Korea has several transit options for visitors, each suited to a different travel style. Below is a comparison of the most relevant passes, followed by a short quiz to help you pick the best one for your itinerary.
How are you getting from Incheon Airport into the city?
Prices are shown in Korean won. The booking page may display your local currency.
AREX Airport Railroad
Airport Express
The fastest, most predictable way from Incheon Airport into Seoul — a direct rail line with no traffic risk, ideal if you already know you want a straight shot into the city.
Benefit
Direct nonstop train (Incheon Airport T1/T2 to Seoul Station) or all-stop express with more station options; fixed one-way fare regardless of traffic.
Where to buy
Book online in advance via Klook or Trip.com and redeem your e-ticket at the AREX kiosk, or buy on the spot at Incheon Airport Station.
KRW 11,500
Price checked as of 2026-07-23 — subject to change
The simplest, cheapest way to ride Korean buses and subways — just tap and go, with no extra features to figure out. Best if you already have another way to handle cash.
Benefit
100% compatible across all buses, subways, and taxis nationwide. No exchange or top-up hassle if you buy a preloaded card in advance.
Where to buy
Reserve online through Klook and pick up at Incheon Airport, or buy on the spot at any convenience store (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven).
KRW 5,000
Price checked as of 2026-07-23 — subject to change
A prepaid transit card you can put your own picture on — a favorite idol, a travel photo, anything. If the card itself is part of the souvenir, this is the one.
Benefit
Fully customizable card face, real-time balance in the app, and it works on buses, subways, taxis, and trains like any other transit card. Foreign visitors and minors can use it.
Where to buy
Reserve on Klook, then design and print your card at a NAMANE kiosk in Seoul (Myeongdong, Hongdae and other tourist areas).
KRW 7,000
Price checked as of 2026-08-06 — subject to change
The 30-day pass can be recharged until Aug 31, 2026, but short-term passes (1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 days) remain available for visitors. Climate Card Plus launches Sept 1, 2026, but is limited to Korean nationals.
Worth checking if your trip stays within Seoul — the short-term pass gives unlimited rides at a flat rate instead of paying per trip.
Benefit
Unlimited rides on Seoul subway and Seoul-licensed city buses at a flat multi-day rate.
Price
From KRW 5,000 (1-Day) + KRW 3,000 card fee
Where to buy
Buy a physical card at ticket machines inside subway stations on Lines 1–8 (Line 1 only between Seoul Station and Cheongnyangni), or at convenience stores near Line 9, Ui-Sinseol, and Sillim Line stations. The card costs KRW 3,000 on top of the pass. Since March 2025, overseas-issued credit and debit cards are accepted, including for short-term passes. After buying, register your card on the Tmoney Card & Pay website using the QR code on the back — without registration you cannot get a refund. Then charge it at a kiosk inside a station. Short-term passes cannot be charged in advance: the pass starts the day you charge it, so buy it on the day you begin traveling. (The mobile version requires an Android phone and a Korean-issued card, so overseas visitors should use the physical card.)
Days
Price
Total incl. card fee
1-day
₩5,000
₩8,000
2-day
₩8,000
₩11,000
3-day
₩10,000
₩13,000
5-day
₩15,000
₩18,000
7-day
₩20,000
₩23,000
Unlimited rides on Seoul subway and Seoul-licensed buses, including some Gyeonggi-area subway sections. Does NOT cover the Shinbundang Line, intercity/airport buses, or non-Seoul-licensed buses. For AREX, you can ride toward Incheon Airport but cannot board at Terminal 1 or 2 — so it does not cover your arrival trip. Buses work even if you board or get off outside Seoul, but the subway does not work if you exit outside the service range. Note: failing to tap when getting off twice suspends the card for 24 hours.
K-Pass requires an Alien Registration Number, issued only to foreigners staying in Korea for more than 90 days. It also refunds fares afterward through a Korean bank account, so short-term visitors cannot use it. Consider the T-money Card or WOWPASS instead.