Seoul Transportation Card Complete Guide

When you arrive in a new country, one of the first things you'll want to do―along with picking up a SIM card―is to get yourself a transportation card. But if you're new to Seoul or not used to dealing with things in Korean, even buying a Seoul transportation card can feel a bit unfamiliar and tricky.

 

So in this post, I'll walk you through how to get a Seoul transportation card as a foreign visitor. If you're planning a trip here, stick around till the end!

 

1. Climate Card Tourist Pass(기후동행카드 관광권)

 

 

Features

 

1. Unlimited transportation within Seoul

2. Covers subway, city buses, and villlage buses

3. Perfect for short-term tourists

 

Pricing

 

Duration	Price	Notes
1-day pass	￦5,000	Valid for 24 hours
2-day pass	￦8,000	Valid for 48 hours
3-day pass	￦10,000	Valid for 72 hours
5-day pass	￦15,000	Valid for 120 hours

 

Where to Buy

 

1. Seoul Subway Lines 1-8 Customer Service Centers (Line 1: Seoul Station to Cheongnyangni Station section)

2. Convenience stores near Line 9, Ui-Sinseol Line, and Sillim Line stations

3. Seoul Tourism Plaza Information Center (Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu)

4. Myeongdong Tourist Information Center

 

Coverage Area

 

1. All Seoul subway lines

2. Seoul city buses and village buses

3. Important: Additional fees apply when traveling to other metropolitan areas (Gyeonggi Province, Incheon)

 

2. Tmoney Travel Card (티머니 트래블 카드)

 

 

Features

 

1. Combined transport card + discount benefits

2. Offers discounts at shops, restaurants, cultural facilities, and tourist attractions

3. Rechargeable prepaid card

 

Pricing & Purchase

 

1. Card price: ￦4,000

2. Payment method: Korean won cash only

3. Transportation costs: Separate top-up required

 

Where to Buy

 

1. Convenience stores (7-Eleven, CU, GS25, etc.)

2. Manned bus ticket counter at Incheon International Airport

 

Additional Benefits

 

1. Discount benefits at partner businesses

2. Various perks at tourist attractions, shopping centers, and restaurants

 

Official website

 

3. WOW PASS (와우 패스)

 

 

Features

 

1. All-in-one prepaid card (transport + payment)

2. Exclusively for foreign tourists

3. Combines card payment and transport card functions

 

Purchase & Pricing

 

You can get a WOWPASS from self-service kiosks, which are installed at major airports and stations including Incheon Airport Terminals 1 (CU branch No. 1) and 2 (CU branch No. 3), Gimpo Airport Station (installed inside the subway station), and Jeju Airport (installed in the international terminal).

 

1. Initial membership fee: ￦5,000 (non-refundable)

2. Balance withdrawal fee: ￦1,000

3. Card reissue fee: ￦3,000

4. Free services: currency exchange, balance top-up,  balance payment, annual card fee

 

Official website

 

4. Tmoney M Pass (티머니 엠패스)

 

 

Features

 

1. Up to 20 rides a day at a discounted fare

2. Mpass works as both a transportation card and Tmoney card―you can top it up with Tmoney to use for taxis or stores.

3. Tourist season ticket for foreign visitors

 

Route Available with Mpass

 

1. Metropolitan subway2. Airport Railroad regular train3. Seoul green/blue/yellow buses4. Village buses5. Seoul late night buses

 

Pricing

 

Classification	Price (KRW)	Discount after 5pm
1-day pass	￦15,000	￦12,000
2-day pass	￦23,000	￦20,000
3-day pass	￦30,500	￦27,500
5-day pass	￦47,500	￦44,500
7-day pass	￦64,500	￦61,500

 

Where to Buy

 

Tmoney Town, Seoul City Tower 1st Fl. at Exit no. 10 of Seoul Station

 

Official website

 

Card Selection Guide

 

1. Short Seoul Trip (1-5 days): Climate Card Tourist Pass recommended

2. Discount Benefits Priority: Tmoney Travel Card recommended

3. Payment Function Needed: WOW PASS recommended

 

Purchase Tips

 

1. Bring Cash: Most transportation cards can only be purchased with Korean won cash

2. Refund Policy: Many cards are only refundable within the usage period

3. Coverage Area: Seoul area and greater metropolitan area coverage may differ

4. Language Support: Some retailers offer English service

 

Note: Transportation card policies and prices are subject to change. Please check official websites for the most up-to-date information before your trip.