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 (3,000 won, cash) at a convenience store: GS25, CU, 7-Eleven or emart24. Some station customer service offices (look for the Korean sign ๊ณ ๊ฐ์์ ์ค) also sell it.
- 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. Reports differ on whether foreign cards work, so bring cash as a backup.
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. Source: public guides, checked 25 Oct 2026. Not official.
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 does not cover the AREX Express, the Shinbundang line, intercity buses or KTX. It does cover the AREX all-stop train.
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? Short-term tourist passes (1 to 7 days) were reported as available. Check availability at a convenience store or tourist information center.
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.