Cash, ATMs & payingusing a foreign card in Korea Preview
Cards work almost everywhere in Korea, but markets and street stalls still like cash. Here's how to get won with a foreign card and pay smoothly.
ATM map Coming soon
We don't have reliable location data for foreign-card ATMs yet, so the map isn't ready. In the meantime:
- If you just need won, compare live rates at exchange shops first.
- Airport arrival halls (Incheon, Gimpo) and big stations like Seoul Station have clusters of bank branches and ATMs — the easiest place to find one that takes foreign cards.
- Search "ATM" or "글로벌 ATM" (Global ATM) in Naver Map to see ATMs nearby.
Getting won with a foreign card
- Not every ATM in Korea accepts foreign cards. Look for a "Global ATM" or "Foreign Card" sign, or the logo of your card network (Visa, Mastercard, etc.).
- Switch the screen to English and pick the foreign-card withdrawal option.
- You may pay two fees: one from the ATM's bank and one from your own card issuer. The ATM fee is usually shown on screen before you confirm.
- If the ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, choosing Korean won (KRW) is usually the better deal.
- Per-withdrawal and daily limits vary by ATM and by card. Check with your bank before you travel that overseas withdrawals are switched on.
Foreign-card support by bank / convenience-store ATM
We only list bank- and store-specific card support and fees after checking each company's official information. That check isn't finished yet, so this list is empty for now.
How to pay
- Cards: Most convenience stores, restaurants, cafés, department stores and taxis accept foreign Visa and Mastercard. Inserting the chip is common, and you may be asked to sign or enter a PIN.
- Contactless (tap to pay): More and more places accept it, but not every terminal does yet. If tapping fails, insert your card.
- KakaoPay / Naver Pay: These are domestic services tied to Korean bank accounts and phone numbers. We'll explain what visitors can use through overseas wallet partnerships (Alipay+, WeChat Pay, etc.) once we've confirmed the official announcements. Until then, look for payment logos at the counter and ask the staff.
- Transport: A transit card like T-money is easiest for subways and buses. Top-ups at station machines and convenience stores are often cash-only, so keep some small bills.
Where you'll want cash
- Traditional markets, street stalls and pojangmacha (tent bars): some take cards, but many are cash-only or prefer cash.
- Transit card top-ups: station machines and convenience stores often need cash.
- Taxis: almost all take cards, but a little cash is handy in case the card reader acts up.
Tips
- Carry a mix of small bills (₩1,000, ₩5,000, ₩10,000). Market stalls may not have change for a ₩50,000 note.
- Tipping isn't a thing in Korea — no need to tip at restaurants or in taxis.
- Bring at least two cards on different networks, just in case one is declined.
General guidance only. Bank/store-specific ATM support, fees and wallet partnerships will be listed only after checking each company's official information, with the date checked (none yet). Always confirm fees and limits on the ATM screen and with your card issuer.