Which Transit Card Should You Get in Korea?

Last checked: October 2026

Every option below lets you tap through subway gates and onto buses. They differ in how you pay for them (cash or foreign card), where they work, and whether rides are unlimited. Here's how to choose.

Simplest: T-money + cash
No cash at all: WOWPASS or iPhone T-money
Lots of rides in Seoul: Climate Card pass
Going to Busan: K-Tour Pass discounts

Side by side

Card	Cost	Top up with	Where it works
T-money	Card about 3,000–5,000 won	Cash	All of Korea
T-money on iPhone	Free (in Apple Wallet)	Mastercard, Amex, UnionPay in the Tmoney app (not Visa)	All of Korea
WOWPASS	Card about 5,000 won	Foreign card in the app, or cash in 16 currencies at its kiosks	Transit nationwide, plus shops
Climate Card pass	5,000–20,000 won for 1–7 days, plus a 3,000 won card	Cash or foreign card at new Seoul subway machines	Seoul subway and buses only
Mpass	15,000 won (1 day) to 64,500 won (7 days)	Korean won cash	Seoul subway and buses, AREX all-stop
K-Tour Pass	15,000 won	Cash or foreign card at kiosks; foreign card in the app	Subway and bus, plus Busan discounts

T-money: the default

Works on subways, buses, and taxis everywhere in Korea, and at convenience stores.
Bought and topped up with cash at convenience stores and station machines. Don't count on a foreign card.
Pick it if you're happy to carry some won. Details and phrases: T-money guide.

T-money on iPhone

Since March 2026, the Tmoney app has a "Foreigner" option for adding a T-money card to Apple Wallet and topping it up with a foreign Mastercard, Amex, or UnionPay card.
Visa doesn't work, and Android isn't covered yet. On Android, T-money points foreign-card users to its separate Mobile Korea Tour Card app.
Pick it if you have an iPhone and a non-Visa card and want no cash at all.

WOWPASS

A prepaid card for foreign visitors that works on public transport and for paying in shops.
Top up in its app with a foreign Mastercard, JCB, or Visa, or with cash in 16 currencies at its kiosks, which also exchange money.
Card payments carry no fee, according to WOWPASS. Cash withdrawals from its machines cost 1,000 won each.
Pick it if you want one card for transport and shopping without changing money first. Check in the app how its transit balance is topped up.

Climate Card pass (Seoul only)

Unlimited subway and city bus rides in Seoul for 1, 2, 3, 5, or 7 days.
Since March 17, 2026, the newer ticket machines in 273 stations on Lines 1–8 sell it with foreign Visa or Mastercard cards.
It starts on the day you load it, and it doesn't cover Gyeonggi buses, the Shinbundang Line, or day trips outside Seoul.
Pick it if you'll ride four or more times a day in Seoul. Details: T-money guide, Climate Card section.

Mpass

An unlimited pass for foreigners: up to 20 rides a day on Seoul subways and buses, including the AREX all-stop train (not the Express).
Picked up and returned at Tmoney Town near Seoul Station, and paid in won cash.

K-Tour Pass (new in October 2026)

A 15,000 won pass for foreign visitors with 40% off a one-way KTX or express bus to Busan, 50% off the AREX Express, and free entry to one Busan attraction.
The card can be loaded with won for subway and bus rides. Pick it up at Incheon, Gimpo, and Gimhae airports or Seoul and Busan stations.
Pick it if your trip includes Busan. Details: Seoul to Busan.

Not available yet

Tapping a foreign credit card at the gate. Seoul plans to add this to subway gates from 2027, and Busan by 2028.
The Korea Tour Card is no longer sold.