T-money or Climate Card: which Seoul transit pass?
Enter your days and daily trips to see which transit pass costs less in Seoul.
T-money or Climate Card?
Count a trip with a quick transfer as one trip. Pay-per-ride base fare is about 1,550 won by subway.
Cost for your trip
Card purchase fees are not included (the Climate Card physical card is reported at 3,000 won, and a T-money card costs a few thousand won too). Check the current price and whether the tourist Climate Card is on sale at the Seoul city site or a tourist information center.
Where to buy and load the Climate Card
- 1. Buy the physical card at the new transit-card vending machines in Seoul Metro Line 1 to 8 stations, or at a convenience store such as GS25, CU, 7-Eleven or emart24 (the card may cost 3,000 won extra; cash or a credit or debit card, not corporate cards). The mobile version needs an Android phone (OS 12 or later) and the Mobile T-money or Samsung Wallet app; iPhone users should use the physical card.
- 2. Load the pass at a station machine. Use the T-money charging machine (์๋์ถฉ์ ๊ธฐ) near the fare gates. Pick the Climate Card, then the 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 day tourist pass. Tap your card on the reader, pay, then tap again to confirm.
- 3. Or load it at a convenience store counter or at a station T-money charging office.
- Korean words to look for: ์ถฉ์ (charge), ๊ธฐํ๋ํ์นด๋ (Climate Card), ํฐ๋จธ๋ (T-money).
- Foreign cards: some machines accept only cash or Korean cards. A guide reports that the new vending machines at 273 stations accept foreign-issued cards since March 2026 (about 3.7 percent fee), but the official notice does not say so. Some cards are not recognised, so bring cash. Register a physical card on the T-money Card and Pay website, or it cannot be refunded.
Where machines are, and exactly how the screens look, differ by station and can change. We have not verified a list of stations with a Climate Card machine, so ask at the station customer service window if you cannot find one. Rules are from the Seoul city notice dated 12 Oct 2026; machine locations are not verified. Not an official site.
Good to know
Seoul transit passes explained
Most visitors choose between a rechargeable T-money card, which charges per ride with a transfer discount, and the Climate Card tourist pass, which gives unlimited rides on the Seoul subway and city buses for 1 to 7 days. Foreign visitors can also buy MPASS, which is usually more expensive.
The Climate Card (per the Seoul city notice of 12 Oct 2026) does not cover the Shinbundang line, GTX, subways outside Seoul, airport or regional buses, or KTX. On the airport line you can get off at Incheon Airport Terminal 1 or 2 after boarding at a Seoul station, but you cannot board there, so for the trip to the airport use a normal fare.
FAQ
Is the Climate Card cheaper than T-money? It depends on how many trips you take. This tool shows the break-even number of trips per day for your trip length.
Can tourists buy the Climate Card? Yes. The Seoul city notice of 12 Oct 2026 says the 1 to 7 day short-term passes continue. The official page mentions only Korean cards, but a guide reports that foreign-issued cards have worked at the new station machines since March 2026, so carry cash as a backup.
Does T-money work on buses and in convenience stores? Yes, T-money works on subway, buses, many taxis and in convenience stores.
Are the prices current? They come from public sources checked on 25 Oct 2026 and can change.