🇰🇷 Travel Korea Smart in 2025: T-money, EZL Card & Tourist Passes Full Guide ✨
Dreaming of a trip to Korea filled with neon-lit Seoul nights, peaceful Han River bike rides, and K-drama-like moments? Make the most of your journey with smart cards and passes tailored for foreign travelers. Whether you want to save money on public transport, enter tourist attractions hassle-free, or enjoy discounts at popular destinations, this guide will walk you through everything you need—from T-money basics to the new Seoul CleanE-T Card and more.
🚇 T-money Card: The Must-Have Transit Card
What is T-money?
T-money is Korea’s essential rechargeable transport card used for subway, bus, some taxis, convenience stores, and even Seoul bike rentals (Ddareungi). It’s available across the country, including Seoul, Busan, and Jeju.
Benefits:
- Pay subway, bus, and some taxi fares nationwide
- Accepted at convenience stores like CU, GS25, 7-Eleven
- Use with Seoul’s bike rental service for riverside rides
- Enjoy transfer discounts (subway ↔ bus within 30 mins)
Where to Buy:
Incheon & Gimpo Airport, subway stations, convenience stores (look for character designs like BTS, Pororo, or FuBao 🐼)
Cost: Basic card 2,500–4,000 KRW; Special editions 5,000+ KRW
Usage Tips:
- Tap on and off when riding buses
- Check balance and top-up at stations or stores
- Download the T-money GO app for English balance check
Refund:
Visit subway stations or convenience stores (fee: 500 KRW). Max balance is 500,000 KRW.
Need to Register?
Only needed for youth/student discounts. Show passport at the store and provide your birth date.
💳 EZL Card: For Tourists Who Love Discounts
What is EZL?
EZL Card is designed for international tourists and functions similarly to T-money but adds shopping and attraction discounts. Rechargeable and multilingual-friendly.
Benefits:
- Subway, bus, and taxi fares covered
- Accepted at stores and restaurants with EZL or CASHBEE logo
- Discounts at Lotte World, Myeongdong malls, etc.
- Recharge with foreign currency at airport banks
Where to Buy: Airports, subway kiosks, convenience stores
Cost: Around 3,000–5,000 KRW
App: Check balance and use coupons in English, Chinese, Japanese
Tips:
💸 K-Pass: Monthly Refund for Heavy Users
What is K-Pass?
A public transit cash-back card for foreign residents (with ARC). Offers refunds up to 53% for regular usage.
- Use subway, bus, and taxis like T-money
- Refund: 20–53% after 15+ rides/month
- Must register at the K-Pass website and provide a Korean bank account
🏯 Discover Seoul Pass: 70+ Attractions Free!
Get free access to Seoul’s top tourist spots like Gyeongbokgung Palace, Lotte World, and N Seoul Tower. Includes T-money functionality for public transport.
- Pass Duration: 24h (39,900 KRW), 48h, 72h, 120h (130,000 KRW)
- Available at: discoverseoulpass.com, airports, Myeongdong Info Center
- Includes: T-money functions, 110+ discount coupons
🚌 CleanE-T Card: Unlimited Seoul Transport (New!)
Launched in July 2024, this card is exclusive for tourists. Offers unlimited rides on Seoul’s buses, subways, and public bikes for a fixed price.
- 1-day: 5,000 KRW | 3-day: 10,000 KRW | 7-day: 20,000 KRW
- Buy from: Subway stations, convenience stores, Myeongdong Info Center
- Register on: T-money GO app for bike rental & refunds
🗺️ Korea Tour Card: Nationwide Coverage
A special T-money-based card offering transport + 280+ discount benefits across Korea—especially in Jeju, Busan, and Namhaean regions.
- Cost: 4,000 KRW + balance top-up
- Use: Subway, buses, and discounts at partner attractions
🚄 Korail Pass: Unlimited KTX for Explorers
Use this pass for unlimited KTX and other national trains (up to 2 seat reservations/day). Valid for 2–5 days.
- Buy from: Korail Official Website
- Show passport & ticket when boarding
- Great for: Seoul ↔ Busan round trips
🏖️ Visit Busan Pass: Explore Korea’s Coastal Gem
This pass grants entry to Busan Tower, Sky Capsule, museums, and more—plus discounts on food and transit (T-money compatible).
- Options: 24/48h or Big3/Big5 attraction bundles
- Purchase from: Busan Station, Haeundae, or visitbusanpass.com
🧭 What Should You Choose?
- Short Seoul Trip (1–3 days): CleanE-T + Discover Seoul Pass + EZL
- All-Korea Adventure: Korea Tour Card + Korail Pass
- Busan Lovers: Visit Busan Pass + EZL
- Long-Term Visitors: K-Pass + T-money
🎁 Bonus Tips
- 📞 Tourist Hotline: Call 1330 (+82-2-1330) anytime
- 📶 Free Wi-Fi: Look for “Seoul WiFi” in public places
- 🏰 Wear Hanbok: Enter palaces like Gyeongbokgung for free!
- 🛍️ Instant VAT Refund: At Myeongdong Lotte Duty Free
Last updated: June 19, 2025. Questions? Leave a comment or visit the official card websites!
📌 For more travel guides and tips, visit Korea Snap Guide.