Good news to international travelers! 2025 might finally bring a big win for you! How? After years and years of excruciating payment systems, Apple Pay is finally available to purchase train tickets in South Korea!
The Game-Changer: Apple Pay Now Accepted at Korail Ticket Counters
If you’ve ever tried buying a train ticket in South Korea with a foreign credit card, chances are you walked away frustrated—or worse, empty-handed.
Despite Korea’s global image as a digital powerhouse, its payment systems have long been oddly closed off to international travelers. Ticket machines are refusing foreign cards. Mobile apps require a Korean ID. Long line at ticket counters. And let’s not forget the unmissable signs: “Domestic cards only.” These have all been excruciating for travelers.
But now, a long-awaited change has arrived—and it’s actually a big one.
Korail, South Korea’s national railway operator, has officially rolled out Apple Pay at station ticket counters nationwide. And that means you no longer need a Korean bank card to hop on a train.
Korail has announced it has fully upgraded ticket booth terminals at stations nationwide to support Apple Pay’s NFC (Near Field Communication) system. With this new system, now you can simply walk up to a staffed counter, tap your device, and pay for your train ticket using your iPhone or an Apple Watch—no Korean-issued card required.
Yes, this is way more than a simple convenience upgrade. For years, Korea’s travel infrastructure has been notoriously difficult for foreign-issued credit and debit cards to navigate, particularly in offline spaces like transit. Bringing Apple Pay into the payment system for train tickets in South Korea has truly bridged that gap.
What About Ticket Machines? (And Why That Still Matters)
While most manual counters for train tickets in South Korea now accept Apple Pay, Korail’s self-service vending machines are still catching up. They’re expected to support Apple Pay gradually by the end of 2025.
So yes, you’ll still need to head to the counter for now—but at least it won’t mean fumbling for cash or worrying whether your Visa card from home will work.
That said, if you’re in a hurry or want to skip lines completely, this also hints at an exciting future.
Fully contactless, card-free, kiosk-friendly travel is on its way.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to bring your passport if you plan to claim VAT refunds for ticket purchases above a certain amount (especially on KTX routes).
Apple Pay for Train Tickets Payment System: How It Affects Travelers
Until recently, Korea’s payment systems have left many international tourists scratching their heads. While locals breeze through life using Samsung Pay and local bank cards, travelers often get stuck, especially when using foreign-issued cards at train stations, bus terminals, or online booking platforms.
This friction created an ironic divide: a hyper-modern country that felt surprisingly old-school for non-Korean visitors. You can check out our previous deep dive into: What No One Tells You About Korea Payment System.
The introduction of Apple Pay at Korail train tickets system in South Korea helps eliminate one of the biggest travel hurdles—and opens the door for a much smoother journey across Korea’s high-speed rail lines, especially for first-time visitors or those without local payment tools.
Who Benefits from Apple Pay Payment System the Most?
Let’s look at who’s really winning with this update:
- International tourists: You no longer need to carry cash or top up a T-money card for every journey.
- Digital nomads and expats who haven’t yet set up a Korean bank account.
- Millennial and Gen Z travelers who already rely on mobile wallets for everything—from hotel bookings to takeout.
In fact, Korail reports that over 40% of its members are iPhone users, and 81% of those are under 40, making this rollout not just strategic, but timely.
What This Means for the Future of Train Travel in Korea
This update is part of a larger effort by Korail to modernize its services and match the changing expectations of travelers, both Korean and global.
So what’s next?
Apple Pay might just be the beginning. With more tourists visiting Korea every year, and the government aiming to attract 20 million international travelers, digital transformation is no longer optional. Contactless systems, foreign card acceptance, and real-time mobile booking tools will likely continue to expand.
And once Apple Pay reaches Korail’s self-service machines, it will bring Korea’s public transport much closer to the seamless, app-friendly experience travelers are used to in Japan, Singapore, or parts of Europe.
What You Can Do Now
If you’re planning a trip to Korea soon, here’s how to make the most of this update:
- Add your travel card to Apple Wallet before your trip (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX all work).
- Head to a staffed Korail ticket counter instead of a machine if using Apple Pay.
- Keep an eye out for signage—updated NFC terminals will usually display “Apple Pay Accepted” or a contactless symbol.
- Use Apple Maps or KakaoMap to find the nearest Korail station with staffed booths.
And if you’re taking longer journeys—say Seoul to Busan or Jeonju to Gyeongju—this new payment method might save you time, language barriers, and tech headaches.
Apple Pay for Train Tickets Payment System: A Step Toward Truly Traveler-Friendly South Korea
Yes, you may see this as a small change—just a new payment option—but for many travelers, it’s a major shift toward accessibility, ease, and inclusion.
No more scrambling to set up Korean payment apps. No more rejections at kiosks. By integrating Apple Pay into the train tickets payment system in South Korea, you can simply tap, pay, and go.
It’s one more reason to feel confident exploring Korea’s countryside, coastal towns, and UNESCO sites—all just a train ride away.
Because when the barriers come down, the journey becomes that much more magical.
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