Cards are widely accepted
Credit and debit cards are commonly used in Korea, especially at hotels, restaurants, cafes, convenience stores, shopping malls, and major tourist areas.
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Cash or Card in Korea? Payment Guide for Travelers
Wondering whether you need cash or a card in Korea? This guide explains how travelers can pay in Korea, including credit cards, cash, T-money, transportation cards, mobile payments, taxis, restaurants, cafes, convenience stores, markets, subways, and buses.
Quick answer
Carry some Korean won cash
Cash is still useful for street food, traditional markets, small local shops, coin lockers, transportation card top-ups, taxis, and payment issues.
Use a transportation card
For subways and buses, a transportation card such as T-money is usually easier than using cash or buying single journey tickets.
Card-first, but not cash-free
Korea is largely a card-first society, and most restaurants, cafes, convenience stores, hotels, shopping malls, and many street vendors accept cards or mobile payments. Still, carrying a small amount of cash is wise for traditional markets, some small eateries, transportation card top-ups, lockers, rural areas, and backup situations.
The safest setup for most visitors is one main card, one backup card if possible, a transportation card, and a small amount of Korean won cash.
ATMs and card fees
Look for ATMs labeled 'Global' or showing your card network logo, commonly found at convenience stores, banks, and airports. Availability, fees, withdrawal limits, and foreign-card support can vary by bank, machine, card issuer, and time of day.
When paying by card abroad, compare the terminal options carefully. If a merchant offers to charge you in your home currency, check whether the rate is worse than being billed in Korean won.
Recommended payment setup
Basic setup
- 1 physical credit or debit card
- ₩100,000–₩200,000 cash
- 1 transportation card such as T-money
Standard setup
- 1 main card
- 1 backup card
- ₩200,000–₩400,000 cash
- 1 transportation card such as T-money
Family or group setup
- 1–2 main cards
- Backup Korean won cash
- Transportation cards for each traveler
- Extra cash for food, taxis, markets, and emergencies
Can I use credit cards in Korea?
Cards are widely accepted in Korea, especially in hotels, department stores, shopping malls, convenience stores, cafes, restaurants, and major tourist areas.
However, foreign cards may not work everywhere. Some small shops, local restaurants, market stalls, older payment terminals, or transportation-related machines may not accept every foreign card.
It is safer to carry at least one physical credit or debit card, one backup card if possible, and some Korean won cash.
Do I need cash in Korea?
You do not need to carry a large amount of cash in Korea, but it is still useful to have Korean won for situations where cards or mobile payments may not work.
Cash can be helpful for street food, traditional markets, small local shops, coin lockers, transportation card top-ups, some taxis, rural areas, and emergency situations.
- Street food
- Traditional markets
- Small local shops
- Coin lockers
- Some taxis
- Rural areas
- Transportation card top-ups
- Payment machine errors
- Emergency situations
Can I use Apple Pay or mobile payments in Korea?
Mobile payments may work in some places in Korea, but foreign travelers should not rely only on mobile payments.
Apple Pay may be available in some stores depending on your card, device, card issuer, and merchant terminal. Other local payment services such as Kakao Pay, Naver Pay, or Samsung Pay may require Korean accounts, Korean phone numbers, or Korean-issued cards.
For a smoother trip, carry a physical card and some Korean won cash as backup.
How much cash should I bring to Korea?
Korea is very card-friendly, but travelers should still carry some Korean won for small shops, traditional markets, transportation card top-ups, lockers, taxis, and backup situations.
| Trip type | Suggested cash range | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Short trip, 3–4 days | ₩100,000–₩200,000 | Card users who need backup cash |
| Standard trip, 5–7 days | ₩200,000–₩400,000 | Most travelers |
| Cash-heavy traveler | ₩400,000+ | Markets, street food, taxis, small shops, local travel |
Short trip, 3–4 days
Suggested cash: ₩100,000–₩200,000
Best for: Card users who need backup cash
Standard trip, 5–7 days
Suggested cash: ₩200,000–₩400,000
Best for: Most travelers
Cash-heavy traveler
Suggested cash: ₩400,000+
Best for: Markets, street food, taxis, small shops, local travel
How to use T-money in Korea
For public transportation, a transportation card such as T-money is usually the simplest choice. Use the same card when boarding, exiting, and transferring.
Buy a transportation card
Buy a T-money or another Korean transportation card at a subway station, convenience store, or participating sales location.
Top up the card
Top up your card at a subway station or convenience store. Prepare Korean won cash because payment methods may vary.
Tap when entering
Tap your card when entering subway gates or boarding buses.
Tap when exiting
Tap your card when exiting subway gates or getting off buses.
Use the same card when transferring
Use the same transportation card when transferring between subway and bus to help receive transfer benefits.
