarking on an unforgettable journey to any travel destination demands more than just a suitcase and a sense of adventure — it also calls for the right travel apps that streamline every step of your trip. 

From managing multiple currencies and booking cross-country transport, to navigating bustling streets and overcoming language barriers, the best travel apps can turn complexity into confidence. 

Thanks to these mini computers in our hands, we can now let our smartphones do the heavy lifting of planning and booking, so we can focus on exploring hidden gems and sampling local delicacies. 

In this article, we’ll not only recommend the top 10 best overall travel apps but also specify the most useful local travel apps for popular Asian destinations Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Ready to travel smarter, safer, and more seamlessly? Let’s go!

Top 10 Travel Apps When Travelling in Asia

These 10 apps form a great foundation for trips to any Asian travel destination. From digital payments to navigation to communication to activities, these apps will be handy on any trip, even if you don’t download any other local travel apps. 
 

1. E-Wallet: Wise / Revolut / YouTrip

No more money changers needed, thanks, now that managing your money across multiple currencies has become so easy with e-wallets. Wise is the easiest for setting up automatic currency conversions to secure the best exchange rates across 47 currencies. Revolut, with 39 currencies, is great for rate tracking, and budgeting and spending analytics. YouTrip, with 12 currencies, offers no foreign transaction fees when spending overseas in popular Asian destinations.

READ MORE: Choosing the Best Multi-Currency Card for Travel

2. Currency Tracker: XE

Although it’s possible to track exchange rates in Wise and Revolut, XE remains the gold standard for most travellers wanting to quickly check how much something costs in their home currency. 

3. Navigation: Google Maps / Maps.me

What can we say, Google Maps seems to be unrivalled as everyone’s favourite navigation app. Download city-specific maps, check public transit schedules, or share your live location with friends and family for extra safety.

(Note: Google Maps has limited functionality in Korea. See ‘Korea’ section below for alternative navigation apps.)

Meanwhile, Maps.me is the number one offline map travellers use, renowned for its detailed and reliable local maps. Use this for finding hidden gems in winding alleyways in Tokyo, or navigating night markets or hiking trails in Taiwan.

4. Transit: MoovIt 

Getting from A to B becomes so much easier with a transit app. MoovIt aggregates trains, buses, and ferry schedules across 112 countries into one simple app, complete with fare comparisons and live ticket reservations. 
 

5. eSIM: Airalo

No more fumbling with tiny SIM card trays. Airalo lets you purchase affordable, data-only eSIM plans for almost every country in the world. Not only do they offer flexible packages tailored for different trip durations and usage needs, but also competitive pricing compared to local operators. 
 

6. Translation: Naver Papago

The bridge between foreign and familiar languages for travellers everywhere, translation apps offer real-time camera, text, voice and image translations — perfect for reading street signs and menus. And they make real-time conversations possible with two-way chat translation. Where Papago shines beyond Google Translate is in its hyper-accuracy with Asian languages, specifically Japanese, Korean and Chinese.
 

7. Communication: LINE 

Many Asian destinations may use WhatsApp, but LINE absolutely dominates in Japan and Taiwan. It’s not only a way to communicate with tour guides and drivers, but many hotels and restaurants actually prefer speaking over LINE instead of a traditional phone call. LINE also allows you to connect with local businesses for special promotions and discounts.
 

8. Activities: Klook

Whether it’s a Hanbok photoshoot in Seoul, Tokyo Disneyland access, or a whale-watching experience in Hualien, Klook is the most comprehensive platform for travel attractions across Asia. Book cultural experiences by local guides, skip the queue with pre-booked tickets, and take advantage of discounted multi-attraction packages. Book easily with their English interface and redeem via QR code (no printouts needed) — Klook is your perfect on-the-go travel activities buddy.
 

9. Luggage Storage: Nannybag / Radical Storage 

Explore cities freely without lugging around your heavy bags. Both Nannybag and Radical Storage apps offer secure luggage storage at a network of vetted partner locations worldwide at flexible hourly or daily rates.
 

10. Inspiration: Instagram

Instagram is so much more than just showing off pictures of sunsets and brunches. Follow travel or tourism IG accounts for inspiration on places of interest to add to your travel itinerary, or travel influencers for travel tips. Follow specific attractions and local hashtags — like #tokyolife or #taipeieats — to uncover local haunts or pop-up events.

Local Travel Apps for Japan, Korea & Taiwan

The above 10 apps are incredibly useful, but there are also specific local apps that can be additionally helpful when travelling in Asia. In this next section, we’ll share some local apps if you’re visiting Japan, Korea, or Taiwan.
 

Japan

Japan Travel: Designed for overseas tourists, this app introduces train routes, curated travel guides, tourist passes, and even points out ATMs and WiFi hotspots.

Welcome Suica Mobile: Top up a virtual transit card on your smartphone for seamless tap-in/out access on trains, buses and even convenience stores.

