Can I use my foreign credit card in Korea?

Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted at most shops, restaurants and convenience stores, but some self-service kiosks and older machines only take Korean-issued cards.

Korea is very card-friendly and contactless payment is widespread. Problems usually appear at small shops, traditional markets and automated kiosks, so travel with more than one way to pay.

• ✓Cards from major networks are accepted at most shops, restaurants and convenience stores.
• ✓Taxis in the Seoul area accept credit cards, and the taxi apps k.ride and Uber Taxi accept overseas cards.
• △Some self-service kiosks and older machines only accept Korean-issued cards.
• △Traditional markets, street food and small restaurants may prefer cash.

• •Hotels, department stores and convenience stores
• •Most restaurants and cafés
• •Taxis in the Seoul area

• •Self-service kiosks and older terminals that read only Korean cards
• •Some taxis in outlying or isolated regions may ask for cash only

• •A second card or some Korean won as backup
• •A note to your bank that you are travelling abroad

• •Relying on a single card
• •Accepting payment in your home currency at an ATM or terminal instead of won

• •Korean won cash for markets and small shops
• •A prepaid transit card such as T-money for transport and some shops

• 💳Can I use Apple Pay in Korea?Apple lists Korea as an Apple Pay country, but whether a foreign card in Apple Wallet works depends on your card issuer and the shop’s contactless terminal. Do not rely on it as your only payment method.?IT DEPENDSMoney & PaymentsView answer →
• 💳Can I pay with cash in Korea?Korean won in cash works everywhere and is still the easiest way to pay at traditional markets, street food stalls and small local restaurants.✓YESMoney & PaymentsView answer →
• 💳Can I withdraw Korean won from an ATM?Yes, at machines marked “Global ATM”, which accept many foreign cards. Not every machine or card works, and fees and limits apply.✓YES, WITH CONDITIONSMoney & PaymentsView answer →
• 💳Can I pay for a taxi with a foreign card?Almost all taxis in the Seoul area accept credit cards, and taxi apps such as k.ride and Uber Taxi accept overseas cards. Some taxis in outlying regions take cash only.✓YES, WITH CONDITIONSMoney & PaymentsView answer →

• VisitKorea: Taxi
• VisitKorea: Transportation Cards

Acceptance details also come from the money guide on this site. Machines and policies change, so confirm in the shop.