Traveling to Korea: How far can you get without cash?
You can use cards at most shops in Seoul, but you may need to plan ahead for transit, street stalls, and some small shops.
Payment methods
- Credit card
- Where you can use it
- Cosmetics shops・department stores・cafes
- Notes
- Contactless payment is becoming more widely available
- T-money
- Where you can use it
- Subway・bus・convenience stores
- Notes
- Top up at convenience stores
- Cash
- Where you can use it
- Street stalls・markets
- Notes
- It’s reassuring to carry a small amount
| Method | Where you can use it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Credit card | Cosmetics shops・department stores・cafes | Contactless payment is becoming more widely available |
| T-money | Subway・bus・convenience stores | Top up at convenience stores |
| Cash | Street stalls・markets | It’s reassuring to carry a small amount |
Poll
How do you pay when traveling in Korea?
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Around Seoul, you can get by quite well using cards for shopping, cafes, and restaurants. That said, going completely cashless can be a little inconvenient. For the subway and buses, don’t assume you can simply tap on with a foreign-issued card; it’s safest to get a T-money transit card. You can often buy one at station ticket machines or convenience stores, and it’s reassuring to have a small amount of cash for topping it up. Purchase and top-up methods can change, so check the official guidance before you travel.
It’s handy to carry a small amount of won for street stalls, small shops in markets, and cash-only lockers or coin-operated facilities. Rather than exchanging a large amount at the airport or hotel, it’s more practical to start by getting just enough for transit and a little extra. Also watch out for your card’s foreign transaction fees and prompts asking you to choose between “local currency / your home currency”; it’s generally best to choose won.
For this poll, I’m on team “just a little cash as backup.” If you’re planning to visit markets or travel outside the cities, carrying a higher proportion of cash is reassuring.