Ultimate Korea Travel Card Guide
More for Less: Smart Ways to Save during Your Korean Vacation — This complete guide covers every major transportation and travel card available in Korea for foreign visitors, from T-money and WOWPASS to K-PASS and Korail Pass. Learn where to buy them, how to use them, and which one fits your travel style best.
Ⅰ. T-money
💳 1️⃣ T-money Travel Card – Top Korea Travel Card
The T-money Travel Card is a must-have for travelers in Korea. It’s available right after you arrive at the airport, usable nationwide, and easy to recharge or refund. You can conveniently use it for subways, buses, and even airport trains — all without cash.
📍 Where to Buy
- Incheon International Airport (Terminal 1 & 2): Convenience stores, transport info desks
- Gimpo Airport Domestic Terminal: CU convenience store, T-money booth
- AREX Seoul Station: vending machines or ticket desk
- All major convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, etc.)
- Online mall: Coupang, Klook
💰 Price: ₩4,000–₩6,000 (≈ $2.80–$4.30) depending on design or coupon bundle.
🚉 Where You Can Use It
All public transportation in Korea — subways, city and intercity buses, airport rail, and select taxis. Also works at certain convenience stores, vending machines, public bike rentals, and unmanned ticket kiosks marked with the “T-money” logo.
✔ How to Recharge
Use unmanned machines in subway stations or recharge at convenience stores (cash accepted).
✔ Refund
Before departure, visit a convenience store or subway office for a cash refund (service fee applies). Refunds may not be available within 30 days of purchase for some card types.
💡 Tip: Available immediately upon arrival at the airport. Android users can check balances through the T-money app.
✨ Pros: Perfect for short-term travelers, accepted nationwide, easy to purchase at the airport.
⚠️ Cons: Foreign cards may not work for recharging; refund fee applies; card price is non-refundable.
💳 2️⃣ Mobile T-money
🍎 For iPhone & Apple Watch (T-money in Apple Wallet)
T-money Official Guide(Korean only — use Google Translate for convenience)
As of July 22, 2025, Apple Wallet officially supports T-money in Korea! iPhone and Apple Watch users can now ride subways and buses without a physical card.
- Supported devices: iPhone XS/XR or later (iOS 17.2+), Apple Watch Series 6 / SE 2nd Gen or later (watchOS 10.2+)
- Add T-money via Wallet → “+” → “Add Transport Card” → “T-money”
- Top-up with Hyundai Card in Wallet, or via T-money app (supports international cards and bank transfers)
- Auto-recharge available
- Express Mode allows payment even with screen off; works up to 5 hours after battery dies
✨ Pros: Ride buses and subways with just your iPhone or Apple Watch; supports international card top-ups; no need for a physical card.
⚠️ Cons: Only prepaid cards supported (postpaid, K-PASS, Climate Card excluded); some foreign cards may fail to charge; Hyundai Card needed for Apple Pay connection.
🤖 For Android Users
Mobile T-money on Google Play(Korean only — use Google Translate for convenience)
Download the Mobile T-money app → choose prepaid or postpaid card → use with NFC-enabled devices.
Real Talk 💬
Apple Pay or Google Pay may fail at some shops. Overseas cards can’t always recharge T-money, and iPhone users can only use the prepaid version through linked cards like Hyundai Card.
Ⅱ. Metropolitan Pass (Mpass) – Korea Travel Card
🤖 For Android Users – Mpass : 통합인증 플랫폼 – Apps on Google Play
🍎 For iPhone Users – MPASS 통합인증 App – App Store
The Mpass is a transportation pass for foreigners that allows up to 20 subway or bus rides per day across Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi. Once expired, it can still function as a regular T-money card.
- 📍 Where to Buy: T-money Town, 1F Seoul City Tower (Exit 10, Seoul Station)
- 💰 Price: 1-day ₩15,000 (≈ $10.70) / 2-day ₩23,000 (≈ $16.40) / 3-day ₩30,500 (≈ $21.80) / 5-day ₩47,500 (≈ $33.90) / 7-day ₩64,500 (≈ $46.10)
- Includes ₩5,000 (≈ $3.50) deposit → refund ₩4,500 (≈ $3.20) after returning card
- 🚉 Valid for: All Seoul subway lines, city & village buses, AREX (except express)
✨ Pros: Excellent for Seoul-based travelers using public transport daily; includes T-money features for convenience store purchases.
⚠️ Cons: Not valid outside the capital area; 30-day expiration if unused.
Ⅲ. Climate Companion Card (Climate Card)
This “all-in-one” pass allows unlimited use of subways, buses, public bikes, and even Han River ferries within Seoul.
