The Right Choice Among 8 Myeongdong Currency Exchange Offices by Arrival Time
On days you arrive in Myeongdong late at night, the Money Box (머니박스) automated currency exchange machine is the right choice. It is located at 52-1 Namdaemun-ro, and the machine operates 24 hours a day. The counter is open from 09:00 to 21:00, so if you arrive on a late flight, remember to use the machine instead.
Myeongdong’s currency exchange offices are clustered within a single block. So the question is not “Can I exchange money?” but “Which ones are open at that time?” Some shops close at 19:00, while others stay open until 23:00—a difference of up to four hours in business hours.
This time, I’ve listed the addresses and business hours of eight currency exchange offices in Myeongdong and organized where you should go based on your arrival time. It’s information you can add directly to your pre-trip checklist for Korea.
In 3 lines
・Arriving late at night → Money Box (automated currency exchange machine・24 hours)
・Arriving in the evening → Cheil Currency Exchange (until 23:00)／K-Exchange (until 22:00)
・A passport is required at every shop (anti-money-laundering regulations)
Three ways to choose based on your arrival time
Since Myeongdong’s currency exchange offices are concentrated within walking distance, choose based on time rather than distance. The biggest waste of time is standing in front of a closed shop with your luggage.
1️⃣ Arriving in the morning or around noon
Nearly all shops are open during this time. All eight start at either 09:00 or 10:00, giving you the widest range of options. It’s easiest to take care of it before checking in at your hotel.
2️⃣ Arriving in the late afternoon or evening
19:00 is the first cutoff point. Daesagwan Currency Exchange (대사관환전소), Daesin Currency Exchange (대신환전소), Currency Exchange Café (환전카페), and Ija Currency Exchange (이자환전소) all close at this time. After 19:00, you have four options: Money Planet (머니플래닛・Monday–Saturday until 20:30), the Money Box counter (until 21:00), K-Exchange (until 22:00), and Cheil Currency Exchange (제일환전・until 23:00).
3️⃣ Arriving after 23:00 or late at night
All counters are closed during this time slot. The only one still operating is the Money Box automated currency exchange machine. It is located at 52-1 Namdaemun-ro, and the machine operates 24 hours a day. If you plan to arrive in Myeongdong in the middle of the night because of a late-night flight or an LCC delay, save this address on your phone in advance.
8 currency exchange offices in Myeongdong — Addresses and business hours
Basic information on all eight offices. When searching in a map app, copying and pasting the Hangul names as they are is the fastest way.
| Store | Address | Business hours |
|---|---|---|
| K-Exchange | Myeongdong 8na-gil 39（명동8나길 39） | 10:00〜22:00 |
| Jeil Money Exchange（제일환전） | Myeongdong 2-ga 85-6（명동2가 85-6） | 09:00〜23:00 |
| Embassy Money Exchange（대사관환전소） | Myeongdong 2-ga 26（명동2가 26） | 09:00〜19:00 |
| Daesin Money Exchange（대신환전소） | Myeongdong 2-gil 26（명동2길 26） | 09:00〜19:00 |
| Money Planet（머니플래닛） | Toegye-ro 103（퇴계로 103） | Mon〜Sat 09:00〜20:30／Sun 09:00〜18:30 |
| Money Box（머니박스） | Namdaemun-ro 52-1（남대문로 52-1） | Counter 09:00〜21:00／Automatic exchange machine 24 hours |
| Exchange Cafe（환전카페） | Toegye-ro 115-2（퇴계로 115-2） | 09:00〜19:00 |
| Ija Money Exchange（이자환전소） | Namdaemun-ro 58-1, 2F（남대문로 58-1 2F） | 09:00〜19:00 |
The source is Creatrip's Myeongdong Money Exchange Guide. Since business hours may change, be sure to check right before visiting, especially on days when you plan to go late.
Some stores have different hours only on Sundays
Money Planet is easy to overlook. It is open until 20:30 from Monday to Saturday, but closes at 18:30 on Sundays only. If you head there on a Sunday evening thinking “It’s fine until 8 p.m.,” you’ll be out of luck. On Sunday nights, it is safer to switch to Jeil Money Exchange（〜23:00）or K-Exchange（〜22:00）.
Look up at the signs for stores on the second floor
Ija Money Exchange is on the second floor of Namdaemun-ro 58-1. If you have arrived at the location marked on the map but cannot find it, the reason is usually that you are on the wrong floor. Before walking around the entire first floor, look up first.
Three things to check before exchanging money
Always take your passport with you. Foreign currency exchange in Korea requires identity verification under anti-money-laundering regulations. If you leave it in the hotel safe, you will have to go all the way back. Bring the original document, not a copy.
Rates differ from one exchange office to another.Even in Myeongdong, conditions vary by store, so when exchanging a large amount, it is better to compare 2–3 places before deciding. Some services allow you to check rates online in advance, so taking a quick look before leaving your accommodation can help you make a faster decision.
Exchange “only what you need.”While card payments are now widely accepted, there are still situations where cash is needed, such as at street stalls, traditional markets, coin lockers, and some taxis. Rather than exchanging the full amount at once, it is more economical to exchange only what you need for the first day and return to Myeongdong if you run short. This approach is possible precisely because eight exchange offices are concentrated in the area💡
Editor’s note: If you arrive late at night, secure only the minimum amount needed at the airport for your taxi fare and transportation card top-up, then do your main currency exchange in Myeongdong the next morning. Knowing that a 24-hour automatic currency exchange machine is available gives you more flexibility in making this decision.
Summary
The eight currency exchange offices in Myeongdong have varying closing times: 19:00, 20:30, 21:00, 22:00, and 23:00. That is why the only way to choose is to “work backward from your arrival time.” After 19:00, Money Planet, Money Box, K-Exchange, and Cheil Currency Exchange are options; late at night, use Money Box’s automatic currency exchange machine (52-1 Namdaemun-ro, open 24 hours).
There are only two things to do before traveling to Korea: put your passport in your carry-on baggage and save the address of a store that will be open at your arrival time in your phone. That alone can change the first 30 minutes of your arrival day✈️
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I exchange currency if I arrive in Myeongdong late at night?
Yes. Money Box’s automatic currency exchange machine (52-1 Namdaemun-ro) operates 24 hours, so you can exchange currency even when the counters are closed. The staffed counter at the same store is open from 09:00 to 21:00, so if you would like to consult with staff, it is recommended to visit during the day.
Do I need a passport to exchange currency?
Yes. Identification is required under anti-money-laundering regulations, so all currency exchange offices in Myeongdong will ask you to present your passport. Bring the original document, not a copy. If you leave it at your hotel, you will have to go back to get it.
Can I exchange currency in Myeongdong on Sundays?
Yes, but be careful about business hours. Money Planet (머니플래닛) is open from 09:00 to 20:30 Monday through Saturday, but closes earlier on Sundays, from 09:00 to 18:30. If you want to exchange currency on Sunday evening, use Cheil Currency Exchange (제일환전), which is open until 23:00, or K-Exchange, which is open until 22:00.
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