💰 How to pay in Korea as a visitor
Korea is very card-friendly, and new options let visitors pay by app too. A card plus a little cash covers almost everything.
Step by step
- Credit and debit cardsMost businesses accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and others, but some stores don't, so check before you buy.
- Keep some won in cashUseful for T-money top-ups. Exchange at banks (usually 09:00–16:00 on weekdays) or authorized exchange offices.
- WOWPASSA prepaid card you top up with cash in 16 currencies or in the app with international cards. Card payments have no fee; cash withdrawals cost ₩1,000 (max ₩100,000 each).
- Naver Pay with your passportSince June 2026, visitors can verify with a foreign passport to book and pay through Naver Map, without a Korean phone number.
- Your home e-walletThrough Alipay+, wallets like Alipay, AlipayHK, Touch 'n Go, PayPay, MPay and GCash work at partner merchants in Korea, including taxis, food outlets and shops.
Show these in Korean
Before you go
- Kakao Pay's 'Global Home' (Nov 2025) is designed for foreign residents, not short-term visitors.
- Climate Card passes can be bought with international cards.
- Bring your passport for tax-free shopping.
Checked Sep 26 · Sources: english.visitkorea.or.kr · www.wowpass.io · wowpass.oopy.io · www.koreatimes.co.kr · www.asiae.co.kr · www.koreatimes.co.kr · www.koreaherald.com · english.seoul.go.kr · english.visitkorea.or.kr
All guides
🎂 Birthday cafés in Seoul: a first-timer's guide for STAYHow K-pop birthday cafés work: fan-run events, goodies that come with a drink, first-come freebies, and how to be a polite guest on your first visit.
🗺️ Naver Map vs KakaoMap vs Google Maps in KoreaWhich map app works in Korea: Google Maps shows transit but no step-by-step walking; Naver Map and KakaoMap give full walking and subway directions.
💳 T-money vs Climate Card vs WOWPASS: which to getTransit cards for a short Seoul trip: what T-money, the Climate Card tourist pass and WOWPASS cost, where to buy, how to top up, and how refunds work.
🃏 Photocard trading in Korea: etiquette and safetyTrading photocards with other fans in Seoul? How to meet safely, check cards before paying, avoid fakes and scams, and a few polite Korean phrases.