What card should I use to go to Korea? Review of 4 Cheap Cards & How to Avoid Hidden Fee Traps
Preparing a suitcase to travel to the land of Kim Chi, in addition to dressing up for virtual living and planning entertainment schedules, a question that gives many tourists the most headache is: What card should I use to go to Korea? Payment in Korea is extremely convenient today, but if you are not careful in choosing the wrong card, you can be "extorted" by the bank through a series of foreign currency conversion fees and especially hidden fee traps that few people expect.
With experience leading tours and accompanying hundreds of tourists to Korea each year, Joy Travel will help you expose these fees and review in detail the 4 most sincere Visa/Mastercard types for your upcoming trip to Korea!
1. Traveling to Korea: Should I bring cash or swipe a card?
Korea is moving very quickly towards a society no cash (Cashless Society). From large shopping centers, supermarkets, to convenience stores like CU, GS25 or even a small cafe in an alley, all are equipped with card swiping machines (POS).
Advantages of swiping cards: Safe (no fear of falling or theft when carrying large amounts of cash), quick payment, exchange rate is sometimes better than buying cash at the black market in Vietnam.
When do you need cash? Although the card is very convenient, you Cash is still required to use in cases such as: recharging T-Money transportation card (because top-up machines at train stations only accept cash), buying snacks on the street or shopping at some traditional markets,...
➙ Advice from Joy Travel is your friend Convert about 20% - 30% of your travel budget into cash for petty spending, and keep the remaining 70%–80% in an international credit or debit card.
Payment by card in Korea is extremely popular and convenient.
2. Exposing the "hidden fee trap" when swiping cards in Korea (Many people fall into it)
When using Visa/Mastercard abroad, you will be charged Currency conversion fee, usually ranges from 1% - 3% of transaction value depending on the bank. However, this percentage is not the scariest thing.
Many Joy Travel customers have shared that they have unfairly lost hundreds of thousands of dong just because they did not read the tiny print carefully: "Minimum 20,000 VND/transaction".
Real-life example for you to easily imagine: You visit a cafe in Hongdae and buy a cup of Americano for about 3,000 Won (~ 55,000 VND).
If the bank charges a 2% fee, the fee you pay should only be 1,100 VND.
BUT, because there are regulations Minimum fees, the bank will deduct your money directly 20,000 VND.
➙ Result: You have to pay 75,000 VND for a cup of coffee of 55,000 VND. If you go shopping and swipe your card 10 times a day, you've lost 200,000 VND in fees!
✻ Lessons learned: When going to the bank to open a card, don't just ask "What is the fee for swiping a card abroad?", but also ask: "Is there a minimum fee charged for each transaction?".
3. What card should I use to go to Korea? Top 4 types of "true love" cards that optimize costs
After checking the fee schedule and synthesizing real-life experiences from the travel community, Joy Travel suggests you the 4 card lines most worth opening today:
National Group: Shinhan Bank Card (Visa / Sol Travel)
Shinhan is a major bank in Korea. Bringing "domestic goods" to swipe on your home turf brings absolute advantages: Extremely smooth and rarely crashes POS machines. The foreign currency conversion fee of Shinhan travel cards is quite soft (only about 0.99% - 1.2% with no minimum fee). This is the safest and most national choice for tourists.
Luxury Group: VIB Travel Elite Card
If you like to enjoy premium service, this is a card not to be missed. VIB Travel Elite regularly has programs 0% free foreign currency transactions for the first statement periods (then only about 1%). In particular, this card comes with access to airport business lounges (Mastercard Travel Pass) in Vietnam and Korea.
VIB Travel Elite is the perfect choice for those who enjoy the airport lounge experience.
Stable Team: Techcombank / TPBank Signature
High-end card lines (Signature) of Techcombank and TPBank currently maintain the second lowest foreign currency transaction fees in the market, ranging from 0.95% - 1.1% and the exchange rate is very close to reality. If you already have a card from these two banks, feel free to swipe it.
Modern Group: TOKPAY Wallet - For technology enthusiasts
TOKPAY is a "phenomenon" in the self-sufficient travel community. It is not a traditional bank card but a prepaid card. You can register for the app with CCCD/Passport, deposit VND into your wallet, the system automatically converts to KRW.
After registering and activating your account on the ToKpay application, you can easily receive your card directly at any CU convenience store nationwide in Korea. Especially right at Incheon Airport:
+ Terminal 1 - Door F - Store No. 4
+ Terminal 2 - Door 5 - Store No. 2
Registration fees and card receipt at CU convenience stores are free.
You can access the wallet application at:
ToKpay - 이나인페이, 선불카드 앱 - App Store
ToKpay - 이나인페이, 선불카드 - Apps on Google Play
ToKpay wallet conversion rate on May 2, 2026.
4. Three "survival" principles when making card payments in the land of Kim Chi
To make your trip truly complete and not worry about going broke because of silly mistakes, remember these 3 principles:
POS Mantra: ALWAYS CHOOSE TO PAY IN WON (KRW)
When swiping your card at major cosmetic stores (like Olive Young) or duty-free supermarkets, the staff or POS machine may ask if you want to pay in VND or KRW. Absolutely always choose KRW. If you choose VND, you will fall into the trap of DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) - Dynamic currency conversion service, causing you to suffer extremely unfavorable exchange rates and be charged conversion fees twice.
Always have the banking App installed on your phone
In case you lose your card, you need a banking app (with wifi/4G connection) to immediately operate Emergency card lock. Don't wait to return to Vietnam or call the hotline because the procedure will take a long time.
Pro tip: To always keep a smooth internet connection 24/7 in Korea for emergency situations like this, equip yourself Sim/eSIM for traveling to Korea from Joy Travel with huge capacity and super preferential prices!
Signature on back of card
In Korea, high-value card transactions often require you to sign your name on the POS screen. Make sure you sign your real name with a ballpoint pen on the white tape on the back of your card before flying, just in case the cashier checks it.
Always remember to choose to pay in Won (KRW) to avoid the DCC exchange rate trap.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I use a Vietnamese domestic ATM card (Napas) in Korea? Are not. POS machines in Korea only accept international payment cards with logos Visa, Mastercard, JCB, or American Express. Napas ATM cards can only be used within Vietnam.
2. How much does it cost to withdraw cash from a Visa card at a Korean ATM? Overseas withdrawal fees are extremely expensive. You will have to pay a cash withdrawal fee (usually 4%, minimum 50,000 VND - 100,000 VND) plus the bank's foreign currency conversion fee, and possibly the ATM's own fee. Minimize withdrawals of cash from credit cards except in emergencies.
Conclusion
Finding out what card to use when going to Korea and understanding bank fee schedules is an extremely important financial preparation step, making your trip easier and more economical. Be wary of the minimum fee trap and always remember the rule of paying in Won.
Customer Joy Travel at a local seafood hot pot restaurant.
If you feel that financial preparation, visa application or scheduling is too complicated? Do not worry! Please refer to these immediately Korea Package Tour Schedule by Joy Travel. We will accompany and take care of you from A-Z, from assisting with visa application, supporting currency exchange, to bringing the best experiences in the land of Kim Chi.
✓ Contact Joy Travel immediately to receive a personalized itinerary and free consultation!
Hotline: 084 554 9369
Fanpage: Joy Travel - Happy Journey
Mail: outboundop@myjoytravel.vn
