Money, Safety, Transit & eSIM in South Korea
South Korea's currency is the won (KRW, ₩) — cards work almost everywhere, but carry some cash for markets and small older restaurants. Public transit is excellent and cheap: get a T-money card (about $2-3) for subways and buses nationwide, with base fares around $1-1.15. South Korea is extremely safe overall; its one hard line is drugs — zero tolerance for cannabis and all narcotics, regardless of home-country law. eSIM plans run about $10-12 for 5GB/30 days.
The practical layer that actually makes or breaks a Korea trip: how to pay for things, how to move around a genuinely excellent transit system, what's really risky (it's not what most people assume), and how to get online the moment you land.
Money and ATMs
The South Korean won (KRW, ₩) is the currency everywhere. As a rough planning anchor, $1 has recently traded around ₩1,400-1,530 — check a live rate before your trip. Korea is very card-friendly (Visa and Mastercard work almost everywhere, even for small purchases), but not every ATM accepts foreign cards — look specifically for a 'Global ATM' or 'Global Service' sign with English menus and Visa/Mastercard logos; roughly only one in five Korean ATMs accepts foreign cards, and the rest will simply decline.
| Payment method | Where it works best |
|---|---|
| Cash (won) | Markets, street food stalls, small older restaurants, some traditional guesthouses |
| Credit/debit card | Nearly everywhere else — hotels, chains, malls, most restaurants |
| T-money card | All public transit; also works as a small-value payment card at some convenience stores |
Change cash in the city, not at the airport — licensed money changers in Myeongdong (Seoul) or Nampo-dong/Seomyeon (Busan) beat airport exchange rates by a wide margin. When paying by card, always choose to be charged in won, not your home currency, to avoid a poor dynamic-conversion rate.
T-money and getting around
Korea's public transit is one of the best reasons to visit without renting a car. Get a T-money card at any convenience store (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) for about $2-3, then top it up as needed — it works on every subway line and bus nationwide, plus most taxis. Base subway/bus fares run roughly $1-1.15 per ride with free or discounted transfers within a set window, cheaper than buying single paper tickets.
Is South Korea safe?
Yes, consistently one of the safer countries in the world for travelers — violent crime against tourists is rare, and subways and streets are heavily monitored. Petty pickpocketing occasionally happens in crowded tourist zones (Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, busy subway platforms) but at noticeably lower rates than major European tourist cities. Watch for social-engineering scams too — friendly strangers offering a 'cultural ceremony' or spiritual reading who then demand payment; politely decline and walk away.
South Korea has genuine zero tolerance for drugs, including cannabis and CBD products, regardless of what's legal in your home country. Possession can mean up to 5 years in prison or a large fine, immediate arrest, and a permanent entry ban — and this applies even to South Korean citizens who used cannabis legally abroad. Customs screening at Incheon is active; don't bring anything cannabis-related, including CBD, into the country.
eSIM and staying connected
eSIM is the easiest option if your phone supports it — Airalo's South Korea plans start around $4 for 1GB/3 days, with a 5GB/30-day plan (enough for most one-to-two-week trips) running about $10-12. Physical SIMs and pocket WiFi rentals are also widely available for pickup at Incheon Airport if you'd rather not deal with eSIM setup.
Tipping
Tipping isn't customary in Korea and isn't expected at restaurants, taxis, hotels, or salons — don't feel obligated to add one. The one common exception is international tour guides, where a thank-you of about $7-15 for a half- or full-day tour is appreciated.