Tourists now able to use overseas-issued credit cards to purchase subway tickets in Seoul

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Tourists now able to use overseas-issued credit cards to purchase subway tickets in Seoul

Published: 16 Mar. 2026, 16:32 Updated: 16 Mar. 2026, 17:05

CHO JUNG-WOO
[email protected]

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

Tourists purchase single-journey tickets at the Seoul Station platform in Jung District, central Seoul, on Sept. 11, 2023. [NEWS1]

Foreign tourists in Seoul will be able to purchase single-journey subway tickets and Climate Cards with overseas-issued credit and debit cards starting Tuesday.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday that overseas-issued cards can now be used at 440 ticket machines across 273 subway platforms on lines No. 1 through 8.

The measure comes as Seoul expects a surge in foreign visitors ahead of boy band BTS’s comeback show at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul this Saturday.

Mobile payment services such as Kakao Pay and Naver Pay will also be accepted.

Visitors will be able to purchase and top up short-term Climate Cards — ranging from one- to seven-day passes — using overseas-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards, as well as buy single-use subway tickets. Previously, foreign tourists without Korean-issued credit or debit cards were required to pay with cash at these machines.

The city government said it plans to expand the service to include monthly Climate Cards after assessing demand.

An additional service fee averaging 3.7 percent will be charged for purchases made with overseas-issued credit or debit cards.

Physical versions of Seoul’s unlimited transit pass, Climate Card, can be purchased at ticket machines on subway platforms along lines No. 1 through 8 or at nearby convenience stores. The physical card costs 3,000 won ($2) and can be topped up with passes ranging from 5,000 won for a one-day pass to 20,000 won for a seven-day pass.

The pass allows unlimited rides on Seoul subways and buses during the selected period and can be recharged once the pass expires. The mobile version of the Climate Card, available to foreigners with a resident card, currently supports only domestically issued cards.

The city government and Tmoney, Korea’s transportation card provider, will also set up promotional booths at stations frequently visited by international tourists — Seoul Station and Myeongdong Station in central Seoul, as well as Hongik University Station in western Seoul, commonly known as Hongdae.

The booths will operate Tuesday, the first day of the implementation, as well as Friday and Saturday, coinciding with the BTS comeback show. Staff will provide multilingual guidance on how to purchase and top up Climate Cards.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [[email protected]]