The Climate Card (κΈ°νλνμΉ΄λ) is Seoul's unlimited public transport pass. For visitors, the useful part is the short-term pass: pay once and ride Seoul subways and buses as much as you like for 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 days. The 1-day pass costs 5,000 won.
Climate Card short-term prices
| Pass | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 day | 5,000 won |
| 2 days | 8,000 won |
| 3 days | 10,000 won |
| 5 days | 15,000 won |
| 7 days | 20,000 won |
The physical card itself costs 3,000 won and is bought separately. Each day runs from the first train (around 4 a.m.) to the last train of that service day.
These are the prices on the Seoul city government's official guide, last updated in October 2026.
What it covers, and what it doesn't
Covered:
- Subway lines inside Seoul
- Getting off at Incheon Airport Terminal 1 or 2 on the Airport Railroad (boarding there is not covered)
- Seoul-licensed city buses (blue and green), village buses, night buses and circular buses, even when they cross outside Seoul
Not covered:
- Sinbundang Line and GTX
- Subway stations outside Seoul (except the airport exit rule above)
- Airport limousine buses, wide-area red buses, and buses licensed by other cities
- Ttareungyi public bikes
If you board inside Seoul and get off outside the covered area, you pay the normal fare for that ride. Plan day trips to places like Suwon or Incheon city separately.
How to buy it
Physical card (iPhone users and most visitors):
- Buy the card for 3,000 won at a ticket machine in Seoul Metro Line 1-8 stations, or at convenience stores near stations.
- Load your chosen pass at an unmanned charging machine in the station. The day you load it is the start day. You can't load it in advance for a later date.
- Pay with cash or a credit/debit card.
Mobile card (Android only): Android 12 or later, through the Mobile T-money app or Samsung Wallet. Payment needs a card in your own name, which can be tricky with foreign cards. Most visitors find the physical card easier.
Is it worth it?
A basic Seoul subway or bus ride on a T-money card costs around 1,500 won. So the 1-day pass (5,000 won) pays off at roughly four rides a day. The 3-day pass (10,000 won) breaks even at about two to three rides a day.
It's a good deal if:
- You're staying in Seoul and moving around a lot
- You'll take several short hops a day (palaces, markets, Hongdae, Gangnam)
A regular T-money card is better if:
- You'll ride only once or twice a day
- You're mostly taking the airport bus, Sinbundang Line, or trips outside Seoul
Remember the 3,000 won card fee when you compare.
Refunds
You can ask for a refund only during the pass period. The refund is the amount you paid, minus the transit fares you've used, minus a 500 won fee. Visitors without a Korean bank account may need to visit the T-money office for a cash refund, so for short trips it's easier to pick the right number of days from the start.
Help numbers
- 120: Seoul Dasan Call Center (city questions, foreign languages available)
- 1644-0088: T-money customer center (charging, refunds, card errors)
Final word
For a Seoul-focused trip with lots of subway rides, the Climate Card is one of the cheapest ways to get around: 5,000 won a day, or 20,000 won for a week. Just check that your plans don't depend on the Sinbundang Line, GTX or airport buses, which aren't included.