📈 Understanding Korean Proficiency Levels & TOPIK Alignment

Taking a taxi in Korea for the first time?

This guide covers basic Korean phrases to use with taxi drivers, plus tips on using Kakao T and other transportation apps to make your ride smoother—perfect for beginner learners and travelers.

📚 Table of Contents

• Basic Taxi Phrases
• How to Give Directions
• Using Kakao T and Other Apps
• Example Sentences
• Practice Dialogue
• Did You Know?
• Final Thoughts

🗣 Basic Taxi Phrases

• 택시 타고 싶어요. (Taeksi tago sipeoyo) – I want to take a taxi.
• 이 주소로 가 주세요. (I juso-ro ga juseyo) – Please go to this address.
• 공항까지 얼마나 걸려요? (Gonghang-kka-ji eolmana geollyeoyo?) – How long does it take to the airport?
• 여기에서 내려 주세요. (Yeogi-eseo naeryeo juseyo) – Please drop me off here.
• 카드 돼요? (Kadeu dwaeyo?) – Can I pay by card?

Tip: Show the driver the address on your phone if pronunciation is difficult.

🛣 How to Give Directions

• 왼쪽으로 가 주세요. – Please turn left.
• 오른쪽으로 가 주세요. – Please turn right.
• 직진해 주세요. – Please go straight.
• 신호등에서 멈춰 주세요. – Please stop at the traffic light.

💡 Note: These phrases are useful when the driver asks for clarification or when your destination is hard to find.

📱 Using Kakao T and Other Apps

Kakao T is Korea’s most popular taxi app, available in English and Korean.

1. Download from Google Play or App Store.
2. Sign up with your phone number (international numbers are supported).
3. Enter your destination and confirm pickup location.
4. Choose payment method (card, cash, or Kakao Pay).
5. Track your taxi in real-time and see fare estimates before riding.

Other Apps: T Map Taxi, UT (Uber + T Map), and NAVER Map also offer taxi services in Korea, but Kakao T is the most widely used by locals and foreigners alike.

💬 Example Sentences

• 김포공항까지 가 주세요. – Please take me to Gimpo Airport.
• 이 호텔 앞에서 내려 주세요. – Please drop me off in front of this hotel.
• 카드로 결제할 수 있어요? – Can I pay by card?
• 카카오택시로 불렀어요. – I called it through Kakao Taxi.

🧩 Quick Check: How would you ask “How much is the fare?” in Korean?

🗣 Practice Dialogue

A: 이 주소로 가 주세요. Please go to this address.

B: 네, 카드로 결제하실 거예요? Yes, will you pay by card?

A: 네, 카드로 할게요. Yes, I’ll pay by card.

B: 카카오택시로 부르셨나요? Did you call through Kakao Taxi?

A: 네, 맞아요. 감사합니다. Yes, that’s right. Thank you.

🧩 Quick Check: Can you modify this dialogue to say you want to pay in cash instead of card?

🌏 Did You Know?

Did you know? In Korea, taxis are generally safe and affordable. Most taxis accept credit cards and even foreign debit cards. Also, black taxis (모범택시) are premium taxis with slightly higher fares but more space and better service—great for airport trips or longer rides.

📦 Final Thoughts

Knowing simple taxi phrases and using Kakao T makes traveling in Korea stress-free. Practice these expressions before your trip and download the app for convenience—you’ll travel like a local in no time!

We hope this guide helps you move confidently around Korea. Check back for more beginner-friendly travel Korean lessons!

🔗 Related Posts

• Shopping Phrases You Should Know
  Learn polite phrases for buying items in Korean shops.

🎓 Want to practice real-life travel phrases in Korean?
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