The official currency of South Korea is the Korean Won (KRW, ₩). Banknotes are available in denominations of ₩1,000, ₩5,000, ₩10,000, and ₩50,000, while the most commonly used coins are ₩100 and ₩500.

Exchange rates fluctuate daily. Please check the latest exchange rate before your trip.

Currency exchange

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at major banks, authorized exchange offices, and currency exchange counters at international airports. International ATMs are also widely available throughout Korea.

Banking hours

Most banks are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, and are closed on weekends and public holidays.

Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and JCB are widely accepted at most hotels, restaurants, department stores, convenience stores, and retail shops throughout Korea. While cash is rarely required in major cities, it is still recommended to carry a small amount for use at some local markets or small independent businesses.

Contactless payments are also widely available. Mobile wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay (on supported cards and devices), and Samsung Wallet/Samsung Pay can be used at many merchants equipped with contactless payment terminals. However, acceptance may vary depending on your card issuer and payment network, so we recommend checking with your card provider before traveling.

South Korea uses 220V / 60Hz electricity. The most common plug types are Type C and Type F (two round pins).

If your devices are not compatible with 220V or use a different plug type, please bring a suitable travel adapter. Most modern laptops, smartphones, and other electronic devices support 100–240V automatically, but we recommend checking your device specifications before traveling.

Some hotels may provide adapters upon request, subject to availability.

Government offices are generally open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, and are closed on weekends and public holidays.

Most banks operate Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, and are closed on weekends and public holidays.

Major department stores and shopping malls are typically open daily from 10:30 AM to 8:00 PM. Many supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, and cafés have extended operating hours, and convenience stores are generally open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

South Korea operates on Korea Standard Time (KST), which is UTC +9 (GMT +9). Korea does not observe daylight saving time, so the time remains the same throughout the year.

Please check the current time difference between your country and Korea before your trip.

Tipping is not customary in South Korea and is generally not expected. Service charges and taxes are usually included in the bill at hotels and many restaurants.

While leaving a tip is appreciated in exceptional circumstances, it is not a common practice. This also applies to taxis, cafés, and most other service establishments.

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