Navitime: Navigate across Japan’s complex train, subway and bus networks, while factoring in transfers, platform changes and service delays.

CityMapper: For a more local view of what’s around, this map and transport app combines crowdsourced updates and local suggestions.

Japan Transit Planner: Also known as Jorudan, this app helps you compare routes depending on whether you have a Japan Rail Pass or Tokyo Subway Ticket, and map out multi-city itineraries with local train options.

Tokyo Metro Subway Map & Route: This full interactive map of the city’s Tokyo Metro, Toei, and JR Yamanote lines means you don’t have to waste time looking for wall-mounted guides.

Go Taxi: Book local taxis and communicate pick-up instructions in English, and pay via credit cards or digital wallets.

Ecbo Cloak: Reserve luggage storage services throughout Japan

LINE Japan: Japan’s preeminent messaging platform also allows you to make digital payments (LINE Pay), book accommodations (LINE Travel), order food delivery (LINE Food), and call a cab (LINE Taxi).
Gurunavi: This ‘Gourmet Navigator’ restaurant-finder app points you to your choice of F&B, from yakiniku (BBQ) to izakaya (typical Japanese pubs).  

Korea

Visit Korea: The official government app with curated travel guides, landmarks and attractions, festivals and events, accommodation and transportation info.

Kakao apps: You can’t visit Korea without using Kakao apps, such as:

• KakaoMap: Hyper-accurate, real-time navigation for driving, walking and transit, and information about local businesses
• KakaoMetro: Detailed information about Seoul’s metro, down to station layouts and crowd forecasts
• KakaoT: The easiest way to travel by cab
• KakaoTalk: This ‘Korean WhatsApp’ doubles as a digital wallet (KakaoPay)

WowPass / Namane Card: Travel and pay like a local with these cards that serve double duty as your public transportation card as well as a local debit card for Korea-wide payments. The apps allow you to easily top up via international cards without the need for a Korean bank account.

Naver Map: Korea’s answer to Google, Naver combines maps, news, shopping and translation in one portal. Also check out Maps.me and CityMapper

Seoul Subway (Official) / Subway Korea: Navigate the extensive subway systems with detailed maps, route planners, and real-time arrival information, all in English.

Korail Talk: Manage your national rail journey via KTX (Korea’s bullet train) — book tickets, check train statuses, and receive boarding notifications in English. (Note: Korail Talk is the official app; other apps charge more.)

T Locker: For luggage storage solutions around Seoul

Yogiyo: Korea’s go-to app for food delivery also allows you to discover all kinds of restaurants.

Taiwan

EasyWallet Taiwan: An EasyCard is needed to travel on the MRT, buses, some taxis, and make payment at convenience stores and vending machines, but the EasyCard app is meant more for locals wanting to manage their physical cards.

For tourists, it’s better to get the EasyWallet app, a mobile wallet that can issue you a virtual EasyCard to get around Taiwan with. (Apple users may have to add the EasyCard to their Apple Wallet for true tap-and-go functionality.)

(Note: Some people may prefer to purchase a physical EasyCard at convenience stores instead for their lovely designs such as cartoons or scenes of Taiwan.)

Go! Taipei Metro: This official interactive map plots out the entire metro network in Taipei, with information on station exits, line/bus-transfers, and even nearby bike-sharing stations.

Taiwan Railway: If you’re travelling across Taiwan’s east coast, this app is a must-have for checking TRC (formerly TRA) train numbers, timetables, journey durations, delays, and booking tickets.

T Express: The official app to purchase mobile tickets for Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) bullet trains, with timetables, cancellations, and modifications. The HSR only travels along Taiwan’s western coastline.

Bus+ Taiwan: For real-time city and intercity bus information. Google Maps may show scheduled bus times, but Bus+ tells you if it’s running early or late. (Only in Chinese though)

Uber Taiwan: Taiwan’s only (non-taxi) ride-hailing app. For Taiwan’s yellow taxis, use the FindTaxi app instead.

Tripool: Use this local app to book private charter services for long-distance travel between cities or to more rural areas. You can even book round-trip chauffeur services. (Only in Chinese)

YouBike: Taiwan’s official bike-sharing network, with bright yellow bicycles (and orange and white e-bikes) available at stations in all major cities. You’ll need a Taiwanese phone number and EasyCard to rent a YouBike.

LINE Taiwan: A must-download for communication with local tour guides, private drivers, Taiwanese minsu (traditional B&B) and other local businesses, and especially useful if you’re not fluent in traditional Chinese.

Uber Eats / FoodPanda: Both food delivery apps are a good place to start to discover new and interesting eateries nearby.

KKDay: This offers a variety of tours and attractions just like Klook, including Taipei FunPass, day excursions, and discounted HSR train tickets. The only difference is that KKDay is Taiwan-owned with some exclusive local offers.