Local Tip
Landing late at Incheon? In Terminal 1's arrivals hall, KB Bank's exchange counter by Arrival Hall B and Woori Bank's by Exits 6 and 11 are listed as open 24 hours.
Where to change money in Seoul
Financial News found Myeongdong's exchange offices busy with foreign visitors in November 2025, and one operator there claimed they pay a premium of 5 won or more per dollar. That is the trade speaking, so compare a few rate boards first. Money Box, a Korean exchange chain, lists each Seoul branch's address and hours online.
- Money Box, Myeongdong - 52-1 Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, open 9am to 9pm every day.
- Money Box, Hongdae and Gangnam - In Hongdae the counter is unit 101, 72 Wausan-ro 29-gil, Mapo-gu, open 9am to 9pm daily. The Gangnam branch, 3 Seocho-daero 77-gil beside Gangnam Station Exit 9, opens 9am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 8pm on Sundays and public holidays.
- Money Box, Dongdaemun - 281 Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu, open 9.30am to 10pm daily.
Changing money at the airport
Incheon's facilities list puts exchange counters run by KB Bank, Hana Bank and Woori Bank on the arrivals floor (1F) of both terminals. In Terminal 1, KB by Arrival Hall B and Woori by Exits 6 and 11 work round the clock, while Hana by Exit 4 and a second KB counter by Exit 9 keep 6am to 10pm. Terminal 2's arrivals floor also has Hana (Exits 4 and 10), KB (between Exits 1 and 2) and Woori (Exit 7) counters, but the list gives them no hours.
ATMs and cards in Seoul
A UK card can now buy subway tickets, though it won't open the gates. Seoul has let overseas cards buy and charge the Climate Card since 20 March 2025. From 17 March 2026, Korea JoongAng Daily reported, 440 new ticket machines on lines 1 to 8 also take overseas Visa and Mastercard for single-journey tickets and the one- to seven-day passes, with a service fee averaging 3.7 per cent. Tapping an overseas card to ride is planned from 2027, the city said in October 2025.
WOWPASS, a prepaid card from the company's own machines, says it can be loaded with cash in 16 currencies, or by Visa, Mastercard or JCB in its app, and tapped on buses, the subway and taxis. These are the firm's claims.
Paying for transport in Seoul
The city government lists T-money and Cash-bee as its two transport cards, sold in convenience stores and subway stations and valid on buses, the subway, taxis and Seoul's public bikes. For a short stay, a Climate Card pass costs 5,000 won for one day, 8,000 for two, 10,000 for three, 15,000 for five or 20,000 for seven, and the physical card is 3,000 won on top. It runs from the day it is charged, can't be loaded in advance, and excludes Ttareungi bikes and the Hangang Bus.
On the AREX airport railway it covers Gimpo Airport to Seoul Station, and since 13 September 2024 you may ride on to Incheon's Terminal 1 and 2 stations and get off, but not board there, so pay another way into town.
Good to know
- Seoul stopped recharging the 30-day Climate Card after 31 August 2026, and its replacement from 1 September, the Climate Pass, is only for people living in Seoul, so visitors use the short-term passes.
- Visit Seoul says most taxis take T-money as well as cash and credit cards, so leftover credit on a transit card can pay for a late ride.
Key Areas in Seoul
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Seoul travel money FAQ
Where is the best place to exchange money in Seoul?
Myeongdong, where Money Box lists a branch at 52-1 Namdaemun-ro (9am to 9pm daily); the chain also has counters in Hongdae, Gangnam and Dongdaemun. Rates differ between offices, so check a couple before changing a large sum.
Can I buy Seoul subway tickets with a UK bank card?
Yes. Since 17 March 2026, 440 new machines on lines 1 to 8 accept overseas Visa and Mastercard for single tickets and Climate Card passes, at an average fee of 3.7 per cent. You cannot yet tap the card at the gate itself.
Is there a 24-hour exchange counter at Incheon Airport?
Yes, in Terminal 1's arrivals hall: KB Bank's counter by Arrival Hall B and Woori Bank's by Exits 6 and 11. Terminal 2's arrivals counters are listed without hours.
Checked October 2026. Fees, fares and opening times change, so check locally before relying on them. Sources: Incheon International Airport Β· Money Box Β· Financial News (Korea) Β· Seoul Metropolitan Government Β· Korea JoongAng Daily Β· Asia Economy (Asiae)
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