KakaoT app perfect for grabbing a taxi in Korea

Thanks to military-only taxis, getting around South Korea’s bases is easy. Off-base, however, it’s a different story. Catching a cab can be a competitive sport, especially late at night. Problems also arise when you’re in unfamiliar areas because you might not know where to go to find one. And many of you are concerned of getting ripped off and overcharged by cabbies taking advantage of the language barrier. Trying to take a taxi shouldn’t be a source of stress, especially when the KakaoT app can help.

The app features other functions worth exploring like carpooling, parking and more, but the KakaoTaxi portion is what will come in handy when you need a taxi ASAP. The app uses GPS to find your location and after inputting your destination, it displays the type of taxis available, exact fare and arrival time. Two of the most common taxis are available: medium and large size. KakaoT also offers deluxe taxis if you’re after VIP treatment.

The medium taxi means general taxi, or “ilban taxi,” with fares beginning at 3,000 KRW (about $2.60). For bigger groups or families, a large taxi should suit your needs as this will get you somewhere between a 6-passenger to 13-passenger van. Fares for these start at 5,000 KRW.

For a luxury taxi service, KakaoTaxi offers Black Taxi. This is fancier than a deluxe cab and only operates in Seoul. This service, which runs full-size luxury sedans like Mercedes Benz, is often used for important corporate events. These cars are equipped with mobile phone charging terminals and complimentary bottles of water. But remember, if you’re looking for VIP treatment, you’ll be paying a premium price – Black taxi fares are about 1.5 times more expensive than deluxe fares and 3 times more expensive than a medium taxi.