Busan Travel Money Guide

Busan has Seoul's tap-and-go convenience with a slower, seaside feel — beaches, hillside villages and Korea's biggest fish market. You'll pay by card almost everywhere, with one delicious cash-only exception.

How much cash to bring to Busan

A rough daily budget for a comfortable mid-range trip:

• Food — ₩22,000–45,000/day (seafood and a beachside dinner cost a little more)
• Local transport — ₩3,000–6,000/day on the subway and buses with a T-money card
• Sights & beaches — ₩10,000–30,000/day (cable cars, temples, Gamcheon village)

Paying your way around Busan

• Your T-money card still works — the same card from Seoul (or a local Cashbee) covers Busan's subway, buses and convenience stores.
• Cards almost everywhere — cafés, restaurants, shops and taxis all tap.
• Cash for Jagalchi — Korea's largest fish market, and the seafood stalls upstairs, run largely on cash.
• The subway covers the highlights — Haeundae, Seomyeon and Nampo are all a quick ride apart.

Neighbourhood cash notes

• Haeundae & Gwangalli — beach cafés, bars and restaurants take cards; a few beach vendors are cash.
• Jagalchi Market — pick your seafood downstairs, eat it upstairs; bring cash.
• BIFF Square / Nampo — street-food alley snacks (ssiat hotteok!) are cash; the shops take cards.
• Gamcheon Culture Village — small craft shops and cafés mostly take cards; carry a little cash for stalls.

One Busan habit

• Carry cash on fish-market days — Jagalchi and the street-food alleys are where won beats plastic; everywhere else, tap away. Tipping isn't part of the culture.