Apps to install before you goTravel
Papago — translate text, voice and signs
Papago is Naver's translator for 14 languages. Type, speak, or point your camera at a menu; text translation also works offline.
Free app14 languagesCamera, voice, offline textUpdated Oct 20, 2026
Get data for the app
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Korea 5G eSIM (data only)
Maps, Papago and taxi apps all need data. This is a data-only eSIM for all of South Korea that you install before you fly; it comes with no Korean phone number.
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South Korea 5G eSIM
A second eSIM option on Trip.com. Read the product page for whether calls and texts are included; the standard plan is data only.
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KT 4G pocket WiFi (airport pickup)
One router can connect up to 3 devices, good for a group that wants to share one connection for maps and translation.
What it does
Papago (파파고) translates between 14 languages: Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Spanish, French, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, Russian, German, Italian and Arabic.
Camera translation recognizes text in a photo, handy for menus and signs. Voice translation turns a spoken phrase into the other language, and conversation mode lets two people each speak in their own language. It also does handwriting, website and document translation.
How visitors use it
Account: the app store listing does not say an account is required, and one reviewer says there is no sign-in. That is a user's report, not an official statement.
Offline: text translation works without an internet connection. Keep data on for camera and voice translation. Image translation has a daily limit (raised from 50 to 100 in version 1.11.12).
Good to know
Machine translation can miss tone and context, so for allergies or medicine show the translated text to staff and confirm in person.
The store's privacy section lists data linked to you, such as contact info, identifiers and usage data. Read it before you install.
What else you can use
Your phone's own translation tools can also translate signs and text. To learn a few phrases yourself, see the Korean-learning guide below.
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