WOW Pass vs T-Money Complete Comparison Guide

Hello! I’m Guide H.

Many travelers planning a trip to Korea wonder, “Should I get WOW Pass or T-Money?”

Both cards are useful for traveling in Korea, but they have different features and pros/cons, so your choice may vary depending on your travel style.

In this post, I’ll compare WOW Pass and T-Money in detail from various perspectives: features, price, usage range, pros and cons, and more.

📋 Table of Contents

1. What is WOW Pass?
2. What is T-Money?
3. Feature Comparison
4. Price Comparison
5. Usage Range Comparison
6. Pros and Cons Comparison
7. Recommended For
8. Conclusion

🎯 What is WOW Pass?

WOW Pass is an all-in-one card for foreign travelers.

It’s a hybrid card that combines transportation card, payment card, and currency exchange functions into one.

Key Features

• Transportation Card Function: Use on subways, buses, taxis, and other public transportation
• Payment Card Function: Can be used for payments at credit card merchants (VISA network)
• Currency Exchange Function: Can exchange foreign currency to Korean won for charging
• App Integration: Check balance, charge, and refund through the WOW Pass app

How to Get

• WOW Pass kiosks at Incheon Airport, Gimpo Airport, and other airports
• Kiosks installed at major tourist spots and subway stations
• Online advance reservation with airport pickup

Price

• Issuance Fee: Approximately 5,000 won
• Charging: Can charge any amount you want

🎯 What is T-Money?

T-Money is Korea’s most widely used basic transportation card.

It’s Korea’s representative transportation card system that has been in use since 2004.

Key Features

• Transportation Card Function: Use on subways, buses, taxis, and other public transportation
• Convenience Store Payment: Can make small payments at some convenience stores
• Nationwide Usage: Can be used anywhere in Korea, including Seoul, Busan, and Jeju

How to Purchase

• Major stations and airports like Incheon Airport and Seoul Station
• Convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, etc.)
• Online advance purchase with airport pickup

Price

• Card Price: Approximately 3,000 won (up to 5,000 won depending on design)
• Charging: Can charge any amount you want

⚖️ Feature Comparison

Key Differences

WOW Pass is an all-in-one card that combines transportation card + payment card + currency exchange.

T-Money is a card focused purely on transportation.

In other words, think of WOW Pass as a card that includes T-Money functionality.

💰 Price Comparison

Price Analysis

While T-Money is 2,000 won cheaper initially, WOW Pass allows charging with foreign cards, which can save on currency exchange fees.

Additionally, balance refunds are easier, making it convenient to get your remaining money back.

📍 Usage Range Comparison

Public Transportation

• WOW Pass: ✅ Nationwide (Subway, bus, taxi)
• T-Money: ✅ Nationwide (Subway, bus, taxi)

Places Where Payment is Possible

• WOW Pass:
  • ✅ All VISA merchants (Most stores, restaurants, cafes, etc.)
  • ✅ Convenience stores, marts, department stores, etc.
• T-Money:
  • ⚠️ Only some convenience stores
  • ❌ Cannot be used at general stores

Places Where Charging is Possible

• WOW Pass:
  • ✅ WOW Pass kiosks
  • ✅ Foreign card charging via app
  • ✅ Currency exchange kiosks
• T-Money:
  • ✅ Convenience stores
  • ✅ Subway station charging machines
  • ❌ Cannot charge with foreign cards

✅ Pros and Cons Comparison

WOW Pass

Advantages ✅

• All-in-one Function: Transportation + shopping + currency exchange in one
• Foreign Card Charging Available: Can charge directly with foreign cards via app
• Easy Balance Refund: Can refund easily via app
• Wide Usage Range: Can make payments at most stores
• Save on Exchange Fees: Exchange currency via card without visiting separate exchange centers

Disadvantages ❌

• Higher Issuance Fee: 5,000 won (2,000 won more expensive than T-Money)
• Must Find Kiosks: Need to find kiosks for charging
• Cannot Charge at Convenience Stores: Cannot charge at general convenience stores

T-Money

Advantages ✅

• Affordable Price: 3,000 won, very affordable
• Convenient Charging: Can charge easily at convenience stores
• Widely Used: Most widely used card in Korea
• Nationwide Usage: Can be used anywhere

Disadvantages ❌

• Limited Payment Function: Cannot be used at most stores
• Cannot Charge with Foreign Cards: Can only charge with cash
• No Currency Exchange Function: Must visit separate exchange centers
• Inconvenient Balance Refund: Must visit refund centers

🎯 Recommended For

Recommended for WOW Pass

✅ Those planning to shop a lot

• When card payment is needed at department stores, marts, restaurants, etc.

✅ Those who want convenient currency exchange

• When you want to exchange currency via card without visiting separate exchange centers

✅ Those who want to charge with foreign cards

• When you want to charge directly with foreign cards without cash

✅ Those who want a card with easy balance refund

• When you want to easily refund remaining money after travel

✅ Long-term travelers

• When various payments are needed for long-term travel

Recommended for T-Money

✅ Those planning to use only transportation

• When using only public transportation and shopping separately

✅ Those who want an affordable card

• When you want to minimize initial costs

✅ Those who want easy charging at convenience stores

• When you want to charge easily anywhere

✅ Short-term travelers

• For 1-2 day short trips

✅ Those okay with cash charging

• When you can exchange currency separately and charge with cash

📊 Comparison Summary Table

💡 Conclusion

When WOW Pass is Better

• Travel with lots of shopping and payments
• When you want convenient currency exchange
• When you want to charge with foreign cards
• When you want a card with easy balance refund

When T-Money is Better

• Simple travel using only transportation
• When you want to minimize initial costs
• When you want easy charging at convenience stores
• Short-term travelers

Personal Recommendation 💭

I personally recommend WOW Pass.

The reasons are:

1. High versatility: Can be used not only for transportation but also for shopping, dining, and various places
2. Convenient currency exchange: Can exchange currency via card without visiting separate exchange centers
3. Foreign card charging available: Can charge with foreign cards even without cash
4. Easy balance refund: Can easily refund remaining money via app after travel

Although it’s 2,000 won more expensive initially, I think it’s worth it considering the convenience and versatility during travel.

However, if you’re planning to use only transportation and shop separately, T-Money is also a good choice.

🛒 How to Purchase

Purchase WOW Pass

👉 Reserve WOW Pass in Advance at Klook (Pickup available at airports and designated locations)

You can pick it up right at the airport, saving time, and it’s convenient because you can prepare in advance even if you’re not fluent in Korean.

Purchase T-Money

👉 Purchase T-Money Card in Advance at Klook (Airport pickup available)

You can pick it up right at the airport, saving time, and it’s convenient because you can prepare in advance even if you’re not fluent in Korean.

🙋 Conclusion

In this post, I’ve compared WOW Pass and T-Money in detail.

Both cards are useful for traveling in Korea, but your choice may vary depending on your travel style.

Choose the card that fits your travel plans and needs, and you’ll have a more convenient and economical trip to Korea!

Have a great trip to Korea! Thank you 😊

This post was written as of January 2026. Card prices and benefits may change, so please check the latest information before purchasing.