Short answer: not much. Korea is one of the most card-friendly places you'll ever visit, and I regularly go days without touching a single coin. But "not much" isn't "none," so let me tell you exactly when you'll want some won in your pocket and when your card quietly handles everything.

Korea runs on cards

You can tap or swipe a card almost everywhere: convenience stores, taxis, cafes, department stores, restaurants, and most street-level shops. Cash made up only about a sixth of payments in the Bank of Korea's 2024 survey, and that share keeps shrinking. Visa and Mastercard are accepted just about everywhere; American Express works in bigger places but not always in small ones.

Contactless is normal, and your phone works too if you've added a card to it. For everyday spending, a card genuinely covers most of a trip.

When you'll still want cash

A little cash smooths over the gaps. Keep some won on hand for:

  • Traditional markets. Places like Gwangjang and Namdaemun: plenty of stalls are cash-only.
  • Street food. That tteokbokki or hotteok cart almost always wants cash.
  • Tiny, old-school eateries. Small family restaurants sometimes skip cards.
  • Small odd fees. Coin lockers, a donation box at a temple, a rural bus.

I'd carry somewhere around 50,000 to 100,000 won at a time (roughly $35 to $70). Enough for a full market day, not enough to sting if you misplace your wallet.

Getting cash: ATMs that take foreign cards

Don't exchange a big stack before you fly. It's easy to withdraw won once you're here. Look for ATMs labeled "Global" or "Global ATM" at convenience stores, subway stations, and banks, which accept foreign Visa and Mastercard. Domestic-only machines will reject your card, so just find a Global one; they're everywhere, including inside almost every convenience store.

T-money: the one card worth buying on day one

For getting around, skip cash entirely and pick up a T-money card. You tap it on every subway turnstile and bus, and top it up with cash at any convenience store. It's the single most useful thing to buy when you land.

A few money habits locals take for granted

  • Tipping isn't a thing. No tips at restaurants, taxis, or cafes. The price on the bill is the price you pay.
  • Water is free. Restaurants pour you free water, and Seoul's tap water is safe, so you rarely need to buy a bottle.
  • Tell your bank you're traveling, so your card doesn't get frozen on its first swipe in Seoul.

Payment details here are checked against KTO VisitKorea and the Bank of Korea's 2024 payment survey, last verified July 2026.