Getting to Korean Festivals Without a Korean Phone Number
Maps, trains, transit cards and payment for visitors. We only include what we could trace to a source, and each section lists it.
Last checked: November 10, 2026
Finding the venue: use Naver Map with the Korean name
Naver Map has offered a multilingual map service since 2018. Search with the Korean name and address listed on each Machim festival page, because English spellings of Korean places vary.
Since June 4, 2026, visitors with a passport issued outside Korea can verify their identity with it. NAVER says this opens bookings, orders and payments in Naver Map without a Korean phone number.
In a Korea Tourism Organization survey on visitors’ travel apps, as reported in May 2026, Google Maps was named most often as the least satisfying app (30.2%). We suggest not relying on it alone.
Sources: NAVER press release, June 9, 2026 ↗ · Tech42, May 7, 2026 (Korean) ↗
Long-distance trains
Since November 3, 2026, Korail’s website and Korail+ app are available in 10 languages, including English, Japanese and Traditional Chinese.
Since October 2026, seats go on sale two months before departure. For popular festival weekends, we suggest booking early.
As reported in May 2026, Klook also sells Korail tickets through a service connected to Korail’s reservation system, with more than 20 languages and 40 currencies.
Sources: The Herald Business, Nov. 2, 2026 ↗ · The Korea Herald via Asia News Network, May 7, 2026 ↗
Subway and buses
Most visitors need a prepaid transit card. Since March 2026, Seoul Metro has let visitors buy and recharge these cards with overseas-issued credit cards and mobile payment.
We could not confirm that this works outside Seoul. Some bus routes do not take cash, so have your transit card ready before you board.
Sources: Korea JoongAng Daily, May 12, 2026 ↗ · Digital Daily, Sept. 15, 2026 (Korean) ↗
Paying at the festival
Visitors report overseas cards being declined, Apple Pay not working and some places accepting only cash. We suggest carrying some cash for food stalls.
As of May 2026, KakaoPay and Naver Pay did not offer accounts for foreign visitors. For online payments only, Toss Pay could be used by registering a prepaid card with a passport.
Sources: Korea JoongAng Daily, May 12, 2026 ↗ · Kyunghyang Shinmun, Oct. 24, 2026 ↗
When a form asks for a Korean phone number
Many Korean apps for restaurant bookings, taxis and tickets ask for a Korean mobile number. Waiting-list kiosks at restaurants and cafes can ask for one too.
If a festival needs advance registration, check the official notice first. Machim marks booking rules as “Not confirmed” unless we could verify them.
Sources: Tech42, May 7, 2026 (Korean) ↗ · Korea JoongAng Daily, May 12, 2026 ↗
If you get stuck: 1330
1330 Korea Travel Helpline is a multilingual phone and real-time chat service. Dial 1330 in Korea or +82-2-1330 from abroad. VISITKOREA also offers a free online call over Wi-Fi and a web chat with no download.