Your transport card, from buying to boarding.
Buy → top up → tap. These are three separate steps.
- 1Buy a cardCheck the card type
Card cost and stored value are separate.
- 2Top upAdd usable value
Check the accepted payment method first.
- 3Tap in / boardUse one card at a time
Check the screen or confirmation sound.
- 4Tap out / alightUse the same card
Follow bus alighting instructions for applicable transfers.
Illustrative steps, not an actual machine interface. Readers differ between buses and rail; follow the signs.
Tmoney / EZL
Load value, then fares are deducted. Confirm local acceptance and the card logo.
Short-term Climate Card
Compare for concentrated travel in Seoul. Check covered stations; this is not a nationwide pass.
AREX Express / KTX
Check date, service and ticket rules. Stored value is not a reserved train ticket.
2026 update: Seoul’s 30-day prepaid Climate Card no longer accepts top-ups; 1-, 2-, 3-, 5- and 7-day short-term passes remain available for top-up. Verify the official notice before choosing.
Diagram checked: Tmoney user guide ↗ · 2026-10-21
Diagram checked: Seoul Climate Card ↗ · 2026-10-21
Enlarge photo ↗An older design, shown for brand recognition. Designs sold today may differ; check the card type and logo.
Photo: zisk · 2010-01-24 · Original photo ↗ · Public domain ↗Resized and converted to WebP; the photo content has not been altered.
Choose the right kind of product
| Product | How to think about it | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Tmoney / EZL stored-value card | Load value, then fares are deducted | Card logo, local acceptance and top-up method. |
| Short-term Climate Card | A pass for a defined period and network | Covered stations and services for your route. |
| AREX Express / KTX | Buy the applicable train ticket separately | Date, service, direction and ticket conditions. |
Buy, top up, tap
- Confirm you are buying the intended stored-value card.
- Check which payment methods the shop or machine accepts for topping up.
- Present one card to the reader and check for confirmation.
- Use the same card to tap out; follow bus alighting instructions to preserve applicable transfer conditions.
An important 2026 update
Seoul’s official notice says the 30-day prepaid Climate Card no longer accepts top-ups; the 1-, 2-, 3-, 5- and 7-day short-term passes remain available for top-up. Check the current official page and covered network before choosing a pass rather than following an older long-term recommendation.
Balance is not a reserved train ticket
Does money on a card include a KTX seat?
No. Check and buy the appropriate KTX ticket separately.
Can I use a Seoul pass throughout Korea?
Do not assume that. A pass has a defined coverage area; check every planned route.
Are the card designs always the same?
No. The reference photo shows an older design for brand recognition; confirm the actual card type and logo.
Sources and fact checking
Prepared by the Bro-neko Travel editorial team. Checked . Facts use the official sources below; routes and suggested stops are our editorial proposals. Verify current fares, timetables and temporary notices before travel.
Original AI travel illustration