Travel Card Comparison Guide — Travelogue vs Wise vs Travel Wallet
Compare credit/debit cards by FX rate, fees, and travel perks.
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