How much to load on your T-money
- Short trip (2–3 days, Seoul only): ₩30,000–50,000
- Standard trip (5–7 days): ₩50,000–100,000
Top up in ₩1,000 increments at any subway station machine or convenience store (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven).
When should I get a transportation card?
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Subway and bus travel | Use T-money or a transportation card |
| 3–4 day city trip | Recommended |
| 5+ day Korea trip | Strongly recommended |
| Mostly taxis | Optional |
| One-day stopover | Optional |
| Seoul + Busan trip | Recommended |
| Traveling with children or family | Recommended for convenience |
T-money does not work on the AREX Express Train.
The AREX Express Train (Incheon Airport → Seoul Station, ₩13,000) requires a separate ticket. Tapping T-money at the orange gates will error. Buy a ticket at the airport counter, kiosk, or book online via the official AREX website.
Payment situation guide
Payment acceptance can vary by merchant, machine, city, and card issuer. This table helps you choose the safest payment method before you arrive.
| Situation | Foreign card | Cash | Transportation card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subway | Not recommended / machine-dependent | Single journey ticket only | Recommended |
| Bus | Not recommended | Not recommended | Recommended |
| Subway + bus transfer | Not recommended | No transfer benefit or limited | Recommended |
| Taxi | Usually yes | Yes | Sometimes |
| Convenience store | Usually yes | Yes | Often yes |
| Cafe | Usually yes | Yes | Sometimes |
| Restaurant | Usually yes | Yes | Rarely |
| Traditional market | Sometimes | Recommended | Rarely |
| Street food | Sometimes | Recommended | Rarely |
| Hotel | Usually yes | Sometimes | No |
| Shopping mall | Usually yes | Yes | No |
| Tourist attraction | Usually yes | Yes | No |
| Coin locker | Sometimes | Often useful | Sometimes |
Travel payment tips
Always carry at least one physical credit or debit card.
Prepare Korean won cash for markets, street food, lockers, transportation card top-ups, taxis, and emergencies.
Use a transportation card if you plan to use subways or buses.
Use the same transportation card when transferring between subway and bus.
Check whether your card charges foreign transaction fees.
Do not rely only on mobile payments.
Keep receipts for tax refund shopping.
If one card fails, try another card or pay with cash.
Official information
VisitKorea Transportation Cards
Official Korea travel information about transportation cards, including where to buy and charge transportation cards.
Open VisitKorea GuideExternal site opens in a new tab.
Tmoney Foreigner Guide
Official Tmoney information for foreign travelers, including Tmoney usage, top-up information, and transfer discount information.
Open Tmoney GuideExternal site opens in a new tab.
Visit Seoul Transportation Guide
Official Seoul travel guide about public transportation, T-money, subway, bus, and transfer information.
Open Visit Seoul GuideExternal site opens in a new tab.
Cash or Card in Korea? Payment Guide for Travelers FAQ
Do I need cash in Korea?
You do not need a large amount of cash in Korea, but it is useful to carry some Korean won for street food, traditional markets, small shops, lockers, transportation card top-ups, taxis, and emergencies.
How much cash should I bring to Korea?
For a short trip, around 100,000 to 200,000 Korean won can be a practical backup range if you mainly use cards. For a 5 to 7 day trip, around 200,000 to 400,000 Korean won may be more comfortable, especially for markets, taxis, transportation card top-ups, and smaller shops.
Can I use a foreign card in Korea?
Foreign credit and debit cards are accepted in many hotels, restaurants, cafes, convenience stores, department stores, and shopping malls. Acceptance can still depend on your card network, issuing bank, merchant terminal, and location, so a backup card and cash are recommended.
Should I get a T-money card in Korea?
If you plan to use subways or buses, a T-money card or another transportation card is recommended. It is usually easier than relying on direct foreign-card gate payment and can help with transfer benefits when you tap correctly.
Where can I buy and top up T-money in Korea?
You can usually buy and top up T-money and other Korean transportation cards at subway stations, convenience stores, and participating sales locations. Availability and payment methods can vary, so it is helpful to carry some Korean won cash.
Does T-money work on the AREX Express Train?
No. The AREX Express Train requires a separate ticket. T-money is useful for regular subway and bus travel, but the reserved-seat AREX Express Train uses separate ticketing.
Can I use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or mobile payments in Korea?
Mobile payment availability may vary by card, device, card issuer, merchant terminal, app, account, and region. Foreign travelers should not rely only on mobile payments. Carry a physical card and some cash as backup.
Can I pay for taxis by card in Korea?
Many taxis accept cards, but it is still useful to carry some cash in case your card does not work or the payment terminal has issues.
What is the best way to pay in Korea as a tourist?
For most travelers, the best combination is a foreign credit or debit card, a transportation card such as T-money, and some Korean won cash.