Where to Exchange Money in Korea: 2026 Rates Comparison (Airport vs Myeongdong)
Compare exchange rates at Incheon Airport, Myeongdong, and self-service kiosks to find the best way to get Korean won for your 2026 trip.
- What Are the Best Ways to Exchange Money in Korea?
- Recommended Currency Exchange by Area
- What Should You Know Before Exchanging Money? (2026 Tips)
- Do I Need Cash or Card in Korea?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Updated: August 13, 2026 Planning where to exchange money in Korea? Your best option depends on your itinerary and priorities. Airport exchanges save time right after landing, Myeongdong offers competitive rates if you're already in the city, and pre-booking locks in your rate with zero detours. |
When you're traveling to Korea, choosing where to exchange your money for Korean won — the airport, Myeongdong, or somewhere near where you're staying — should depend on your itinerary. Myeongdong is the classic go-to for currency exchange, but once you factor in the time and hassle of getting there, it's not always obvious where you should actually change your money.
If you're heading straight from Incheon Airport to a city outside Seoul, exchanging at the airport makes sense. If you're sightseeing in the city and want to compare rates, Myeongdong or the area around your hotel are good options. And if getting cash the moment you land — without wasting travel time — is your priority, pre-booking an exchange at Incheon Airport is worth considering.
This guide breaks down the differences between exchange locations, the requirements for using a pre-booking exchange service, and how to split your spending between cash and card.
What Are the Best Ways to Exchange Money in Korea?
Here's the thing: Myeongdong isn't automatically your best deal. Once you add up the cost and time of getting there, plus the cash you'll need right after landing, it's worth comparing your options across your whole trip — not just the exchange rate on a signboard.
Comparison | Creatrip Airport Exchange Service | Incheon Airport Banks | Myeongdong / City Exchange Offices |
|---|---|---|---|
Available right after arrival | ◎ | ◎ | △ |
Reservation required | Yes | No | No |
Travel into the city needed | No | No | Yes |
Rate | Locked in at time of booking | Bank rate at time of use | Varies by shop and time of day |
Best for | Saving time right after landing | A quick exchange with no reservation | Visiting Myeongdong anyway and comparing shops |
In short: don't just compare the rate — factor in the cost and time of detouring to an exchange office from the airport. If you're headed somewhere outside Seoul straight from Incheon, or want to get to your hotel right away, securing what you need at the airport makes your schedule easier to plan around.
Exchange rates shift daily. Before you exchange, check Creatrip's currency exchange rate page to compare rates across major areas and use the rate shown on the actual day you plan to exchange.
The latest Myeongdong exchange rates are also updated on Instagram at @creatrip.exchange
Check Korea's currency exchange rates
Self-Service Exchange Kiosks
Self-service currency exchange kiosks — found at stations and tourist areas — are handy because they work even outside staffed shops' business hours. That said, kiosk locations, operating hours, supported currencies, and transaction limits vary by machine, so it's worth checking these details in advance.
When you use one, the amount you receive is calculated based on the rate displayed at the time of the transaction. Each machine has its own rules on which bills it accepts and the maximum amount per transaction, and passport verification is generally required. After the exchange, the machine prints a receipt so you can confirm the final transaction and amount received on the spot.
Incheon Airport Exchange (Creatrip Reservation Service)
You have two main options at the airport: exchange on the spot at a bank counter (no reservation needed), or use Creatrip's pre-booking service, which lets you confirm your payout amount ahead of time. Which one you choose depends on your arrival time and how much cash you need.
Creatrip's exchange reservation lets you pick up your pre-booked Korean won near the airport railway ticket gates in Incheon Airport Terminal 1 (Terminal 2 pickup is temporarily paused). Because the rate is locked in at the time of booking, you know exactly how much you'll receive before you even land — and since there's no detour required, you can head straight into your trip.
If you're traveling straight from Incheon Airport to a hotel or a city outside Seoul, the pre-booking exchange service is especially convenient since you can pick up what you need right at the airport. Pickup hours, booking deadlines, and accepted bills can change, so check the latest details on the booking page before you reserve.
Editor's Tip: I exchanged $300 at the airport and got my won in under 3 minutes—no line, no detour into the city. If you're headed straight to your hotel or another city, this route saves both time and the hassle of carrying foreign cash around Seoul.
