How Much Cash Do You Actually Need?
For most visitors, ₩200,000-₩300,000 in cash (roughly $150-$230 USD) for your first few days is a comfortable starting amount. Korea is one of the most card-friendly countries in Asia — you can tap a credit card at virtually every restaurant, convenience store, cafe, and shop. But traditional markets, street food stalls, small local eateries, temple entrance fees, and some taxis still operate on cash only.
After your initial cash, you can withdraw more from ATMs as needed. Most travelers find they spend ₩30,000-₩50,000 in cash per day if they are visiting markets and eating street food, and much less if they stick to card-accepting restaurants and shops.
| Travel Style | Recommended Cash (First 3 Days) | Daily Cash Spend |
|---|
| Budget backpacker | ₩200,000 | ₩30,000-₩50,000 |
| Mid-range traveler | ₩300,000 | ₩20,000-₩40,000 |
| Luxury traveler | ₩200,000 | ₩10,000-₩20,000 |
₩10,000 is roughly $7.50 USD. Korean bills come in ₩1,000, ₩5,000, ₩10,000, and ₩50,000 denominations.
Where You Need Cash vs. Card
Cards (Visa, Mastercard, and sometimes Amex) are accepted at the vast majority of Korean businesses. The places where you will need cash are almost all small, traditional, or outdoor vendors. If your trip is mainly restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, and convenience stores, you could get by with very little cash.
- Traditional markets (Gwangjang, Namdaemun, Tongin) — mostly cash only.
- Street food carts and pojangmacha (tent bars) — cash only.
- Small local restaurants (especially in rural areas) — sometimes cash only.
- Temple entrance fees — usually cash only.
- Coin lockers at train stations — coins or T-money card.
- Some taxi drivers (older ones) — prefer cash.
Everything else — convenience stores, chain restaurants, cafes, department stores, subway ticket machines, larger taxis, and virtually all online bookings — takes cards.
Keep a stash of ₩1,000 and ₩5,000 bills for street food. Market vendors often cannot break a ₩50,000 note for a ₩3,000 tteokbokki.
ATMs & Getting Won in Korea
The easiest ATMs for foreign cards are at convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) and any ATM marked "Global" or "International." Look for the Visa/Mastercard/Plus/Cirrus logos. Withdrawals typically cost ₩3,000-₩5,000 per transaction from the Korean bank, plus whatever your home bank charges.
You can also exchange currency at Incheon Airport, banks, or licensed money changers in Myeongdong and Itaewon. Airport rates are slightly worse but convenient for getting your initial cash. Myeongdong money changers typically offer the best rates in Korea.
- Best exchange rates — Myeongdong money changers or Wise transfer.
- Convenient exchange — Incheon Airport booths (slightly worse rates).
- ATM withdrawals — convenience store ATMs, ₩3,000-₩5,000 fee.
- Avoid — hotel exchange desks and tourist-area kiosks (worst rates).
Some older ATMs only accept Korean bank cards. If your card is rejected, try a different ATM — convenience store ATMs and those labeled "Global ATM" are most reliable for foreign cards.
WOWPASS & Prepaid Cards
WOWPASS is a prepaid card designed for tourists in Korea. You load it with your home currency (via cash or card), and it converts to won at competitive exchange rates. It works as both a payment card at most Korean shops and a T-money transit card for subways and buses. WOWPASS kiosks are at Incheon Airport and major tourist areas.
WOWPASS is a solid option if you want to minimize how much cash you carry while still being able to pay at places that do not accept foreign credit cards. It also avoids the ATM fees and poor exchange rates that eat into your budget. You can top it up as needed at any WOWPASS kiosk.
| Option | Best For | Exchange Rate | Fees |
|---|
| WOWPASS card | Daily spending + transit | Good | Low/none |
| Wise debit card | ATM withdrawals | Excellent | Low |
| Foreign credit card | Restaurants, shops, hotels | Bank rate | Foreign transaction fee varies |
| Cash exchange (Myeongdong) | Best rates for cash | Very good | None |
How Much Cash Do You Actually Need?
