Guide · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Using Foreign Cards in Korea
Most Korean shops take Visa and Mastercard, but subway and bus gates don't accept foreign cards yet; since March 2026 Seoul's new subway machines sell tickets on foreign cards (about 3.7% fee). Pay in won, not your home currency.
Published · Updated
Can I use Visa or Mastercard in Korea?
Yes, in most places. The Korea Tourism Organization (VisitKorea) says hotels, department stores and general shops widely accept cards, including Visa, MasterCard and American Express, even for small purchases. A few small family-run businesses don't take cards and some stores may not offer card payment, so check before you buy.
Why doesn't my foreign card work at subway and bus gates?
Korean transit readers use a domestic standard (PayOn), not the international EMV contactless standard. Seoul City says tourists still have to buy a separate transit card and cannot tap a foreign credit card at the gates, partly because replacing every reader is costly. On Sept 17, 2026 Tmoney signed an agreement with Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, JCB and Hana Card to build EMV "open-loop" transit payment, with development and testing by the end of 2026 and rollout starting on Seoul city buses in 2027, then Incheon buses and airport buses.
Can I buy subway tickets or a Climate Card with a foreign card?
Yes, since March 17, 2026. The 440 new transit-card machines in 273 stations on Seoul Subway Lines 1–8 accept foreign-issued credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard and others) for single-journey tickets, buying a Climate Card and loading short-term passes (1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 days). Foreign-card purchases and top-ups carry an average 3.7% service fee; the 30-day pass is not included yet.
Can I top up a Tmoney card with a foreign credit card?
Don't count on it for a physical Tmoney card; cash is the safe option. Tmoney's official guide says cash top-up is the most reliable method at convenience stores and many subway stations. The foreigner-only Mpass card can only be bought with Korean won cash. Seoul City says Android users can top up with a foreign card in Tmoney's Korea Tour Card app.
Should I pay in Korean won or my home currency?
Pay in Korean won (KRW). Being offered your home currency is called dynamic currency conversion (DCC). Visa says the DCC price includes the exchange rate and extra fees and often carries a 3–5% markup, so paying in local currency usually costs less. Visa requires merchants to show both amounts, the rate and the markup, and to let you choose; if those details are missing or you feel pressured, Visa recommends declining and telling your card issuer. Declining DCC does not stop the payment.
Can I use Apple Pay for the subway in Korea?
Yes, by adding Tmoney to Apple Pay, but it works only for transit and top-ups mostly use Korean payment methods. Tmoney says Apple Pay Tmoney launched on July 22, 2025; with Express Mode on you tap your iPhone or Apple Watch at the reader, but it can't be used in shops or online. Creating it in the Wallet app requires a Hyundai Card for the first top-up; in the Mobile Tmoney app you can top up by bank account, KakaoPay, Naver Pay or mileage, and the official guide does not list foreign credit cards.
Which transit card should a tourist get, and can I get my balance back?
The main options are Tmoney, EZL, WOWPASS and the Climate Card, and most balances are refundable. VisitKorea says Tmoney and EZL are sold at convenience stores nationwide; WOWPASS is a foreigner-only card bought with a passport (₩5,000) and loaded with won or foreign currencies such as USD, JPY and CNY at its kiosks; the Climate Card costs ₩3,000 and gives unlimited rides on Seoul buses and subways.
| Card | Official price | Balance refund |
|---|---|---|
| Tmoney | ₩3,000–5,000 (card) | Over ₩50,000 only at Tmoney Town near Seoul Station Exit 10; smaller amounts at convenience stores |
| EZL | — | Convenience stores refund only under ₩20,000 |
| WOWPASS | ₩5,000 (passport needed) | Withdraw as won cash at any WOWPASS kiosk |
| Climate Card (short-term) | Card ₩3,000; 1 day ₩5,000, 2 days ₩8,000, 3 days ₩10,000, 5 days ₩15,000, 7 days ₩20,000 | Without a Korean bank account, at Tmoney headquarters |
| Mpass (foreigners only) | 1 day ₩15,000, 2 days ₩23,000, 3 days ₩30,500, 5 days ₩47,500, 7 days ₩64,500; won cash only | Returned at Tmoney Town near Seoul Station Exit 10 |
Checked 2026-11-04 on VisitKorea (english.visitkorea.or.kr), Seoul City's official news site (news.seoul.go.kr), Tmoney's newsroom and official guides, and Visa. Fees and coverage change; follow the notice on site.
