ATM Fees in North Korea
North Korean Won (KPW) • Updated April 2026
North Korea has no international banking access. Tourists travel on organized tours where most costs are prepaid. EUR, CNY, or USD cash is used for purchases. No ATMs for foreigners.
Tips for North Korea
- • Travel only possible through organized tours
- • Most costs prepaid through tour company
- • Bring Chinese Yuan (CNY) for small purchases - easiest to use, change readily available
- • Bring Euros for hotel bills, optional activities, and tipping guides
- • USD accepted but less convenient - you may get change in CNY or EUR
- • All foreign bills must be pristine - no tears, marks, or heavy creases
- • Bring small denominations for tips and small purchases
- • No international cards work at all
- • Tourists generally cannot use North Korean Won
Airport tips
- • Pyongyang airport has no usable ATMs for foreigners
- • All arrangements through tour company
- • Bring cash in CNY, EUR, and USD before arrival
- • Narae prepaid cards sometimes available at airport
Closed Currency Warning: Strictly Illegal
Strictness: Severe
It is prohibited to take local currency out of the country. Customs searches are thorough, and taking local currency is considered smuggling state property.
Don't forget your home bank fees
The fees shown above are charged by local ATMs. Your home bank may also charge additional fees for international withdrawals (typically 1-3% + a flat fee). Check with your bank before traveling.
Estimated daily expenses
How much cash you might need per day in North Korea, per person.
Backpacker
Hostels, street food, public transport
KPW/day
≈ $1,000 USD
Mid-range
Hotels, restaurants, mix of transport
KPW/day
≈ $1,500 USD
Luxury
Premium hotels, fine dining, private transport
KPW/day
≈ $2,500 USD
Cash vs card acceptance
Where you'll need cash and where cards work in North Korea.
Credit card acceptance
NoneNo international banking. Tours are prepaid. Bring foreign cash for extras in Chinese Yuan (best for small purchases), Euros (best for larger items and tips), or USD (accepted but less convenient).
You'll need cash for
- • Souvenirs
- • Tips for guides (EUR preferred)
- • Extra drinks
- • Stamp purchases
- • Optional activities like circus or amusement parks
Cards usually accepted
- • Nothing - no international cards work
💵 Which currencies to bring
Best for daily spending - water, snacks, small souvenirs. Change is readily available.
Official pricing currency for tourists. Best for hotel bills, optional activities, tipping guides, and higher-end souvenirs.
Widely accepted but less convenient. You may receive change in CNY or EUR. Bills must be pristine.
Local Currency Access
Tourists are generally prohibited from using North Korean Won. Exception: The Kwangbok Department Store in Pyongyang may require exchanging foreign cash to Won to shop - you must exchange any leftover Won back before leaving the store.
Prepaid Cards
The Narae card (Foreign Trade Bank) and Koryo card (Koryo Bank) are prepaid debit cards sometimes available at the airport, major hotels, or bank exchange counters. These are novelty items - cash is more practical for short visits.
💰 Cheapest banks for foreign cards
These banks charge the lowest fees for withdrawals with foreign cards.
| Bank | ATM Fee | Est. Cost | Branches | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Bank of DPRK | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 220 | No international card access - currency exchange only |
| Foreign Trade Bank | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 11 | Issues Narae prepaid cards for tourists |
| Koryo Bank | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1 | Issues Koryo prepaid cards |
| Golden Triangle Bank | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1 | Rason SEZ only - tourists can visit this bank |
📍 Most widely available ATMs
Sorted by number of ATM locations. More branches means easier access, but fees may be higher.
| Bank | ATM Fee | Est. Cost | Branches | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Bank of DPRK | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 220 | No international card access |
| Foreign Trade Bank | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 11 | Narae card issuer |
| Koryo Bank | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1 | Koryo card issuer |
| Golden Triangle Bank | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1 | Rason SEZ - unique tourist access |