For most visitors, ₩200,000-₩300,000 in cash (roughly $150-$230 USD) for your first few days is a comfortable starting amount. Korea is one of the most card-friendly countries in Asia — you can tap a credit card at virtually every restaurant, convenience store, cafe, and shop. But traditional markets, street food stalls, small local eateries, temple entrance fees, and some taxis still operate on cash only.
After your initial cash, you can withdraw more from ATMs as needed. Most travelers find they spend ₩30,000-₩50,000 in cash per day if they are visiting markets and eating street food, and much less if they stick to card-accepting restaurants and shops.
| Travel Style | Recommended Cash (First 3 Days) | Daily Cash Spend |
|---|
| Budget backpacker | ₩200,000 | ₩30,000-₩50,000 |
| Mid-range traveler | ₩300,000 | ₩20,000-₩40,000 |
| Luxury traveler | ₩200,000 | ₩10,000-₩20,000 |
₩10,000 is roughly $7.50 USD. Korean bills come in ₩1,000, ₩5,000, ₩10,000, and ₩50,000 denominations.
Where You Need Cash vs. Card
Cards (Visa, Mastercard, and sometimes Amex) are accepted at the vast majority of Korean businesses. The places where you will need cash are almost all small, traditional, or outdoor vendors. If your trip is mainly restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, and convenience stores, you could get by with very little cash.
- Traditional markets (Gwangjang, Namdaemun, Tongin) — mostly cash only.
- Street food carts and pojangmacha (tent bars) — cash only.
- Small local restaurants (especially in rural areas) — sometimes cash only.
- Temple entrance fees — usually cash only.
- Coin lockers at train stations — coins or T-money card.
- Some taxi drivers (older ones) — prefer cash.
Everything else — convenience stores, chain restaurants, cafes, department stores, subway ticket machines, larger taxis, and virtually all online bookings — takes cards.
Keep a stash of ₩1,000 and ₩5,000 bills for street food. Market vendors often cannot break a ₩50,000 note for a ₩3,000 tteokbokki.
ATMs & Getting Won in Korea
The easiest ATMs for foreign cards are at convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) and any ATM marked "Global" or "International." Look for the Visa/Mastercard/Plus/Cirrus logos. Withdrawals typically cost ₩3,000-₩5,000 per transaction from the Korean bank, plus whatever your home bank charges.
You can also exchange currency at Incheon Airport, banks, or licensed money changers in Myeongdong and Itaewon. Airport rates are slightly worse but convenient for getting your initial cash. Myeongdong money changers typically offer the best rates in Korea.
- Best exchange rates — Myeongdong money changers or Wise transfer.
- Convenient exchange — Incheon Airport booths (slightly worse rates).
- ATM withdrawals — convenience store ATMs, ₩3,000-₩5,000 fee.
- Avoid — hotel exchange desks and tourist-area kiosks (worst rates).
Some older ATMs only accept Korean bank cards. If your card is rejected, try a different ATM — convenience store ATMs and those labeled "Global ATM" are most reliable for foreign cards.
WOWPASS & Prepaid Cards
WOWPASS is a prepaid card designed for tourists in Korea. You load it with your home currency (via cash or card), and it converts to won at competitive exchange rates. It works as both a payment card at most Korean shops and a T-money transit card for subways and buses. WOWPASS kiosks are at Incheon Airport and major tourist areas.
WOWPASS is a solid option if you want to minimize how much cash you carry while still being able to pay at places that do not accept foreign credit cards. It also avoids the ATM fees and poor exchange rates that eat into your budget. You can top it up as needed at any WOWPASS kiosk.
| Option | Best For | Exchange Rate | Fees |
|---|
| WOWPASS card | Daily spending + transit | Good | Low/none |
| Wise debit card | ATM withdrawals | Excellent | Low |
| Foreign credit card | Restaurants, shops, hotels | Bank rate | Foreign transaction fee varies |
| Cash exchange (Myeongdong) | Best rates for cash | Very good | None |