Travel Cards — Travelogue vs Wise vs Travel Wallet

Choosing the right card before international travel can save ₩50,000–₩200,000 per trip in exchange fees and ATM charges. Here is how the main options compare.

Korean Travel Cards

Travelogue (Hana Bank)

Pre-load KRW, convert to 40+ currencies in the app at near-interbank rates. Zero foreign transaction fee. ATM withdrawals at partner banks abroad with minimal fee. Best all-round option for most Korean travellers.

Travel Wallet (Shinhan)

Similar concept to Travelogue. Supports 10+ major currencies. No FX fee on card payments. Good for US, Europe, Japan travel.

Kakao Pay Overseas Card

Linked to your Kakao account. Visa prepaid card with no FX fee. Easy to use but requires loading balance in advance.

International Cards

Wise (formerly TransferWise)

Available to Korean residents. Mastercard prepaid with real exchange rate, no markup. Fee is 0.4–1% per conversion — still much cheaper than bank FX. Best for multi-currency trips.

Revolut

Free tier allows a limited amount of fee-free exchange per month. Good for occasional travellers. Not yet available for Korean accounts directly — check current availability.

Premium Credit Card Perks

If you have a premium credit card (Hyundai, Samsung, KB, Shinhan), check the card benefit guide before your trip. Many include:

• Overseas travel insurance (auto-activated when you buy a flight with the card)
• Priority Pass or IATA lounge access
• Free Incheon Airport valet parking (1 trip)
• Zero foreign transaction fee on select cards