South Korea uses the Korean won (KRW, ₩). Rough mental math: ₩1,000 ≈ $0.70–0.80 USD. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere; carry ₩50,000–100,000 in cash for markets and street food.
Use our live currency converter to check today's rate, and withdraw won from "Global ATM" machines found in convenience stores and banks.
🙋 People also ask
Should I exchange money before arriving or in Korea?
Exchange a small buffer at home, but you'll get better rates in Korea. Myeongdong's licensed street booths in Seoul (around Euljiro/Myeongdong station) consistently beat airport counters and banks. Alternatively, withdraw ₩ from Woori or KB ATMs marked 'Global', which accept foreign cards.
Can I use my foreign credit card everywhere in Korea?
Almost everywhere. Visa and Mastercard work at shops, restaurants, taxis, and subway gates via tap. Amex is hit-or-miss, and tiny market stalls or street-food vendors are cash-only. Many places now accept Apple Pay and contactless, so tap-to-pay is widely usable.
How much does a typical meal or coffee cost in Korea?
Budget around ₩8,000–12,000 for a bowl of kimchi jjigae or bibimbap at a casual restaurant, ₩4,000–6,000 for an Americano at a cafe, and ₩6,000–7,000 for street snacks like tteokbokki or hotteok. A convenience-store meal runs under ₩5,000.
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