Currency hacks: South Korea
The quirk: T-Money card culture + foreign-card ATM rarity
What's going on
Korea uses T-Money cards for transit + corner stores. Not all ATMs accept foreign cards.
The smart-traveler strategy
- Get a T-Money card at any convenience store (3,500 KRW) — works on subway + buses + many stores.
- ATMs at KEB Hana Bank, Citi, Standard Chartered take foreign cards reliably.
- Credit cards accepted at chains + hotels + larger restaurants.