Korean transit cards 2026: T-money, Climate Card, M-PASS and WOWPASS compared
Korea offers visitors four different transit cards, and they are priced on completely different logic: pay-as-you-go, flat-rate, or bundled with currency exchange. Working from the Korea Tourism Organization's own guidance, here is how they compare — and the coverage trap that catches people out.
Four Korean transit cards compared
| Card | Price | How it charges | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-money | Card 3,000–5,000 won | Deducts the actual fare | The most widely usable; sold in convenience stores |
| Climate Card (Seoul only) | Card 3,000 won, plus 5,000 won (1 day) to 20,000 won (7 days) | Flat rate, unlimited rides in the period | Excludes the Sinbundang Line and the GTX |
| M-PASS (foreigners only) | 15,000 won (1 day) to 64,500 won (7 days) | Flat rate, up to 20 rides a day | Must be used within 30 days of issue |
| WOWPASS (foreigners only) | 5,000 won | Prepaid, with currency exchange | Passport required |
(Source: Korea Tourism Organization, VISITKOREA, checked October 2026.) The rule of thumb is simple: up to four rides a day and pay-as-you-go wins; five or six and a flat-rate pass starts to pay for itself.
Buying and topping up a T-money card
- ・SKT is Korea's largest carrier, with the widest coverage
- ・A native network rather than roaming — low latency, fast and stable
- ・Works across Seoul, Busan and Jeju; refund guaranteed if the signal is unstable or the plan goes completely unused
The Climate Card trap: what it does not cover
The Climate Card is Seoul's flat-rate pass: 3,000 won for the physical card, plus a period from 5,000 won for one day to 20,000 won for seven, with unlimited rides on Seoul city buses and subway during that window.
- The Sinbundang Line is excluded. Some routes towards Gangnam use it, and that leg is charged separately.
- The GTX is excluded. The newer express line sits outside the pass as well.
- It is a Seoul city pass. Trips beyond the city — into Gyeonggi or Incheon — need checking leg by leg.
So: heavy use inside Seoul with five or more rides a day makes the pass worthwhile, while the airport transfer and anything outside the capital area needs costing separately.
Connectivity in Korea: the case for a native network
| Option | Suits | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| SKT native eSIM | Most travellers; working the moment you land | A native network rather than roaming, so latency is low; the handset must support eSIM |
| Local physical SIM | Long stays needing a Korean number | Airport queue, and keeping your original SIM safe |
| International roaming | Transits and very short trips | Higher rates; confirm the daily cap first |
| Pocket Wi-Fi | Groups sharing one connection | An extra device to charge, and nobody has data once the group splits up |
Tapping a transit card needs no connection — but checking routes, interchanges and last trains does. Plan comparisons are in our Korea eSIM guide, and entry formalities in the Korea K-ETA guide and the e-Arrival Card guide.
Korean transit cards: frequently asked questions
How much is a T-money card and where do I buy one?
Per the Korea Tourism Organization, the card itself costs 3,000 to 5,000 won and is sold at convenience stores nationwide (GS25, CU, 7-ELEVEN) and at Seoul subway information centres on lines 1 to 8. The card price and the travel value are separate — you top up after buying.
How do I top up, and is there a limit?
Subway ticket machines handle top-ups, with a limit of 500,000 won per transaction. Most machines take cash and many offer a language switch; look for the charge option on screen.
Is the Climate Card worth it?
It depends on how far you range. The physical card is 3,000 won, with passes from 5,000 won for one day to 20,000 won for seven, covering Seoul city buses and subway — but not the Sinbundang Line or the GTX. If your airport transfer uses either, that leg is not covered.
How does M-PASS differ from T-money?
M-PASS is a foreigner-only flat-rate pass allowing up to 20 rides a day on the Seoul subway, buses and AREX, at 15,000 won for one day and 64,500 won for seven, valid within 30 days of issue, with a 3,000 won discount after 5pm, sold at Tmoney Town near Seoul Station. T-money simply deducts the actual fare.
What is WOWPASS, and do I need a passport?
WOWPASS is a foreigner-only prepaid card costing 5,000 won that combines transport, shopping and currency exchange, accepting USD, JPY and CNY. It is issued through the WOWPASS app or at more than 430 kiosks in airports, subway stations and hotels. A passport is required, and cash can be withdrawn at the kiosks.
How should I get online in Korea?
Navigation (Naver Map), ride-hailing (Kakao T) and restaurant queueing all run through apps, so data matters from the moment you land. The Peanutmo Korea native eSIM runs on SKT, Korea's largest carrier with the widest coverage, with unlimited data and no throttling across Seoul, Busan and Jeju.
- ・QR code emailed within about 10 minutes, so you can install before you leave
- ・Refund guaranteed if the signal is unstable or the plan goes completely unused
- ・LINE support at @peanutmo, 10:00–17:00 (UTC+8)
Installation takes about three minutes with our step-by-step setup guide.
Related reading
The exemption running to 31 December 2026, and what the arrival card still requires.
SKT coverage and speed, and how to pick duration and data.
Planning data around a Seoul city itinerary.
Korea's second city: transport and how to plan the days.
