Travel through Seoul easily with the new Seoul Climate Card. Learn where to buy and how to use it. Explore the city hassle-free with our guide!
If you’re heading to Seoul, getting the most out of the city’s vast public transportation network is essential. The Seoul Climate Card might be just what you need, offering unlimited rides on buses, subways, and the Ttareungi bike-sharing service. But is it the right choice for travellers? In this guide, we’ll break down the benefits, costs, and extra perks of the Seoul Climate Card to help you decide.
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What is the Climate Card?
Image Credits: Seoul Metropolitan Government
The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) announced that it will launch the Climate Card Tourist Pass for international tourists and short-stay Korean visitors to Seoul from 1 July 2024.
These passes will allow unlimited use of Seoul’s public transportation – subway and buses – during the selected period at a low cost, making it a super economical and convenient service for tourists who typically use public transportation at least two to three times per day! This is on top of the current offering of 30-day passes.
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Short-Term Pass Type and Costs:
| Pass Validity Duration | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 day | 5,000 KRW (~S$4.88) |
| 2 days | 8,000 KRW (~S$7.81) |
| 3 days | 10,000 KRW (~S$9.77) |
| 5 days | 15,000 KRW (~S$14.65) |
| 7 days | 20,000 KRW (~S$19.54) |
These short-term passes activate as soon as they’re charged, so be sure to plan your days to maximise their value. While they do not include Ttareungi access, they come with additional benefits to popular tourist attractions.
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Long-term Passes:
- 30-day Pass (with Ttareungi): 65,000 KRW (~S$63.55) | Youth Discount: 58,000 KRW (~S$56.71)
- 30-day Pass (without Ttareungi): 62,000 KRW (~S$60.62) | Youth Discount: 55,000 KRW (~S$53.77)
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What the Pass covers:
Image Credits: Seoul Metropolitan Government
As you can see the recently added short-term passes only cover subway and buses, and excludes the Ttareungi (aka Seoul Public Bicycle)
The Climate Card provides extensive access to transportation options throughout Seoul:
- Seoul-based subway lines, including the Gimpo Goldline.
- Seoul-licensed transit and town buses allow you to board or get off outside Seoul as long as the bus is Seoul-licensed.
- Ttareungi (Seoul Bike), offers unlimited rides on the city’s popular bike-sharing system. Coverage of Ttareungi depends on the type of pass chosen.
However, there are some exclusions to the card:
- The Climate Card does not cover the Sinbundang Line, subway lines extending beyond Seoul, intercity and airport buses, or buses that are not Seoul-licensed.
- If you exit a subway station outside the card’s coverage area, you’ll need to pay an additional fare for the distance travelled from your boarding station to your final destination. For instance, if you board at Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station (within Seoul) and exit at Indeogwon Station (outside Seoul), an extra fare will apply.
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What are the Public Transportation Costs without the Climate Card?
Should you get the Climate Card for your trip to Seoul? To evaluate if the Climate Card is worth it, it’s important to compare it with the regular public transportation costs in Seoul:
🚅 Base Subway Fares:
| Card | Cash / Single-use Tickets | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 1,400 KRW (~S$1.37) | 1,500 KRW (~S$1.47) |
| Youth | 800 KRW (~S$0.78) | 1,500 KRW (~S$1.47) |
| Children | 500 KRW (~S$0.49) | 500 KRW (~S$0.49) |
- Note that an additional 100 KRW is charged for every 5km beyond 10 km when the total distance used exceeds the base range of 10 km. After 50 km, KRW 100 /8 km will be charged.
- Single-ride fares are also 100 KRW higher than transit card fares due to cash transactions using vending machines.
- Using the T-money card, gets you a 100 KRW discount off adult fares per ride.
Check out the Seoul Metro interactive map for a clearer view of your subway expenses.
