kreadynewKorea Ready Kit

Paying for the subway and bus in Seoul: T-money, Climate Card and WOWPASS

In shortMost visitors use a T-money transit card, sold at convenience stores and subway information centers. Since March 2026, new ticket machines at 273 stations on Seoul Subway Lines 1–8 accept Visa and Mastercard cards issued abroad. Tap the card when you get on and off to get transfer discounts.

No Korean number needed

T-money card

  • Costs ₩3,000–5,000 for a standard card; the balance is loaded separately.
  • Sold at convenience stores such as GS25, CU and 7-ELEVEN, and at information centers in Seoul subway stations on Lines 1–8.
  • Top up at subway ticket machines (up to ₩500,000).
  • One card can't be shared by several people at once.

Overseas cards at ticket machines

Since 17 March 2026, 440 new machines at 273 stations on Seoul Subway Lines 1–8 accept credit and debit cards issued abroad for fares, including Visa and Mastercard, as well as Kakao Pay and Naver Pay.

Transfers

  • Fares are based on total distance, so you don't pay a new base fare when you transfer.
  • Transfer within 30 minutes of tapping off (60 minutes from 21:00 to 07:00), up to 4 times.
  • Always tap off when you leave a bus, or you may lose the transfer discount.
  • Cash fares, airport buses, express intercity buses and taxis don't count.

Climate Card short-term passes

  • Unlimited-ride passes for Seoul: 1 day ₩5,000, 2 days ₩8,000, 3 days ₩10,000, 5 days ₩15,000, 7 days ₩20,000. The card itself costs ₩3,000.
  • VisitKorea says the card can only be bought and charged with cash or a card issued in Korea.
  • The pass starts when it is loaded and can't be changed or reloaded until it expires.
  • Sold at Seoul Tourist Plaza and Myeong-dong tourist information centers, Seoul Metro information centers on Lines 1–8 (cash only) and the new ticket machines.
  • The 30-day Climate Card was discontinued on 1 October 2026.

WOWPASS

  • A prepaid card for foreigners that costs ₩5,000.
  • Top up in local currency at 450+ WOWPASS machines, or by credit card in the app.
  • For buses and subways, its Tmoney balance is topped up separately.
  • Withdraw won at WOWPASS machines in hotels, subway stations and convenience stores.

T-money on iPhone

  • Tmoney has worked in Apple Pay since 22 July 2025, for public transport only.
  • Refunds of an Apple Pay T-money balance can only be requested in the Mobile Tmoney app, to a bank account in your own name.

Getting your balance back

  • Small T-money balances can be refunded at convenience stores. The card price isn't refunded.
  • Refunds over ₩50,000 are only possible at Tmoney Town near Seoul Station Exit 10.
  • Leftover WOWPASS balance can be returned as cash in won at a WOWPASS kiosk.

FAQ

Can I tap my overseas credit card at the gate?

The official sources only describe overseas cards at ticket machines, not at the gates.

Can I buy a Climate Card with a foreign card?

VisitKorea says purchase and charging need cash or a card issued in Korea. Bring some cash.

Do airport buses count for transfers?

No. Airport buses, express intercity buses and taxis don't count.

Sources