How much money to bring, how to budget for shopping, and how to use Korea's tax refund system to get more out of every won you spend.
Korea is one of Asia's most popular travel destinations — and for good reason. The food is incredible, the culture is rich, and the shopping is world-class. But unlike many travel destinations, Korea has a built-in financial perk for tourists: the VAT tax refund system. Every eligible purchase you make at a registered store comes with a 6–9% rebate that you collect before leaving the country.
For travelers who plan ahead, this means your effective shopping budget is actually larger than what you bring. If you spend ₩500,000 on shopping, you can expect roughly ₩35,000–₩42,000 back. On a ₩2,000,000 shopping trip, that's ₩140,000–₩170,000 in refunds — enough to cover a nice dinner or two in Seoul. This guide helps you plan your budget with these savings built in from the start.
per day (excl. shopping)
per day (excl. shopping)
per day (excl. shopping)
The table below shows realistic shopping budgets for different traveler types and the estimated tax refunds you can expect to receive back. Use this to plan your actual spending money needed.
| Traveler Type | Shopping Budget | Est. Refund (7.5% avg) | Effective Cost After Refund |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light shopper | ₩150,000 | ₩11,250 | ₩138,750 |
| K-beauty focused | ₩300,000 | ₩22,500 | ₩277,500 |
| Fashion + beauty | ₩600,000 | ₩45,000 | ₩555,000 |
| Serious shopper | ₩1,000,000 | ₩75,000 | ₩925,000 |
| Luxury shopper | ₩3,000,000 | ₩225,000 | ₩2,775,000 |
| Total saved on ₩1M shopping trip | ₩75,000+ |
When you see an item priced at ₩100,000, mentally adjust to ₩92,500 (after ~7.5% refund). This helps you make more accurate purchase decisions and avoid post-trip sticker shock.
You can get cash refunds at Myeongdong kiosks the same day you shop. Getting cash early means you can use that money for more shopping or food during your trip — not just at departure.
Seoul's subway system is extensive and incredibly affordable — most rides cost ₩1,500–₩2,500. A T-money card also works on buses. Compared to taxis, using public transport can save ₩10,000–₩30,000 per day.
Olive Young runs major sales events (particularly in June and November/December) where popular items are discounted 20–40% BEFORE the tax refund. Combining a sale purchase with a tax refund gives you exceptional value.
A full meal at a local Korean restaurant (kimbap, bibimbap, jjigae) typically costs ₩7,000–₩12,000. The same meal at a restaurant adjacent to popular tourist spots can cost 2–3x more. Walk one or two streets away to find the local price.
The basement food halls of Lotte and Shinsegae department stores markdown prepared foods in the last 1–2 hours before closing. High-quality Korean food at significant discounts — and you're already in the building for your shopping.
The same K-beauty products can vary in price between districts. Myeongdong is convenient but often slightly more expensive for cosmetics than Hongdae. Check prices before committing to large purchases.
The Korean won fluctuates against major currencies. If the won is weak against your home currency, your effective buying power in Korea is higher — meaning your purchases and refunds are worth more when converted home.
Group your shopping trips by area: Myeongdong for K-beauty, Hongdae for fashion and gifts, Gangnam for luxury, Dongdaemun for late-night fashion. Crisscrossing the city wastes time and transportation money.
Many credit cards charge 1.5–3% on foreign transactions. On a ₩500,000 shopping trip, that's ₩7,500–₩15,000 in fees — potentially wiping out a chunk of your tax refund. Use a no-fee card or pay cash for large purchases.
| Category | Budget Trip | Standard Trip | Comfort Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (5 nights) | ₩200,000 | ₩500,000 | ₩1,500,000 |
| Food & dining | ₩150,000 | ₩300,000 | ₩600,000 |
| Transport (subway + airport) | ₩50,000 | ₩80,000 | ₩150,000 |
| Activities & entrance fees | ₩30,000 | ₩100,000 | ₩200,000 |
| Shopping budget | ₩200,000 | ₩600,000 | ₩2,000,000 |
| Tax refund received back | −₩15,000 | −₩45,000 | −₩150,000 |
| Net Total | ₩615,000 | ₩1,535,000 | ₩4,300,000 |
Related Articles
Use our free calculator to see how much you'll get back on your Korea shopping budget.