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🚌 Bus Fares (varies by bus type):
- Adults: 1,200 to 1,500 KRW
- Youth: 600 to 900 KRW
- Children: 400 to 550 KRW
Transfers between different buses or subway lines are typically free or discounted if completed within 30 minutes, but this doesn’t apply when transferring to the same bus or subway line.
With this information, you can decide whether the cost per trip is cheaper than getting the Seoul Climate Card. Generally, if you’re not relying too much on public transportation when you travel from one location to another, then the Climate Card might not be a cost-saving option.
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Where and How do I buy the Seoul Climate Card?
Starting from July, international tourists will be able to purchase these short-term climate card passes.
👉 Physical Card:
For the physical card, you need to pay an extra 3,000 KRW on top of the costs of the short-term pass. Physical Climate Cards can be purchased at
- Seoul Metro Information Center (Lines 1 to 8); available in stations between Seoul Station and Cheongnyangni Station (Line 1);
- And at Convenience stores near subway stations (Line 9, Ui-Sinseol Line, and Sillim Line) i.e., GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, E-Mart 24.
- See more on the Physical Seoul Climate Card usage guide
👉 Mobile App:
Alternatively, you can download the T-money mobile app instead. From there, follow the instructions to sign up and charge the Climate Card with your credit/debit card or bank transfer.
Tip: Use your YouTrip card for the best SGD to KRW exchange rates with zero fees!
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Additional Perks: Attraction Discounts with the Seoul Climate Card
Another feature of the Climate Card is the range of discounts it offers at popular Seoul attractions:
| Attraction | Discount |
|---|---|
| Seoul Science Center (서울시립과학관) | 50% |
| Seoul Botanic Park (서울식물원) | 50% |
| Seoul Grand Park (서울대공원) | 50% |
| Theatre des Lumieres Exhibition (빛의 시어터) | 30% |
| The Painters Gwanghwamun Theater (페인터즈) | 20% |
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🏷 50% Off:
- Seoul Science Center (서울시립과학관): Dive into interactive exhibits and explore the wonders of science.
- Seoul Botanic Park (서울식물원): Stroll through this expansive garden filled with diverse plant species.
- Seoul Grand Park (서울대공원): Explore this vast park, featuring a zoo, rose garden, and scenic walking trails.
🏷 30% Off:
- Theatre des Lumieres Exhibition (빛의 시어터): Experience immersive digital art that brings classic masterpieces to life.
🏷 20% Off:
- The Painters Gwanghwamun Theater (페인터즈): Enjoy a unique live show that blends painting with dynamic visual effects.
Also, reportedly coming soon is a discount on Hangang River Bus where you can enjoy a scenic ride along the Han River.
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Climate Card Refund Policy
Should your travel plans change, the Climate Card provides a refund option. The refund is calculated using the following formula:
Refund Amount = Total Amount Paid – Total Amount Used on Public Transportation – 500 KRW Fee
Refund requests must be made before the card’s validity period ends. Refunds can be credited directly to a Korean bank account or partially reversed to your payment card.
For international travellers without a Korean bank account, cash refunds can be processed at the T-money headquarters.
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How to Pay with YouTrip for the Best KRW Rates When Buying the Seoul Climate Card
To get the best KRW rates when purchasing the Seoul Climate Card, consider using YouTrip!
This multi-currency travel wallet offers real-time exchange rates with no hidden fees, making it an ideal choice for paying in Korean won (KRW). Before making your purchase, ensure your YouTrip wallet is loaded with sufficient funds. Then, simply use your YouTrip card at the point of payment and take advantage of competitive exchange rates to avoid additional currency conversion fees. This way, you can save money while exploring Seoul’s extensive transportation network!
For those who aren’t yet in the know, YouTrip is completely free! There are no minimum income requirements, account fall-below fees or annual card membership fees. All you need to do is download YouTrip to register, wait to get verified, and you’ll receive your spanking new YouTrip card in the mail within the next two to three weeks! Don’t forget to sign up with <YTBLOG5> to get FREE S$5 in your account!
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