Do bus and taxi drivers accept US dollar for fares?

Unfortunately you can only use the currency of the country that you are in to pay for all things,including buses and taxi's. Imagine a visitor to the USA attempting to pay for a taxi in NYC with their home countries currency!

Since you are traveling to South Korea, you will need South Korean won to spend there. $12 USD is about 14,000 Korean won. There are various banks at Incheon airport that will help you exchange your money, so no reason to do it at home. And yes you will need Korean won or a credit card to pay for everything inside of the airport as well. The buses require cash but most taxi's take credit card. However, make sure you go to the general taxi line.Do not accept a ride from the taxi drivers who solicit you, especially the black taxi's. Your fee will double in these cases.

Once in Korea you can visit one of the many cash exchange places in Itaewon or walk into any bank and hold up your USD to the person there to help, and they will get the point.

Good luck!

No you cannot.

They will not accept USD.

If you need Korean currency before you depart from the airport to the hotel, you could either exchange them back before you head to Korea or there will be currency exchange station actually at the Incheon airport. However, exchanging at the airport is actually pretty expensive so I would advise against exchanging all of your money there.

The better option would be exchanging it in bank as Shinchon mentioned. You could exchange USD virtually any bank in Korea.

Now in Seoul, (not sure about the rest of the country) but you can use credit card in the taxi (ask the driver before you get in. Just show him your card and say "Card-ah Quen-chan-ah-yo". Which means, "Is card okay?" Otherwise, I suggest getting alittle bit of currency. There's an ATM in the baggage claim terminal. When you get to the ATM, select "English" and that will give you an option for "foreign card". If you happen to find an ATM that says "Hana Bank", I know they don't charge fee. Others, like KB Bank or Citibank do (unless you have a Citi account) But the fee isnt much, so if you're charged, no biggie. Do the atm instead of the cash counter. They offer crappy rates.

Good luck!

I have flirted but it's more of the light and friendly banter. Basically I get _buddy buddy_ with these guys by striking up a convo and all, thrown in a few lines of flattery, take in an interest and from the five times I've taken a cab I've only had to pay twice! :D They can be pretty nice guys actually, though I guess it's just because I have a way with people, but I wouldn't recommend anyone trying it because you don't know these guys right? Who knows what they can pull?

No, they generally don't.

Anything you have heard in Pimsleur about how US dollars are widely accepted in Korea probably dates back to 1975.

The good news is that you can exchange money at basically any bank, so this shouldn't be a big problem. Just find a bank, present ID, and change your money.

I am sorry to say this, but the U.S currency (dollar) doesn't go in practical way in Korea.

You should change dollar into won at bank (or airport)

Also you should be aware of different type of taxi in Korea!!

there is deluxe texi which charges more than normal texi (about double)

deluxe texi is black color!! :)

You can exchange money in the airport before taking the taxi.

It is reasonable and not too expensive.

You could exchange money before leaving, but I usually do it when I arrive.

ill be short and simple

NO they do NOT take us$. banks are not hard to find though don't worry. i think you can change us dollars to korean won in some hotels.