- 📍 Where to Buy: Seoul Tourism Plaza, Myeongdong Tourist Info Center, subway help desks, or partner convenience stores
- 💰 Price: Card ₩3,000 (≈ $2.10) / 1–7-day ₩5,000–₩20,000 (≈ $3.50–$14.30) / 30-day ₩62,000–₩70,000 (≈ $44.30–$50)
- 🚉 Valid on: All Seoul subway lines, city & village buses, Kimpo Gold Line, public bikes, Han River ferry
✨ Pros: Unlimited Seoul transport + culture discounts + public bike access.
⚠️ Cons: Not valid outside Seoul; purchase limited to cash or Korean card; refund at T-money HQ only.
IⅤ. EZL Card – Korea Travel Card
A hybrid card combining transportation, shopping, and payment in one. Loved by travelers for its cute K-pop designs and global usability.
- 📍 Where to Buy: Nationwide convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, Emart24), Coupang, Klook
- 💰 Price: From ₩4,000 (≈ $2.80)
- 💡 Tip: Show your passport at Lotte Duty Free main desk for a free Gold membership upgrade
✨ Pros: All-in-one use (transport + convenience + shopping), 15% duty-free discount, currency exchange benefits.
⚠️ Cons: Some stores excluded (auto-pay, gift shops), foreign top-ups limited.
V. WOWPASS – Korea Travel Card
The most popular all-in-one travel money card for foreigners in Korea — combining foreign exchange, payment, and transit in one card.
- 📍 Where to Buy: WOWPASS App or kiosk, Klook
- 💰 Price: ₩5,000 (≈ $3.50)
- 🚉 Usable on: Subways, buses, and WOWPASS partner stores nationwide
✨ Pros: Recharge with foreign cards, covers transport + shopping + FX, refund available in cash, balance protection if lost.
⚠️ Cons: Slightly higher price; some small vendors may not support WOWPASS payments.
VI. Discover Seoul Pass – Korea Travel Card
Official Discover Seoul Pass Website
The Discover Seoul Pass combines admission to top attractions with a transportation function for foreign travelers.
- 💰 Price: 24-hour ₩50,000 (≈ $35.70) / 48-hour ₩70,000 (≈ $50) / 72-hour ₩90,000 (≈ $64.30)
- 📍 Where to Buy: Incheon & Gimpo Airports, Myeongdong, or online platforms (Klook, KKday, Trazy, etc.)
✨ Pros: Free entry to Seoul’s top attractions + T-money transit support + AREX & bike access.
⚠️ Cons: Mobile version lacks transit function; limited validity period.
VII. Korail Pass – Korea Travel Card
The Korail Pass allows unlimited travel on KTX and selected trains across Korea for a set number of days. Perfect for foreign tourists exploring multiple regions.
- 💰 Price: 2-day ₩121,000 (≈ $86.40) / 3-day ₩138,000 (≈ $98.60) / 4-day ₩193,000 (≈ $137.90) / 5-day ₩210,000 (≈ $150)
- 📍 Where to Buy: Korail website or travel centers (Seoul, Yongsan, Suwon, Cheongnyangni, etc.), Klook
✨ Pros: Unlimited KTX rides, free seat reservations, perfect for long-distance travelers.
⚠️ Cons: Available to foreigners only; some local lines not included.
💬 In Summary – Korea Travel Card
✈️ Short-term travelers → WOWPASS (foreign card top-up + shopping + transit)
🚇 Seoul & metro area travelers → Mpass (period-based unlimited transit)
🧳 General visitors → T-money (buy instantly at airport, nationwide use)
🍎 iPhone & Apple Watch users → T-money card is easier to use than Mobile T-money in Apple Wallet (use your device for transit)
🌿 Seoul residents → Climate Card (monthly unlimited rides)
💕 Shopping & souvenir lovers → EZL Card
🏙 Long-term residents → Standard or Mobile T-money
🍎 Apple Pay update: As of July 22, 2025, Korea officially supports T-money in Apple Wallet — making it easier than ever for iPhone and Apple Watch users to take public transport nationwide.
💬 Continue Exploring Korea with Lucia
If you found this guide helpful, check out more essential tips for traveling smart in Korea:
👉 Practical Tips for Living & Traveling in Korea — learn how to use local apps, payment cards, and essential services like a local.
🏥 Korean Hospital Guide for Foreigners — find English-friendly hospitals, emergency contacts, and healthcare tips across Seoul and beyond.
💡 If you’re planning to explore beyond Seoul, check out Lucia’s Gyeongju Travel Guide 2025 for detailed Korail itineraries and scenic rail trips across Korea!
✨ Stay tuned for more insider guides from Lucia’s Travel Studio, helping you travel Korea smarter, deeper, and easier.
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