Terms of Use
- Pickup location: Near the airport railway ticket gates in Incheon Airport T1 (exact details are provided in your voucher after booking)
- Pickup hours: Daily, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Booking window: From 14 days before your pickup date up to 8:00 AM on the day of pickup
- US dollars accepted: Minimum $200 – maximum $4,000 (in $100 increments)
- Bonus: Book an exchange of $1,000 or more and receive a Korean transportation card (see the product page for terms)
- On pickup day: Bring the exact cash amount you booked, plus your passport. Card payment is not accepted for pickup.
- Only New US Dollars, not Old US Dollars, are accepted for USD exchange. Please be sure to prepare New US Dollars.
How to Book and Pick Up
- On the product page, select your pickup date, currency, and amount.
- Enter your contact details (such as a messaging app ID) and pay the deposit. (Please allow the "add by ID" friend request.)
- Your reservation is confirmed at the rate shown at the time of booking.
- Your voucher will be available in your account page and sent to your registered email.
- On pickup day, contact the staff member at the designated location and present your passport and cash to receive your won.
- Your deposit (10,000 KRW) is automatically refunded the next day via the same payment method you used.
※After you land, connect to the airport's free WiFi and message MONEY BOX to let them know you've arrived. You can coordinate your exact pickup time and location through the chat. (WhatsApp ID: +82 10-2543-8068)
※Accepted currencies, amounts, and promotions are subject to change — always check the booking page for the latest information before reserving.
If getting cash the second you land—without wasting a minute of your trip—is your priority, Creatrip's airport exchange reservation is your best bet. Lock in your rate ahead of time, skip the line, and head straight to your hotel.
Recommended Currency Exchange by Area
In Seoul, Currency exchange shops cluster around Myeongdong, making it easy to compare posted rates shop to shop. If you're staying in Hongdae, Dongdaemun, or Gangnam, you don't necessarily need to make a special trip to Myeongdong — there are options closer to where you'll actually be.
Myeongdong｜Compare Several Currency Exchange
Myeongdong's well-known private currency exchanges are concentrated around the area's street food and restaurant strip. They're an easy walk from Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station Exit 6 or Myeongdong Station Exits 5 and 6, so it's worth comparing the rate posted at a few shops before choosing one.
1. Easy Exchange
Address: 2F, 58-1, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
※ Confirm hours before visiting
2. MONEY BOX Myeongdong
Address: 52-1, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Hours: Weekdays 9:00 AM–9:00 PM, Weekends 10:00 AM–9:00 PM
3. Exchange Cafe (formerly Ilpumhyang Exchange)
Address: 115-2, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
※ Confirm hours before visiting
4. Myeongdong Embassy-Front Exchange
Address: 35-19, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
※ Confirm hours before visiting
5. Myeongdong Cheil Currency Exchange
Address: 68-1, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Hours: Daily 9:00 AM–10:00 PM)
Hongdae｜Convenient if You're Coming from the Airport Railroad
Good for travelers taking the airport railroad into Hongdae, or staying in the area.
1. MONEY BOX Hongdae
Address: 72, Wausan-ro 29-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM–9:00 PM
Dongdaemun｜Handy While You Shop
Convenient if you're staying near Dongdaemun or want to exchange before or after shopping.
1. MANGO Exchange
Address: 253, Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
※ Confirm hours before visiting
2. MONEY BOX Dongdaemun
Address: 281, Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Hours: Weekdays 10:00 AM–10:00 PM, Weekends 10:00 AM–9:00 PM
Gangnam｜Convenient for a Gangnam-Centered Trip
If you're staying near Gangnam Station or spending most of your trip in the area, you can exchange nearby without a special trip.
1. MONEY BOX Gangnam
Address: 3, Seocho-daero 77-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Hours: Weekdays 10:00 AM–10:00 PM, Weekends 10:00 AM–9:00 PM
If you're heading straight to a city outside Seoul, you can either get what you need at the airport or use an exchange office in the city you're staying in. In Busan, Nampo-dong, Seomyeon, and Haeundae are good options; in Daegu, look around Jungang-ro and Banwoldang. Keep in mind these cities have fewer exchange shops than Seoul, and hours can vary by day.
- Heading straight to a regional city: Get what you need for now at the airport
- Passing through Seoul: Exchange in Seoul based on your route
- Exchanging in a regional city: Confirm business hours, accepted currencies, and the day's rate in advance
Currency Exchange in Busan
In Busan, you can choose an exchange shop near Gimhae Airport, Nampo-dong, or Haeundae depending on where you land and stay. Check each location's page for hours and accepted currencies.
