Where to Exchange Money in Jeju: Airport, Dongmun Market & Seogwipo ATM Guide (2026)
A friend visiting from overseas asked me something I get a lot.
"Do I actually need cash in Jeju, or can I just use my card everywhere?"
It's a fair question. Korea has a reputation for being almost cashless.
Honestly, that reputation holds up pretty well here too. Most hotels, cafés, restaurants, and tourist spots take foreign cards without any issue.
Unlike Seoul, Jeju doesn't have currency exchange offices on every corner.
I've watched a few travelers get caught off guard by that. So I put together what I've learned from living here — where to exchange money, where the reliable ATMs are, and a few things I wish someone had told me before my first foreign card withdrawal in Korea.
When you'll actually need cash in Jeju
Card payment covers most of a Jeju trip.
But there are a few situations where I noticed cash still matters:
- Some stalls inside traditional markets
- Small street food carts and tiny local eateries
- Shops in rural or countryside areas
- Topping up a T-money transit card
- Just having something on hand for the unexpected
Most travelers I've talked to seem comfortable carrying somewhere between 50,000 and 100,000 won for the trip.
Not a huge amount — just enough to not worry about it.
Exchanging money at Jeju International Airport
The easiest option, honestly, is to exchange money the moment you land.
Jeju International Airport has currency exchange counters right inside the arrivals area. You don't need to go looking for them — the signage is hard to miss.
The exchange rate at the airport tends to run a bit less favorably than what you'd get at a bank in town, though.
Because of that, a lot of travelers I've spoken with just exchange a smaller amount here to get through the first day. They handle the rest once they're in the city.
If you're looking for the exchange counters, you'll find them near Exit 5 in the arrivals hall.
Around Dongmun Market — exchange and ATMs in Jeju City
If you're staying in Jeju City, the area around Dongmun Market (동문시장) is probably your best bet.
It's the city's main traditional market. Because so many tourists pass through, a few dedicated exchange counters and bank branches have settled in around it.
There's a Money Box branch near Dongmun Market — a dedicated currency exchange counter, not a bank.
It's open daily from 10:00 to 21:00. A straightforward option if you want cash without dealing with a full bank visit.
The bank branches clustered around the market also run their own ATMs. NH Nonghyup, Shinhan, KB Kookmin, and Hana all have locations here.
Several of them are marked as Global ATMs.
Withdrawing cash with a foreign card
If your card carries a Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, or Plus logo, you can withdraw cash from most Korean ATMs without much trouble.
The trick is finding the right machine. Not every ATM in Korea accepts foreign cards, so look specifically for one marked "Global ATM."
I've noticed most bank branches label their Global ATMs clearly.
You'll usually see a "Global" or "Foreign Card" menu option pop up once you insert your card.
Convenience stores like GS25, CU, and 7-Eleven also have Global ATMs scattered around. Handy late at night when banks are closed.
A few things that actually save money
None of this is complicated. Just a few habits that make a real difference:
- Set up a travel card before you leave home. Some cards from your home country waive foreign withdrawal fees entirely — worth checking before your trip.
- Turn off DCC (dynamic currency conversion) on your card before you travel. It's the setting that lets a merchant charge you in your home currency instead of won, and it almost always costs more.
- Skip the airport exchange for large amounts. It's convenient, but the rate is rarely the best one you'll find.
- Install Naver Map and Papago before you land. Bank signage and ATM screens aren't always in English, and a quick photo-translate through Papago has saved me more than once.
Around Olle Market — Currency Exchange & ATMs in Seogwipo
If you're staying in Seogwipo instead of Jeju City, don't worry.
You won't need to travel back to the airport just to get cash.
The area around Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market has several major bank branches with Global ATMs that accept foreign cards.
If you prefer exchanging cash rather than using an ATM, Olle Currency Exchange is a convenient option just a short walk from Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market.
The most convenient choices are KB Kookmin Bank Seogwipo Branch and IBK Industrial Bank Seogwipo Branch. Both are within walking distance of the market.
| Bank | Best for | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| KB Kookmin Bank Seogwipo | Global ATM | 3–5 min |
| IBK Industrial Bank | Global ATM | 5–7 min |
| Convenience Store Global ATM | After hours | Various |
Final Tips
If you're staying in Jeju City, Dongmun Market is the easiest place to exchange money or find a Global ATM.
If your hotel is in Seogwipo, you'll find reliable Global ATMs at the major bank branches around Olle Market.
Either way, carrying a small amount of cash is usually enough for a comfortable trip around Jeju.
Whether you exchange cash at the airport, in Jeju City, or in Seogwipo, you'll have no trouble getting Korean won as long as you know where to look.
| Location | Best option | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Jeju Airport | Airport exchange counter | First-day cash |
| Dongmun Market | Money Box + Global ATMs | Jeju City stay |
| Seogwipo Olle Market | Olle Currency Exchange + Global ATMs | Seogwipo stay |
📖 Related Post
Jeju Five-Day Markets & Supermarket Closure Dates (2026)