Shopping guides
- Seoul sale calendar (late Oct – Mar) — Every big sale and brand sale in Seoul from late October to March. Announced dates are kept apart from expected ones (based on past years), every row is checked against a source, and each says whether tourists can use it and whether it's in stores or online.
- Seoul November 2026 sale calendar — Every big sale you can catch in Seoul in November 2026: Korea Grand Festival (Oct 29 – Nov 15), Olive Young Black Friday (Nov 1–7), 11st Singles Day (Nov 1–11), department store winter sales, MUSINSA Black Friday, US Black Friday on Nov 27 and the Korea Grand Sale from Dec 23. Each has this year's dates with sources, past editions and the latest verification date.
- Olive Young Black Friday 2026 (Nov 1–7) — Olive Young Black Friday 2026 runs Nov 1–7 in stores and online: daily deals by date, the Nov 4 Blackprize box drop, and what tourists can use.
- Korea Grand Sale & Sale Festa 2026 — The autumn Korea Grand Festival runs Oct 29–Nov 15, 2026 and is open to everyone. The winter Korea Grand Sale is for foreign visitors and runs Dec 23, 2026–Feb 13, 2027. This guide distinguishes the events and covers duty-free discounts up to 25% on Oct 29–Nov 15 and individual store conditions.
- Singles Day 11.11 in Korea 2026 — Korea's 11.11-related sales in 2026: 11st Grand 11 Day (Nov 1–11), G market Big Smile Day (Nov 2–13) and AliExpress 11.11 (Nov 1–18), mostly online and needing a Korean account. Offers and conditions, past dates, and the November sales you can use in Seoul stores.
- Korea Black Friday 2026 dates — Korea's Black Friday isn't one day: from late October through November there's the Korea Grand Festival, Shinsegae's SSG Day, and separate Black Friday sales from Olive Young, 29CM, MUSINSA and individual brands. This page lists the dates announced so far by brand and platform, gives last year's dates where nothing is announced, and says whether tourists can buy in store.
- Olive Young sale dates 2026 — Olive Young's big sale (올영세일) runs four times a year, one week each in March, June, September and December. In 2026 it ran Mar 1–7, May 31 – Jun 6 and Aug 30 – Sep 5; November Black Friday is set for Nov 1–7, and the December edition was not announced as of Oct 30, so last year's dates are shown for it. Also covers Olive Day (the 25th–27th of each month), the daily online deal, and how tourists buy and get a tax refund in store.
- Department store tourist coupons by store — Lotte Myeongdong, Shinsegae Main and Gangnam, The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido, Hyundai Apgujeong and Trade Center, and Galleria Luxury Hall: what each gives tourists now, where to collect it, what to bring, plus address, subway exit, hours and November closing days (checked Nov 2).
- Outlets near Seoul — The main outlets around Seoul compared: which has the most luxury, which is best for sportswear, how to get there by bus, opening hours, tourist coupons and tax refunds, from the outlets' own sites.
- FAQ — The questions visitors ask most, answered using related guides: tax-refund minimums, how to get department-store tourist coupons, whether they stack with tax refunds, Alipay and WeChat Pay, outlets and sale dates. Each answer names its guide; the counter has the final word.
- Korea tax refund steps — How Korea's immediate and general shopping tax refunds differ: eligibility, KRW limits, refund slips, checked bags, and airport export confirmation.
- Korea Downtown Tax Refund and Airport Counters 2026 — You don't have to wait for the airport to get your Korean tax refund: purchases of up to ₩6,000,000 can be refunded in downtown Seoul first. Based on Korea Tourism Organization data, this page lists each airport's refund counter location, hours and payout currencies.
- Seoul QR Discounts: Check Wallet Eligibility First — Spotted an "up to 5% off" QR payment promo in Seoul? Check the designated wallet name in the full terms first. Using one official campaign's rules as an example, this guide covers what to verify before paying: wallet eligibility, participating stores, discount amount and usage limits.
