Seoul Climate Card for Tourists: Prices, Where to Buy and Is It Worth It? (2026)
Last updated: October 2026 · Written by the Seoul Travel Tips team, based in Seoul
The Climate Card (기후동행카드, gihu donghaeng card) is Seoul’s unlimited-ride transport pass. Visitors can buy short-term versions for 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 days and ride the subway and city buses as often as they like. If you plan to move around a lot, it can cost less than paying per ride with T-money. This page gives you the prices, a simple break-even calculation, and the limits you need to know before you buy.
Prices (Short-Term Tourist Passes)
| Pass | Price | Cost per day |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | ₩5,000 | ₩5,000 |
| 2 days | ₩8,000 | ₩4,000 |
| 3 days | ₩10,000 | about ₩3,300 |
| 5 days | ₩15,000 | ₩3,000 |
| 7 days | ₩20,000 | about ₩2,900 |
You also need the physical card itself, which costs ₩3,000 and is paid in cash. The card can be reloaded with a new pass if you return to Seoul.
2026 change: the 30-day Climate Card for residents is being replaced by a new Climate Pass linked to the national K-Pass system from September 2026. The short-term 1–7 day passes for visitors continue as before.
Is It Worth It? A Quick Calculation
A subway ride with T-money costs ₩1,550 for most trips inside Seoul. Compare that with the daily cost of each pass:
| Pass | Pays off if you take… |
|---|---|
| 1 day (₩5,000) | 4 or more journeys that day |
| 3 days (₩10,000) | about 3 journeys a day |
| 5 or 7 days | 2 or more journeys a day |
Count journeys, not trains: with T-money, a bus-to-subway transfer within the time limit is charged as one journey, so a transfer does not count twice.
Example: you stay five days and make three journeys a day — hotel to Gyeongbokgung, Gyeongbokgung to Myeongdong, and back to the hotel. With T-money that is about 15 × ₩1,550 = ₩23,250. A 5-day Climate Card costs ₩15,000 plus the ₩3,000 card, so you save about ₩5,000. If you mostly walk around one neighborhood, T-money will usually be cheaper.
Not sure? Our Seoul Pass Finder compares the options for your trip.
Where to Buy and Charge It
- Subway station customer service centers and ticket machines on Seoul subway lines, mainly Lines 1–8
- Convenience stores near subway stations
- Tourist information centers, including Seoul Tourism Plaza and the Myeongdong Tourist Information Center
Buy the card (₩3,000, cash), then load your chosen pass at a station ticket machine. Pay in cash if you think you might want a refund — see below.
What It Covers — and What It Doesn’t
Covered:
- Seoul subway lines within Seoul
- Seoul city buses
Not covered or only partly covered:
- Airport limousine buses and red express buses to Gyeonggi province
- Trips that leave the Seoul area. If you ride beyond Seoul’s boundary on the subway, you may need to pay the extra fare at the exit
- The AREX Express train to Incheon Airport, which always needs a separate ticket
- Taxis
If your plans include Incheon Airport, Suwon or other trips outside Seoul, keep a T-money card with some balance for those journeys. → T-money guide
How to Use It
- Tap in and tap out on every subway ride and every bus, exactly as with T-money. Seoul strictly enforces tapping out on the Climate Card — missing it repeatedly can get the card temporarily suspended.
- One card per person. The pass is personal and cannot be shared, even within a family.
- Discounts: the tourist passes come with discounts at some city attractions, such as Seoul Grand Park and Seoul Science Center. Show your card at the ticket office and ask.
Refunds
Unused short-term passes can be refunded only if you paid in cash, and only at the T-money customer center (Tmoney Town near Seoul Station). Refunds must be requested before the pass expires. The ₩3,000 card fee is not refunded.
Climate Card vs T-money vs WOWPASS
| Climate Card | T-money | WOWPASS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Fixed price for unlimited rides | Per ride from a balance | Per ride from a separate T-money balance on the card |
| Best for | 3+ journeys a day, Seoul-only trips | Flexible travel, trips outside Seoul | Travelers who also want a prepaid payment card |
| Airport trips | Not the limousine bus or AREX Express | All-Stop AREX and city buses | Same as T-money |
| Works outside Seoul | No | Yes | Yes (T-money function) |
→ T-money guide · WOWPASS guide
Common Mistakes
- Buying a 1-day pass for a slow day in one neighborhood. You need four journeys to break even.
- Paying by card and expecting a refund. Only cash purchases are refundable.
- Using it for the airport. Plan a separate payment for your airport bus or Express train.
- Forgetting to tap out of the bus.
FAQ
Can foreigners buy the Climate Card? Yes. The short-term 1–7 day passes were created for visitors. No Korean ID or phone number is needed.
Can I use it on the Seoul Metro from the airport? Not on the AREX Express or airport buses. Plan your airport trip separately. → Incheon Airport to Seoul
Does it include Seoul’s public bikes (Ttareungyi)? The bike option is tied to the resident pass and Korean verification. Visitors can rent bikes separately.
Is it better than T-money for a weekend trip? For two days, the ₩8,000 pass pays off at about three journeys a day. Below that, T-money is cheaper.
Related Guides
→ Seoul subway guide · Seoul Subway Route Finder · Seoul travel budget
Prices and coverage can change. We check this page regularly, but please confirm the latest details on the official Seoul Metropolitan Government Climate Card page before you buy.