Money, cards, SIM cards and apps for your trip to Korea

Paying by card

Visa and Mastercard are accepted in hotels, chains, department stores and most restaurants. Two things can surprise visitors: some small restaurants and cafés use self-order kiosks that only take Korean cards, and American Express and UnionPay are accepted less widely. Apple Pay works at major chains. Always keep a backup card.

Cash and ATMs

You will still want some cash for traditional markets, street food stalls and small local shops. Use ATMs marked “Global” in banks, airports and convenience stores, which accept foreign cards.

Prepaid travel cards

Prepaid cards for foreigners, such as WOWPASS, are bought and reloaded at kiosks — which also exchange currency — and work like a local card, with a built-in T-money function for public transport. You need your passport to get one.

Tax-free shopping and refunds

Visitors staying less than six months can recover VAT on purchases in shops displaying the Tax Free sign. In shops offering the immediate refund, show your passport and the tax is deducted at the till, within per-purchase and per-trip limits; larger amounts are refunded at the airport, where Incheon has refund kiosks.

SIM cards, eSIMs and Wi-Fi

Buy an eSIM online before departure, or a SIM card or pocket Wi-Fi at the roaming centres in the arrivals hall. Free Wi-Fi is available in subway stations, cafés, many buses and public spaces.

The apps to install

• Naver Map or KakaoMap — directions and public transport.
• Papago — translation, including camera translation of menus and signs.
• k.ride or Kakao T — taxis.
• KakaoTalk — messaging; many businesses use it.
• Korail Talk — train tickets.
• VisitKorea — the official tourism app.

Power and charging

Korea uses 220 V, 60 Hz electricity and two-round-pin sockets (types C and F), like much of continental Europe. Bring an adapter if your plugs are different; most phone and laptop chargers handle the voltage.