Currency Exchange in Daegu
In Daegu, exchange shops are concentrated around Banwoldang. Confirm the day's hours and accepted currencies before visiting.
What Should You Know Before Exchanging Money? (2026 Tips)
You don't need to exchange everything before your trip.
Cover what you'll need right away — transportation, meals — and exchange the rest locally once you can see the day's rate. If you'll be picking up cash at Incheon Airport and heading straight to your hotel or another city, an airport pre-booking service can save you a detour to Myeongdong.
Check which bills are accepted.
Some exchange shops offer better rates for larger bills than smaller ones. When exchanging US dollars, bring crisp, larger-denomination bills where possible, and avoid bills that are torn, heavily worn, or marked — accepted conditions vary by shop, so always confirm on-site.
Compare rates using the same terms.
When comparing posted rates, check whether the rate is per single dollar or per $100, and whether fees are already included. Rather than comparing the raw numbers, it's clearer to compare how much Korean won you'd actually receive for the dollar amount you're exchanging.
Do I Need Cash or Card in Korea?
Korea's currency is the won (KRW / ₩). Bills come in 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, and 50,000-won denominations, and coins in 10, 50, 100, and 500 won. Credit card payments are extremely widely accepted in Korea, so most purchases — hotels, department stores, restaurants, shopping — can be paid by card without any trouble.
That said, cash is still needed in some situations: loading a transit card, traditional markets, street food stalls, and some smaller shops. Rather than relying entirely on cash or entirely on card, it's best to carry a modest amount of Korean won alongside multiple payment methods.
If a card terminal asks whether to charge you in US dollars or Korean won, check the conversion rate and fees for each option before choosing (in general, choosing to be charged in the local currency, KRW, avoids extra dynamic currency conversion fees). It's also worth carrying more than one card network in case of card errors or a merchant that doesn't accept a particular brand.
Pre-Exchange Checklist
☐ Checked the day's exchange rate before exchanging
☐ Counted the Korean won received on the spot
☐ Brought a passport
☐ For airport reservations: confirmed voucher, pickup location, and contact method
☐ Kept cash and cards stored separately, not all in one place
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I get by with just cash in Korea?
A. Card payments are the norm, but you'll need cash for loading a transit card and at markets or street stalls. Carry a small amount of cash alongside a card that works internationally.
Q. Can I exchange US dollars for Korean won in Korea?
A. Yes — at Incheon Airport, banks, city exchange offices, and self-service kiosks. Accepted currencies and bill conditions vary by location, so it's worth checking ahead.
Q. Should I exchange at the airport or in Myeongdong?
A. If you're heading somewhere right after landing, the airport is easier. If you're sightseeing in the city and want to compare rates, Myeongdong is a good option. Factor in travel time and cost either way.
Q. Do I need a reservation to exchange money at Incheon Airport?
A. The bank counters inside the airport generally don't require one, but Creatrip's airport exchange reservation service does require booking ahead. Check the booking page and your voucher for the latest terms.
Q. Do I need my passport to exchange currency in Korea?
A. Most exchange offices require a passport for identity verification. If you use an airport exchange reservation, bring the passport of the person who made the booking.
Q. What kind of bills should I bring?
A. Larger-denomination bills are often easier to exchange. Bills that are torn, heavily worn, or marked may be refused, so bring bills in good condition.
Q. Are self-service exchange kiosks in Korea safe to use?
A. Yes, as long as you check the displayed rate, payout amount, accepted bills, and ID requirements before using one. Confirm your won and the printed receipt on the spot afterward.
Q. What should I do with leftover Korean won?
A. You can save it for your next trip or use a re-exchange service. Accepted bills and fees vary by service, so check in advance.
Q. What's the minimum amount I can exchange in Korea?
A. Most exchange offices have no strict minimum, but exchanging very small amounts (under $50) may result in less favorable rates. Self-service kiosks often have transaction limits, so check the screen before inserting bills.
If you have any questions or concerns, Creatrip provides 24/7 real-time support in English, Chinese, and Japanese for international visitors completely free of charge. Reach us anytime on WhatsApp (+82 10-8818-2915) or LINE (@creatrip). You can also follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Youtube to stay updated on all things Korea!
