Buy Korean Won (KRW) before you leave for Korea.
Are you starting your trip to Korea soon? Get ready for a wonderful stay with many places to visit. To travel without any worries, we always advise you to plan well in advance. Remember to find out as much as possible about your destination country. In the same way, we suggest that you get the most information about the use of the local currency, which is the Korean won (krw). For some of your purchases, it will be useful to have some cash. Although the use of bank cards is common, cash is useful. Therefore, before your departure, we invite you to check the korean won exchange rate as it would be better to buy your travel money before your departure.
Practical tips for planning your budget
Plan on a daily budget of 95648 won per person for your stay. This will allow you to stay in a mid-range hotel for two people, to eat and to buy your daily transport ticket.
If you wish to enjoy Korean food at a restaurant during your trip, please note that a meal will cost 8000 won.
35.000 KRW
Average cost of a one night stay in Korea
12.000 KRW
Average food budget per person per day
Good to know
Some price indications in Korea
1328 WON
A public transport ticket
3100 WON
The price of a cup of coffee
39 000 WON/24H
A Discover Seoul pass
16 245 WON
A bibimbap
800 WON/KM
A taxi ride
FREE
Entrance fee to the National Museum of Korea, Seoul
Some suggestions
- Gyeongju, to immerse yourself in Korean culture. A city enchanting by its unparalleled charm.
- A botanical garden and its ecological bay, we are talking about Suncheon. Its beauty will win you over! You can also take a nice long walk in the surroundings and enjoy the calm and clear your head.
- For a timeless getaway, visit Jeju and its traditional atmosphere and let it take you away.
- Jeju offers a subtropical climate and is very suitable for hiking. Expect breathtaking scenery! Make a diversion to the Manjanggul Cave, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also the longest lava cave in the world.
- The must-see Seoul! This megalopolis has a lot to offer in terms of attractions, activities, a mix of modern and ancient architecture, art galleries and much more.
When do you need cash in South Korea?
Although it is perfectly possible to make most payments by card or contactless, it is still very useful to have KRW in cash during a stay in South Korea.
If you move away from tourist areas or leave the big cities, you may come across restaurants or shops that only accept cash payments.
Similarly, you will find some stalls in traditional markets that prefer to be paid in cash.
In general, having KRW in cash is an excellent way to keep control of your spending. Making all your purchases by card is a habit to avoid when travelling abroad: expenses tend to add up quickly, which can easily make your budget spiral.
Some facts about the Korean Won
Denominations of the Korean Won
Notes: 1,000 WON, 5,000 WON, 10,000 WON, 50,000 WON
Coins: 1 WON, 5 WON, 10 WON, 50 WON, 100 WON, 500 WON.
The word "yen" originated from the mispronunciation of 円, which is said "en" or "enne". There was a misinterpretation between the ancient Sino-Japanese script and its pronunciation. The image on the back of the 5,000 yen note is the painting "The Flowers of Kakitsubata", by Ōgata Kōrin.
The Korean won replaced the Korean yen, issued from 1910 to 1945. In fact, the word "won" is derived from the Chinese yuan and the Japanese yen. Korean won banknotes show different Korean personalities, Korean culture and history. The fifty thousand won note shows the first woman to appear on a South Korean banknote Shin Saimdang, Korean artist, writer, calligrapher and poet.
Why buy Korean Won from Change Group?
ChangeGroup has exchange bureaus all over the world, with a wide coverage in the UK. ChangeGroup offers attractive rates for your travel money purchase before you leave for your holiday destination. You might want to buy your travel money online on our website to benefit from better exchange rates and 0% commission. We've also set up a home delivery service so that you don't have to go to an exchange bureau if you don't have much time and focusing on planning your trip. Save time and opt for the home delivery option for only £ 11.95 and receive your order in 24h. Do not worry about purchasing too many wons. Get Changegroup's buyback guarantee for £ 5.99 only and bring back your remaining currency. We will purchase them from you without additional fees or commission.
Traveling soon?
Here's how to easily exchange your money:
1. Choose your currency
Determine the amount you need & enjoy our best price deals online
2. Select branch pick-up
Choose branch pick-up & create an account and finalise your order.
3. Receive travel money
Pick-up your currency from one of our branches the next day & enjoy your trip!
FAQ about exchanging GBP to KRW
It is almost impossible to predict fluctuations in the GBP/KRW exchange rate. At ChangeGroup, we update our rates daily to best reflect market conditions and offer you the most competitive prices. By planning your GBP-to-KRW exchange in advance, you can compare market trends, choose the most favourable moment and obtain your KRW at the best rate.
We offer free collection of your KRW from the exchange bureau of your choice. For added convenience, we can also deliver your order directly to your home within 24 hours for just £6.95.
By choosing to reserve your KRW online, you benefit from our best exchange rates. We also remove all fees or commissions on your transaction! You therefore know exactly how many KRW you will receive after the exchange.
Thanks to our home delivery currency service, we can exchange your GBP to KRW wherever you are in the United Kingdom.
Do you have a question about our services?
Find the answers to your questions in our FAQs


