Seoul transit calculator: Climate Card pass vs pay-as-you-go
Seoul sells unlimited short-term passes for the subway and city buses. Whether one saves money depends only on how many rides you take. Enter your plan to see the break-even.
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Prices
The Climate Card (기후동행카드, the name shown at stations and in the T-money app) short-term pass for visitors costs 5,000 KRW for 1 day, 8,000 KRW for 2 days, 10,000 KRW for 3 days, 15,000 KRW for 5 days and 20,000 KRW for 7 days. The physical card is 3,000 KRW and is sold at subway station customer offices and nearby convenience stores. A refund of the unused balance is possible before the pass expires, minus the amount used and a 500 KRW fee.
Paying per ride, a subway trip costs 1,550 KRW with a transit card (1,650 KRW for a cash single-journey ticket) and a Seoul city bus costs 1,500 KRW. Longer subway trips add a distance charge.
Break-even points
At 1,550 KRW per ride:
| Pass length (days) | Pass price (KRW) | Break-even rides at 1,550 KRW | …per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5,000 | 4 | 4 |
| 2 | 8,000 | 6 | 3 |
| 3 | 10,000 | 7 | 3 |
| 5 | 15,000 | 10 | 2 |
| 7 | 20,000 | 13 | 2 |
Four rides in one day is easy to reach when you cross the city twice. On a day with only two or three rides, paying per ride is cheaper.
What the pass covers
The pass works on the Seoul subway (plus some connecting sections), the Airport Railroad between Gimpo Airport and Seoul Station, and Seoul-licensed city buses. It cannot be used on the Shinbundang Line, GTX, airport buses, long-distance buses or buses licensed in other regions. You can use it to get off at Incheon Airport on the Airport Railroad, but you cannot board there, so the trip from the airport to the city is not covered. Check the coverage map when you buy, because the scope has changed over time.
The airport trip
Since the pass does not cover boarding at Incheon Airport, add the airport transfer separately; the airport cost comparison shows the options.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Climate Card cheaper than a T-money card?
Only if you ride enough. At 1,550 KRW per ride, the 1-day pass pays off from the fourth ride and the 7-day pass from the 13th ride.
Can I use the pass from Incheon Airport into the city?
No. The pass may be used to get off at Incheon Airport but not to board there.
Does the pass cover taxis?
No. It covers rail and city buses only.
Can I get the 3,000 KRW card money back?
Rules for refunds are set by the issuer and can change. Ask at the point of purchase.