Hello South Korea!
Prep your wallet for the dynamic energy and rich culture of South Korea by converting your New Zealand Dollars to South Korean Won.
From K-pop concerts in Seoul to sky capsule rides in colourful Busan, having the right cash lets you dive deep into Korea’s vibrant life.
Secure your KRW today and ensure you’re equipped for every shopping spree and spicy street food feast!
At Travel Money NZ, we provide unbeatable rates for purchasing South Korean Won, with in-person exchanges available at our branches across New Zealand.
Holiday Budget Calculator
We know holiday budgeting can be a snooze fest, but it's important! Just pop in your trip details, and our clever tools will mix crowd-sourced Numbeo data with our exchange rates to show you how much to bring. Easy as!
How to get the most out of your Korean Won
Here are some tips to travel South Korea on a budget...
- Travel during off-peak seasons (March to May or September to November) to take advantage of lower prices on flights and accommodations. These months are less crowded compared to the busy summer (June to August) and major holidays like Chuseok and Seollal (Lunar New Year), which see a spike in both domestic and international tourists. Traveling in spring (March to May) gives you the added bonus of beautiful cherry blossoms without the crowds, while autumn (September to November) offers stunning fall foliage and cooler temperatures—perfect for sightseeing, all while keeping costs down.
- Local Eats - Dive into tasty street food like tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), mandu (dumplings), bungeoppang (fish-shaped pastries), and hotteok (sweet pancakes)—all at bargain prices from local stalls or in traditional markets like Gwangjang or Namdaemun.
- Budget Stays – Skip the luxe hotels and try a jjimjilbang (Korean spa), hanok guesthouse (traditional Korean homes), or cosy backpacker hostels. It's a great way to save, plus you can experience Korean culture firsthand!
- Local Rides – Jump on the ultra-efficient Seoul subway or hop in a local bus—both are super affordable and give you a front-row seat to the city’s fast-paced life.
- Free Fun – Why spend when you can explore Seoul’s palaces, stroll along the Cheonggyecheon Stream, stroll through the beautiful Insadong neighbourhood, or hike up Namsan for incredible views—free adventures await!
- Convert NZD to KRW with Travel Money NZ and ensure every Korean Won goes further for your trip.
All about Korean currency
A quick guide to money in South Korea
The South Korean Won (KRW), symbolised by the ₩, is the official currency of South Korea, a nation celebrated for its rich culture, technological innovation, and dynamic economy. While it’s exclusively used within South Korea, the KRW is a staple in regional trade and a must-have for anyone visiting this vibrant country.
Cash rate
Purchase in store
*Online rate not available in store
Card rate
Purchase in store
Code
KRW
Symbol
₩
Coins
₩1, ₩5, ₩10, ₩50, ₩100, ₩500
Banknotes
₩1000, ₩5000, ₩10000, ₩50000
Korean notes and coins
The South Korean Won is divided into 100 jeon, though this unit is rarely used in daily transactions due to its minimal value.
Coins in South Korea range through ₩1, ₩5, ₩10, ₩50, ₩100 and ₩500, before the banknotes take over.
The banknotes will buy you ₩1,000, ₩5,000, ₩10,000 and ₩50,000 worth of things.
Fun facts about South Korean cash
- Korean banknotes are like a history book in your pocket! They feature King Sejong, who created the Korean alphabet, along with Confucian scholars and artists like Shin Saimdang, showcasing Korea’s rich intellectual and cultural legacy.
- Korean coins are cool too! The 500 won coin features a tiger, symbolizing Korea’s national pride, while the 10 won coin has an image of the Baekje dolmen, a UNESCO World Heritage site—talk about ancient history in your hands!
- Changes made to South Korean banknotes in 2006 made them far tougher to counterfeit – the ₩50,000 note boasts a colossal 22 security features.
Travel Money Trivia - South Korea edition
- You might not see it on your trip, but officially one ‘won’ is worth 100 ‘jeon’ – but given that would be such an outrageously small unit of currency, it’s very seldom mentioned (just like the word ‘seldom’).
- The won is one of the only currencies in the world where the smallest distributed unit of currency is 50,000x smaller than the largest.
- For a while, the South Korean won was pegged to the US Dollar at 15 won per dollar, but on the right day a US dollar is now worth over 1,000 won.
Good to know
- Make sure you declare anything above KRW 8,000,000 (or USD $10,000 total across any other currencies).
- Unlike many countries, South Korea does not have a tipping culture. In fact, tipping is not expected at restaurants, cafes, or even taxis, making transactions simpler for travellers.
Why exchange with us?
No Hidden Fees
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Sell KRW with our Currency Buy-Back Service
Securing the best exchange rate for your NZD to KRW conversion is crucial for a hassle-free travel experience in South Korea. With Travel Money NZ, getting South Korean Won is easy, letting you focus on enjoying the dynamic landscapes and rich cultural offerings of Korea.