New to South Korea? Here’s how to pay for just about everything

Paying for things is simple — just hand over cash or tap your card. But, when traveling abroad, the process can look a little different.

There are many ways to pay in South Korea, for example, from cards to mobile and digital options.

Understanding these options ahead of time helps you avoid unnecessary hassle while traveling.

Can you pay for everything with cash in South Korea? Mostly.

The answer is no. While you can use cash in South Korea, the country is mostly cashless.

That said, it’s still important to carry some cash with you. The South Korean won is needed for a few specific situations.

These typically include buying street food, topping up a T-Money subway or bus card (although the card itself can be purchased with a credit card), and paying highway tolls if you are driving.

How to pay for things in Korea as a traveller or international student?

Credit and debit cards

Paying by credit card is easy in South Korea. Most shops, restaurants, tourist attractions, taxis, and airport transport services accept credit cards.

To avoid extra charges, it’s best to use a card with no foreign transaction fees; VISA or MasterCard are the safest choices.

Another increasingly popular option is the Wise debit card. Wise is known for its international money transfer services, and its debit card lets you send, receive, and convert money all within one account.

After applying, you’ll get a physical card you can use just like a regular debit card overseas.

Can I get a debit card as an international student?

Yes, many banks offer debit cards for international students. “We have to get our ARC (Alien Registration Card) first,” shares Purani Sevalingam, a Global Korea Scholarship scholar at Kangwon National University. “Only then can we open a bank account.”

Once set up, you can order online or use the card at the bank, for public transportation, and in restaurants.

“It’s great that we have the card because before I got it, it was very difficult to manage money here,” Sevalingam adds.

Samsung Wallet is a popular way to pay in South Korea. Source: Emily Mar

Mobile payments

Mobile payments are the preferred way to pay in South Korea. The most popular options include:

Samsung Pay

Samsung Pay is the leading eWallet and payment app in South Korea.

It supports both NFC (Near Field Communication) and MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) technologies, which means you can use it at modern terminals as well as older card readers.

Plus, the app lets you store cards, use digital keys, and earn rewards.

Kakao Pay

Kakao Pay is South Korea’s go-to all-in-one mobile payment and digital wallet, built directly into the KakaoTalk app that millions use every day.

Kakao Pay has become more accessible to foreigners thanks to recent updates like “Global Home,” which offers a simplified, multilingual experience for essential services.

While some advanced financial features are still limited, long-term residents with a Korean phone number and an ARC can access more features.

Naver Pay

Like Kakao Pay, Naver Pay is another one of South Korea’s leading digital wallets and all-in-one financial platforms.

Built as a mobile-first service, Naver Pay goes beyond just payments. It also offers features like investment information, loan options, digital asset storage, and tools for comparing financial products.

Why is my Apple Pay not working in South Korea?

Apple Pay has been around in South Korea since March 2023, but it’s not widely accepted just yet. It works at a few convenience store chains like GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, and E-Mart 24, so grabbing snacks or drinks is usually fine.

But larger supermarkets such as E-Mart don’t always accept it. To avoid any awkward moments at checkout, Apple users should carry a card or some cash as backup.

Climate Card (기후동행카드)

The Climate Card is Seoul’s unlimited public transport pass, covering subways, buses, and Seoul Bike (따릉이).

It makes commuting cheaper while also cutting down on emissions, which makes it a win for both riders and the city.

Most people go for the 30-day pass, which costs around 62,000 to 65,000 Korean won (approximately US$43 to US$45 at the time of writing), though shorter-term options are available too. The pass works on most transit lines within Seoul, but it doesn’t cover intercity travel.

With English-friendly signs, travelling around South Korea is stress-free. Understanding how to pay in South Korea and choosing the right transport card makes it even easier. Source: Emily Mar

Namane vs T-money vs WowPass: What’s the difference?

Pro tip for how to pay in South Korea: if you’re using a T-money card, you can transfer between buses and subways up to four times a day at a lower fare. Transfers must be within 30 minutes, or one hour at night (9 pm to 7 am). Source: Emily Mar

T-Money card (티머니)

The T-money card is one of the easiest ways for you to pay for transport and small purchases in South Korea.

Besides buses and subways, it can be used at convenience stores, restaurants, shops, and even some attractions — basically, anywhere you see the T-money logo.

Since the card is sold with no balance, you’ll need to top it up before using it. You can recharge it at subway station machines or at convenience stores.

When taking public transport, simply tap in at the gate reader and tap out when you exit.

A popular way for foreigners to pay in South Korea is with the WowPass card. Source: Emily Mar

WowPass

WowPass is a convenient prepaid card built for foreign travellers who want an easy way to pay in Korea.

It combines cashless payments, public transport access through T-money, and instant currency exchange, so you can handle most daily expenses with just one card.

When comparing WowPass to T-money, the main difference is how much each card can do.

WowPass is an all-in-one solution that is ideal for short-term visitors. While T-money works well for buses, subways, taxis, and convenience stores, it requires separate cash top-ups and does not support currency exchange or debit-style shopping.

Study International writer Nicole Chin’s favourite way to pay in South Korea? With her Namane card. Source: Emily Mar

Namane Card

The Namane Card is a prepaid charge card that can be used for offline payments and public transportation in South Korea.

One fun feature is customisation; you can design your own card using photos of K-pop idols, tourist spots, or even your pets.

Because there’s no identity authentication required, foreigners can use it right away, and many even keep it as a souvenir after their trip.