Complete Guide to Korean Transportation Cards (T-money, Wowpass, Climate Card, Discover Seoul Pass Comparison)
Various transportation cards in Korea
Have you ever seen this card while preparing for your first trip to Korea?
But is it really necessary?
Hello! I’m Guide H.
In this post, I’ll explain why Korean transportation cards are needed, what types are available, and recommend the best card for your travel style.
✅ Why is it needed?
You might think, “Do I really need such a card? Can’t I just buy subway or bus tickets as I go?”
But! Here are the reasons why travelers must prepare a transportation card.
1. Bus-Subway Transfer Benefits
In major Korean cities, you can get free transfers when switching between buses and subways.
However, you must use the same card for consecutive rides.
For example, if you get off the subway at Hongik University Station on Line 2 and take a bus, you need to use the same card you used on the subway to get the transfer benefit.
2. Buses are difficult to use with cash
Most buses in the metropolitan area do not accept cash payments.
And foreign credit cards cannot be used for payment.
So a transportation card is essential.
For these reasons, a transportation card is essential, but there are many types, which can be confusing for first-time visitors.
So! I’ll now explain which card is best for which type of traveler.
🥇 1. T-money
T money
The first card I’ll introduce is T-money.
It’s probably the most commonly used basic transportation card in Korea.
It can be used on subways, buses, taxis, and convenience stores, and is available nationwide in Seoul, Busan, Jeju, and anywhere in Korea.
The card costs about 3,000 won, and you can charge it with as much as you want.
How to Purchase
T-money cards can be purchased on-site at Incheon Airport or Seoul Station, but if you want to prepare in advance before your trip, you can purchase them online at Klook.
You can pick them up at the airport, which saves time, and it’s convenient because you can prepare in advance even if you’re not fluent in Korean.
👉 Purchase T-money Card in Advance at Klook (Airport pickup available)
Advantages
- ✅ Available to everyone
- ✅ Available nationwide
- ✅ Easy to recharge at convenience stores
- ✅ Affordable price
Disadvantages
- ❌ Limited offline stores where it can be used
- ❌ Refund process for remaining balance is cumbersome
🥈 2. WOWPASS (와우패스)
Wowpass
The second transportation card I’ll introduce is WOWPASS, which is very popular among foreign travelers these days.
So what’s the difference from T-money? WOWPASS is a hybrid card that combines transportation card, payment card, and currency exchange functions.
Think of it as an upgraded version of T-money.
Main Features
- Transportation: Available nationwide, just like T-money
- Payment: Can be used anywhere that accepts credit cards
- Currency Exchange: Can recharge foreign currency to Korean won at kiosks or through the app
How to Recharge
- Available at WOWPASS kiosks
- Can be found at airports and major tourist spots
- Can recharge balance with credit card through WOWPASS app
Advantages
- ✅ All-in-one: transportation + shopping + currency exchange
- ✅ Can recharge with foreign credit cards
- ✅ Easy balance refund
Disadvantages
- ❌ Issuance fee of about 5,000 won
WOWPASS can be used at most offline stores, making it very convenient.
Personally, I recommend WOWPASS over T-money because it has higher utility, allows credit card recharging, and has easier balance refunds.
Would you like to prepare a WOWPASS card in advance?
You can book WOWPASS service in advance at Klook!
You can pick it up at the airport and other locations, making your travel itinerary more convenient.
👉 Book WOWPASS Card in Advance at Klook (Available for pickup at airports and designated locations)
Prepare in advance and start your stress-free trip!
🥉 3. Climate Card (Tourism Pass)
Climate Card
The third transportation card I’ll introduce is the Climate Card.
This card is an unlimited transportation pass created by Seoul City.
It’s available in 1-day to 7-day passes, and the advantage is that you can use Seoul subways and city buses unlimited times.
Price
- 1-day pass: 5,000 won
- 3-day pass: 10,000 won
- Definitely worth it if you ride the subway more than 4 times a day
Advantages
- ✅ Affordable unlimited use
- ✅ 2 hours free Ttareungyi (bike sharing)
- ✅ Includes cultural facility discounts
Disadvantages
- ❌ Only available in Seoul
- ❌ Cannot use outer/express buses
However, this card can only be used in Seoul.
If you’re planning a Seoul trip and will use public transportation frequently, I recommend it.
There used to be a similar concept called M-Pass, a T-money card exclusively for foreigners, but with the introduction of the Climate Card, it has lost price competitiveness, so you don’t need to worry about it separately.
⭐ 4. Discover Seoul Pass
Discover Seoul Pass
Discover Seoul Pass is a tourism pass exclusively for foreigners.
This card is a dedicated tourism pass card with T-money functionality added.
Main Benefits
- Free admission to tourist attractions like Gyeongbokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, and Seoul Tower
- Currently 37 attractions offer free admission, 31 offer discounts
- Available in 48-hour, 72-hour, and 120-hour passes
- One-way free ride on the airport express train from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station
- Free use of Ttareungyi, Seoul’s public bike sharing
Disadvantages
- ❌ Tourism pass price is a bit expensive
- ❌ Need to calculate which is more economical based on attractions you’ll visit and benefits
- ❌ Has T-money card functionality, but T-money balance must be charged separately
This card is recommended when you want to intensively explore Seoul’s tourist attractions in a short time.
👉 Purchase Discover Seoul Pass in Advance at Klook (Airport Pickup Available)
✅ Recommendations by Traveler Type
I’ve organized the information I’ve introduced so far into a table.
Please consider where and how you’ll travel in Korea, and choose the card that best fits your needs.
| Card Name | Main Features | Usage Range | Price | Advantages | Disadvantages | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-money | Transportation card | Nationwide (subway, bus, taxi, convenience stores, etc.) | Card about 3,000 won + rechargeable | ✅ Available nationwide ✅ Easy to recharge ✅ Popular use ✅ Affordable | ❌ Cannot recharge with credit card ❌ Refund is inconvenient | First-time visitors Those who want simple travel |
| WOWPASS | Transportation + Payment + Currency Exchange | Nationwide (VISA payment + transportation) | Issuance fee about 5,000 won + recharge | ✅ All-in-one: transportation + shopping + currency exchange ✅ Can recharge with foreign credit cards ✅ Easy balance refund | ❌ Issuance fee required ❌ Need to find kiosks | Those who want shopping + transportation + convenience Those who find card recharging bothersome |
| Climate Card (Short-term Pass) | Unlimited transportation pass | Seoul only (subway + city/village buses) | 1-day 5,000 won / 3-day 10,000 won, etc. | ✅ Affordable unlimited use ✅ 2 hours free Ttareungyi ✅ Includes cultural facility discounts | ❌ Seoul only ❌ Cannot use outer/express buses | Those traveling only in Seoul and using public transportation frequently |
| Discover Seoul Pass | Tourist attraction admission + transportation option | Seoul (attractions + airport railway + Ttareungyi) | 48-hour pass about 55,000 won, etc. | ✅ Free admission to 37 attractions ✅ Free Ttareungyi ✅ Free airport railway | ❌ Transportation fees must be charged separately ❌ Strict usage time | Travelers who want to intensively visit Seoul tourist attractions |
🙋 Conclusion
If you choose the right card for your travel style, you can save on transportation costs and make your trip much more convenient!
Which card do you think would be best for you?
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Have a great trip to Korea! Thank you 😊
This post was written as of August 2025. Card prices and benefits may change, so please check the latest information before purchasing.