T-money vs Climate Card vs WOWPASS: Which Card for Korea? (2026)

1Step 1 — Start with T-money unless you have a reason not to

T-money covers subways and buses in Seoul and in other cities, and you can tap it in many convenience stores. You buy it at a convenience store and top it up with cash, ₩1,000 to ₩90,000 at a time. Getting leftover money back costs ₩500, and each convenience store chain has a limit. Full steps: How to use a T-money card.

2Step 2 — Use your iPhone instead, if your card brand works

Since 22 July 2025 you can add T-money to Apple Wallet with the Mobile T-money app. Since March 2026 the app has a mode for international users. In October 2026 its listing names Mastercard, American Express, UnionPay and JCB for top-ups via Apple Pay, and does not list Visa. You need an iPhone XS or XR or later with iOS 17.2. On Android, we found no foreigner mode in the official app listing.

3Step 3 — Do the Climate Card maths

The 기후동행카드gihu donghaeng kadeuClimate Card short-term pass gives unlimited rides on Seoul's subway sections and Seoul-licensed buses. At ₩1,550 a trip, a pass costs less than paying per trip once you make at least:

Longer trips cost more than ₩1,550 on T-money, which makes the pass better value, and the pass needs its own ₩3,000 card.

Know the rules before you buy:

• Days are calendar days. The pass starts on the day you charge it. You cannot choose a later start date or charge it in advance. It runs from the first train (04:00) on the first day to the last train of the last day.
• You can recharge only after it expires.
• Coverage is limited. It covers Seoul's subway sections, some neighbouring sections, and Seoul city and village buses (including night buses). It does not cover the Shinbundang Line, GTX-A, airport buses, wide-area buses, or buses licensed outside Seoul. If you exit at a station outside the covered area, staff collect the fare.
• The airport. It covers AREX between Seoul Station and Gimpo Airport. Since 13 September 2024 you can ride to Incheon Airport and exit there, but you cannot board at the airport with it, and the express is not included. On arrival you still need T-money or a ticket.
• Tap out every time. Two missed tap-outs suspend the card for 24 hours.
• It is transit only. You cannot pay in shops with it.

Where to get it: buy the card at ticket machines in Seoul Metro stations on Lines 1–8 or at convenience stores near stations, then charge it at a station top-up machine. Since 17 March 2026, Seoul's new-type machines accept foreign Visa and Mastercard cards for the card and short-term passes, with an average 3.7% service fee. The mobile version needs Android 12 or later; iPhone users use the plastic card.

Refunds are possible but take work. Seoul city says a refund equals what you charged minus your rides and a ₩500 fee, and you must request it before the pass ends. T-money's process asks you to stop the card at a station machine or in the app, then apply on its website; visitors without a Korean bank account can go to the T-money head office.

The 30-day Climate Card could be recharged only until 31 August 2026. Its successor, the Climate Pass from 1 September 2026, is for Seoul residents.

4Step 4 — Consider WOWPASS if you want one card for spending too

WOWPASS is a prepaid payment card for foreign visitors with a T-money function built in. You load the payment balance with cash at WOWPASS machines, or with a foreign card in its app (as of October 2026, per the WOWPASS FAQ). The T-money balance is separate: top it up by moving money from the WOWPASS balance in the app, or with cash at subway machines and convenience stores. T-money's refund rules then apply to the transit balance. Details: WOWPASS and travel cards.

T-money also sells its own Tmoney Travel Card (₩4,000) and Tmoney Travel Card + (₩6,000, with WOWPASS payment). The older Korea Tour Card is no longer sold.