WOWPASS combines shop payments with Tmoney transport functions, while Climate Card is a transport pass for a defined service area. Choose according to the days you will stay in Seoul and those you will travel to Incheon or Gyeonggi.
Your balance for restaurant payments is separate from your subway balance
WOWPASS lets you pay at shops in Korea using money you have loaded onto it, and use public transport with the Tmoney function on the same card. The WOWPASS balance for shop payments and the Tmoney transport balance are separate. Even if a payment worked at a restaurant, check your transport balance separately before taking the subway.
Climate Card is a transport pass with a defined validity period and service area. It does not also pay for meals or shopping. If you have already prepared an overseas card for shop payments, you can start by comparing the cards you need for transport.
Check Climate Card's coverage first if you are going to Incheon or Gyeonggi
From October 1, 2026, short-term Climate Card passes apply to subway travel within Seoul and city and neighborhood buses licensed by Seoul. Previously included subway sections in areas such as Gimpo, Goyang, Gwacheon, Guri, Seongnam, Hanam and Namyangju are excluded. You can board and alight from Seoul-licensed buses outside Seoul, but metropolitan express buses, airport buses and buses licensed by other regions are not covered.
For the Airport Railroad, distinguish between directions of travel. You can board an All Stop Train within the covered area and alight at Incheon Airport Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 Station, but you cannot use this card to board at the airport stations. You also need a separate Express Train ticket. The Shinbundang Line and GTX are not covered either, so check both your departure and arrival stations in Seoul's service-area information.
Match the day you top up with your actual travel plans
Short-term Climate Card passes are available for 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 days, with validity starting on the day you top up. This is not a pass you top up in advance for a later travel date. Even a 1-day pass lasts until the last service that day, rather than for 24 hours from the time you top up. If you arrive late at night, consider how many journeys you have left when choosing.
If you use WOWPASS, check the payment and transport balances separately in the app, and distinguish which balance you are adding money to on the top-up screen. For Climate Card, check the sales and top-up locations and fares listed by Seoul. The physical card costs extra; if you may request a refund, also read the Tmoney card-registration conditions.
Show this to a staff member or copy it
이 카드의 교통 잔액을 확인하고 싶어요. 이 역까지 사용할 수 있나요?
Official information to check before you set out
Fees, opening hours and booking methods may change. Check the information below for the date you will visit.
- WOWPASS · Payment balance and transport-card use ↗ Source accessed 2026-10-22
- WOWPASS operator · Understanding the separate Tmoney balance ↗ Source accessed 2026-10-22
- Seoul Metropolitan Government · Using and topping up short-term Climate Card passes ↗ Source accessed 2026-10-22
- Seoul Metropolitan Government · Short-term pass coverage changes from October 1, 2026 ↗ Source accessed 2026-10-22
Text edited 2026-10-22 · Operating information may differ on your actual visit date.