Paying in Korea: Foreign Cards, Cash and What Still Needs Won

Cards are widely used in Korea. Hotels, department stores and most shops take them, and taxis accept card payment too — though no one can promise your particular card will work everywhere. The catch is the small stuff — a regular T-money top-up, the odd shop that doesn't take cards — and that's where a little Korean won saves you a walk to the ATM.

The short version

Source: VISITKOREA — currency and taxis; Seoul Metropolitan Government; T-money; TABA; checked Oct 23, 2026.

Paying by card

The Korea Tourism Organization puts it simply: most businesses in Korea accept credit cards, from major hotels and department stores to general shops, and Visa, Mastercard and American Express can be used. It also adds a caution worth taking seriously — some stores don't provide card payment, so check before you buy.

Taxis are usually straightforward: VISITKOREA says passengers can pay with cash, a credit card or a transportation card. That's a general rule, not a promise that a particular foreign-issued card will go through, so it's worth checking as you get in.

Source: VISITKOREA — Korean Currency & Exchange Info; VISITKOREA — Taxis (updated Jan 2026); checked Oct 23, 2026.

Where won still comes in handy

The clearest case for cash is a regular T-money card topped up at a store or station. T-money's guide for visitors says you top it up by handing over the card and Korean won cash at a T-money sales location.

The subway itself has got easier. Since March 17, 2026, the 440 new ticket machines at 273 stations on Seoul Subway Lines 1–8 accept international cards such as Visa and Mastercard — for single-journey tickets and Climate Card short-term passes. Expect a service fee of about 3.7%. The former 30-day Climate Card pass is no longer available for top-up; the 1-, 2-, 3-, 5- and 7-day short-term passes continue to operate.

So if your plan is a T-money card, land with some won. If you'd rather carry as little cash as possible, the Climate Card short-term pass or single tickets are the card-friendly route on the subway.

Source: T-money — guide for foreign visitors; Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul transport news (Korean), Mar 2026; and Climate Card 30-day end-of-service FAQ (Korean); checked Oct 23, 2026. More on the card itself: how to get a T-money card.

Getting won when you land

VISITKOREA's advice is that for most tourists, the airport exchange centers are the easiest place to change money.

At Incheon Airport Terminal 1, the arrivals floor (1F) has:

• 24-hour exchange counters — Woori Bank near Exits 6 and 11, and KB Bank near Arrival Hall B
• Exchange counters open 06:00–22:00 — Hana Bank near Exit 4 and KB Bank near Exit 9
• 24-hour ATMs near Exits 4, 6, 9 and 11

The airport's directory doesn't say which ATMs take foreign-issued cards, so look at the card logos on the machine before you put your card in. This list is for Terminal 1; check the airport's facility search if you arrive at Terminal 2.

In town, banks are generally open 09:00–16:00 on weekdays, and Korea Post Bank 09:00–16:30. Hours vary by branch, and some places won't exchange old banknotes.

Source: VISITKOREA FAQ; Incheon Airport — Convenience & Public Facilities; VISITKOREA — currency; checked Oct 23, 2026. Getting into the city: Incheon Airport to Seoul.

Taxi apps and NAVER's visitor verification

TABA is a taxi app for travelers. Its official site says you can pay with Visa, Mastercard, China UnionPay, JCB and more, sign up with an international phone number, and that it works officially with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and T-money.

NAVER introduced Passport Verification on June 4, 2026, so eligible foreign visitors can verify their identity for supported booking and ordering services without a Korean mobile number. This is separate from payment approval. NAVER's Booking/Order help lists supported overseas card networks, while some Npay services are restricted to Npay Korea Members. Check the payment options shown for your booking before relying on a particular card. (If you're still choosing how to get online, see eSIM vs SIM card vs pocket Wi-Fi — and how to use Naver Map.)

Source: TABA; NAVER press release, Jun 9, 2026; NAVER Help — passport verification, supported cards and Npay Korea Member restrictions; checked Oct 23, 2026.

Prepaid travel cards

Some visitors use a prepaid card made for travelers. WOWPASS is one: its maker, Orange Square, describes it as an all-in-one prepaid card for foreign travelers covering money exchange, payment and transportation, and says you verify ownership in its app to withdraw a remaining balance in cash. Fees and limits change, so check the current terms in the app before you buy.

Source: WOWPASS App Store listing (Orange Square, Inc); checked Oct 23, 2026.

Our take

Before you fly

1. Tell your bank you're travelling and check its foreign transaction and ATM fees.
2. Bring a backup card, kept separately from your main one.
3. Decide on your transit card — T-money (top up with won cash) or the Climate Card short-term pass (card-friendly at the new machines in Seoul).
4. Note where the 24-hour exchange counters are if you land late at Incheon Terminal 1.

FAQ

Can I use my foreign credit card in Korea?

Cards are widely used. The Korea Tourism Organization says Visa, Mastercard and American Express can be used, from hotels and department stores to general shops, but some stores don't take cards — check that each place accepts yours.

Do I need cash in Korea?

A little. Topping up a regular T-money card at a store or station takes Korean won cash, and some shops don't accept cards.

Can I buy Seoul subway tickets with a foreign card?

Yes, since March 17, 2026, at the 440 new ticket machines on Lines 1–8 — for single-journey tickets and Climate Card short-term passes, with a service fee of about 3.7%.

Where can I exchange money at Incheon Airport?

Terminal 1's arrivals floor has 24-hour exchange counters (Woori Bank near Exits 6 and 11, KB Bank near Arrival Hall B), plus counters open 06:00–22:00 near Exits 4 and 9.

Can I pay by card in a Korean taxi?

Usually. VISITKOREA says taxi passengers can pay with cash, a credit card or a transportation card — check that your card is accepted before you set off.