Paying in Busan

Cards work almost everywhere. Here's where they don't, and what else you can use.

Last checked 2026-10-21 · Rules, prices and hours change — check the official source before you rely on it.

Cards & cash

Visa / Mastercard: almost everywhere

Restaurants, cafés, convenience stores and most taxis. Bring the physical card — phone wallets with foreign cards are often not accepted.

카드 되나요?

Cash: markets & street food

Jagalchi Market stalls, BIFF Square ssiat-hotteok carts and small eateries may be cash only. Also needed to top up transit cards.

ATMs that take foreign cards

Look for “Global ATM” or ATMs inside convenience stores and subway stations. Fees vary by bank.

Other ways to pay

Prepaid travel cards

Cards for foreign visitors such as WOWPASS are loaded at exchange kiosks with cash, and work like a debit card.

Payment apps from home

Alipay, AlipayHK, Japan's PayPay and other wallets work through Alipay+ at over 2 million Korean shops — look for the Alipay+ or ZeroPay sign. Cards are still the safest bet.

Good to know

Tax refund

Shops with a “Tax Free” or “Tax Refund” sign refund tax to tourists — show your passport when you pay. It usually starts from about ₩15,000 per shop; on-the-spot refunds have per-purchase and per-trip limits, above that you claim at the airport, where customs may ask to see what you bought. Check the official tax-refund page for current rules.

No tipping

Tipping isn't expected in restaurants or taxis.

Paying separately

Restaurants usually bring one bill per table. Say this at the counter to split it.

따로 계산할게요

💳 Paying in Busan