TL;DR: Cards work at most cafés, restaurants, convenience stores, and taxis in Korea. Keep cash for traditional markets and small vendors that may not accept your foreign card. As a starting point, carry roughly ₩30,000–50,000 for a day with some market browsing, or closer to ₩100,000 if you plan to buy and eat mainly at market stalls. Check the amount against your own plans and posted prices.
Korea’s reputation as a highly cashless society is mostly earned — but “mostly” is doing some work in that sentence, and the gap is exactly where traditional markets and street food live.
Where cards work fine
Credit cards are widely accepted at major hotels, department stores, and many general shops, but acceptance can vary by store and card network. Keep a backup card or some won for small vendors and markets; the Korea Tourism Organization advises visitors to check availability before paying.
Where you’ll actually want cash
Traditional markets and small independent vendors are places where a foreign card may not work, even when a terminal is present. Acceptance varies by stall, so carrying some cash is a useful backup.
Cash is useful for market stalls and smaller vendors, but the amount depends on what you plan to buy and the posted prices. Treat any daily cash figure below as a planning example rather than a required amount.
Getting cash and loading a travel card
ATMs are widely available, though not every ATM accepts foreign cards — look for ones with a “Global” or foreign-card logo, and check fees shown on screen before confirming. A regular foreign-issued bank card and a rechargeable transit-card balance are separate: the Korea Tourism Organization’s visitor guide says foreign-issued cards cannot be used to buy or top up T-money at convenience stores and subway locations, so plan a separate way to load transit credit. See our Korean street-food guide for market-stall planning.
FAQ
Q: Can I use my foreign credit card everywhere in Korea?
A: At most major businesses, yes. At small independent vendors and market stalls, don’t count on it — bring cash as a backup.
Q: How much cash should I carry as a baseline?
A: Around 50,000 KRW covers most situations, with more if you’re planning a market-heavy day.
Q: Are ATM fees an issue for foreign cards?
A: Some ATMs charge withdrawal fees for foreign cards, and your home bank may add its own foreign transaction fee — check with your bank before you go if this matters to you.
Q: Is WOWPASS necessary, or just convenient?
A: Not necessary — a regular T-money card plus some cash covers the same ground. WOWPASS is more of a convenience option if you’d rather consolidate cash and payment into one card.
Q: What about mobile payment apps like Apple Pay or Samsung Pay?
A: These work at many major chains and convenience stores, but coverage isn’t universal — treat them as a bonus option, not a primary plan.
What to Actually Carry
Use a card where it is accepted, and carry some cash as a backup for market stalls and small vendors. The amount you need depends on your plans and the prices you encounter.