Seoul's Climate Card short-term pass in late 2026: where it works now

If you are visiting Seoul for a few days and plan to ride the subway and buses a lot, the Climate Card short-term pass is still the tool for it. Seoul is replacing its monthly Climate Card with Climate Pass, a fare refund program for residents, but the 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7-day short-term passes for visitors are staying. The service area has changed, though. The pass now covers travel within Seoul plus trips that end at Incheon International Airport, and no longer the neighboring cities it used to include (Seoul Metropolitan Government, checked 2026-10-12).

What is the short-term pass?

It is a period pass loaded onto a Climate Card. For the days you pay for, you get unlimited rides on Seoul’s subway and Seoul-licensed city and town buses, late-night buses included. Seoul introduced it for international tourists and short-term visitors. Ttareungi, the city’s public bike service, is not included in the short-term pass, unlike the monthly card.

How much is it?

A 1-day pass is 5,000 KRW, a 2-day pass 8,000 KRW and a 3-day pass 10,000 KRW (official sites, checked 2026-10-12). The physical card you load it onto costs 3,000 KRW. Longer options of 5 and 7 days exist too; check the official site or the price on the station machine for those before you buy.

How are the days counted?

From the day you load it, not from your first ride. A 1-day pass loaded on a Monday is good until the last ride that Monday. You cannot load a pass in advance, so load it on the morning of the first day you need it. Tag your card both when you get on and when you get off.

Where does it work now?

Seoul’s notice says the short-term pass is valid for travel within Seoul and for trips ending at Incheon International Airport. The cities that used to be part of the service area, Gimpo, Goyang, Gwacheon, Guri, Seongnam, Hanam and Namyangju, are no longer included. Gimpo Airport Station sits inside Seoul, so you can still use the pass there.

Two other limits from the official guide: it is not valid on the Shinbundang Line, and not on buses licensed outside Seoul or on metropolitan express buses. If you board inside the service area and get off outside it, station staff charge a separate fare.

Where to buy one

Seoul Metro information centers on Lines 1 to 8 sell the card for cash only. Convenience stores near subway stations take cash or card. If you do not have won yet, the easier route is the new vending machines: international credit and debit cards such as Visa and Mastercard work at 440 machines in 273 stations on Lines 1 to 8, along with Kakao Pay and Naver Pay. You can buy the card and load a short-term pass there. Foreign cards carry an average service fee of about 3.7% (official site, checked 2026-10-12).

What about Climate Pass and K-Pass?

Neither is meant for a short visit. Climate Pass combines the national Everyone’s Card (K-Pass) refund program with Seoul’s own benefits, and it is for Seoul residents. Among foreigners, only those with a Foreign Resident Registration Number can sign up for K-Pass. If you are in Korea on a tourist trip, the short-term pass is the one to buy.

Before you fly

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Check the official site before you go

Fares, service areas and sales points can change. Check the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Climate Card page (english.seoul.go.kr) before you travel.

FAQ

Is the Climate Card short-term pass still sold after the switch to Climate Pass?

Yes. The Seoul Metropolitan Government says the 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7-day short-term passes will continue to be available. Climate Pass is a fare refund program for Seoul residents, so visitors keep using the short-term pass.

How much does it cost?

A 1-day pass is 5,000 KRW, a 2-day pass 8,000 KRW and a 3-day pass 10,000 KRW. The physical card itself is 3,000 KRW. Check the official site for the current 5 and 7-day prices (official sites, checked 2026-10-12).

Can I ride to Incheon Airport on it?

Yes. Under the current rules, the short-term pass is valid within Seoul and for trips that end at Incheon International Airport. It also works at Gimpo Airport Station, which is in Seoul.

Can I pay with a foreign credit card?

Yes. Visa, Mastercard and other international cards are accepted at 440 vending machines in 273 stations on Lines 1 to 8, with an average service fee of about 3.7%.