Buy South Korean Won
The compact nature of this fascinating country means that a serene mountain retreat is only a short ride away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre metropolis. A handful of won will open the door to a range of exciting experiences.
Today's rate:
- KRW= £1
- °F
What to spend your Won on
Tour of the 600-year-old Changdeokgung Palace
3000 KRW
A bottle of local beer at a restaurant
4000 KRW
Fast food meal in Seoul
6000 KRW
Express train from Incheon International Airport to Seoul city centre
8000 KRW
Traditional paper fan
9000 KRW
A budget
RecalculateMust-sees in South Korea
- Busan
- Head to the portal town of Busan for a slower pace of life, and take in its sun-kissed beaches, breath-taking mountains, hot springs and endless bars and restaurants.
- Seoul
- The capital city of Seoul is a cultural melting pot, awash with contrasts. Neon lights and towering skyscrapers give way to historical palaces and local markets.
- Jongmyo
- JThe UNESCO World Heritage site of Jongmyo offers a dash of tranquillity with its woodland setting, dotted with many historical and religious landmarks.
The only won you’ll need
The won was introduced as Korea’s official currency in 1902, replacing the yang. However, this only lasted until 1910, when the yen took over. The won was reintroduced from 1945-1953 and, after a nine-year spell with the won, it was officially brought back in 1962; it has remained the legal tender ever since.
Day-to-day living can be relatively inexpensive for frugal types in South Korea, where a meal in a modest restaurant can be enjoyed for just 10,000 KRW (which works out roughly around 6 GBP!).
Tipping is not common practice in South Korea, however 5-10% will be appreciated in a Western-style restaurant.
Frequently used banknotes and coins
Won notes come in denominations of 1,000 (purple), 5,000 (orange), 10,000 (green) and 50,000 (yellow). Coins are also frequently used – the most useful denominations are to the value of 50, 100 and 500 denominations, since these are handy for making up the change if your bill doesn’t come to a whole 1,000 won.
Won notes come with a number of security features aimed at combatting fraud, including 3D holograms and colour shifting ink and feature images of famous local figures and South Korean wildlife.
Buying South Korean Won online is easy
Free next-day home delivery on orders over 500 GBP
*The figures provided are indicative only and are there to provide an idea of the amount of travel money you may need during your trip.