Have You Heard? Korea’s Transit Card Changes for Tourists in 2026

Quick answer:

Korea’s transit card system is changing in 2026, but Seoul’s Climate Card is not disappearing completely.

Ticket gates at Myeongdong Station on Seoul Subway Line 4

Photo:
LERK
/ Wikimedia Commons
/ CC BY-SA 4.0

If you’re visiting Korea, the choice is still fairly simple:

Traveling around Korea → Tmoney
Staying mostly in Seoul and using public transport a lot → Short-Term Climate Card

The old 30-day Climate Card is being phased out in 2026, but the 1-, 2-, 3-, 5- and 7-day passes for short-term visitors are staying.

 ⸻

What Changed With Seoul’s Climate Card in 2026?

This is where things get confusing: several transport programs with similar names now exist at the same time.
* August 31, 2026: Final recharge date for the old 30-day prepaid Climate Card
* September 1, 2026: Climate Pass launched for eligible Seoul residents
* Until September 29: Previously recharged 30-day prepaid Climate Cards can still be used
* Until September 30: Postpaid Climate Card fare benefits continue
* From October 1: The old 30-day Climate Card fare benefit ends

But there’s one important exception for visitors:

Short-Term Climate Card passes continue.

⸻

Which Transit Card Should Tourists Use?

For most international visitors, you can ignore most of the new program names.

Your practical choices are still Tmoney and the Short-Term Climate Card.

Tmoney is better if you:
✓ plan to travel outside Seoul
✓ are visiting several Korean cities
✓ only use public transport a few times a day
✓ want the most flexible option

Short-Term Climate Card is worth checking if you:
✓ are staying mainly in Seoul
✓ expect to use buses and subways frequently
✓ move between several Seoul neighborhoods in one day
✓ prefer a fixed transport cost

Short-Term Climate Card passes currently cost:
* 1 day — ₩5,000
* 2 days — ₩8,000
* 3 days — ₩10,000
* 5 days — ₩15,000
* 7 days — ₩20,000

The physical card itself costs an additional ₩3,000.

Tmoney versus Seoul Short-Term Climate Card for tourists in Korea

What About Climate Pass and K-Pass?

These programs are mainly relevant to people living in Korea, not ordinary short-term visitors.

Climate Pass is available to eligible Seoul residents and works through the K-Pass system.

Foreign residents may also be eligible if they have a foreigner registration number and meet the relevant residency requirements.

So if you’re simply visiting Seoul for a week or two, you generally don’t need to compare all of these resident programs.

Focus on:
Tmoney  or  Short-Term Climate Card

---

👀 Looky’s Local Tip

Don’t choose a transit card based on the card name.

Choose it based on where you’re actually going.

If you’re spending 3–7 days sightseeing mostly around Seoul and expect to take the subway or bus many times every day, check the Short-Term Climate Card.

If your itinerary includes other cities or areas outside Seoul, Tmoney is usually the simpler option.

---

Tourists Often Miss This: What Changes From October 1?

There’s an important change from October 1, 2026.

The Short-Term Climate Card will continue, but its coverage becomes more focused on Seoul.

You can still use it for travel within Seoul and for eligible trips ending at Incheon International Airport.

But you cannot board at Incheon Airport using the Climate Card.

Several areas that were previously included will no longer be covered by the short-term pass, including:

Gimpo, Goyang, Gwacheon, Guri, Seongnam, Hanam and Namyangju.

So don’t assume a Climate Card will cover every subway trip simply because your journey starts in Seoul.

Seoul Short-Term Climate Card coverage changes from October 2026

FAQ

Is the Climate Card being discontinued?

Not completely.
The old 30-day fare program is ending, but the Short-Term Climate Card continues.

Can tourists still buy a 7-day Climate Card?

Yes.
Short-term passes for 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 days remain available.
The standard 7-day pass currently costs ₩20,000.

Is Climate Pass the new tourist Climate Card?

No.
Climate Pass is a resident-focused program.
Short-term visitors should generally compare Tmoney with the Short-Term Climate Card.

Can I use the Climate Card from Incheon Airport to Seoul?

No.
You can use an eligible Climate Card trip from Seoul to Incheon International Airport, but you cannot board the Airport Railroad at Incheon Airport using the Climate Card.

Which card is easiest for most tourists?

If you want maximum flexibility or plan  travel outside Seoul, Tmoney is usually the simpler choice.

If you’re staying mainly in Seoul and expect to use public transport heavily, check whether a Short-Term Climate Card fits your itinerary better.

⸻

Bottom Line

Traveling around Korea → Tmoney

Staying mostly in Seoul and riding buses and subways a lot → Check the Short-Term Climate Card

You don’t need to memorize Korea’s growing list of transit card names.

You just need the card that matches where you’re going.

tourist-vs-seoul-resident-transit-card-2026

👀 Looky says:

 "Don’t memorize the card names. Just choose the one made for your trip."

---

Sources & Last Updated
Last updated: September 27, 2026
* Seoul Metropolitan Government — Climate Card Official Guide
* Seoul Metropolitan Government — Climate Pass Launch & Climate Card Transition Q&A
* Seoul Metropolitan Government — Climate Pass Official Launch

Seoul Metropolitan Government — Climate Card Official Guide⁠

Climate Card -

Seoul Metropolitan Government — Climate Pass & Climate Card Q&A⁠

SMG Steps Up Outreach Ahead of “Climate Pass” Launch on September 1, Encouraging Early Card Conversion -

Look What I Found! — Korea Local Tips