该带多少钱、购物预算如何分配，以及如何利用韩国退税制度让每一分钱都花得更值。
韩国是亚洲最热门的旅游目的地之一，美食、文化和购物均属世界一流。更重要的是，韩国为外国游客提供了一项内置的财务福利：增值税退税制度。在注册免税商店的每一笔合规消费都可获得6–9%的退款，在离境前领取。
对于有计划的旅行者来说，这意味着您的实际购物预算比携带的金额还要多。如果购物消费₩500,000，预计可退回约₩35,000–₩42,000。₩2,000,000的购物之旅，退款高达₩140,000–₩170,000——足以支付首尔两顿不错的晚餐。本指南帮助您从一开始就把这部分节省纳入预算规划。
每天（不含购物）
每天（不含购物）
每天（不含购物）
| 旅行者类型 | 购物预算 | 预估退税（均值7.5%） | 退税后实际花费 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 轻度购物 | ₩150,000 | ₩11,250 | ₩138,750 |
| K-Beauty为主 | ₩300,000 | ₩22,500 | ₩277,500 |
| 时尚+美妆 | ₩600,000 | ₩45,000 | ₩555,000 |
| 资深购物达人 | ₩1,000,000 | ₩75,000 | ₩925,000 |
| 奢侈品购物 | ₩3,000,000 | ₩225,000 | ₩2,775,000 |
| ₩100万购物之旅总节省 | ₩75,000+ |
看到标价₩100,000时，心里换算成₩92,500（退税约7.5%后）。这样做决策更准确，避免回国后出现"买贵了"的懊悔。
购物当天即可在明洞自助退税机领取现金。提前拿到这笔钱，可以继续用于购物或餐饮，而不是只在离境时才能用。
首尔地铁网络发达且价格实惠，大多数乘次仅需₩1,500–₩2,500。与打车相比，每天可节省₩10,000–₩30,000。
橄榄青年定期举办大促活动（6月及11/12月），热门商品折扣高达20–40%，叠加退税效果极为可观。
韩国普通餐厅一顿饭（紫菜包饭、拌饭、汤类）通常₩7,000–₩12,000。主要景点附近餐厅价格高出2–3倍。稍微走远两条街，就能找到本地价格。
乐天、新世界百货地下美食区在临近打烊前1–2小时会对熟食打折。顺带完成购物，高品质韩国美食享折扣价。
| 项目 | 经济型 | 标准型 | 舒适型 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 住宿（5晚） | ₩200,000 | ₩500,000 | ₩1,500,000 |
| 餐饮 | ₩150,000 | ₩300,000 | ₩600,000 |
| 交通（地铁+机场） | ₩50,000 | ₩80,000 | ₩150,000 |
| 活动门票 | ₩30,000 | ₩100,000 | ₩200,000 |
| 购物预算 | ₩200,000 | ₩600,000 | ₩2,000,000 |
| 退税返还 | −₩15,000 | −₩45,000 | −₩150,000 |
| 净总计 | ₩615,000 | ₩1,535,000 | ₩4,300,000 |
持参する金額の目安、ショッピング予算の組み方、そして消費税還付制度を活用して旅行費用をさらに節約する方法をご紹介します。
韓国はアジア屈指の人気旅行先です。食事・文化・ショッピングのすべてが世界レベルで、さらに旅行者には税金面での特典もあります。それが消費税還付制度です。登録された免税店での購入ごとに6〜9%の返金を受け取れ、出国前に現金で受け取れます。
計画的に行動すれば、実質的なショッピング予算は持参額より多くなります。₩500,000の購入なら₩35,000〜₩42,000が戻り、₩2,000,000のショッピングなら₩140,000〜₩170,000の還付に。ソウルで2回豪華なディナーを楽しめる金額です。このガイドでは、最初から還付分を組み込んだ予算計画の立て方をご紹介します。
1日あたり（ショッピング除く）
1日あたり（ショッピング除く）
1日あたり（ショッピング除く）
| 旅行スタイル | ショッピング予算 | 還付見込み（平均7.5%） | 還付後の実質コスト |
|---|---|---|---|
| ライトショッパー | ₩150,000 | ₩11,250 | ₩138,750 |
| K-Beauty中心 | ₩300,000 | ₩22,500 | ₩277,500 |
| ファッション＋コスメ | ₩600,000 | ₩45,000 | ₩555,000 |
| 本格ショッパー | ₩1,000,000 | ₩75,000 | ₩925,000 |
| ラグジュアリーショッパー | ₩3,000,000 | ₩225,000 | ₩2,775,000 |
| ₩100万ショッピングの総節約額 | ₩75,000+ |
₩100,000の商品を見たら、心の中で₩92,500（還付後）に換算しましょう。より正確な購入判断ができ、帰国後の後悔も減ります。
買い物当日に明洞のキオスクで現金還付が受けられます。早めに受け取れば、旅行中にその現金を使うことができます。
ソウルの地下鉄は路線が充実していて安価（1回₩1,500〜₩2,500）。タクシーより1日₩10,000〜₩30,000節約できます。
オリーブヤングは6月と11・12月に大型セールを実施し、人気商品が20〜40%オフに。還付と組み合わせると非常にお得です。
韓国の地元食堂なら1食₩7,000〜₩12,000。観光スポット周辺は2〜3倍高いことも。2本道を入るだけで地元価格になります。
ロッテ・新世界百貨店の地下フードホールは閉店1〜2時間前に惣菜類を値引き販売。ショッピングのついでに高品質な韓国料理がお得に楽しめます。