Cash or Card in Korea: ATMs, Exchange, WOWPASS, Transit
Cards are accepted at most hotels, department stores and general shops, but carry some won for small shops, traditional markets and street stalls. Withdraw cash at ATMs marked Global. You still cannot tap a foreign card at Seoul transit gates, so use a transit card such as T-money, Climate Card or WOWPASS.
Checked 6 official sources
What to do
Bring at least one Visa or Mastercard plus a backup, and keep a small amount of won in cash. Cards cover most of your spending in cities, but small shops, traditional markets and street vendors often take cash only, as VisitKorea notes.
For buses and the subway, get a transit card. As of October 2026 you still cannot tap a foreign card at Seoul gates, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
Where cards work
VisitKorea says card payment is widely accepted at major hotels, department stores and general shops, and lists Visa, MasterCard and American Express. It also warns that some stores do not take cards, so check before you order or queue.
When a card machine or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, choose won. Your own bank then does the conversion, which is usually easier to check on your statement.
Getting cash from an ATM
Not every Korean ATM accepts cards issued abroad. Visit Seoul says the ones that do are marked with a Global sign or partner bank logos, and most offer English, Chinese and Japanese menus.
Bank ATMs run until 23:00 or 24 hours, while ATMs in convenience stores tend to charge higher fees. Ask your home bank about its foreign withdrawal fee before you travel.
- Find an ATM marked Global, ideally at a bank branch.
- Switch the screen to English.
- Choose the foreign card or international withdrawal option, then enter your PIN.
- Pick the amount in won and decline any home currency conversion.
Exchanging money
Banks give the best exchange rates, according to Visit Seoul, but most are open only 09:00-16:00 on weekdays. Korea Post Bank stays open until 16:30, per VisitKorea.
Outside banking hours, use a government certified exchange booth. Visit Seoul notes these are common in tourist areas. Bring clean, current banknotes, as VisitKorea warns that old currency may be refused.
Paying for transit
Seoul transit runs on stored value or pass cards. Your options, with prices from the VisitKorea transportation cards page:
| Card | Card price | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| T-money | ₩3,000-₩5,000 | Prepaid card for transit and affiliated stores, sold at GS25, CU and 7-Eleven |
| Climate Card | ₩3,000 card, passes from ₩5,000 (1 day) to ₩20,000 (7 days) | Unlimited rides on Seoul buses and most Seoul subway lines |
| WOWPASS | ₩5,000 | Prepaid payment card with currency exchange and a transit function |
Since 17 March 2026, 440 new ticket machines at 273 stations on Lines 1-8 sell Climate Cards and single journey tickets to foreign Visa and Mastercard holders, with a fee of about 3.7% per transaction, per the city announcement. Kakao Pay and Naver Pay also work there.
Android users can already top up a transit card with a foreign card in the Korea Tour Card app from Tmoney, the city said in October 2025. Tapping your own card at the gate is planned in phases: bus terminals first, Lines 1-8 in 2027, and wider coverage by 2030.
WOWPASS in brief
WOWPASS is a prepaid card for visitors. You buy it at a kiosk with your passport, load won or a foreign currency at the kiosk, then pay in shops and ride transit with the same card. VisitKorea counts more than 300 kiosks at airports, subway stations and hotels.
The WOWPASS site lists cash withdrawals of up to ₩100,000 at a time for a ₩1,000 fee each, and lets you suspend a lost card in the app. Any leftover balance can be taken out as won at a kiosk.
Common mistakes
- Arriving with only one card. If your bank blocks a foreign transaction, you have no way to pay. Carry a second card on another network.
- Trying to tap a foreign card at the gate. Gates do not accept it yet, so you will need a transit card.
- Topping up at an old machine. Older station machines may not take foreign cards. Look for the newer machines, or carry some cash.
- Withdrawing at the first ATM you see. Convenience store ATMs often cost more, and many machines reject foreign cards.
When this does not apply
Outside Seoul, card acceptance and transit payment can differ, and the March 2026 foreign card machines cover Seoul subway Lines 1-8 only. The VisitKorea Climate Card entry still says top-ups need cash or a Korean card, so expect some machines to differ. Check the official page before you fly.
Questions people also ask
Can I tap my Visa or Mastercard at the subway gate in Seoul?
Not yet. The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans open-loop card payment in phases, with full rollout targeted by 2030. For now, ride with a transit card.
Can I buy a Climate Card with a foreign card?
Yes, since 17 March 2026 at 440 new ticket machines in 273 stations on Lines 1-8, with a fee of about 3.7%. Older machines may still need cash.
Is American Express accepted?
VisitKorea lists Visa, MasterCard and American Express as usable, but notes that some stores do not take cards, so carry a backup card on a second network.
Where do I get my leftover WOWPASS balance back?
VisitKorea says the remaining balance can be withdrawn as won cash at WOWPASS kiosks.
Sources
- Korean Currency and Exchange Info, Korea Tourism Organization (VisitKorea)
- Climate Cards and single journey tickets now accepting international credit cards, Seoul Metropolitan Government
- Seoul implements open-loop payments for international tourists, Seoul Metropolitan Government
- Transportation Cards, Korea Tourism Organization (VisitKorea)
- WOWPASS official site, Orange Square (WOWPASS operator)
- Money, Seoul Tourism Organization (Visit Seoul)
Checked on October 5, 2026. Fares, hours and entry rules change, so confirm on the source page before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Email kimwon@kimwon.com.