- Musinsa Black Friday 2026 — Musinsa has not announced its 2026 winter Black Friday dates as of Nov 2, 2026. Last year it ran from 7 pm on Nov 16 to midnight on Nov 26, 2025, with about 4,500 brands and up to 80% off; 2024 dates for comparison.
- Olive Young FAQ — Whether tourists can join Olive Young membership, why prices differ between stores and online, the instant tax refund at the counter from ₩15,000 with a physical passport, the March/June/September/December Olive Young Sale, and which payment methods stores take.
- WOWPASS FAQ — WOWPASS is a prepaid card for foreign visitors with a built-in T-money transit function. Card price, the 16 cash currencies, the 1,000 KRW withdrawal fee and how to get T-money back, from the official site and terms.
- Kakao Pay for tourists — Short-term tourists generally can't open Kakao Pay, Naver Pay or Toss, but Alipay, AlipayHK, PayPay and other Alipay+ wallets pay at Kakao Pay merchants. Officially announced wallets, places and Naver Pay's tourist measures.
- Counterfeits and complaints — Selling fakes in Korea carries up to 7 years in prison or a ₩100 million fine; small personal-use quantities in a traveler's luggage are exempt from the customs IP ban, larger ones are not. Plus Myeongdong red flags, the 1666-6464 report line and the 1330 complaint channel.
- Korea Grand Sale benefits — Korea Grand Sale 2027 runs Dec 23, 2026 – Feb 13, 2027. What has been officially announced so far, where to pick up the coupon book, and which partners are confirmed.
- Free vs paid coupons — Lotte, Hyundai, Galleria and Shinsegae run foreigner programs you join at an in-store desk with your passport, and the official steps include no purchase. What each gives, what to bring, where to go, and how to tell what a platform voucher adds.
- Duty free vs tax refund — Duty-free prices already exclude VAT and individual consumption tax; department stores charge tax-inclusive prices and refund the tax before you leave (from ₩15,000). Downtown duty-free goods are collected only at the departure pickup counter. Plus Korea's official allowance and purchase-limit rules.
- Tax refund with discounts — Coupons and payment discounts lower the price the VAT refund is based on, and the refund you actually get is less than 10% because operator fees are deducted. Plus the 2026 instant-refund limits, the minimum purchase and refunds to Alipay, WeChat Pay or card.
- Department store hours — Weekday and weekend hours, restaurant floor hours and November 2026 closing days for Lotte Main, Shinsegae Main and Gangnam, The Hyundai Seoul, Hyundai Apgujeong and Galleria Luxury Hall, plus Lunar New Year and Chuseok closures and downtown duty-free hours.
- Tax refund & coming sales
Source: Korea Tourism Organization (VisitKorea) · Korean Currency & Exchange Info: Korean Currency ↗ · Korea Tourism Organization (VisitKorea) · Tourist-Friendly Korea ↗ · Korea Tourism Organization (VisitKorea) · Transportation Cards (updated August 2026) ↗ · Seoul Metropolitan Government · 외국인 교통결제 편의 개선 위해 '오픈루프 결제' 도입 앞장 서 (2025-10-16) ↗ · Seoul Metropolitan Government · 기후동행카드·일회용 승차권, 현금없이 해외 신용카드로 구매가능해진다 (2026-03) ↗ · Tmoney newsroom · 해외에서 쓰던 카드 그대로 서울 대중교통 탄다! 티머니, 글로벌 결제사와 'EMV 오픈 루프' 구축 맞손 (2026-09-17) ↗ · Tmoney official blog · Can You Use Tmoney at Convenience Stores? Korea Guide (2026) ↗ · Tmoney official blog · iPhone Transit Card: How to Use Tmoney with Apple Pay (2026-08-25) ↗ · Visa · What you should know about Dynamic Currency Conversion ↗ · Visa · Travel Credit Cards & Foreign Transactions Explained ↗
Checked Nov 4, 2026
Add to calendar
In progress
Olive Young December Sale — expected; dates TBA