Planning a trip to Seoul? Ditch the hassle of buying tickets! Explore the city with ease using Seoul’s new Climate Card, offering unlimited rides on public transportation for a flat monthly fee.
What is a Climate Card?
The Climate Card (기후동행카드) is a comprehensive transportation card that offers unlimited access to public transportation (subway, bus) and Seoul Bike for 30 days upon a single fare charge. It marks Korea’s debut eco-friendly prepaid travel farecard, enabling a month of unrestricted public transportation access in Seoul.
The Climate Card addresses climate change, offers unlimited public transportation access, and enhances public convenience via an integrated farecard system, serving on three crucial fronts.
It can only be used in Seoul-based subway lines, Seoul-licensed transit/town buses, and city‘s public bike-sharing service, Ttareungyi. You can use it to ride Seoul-licensed buses even outside Seoul. But, you cannot use it to board the subway in Seoul and disembark outside Seoul. In that case, you will be charged additional fare.
How much does it costs?
There are two variations in the Climate Card.
- Subway + Bus
- Subway + Bus + Shared Cycle
| Adults | Young Adults (ages 19 to 34) | |
|---|---|---|
| Subway + Bus | 62,000 KRW | 55,000 KRW |
| Subway + Bus + Shared Cycle | 65,000 KRW | 58,000 KRW |
The 30 day period starts within 5 days of getting the card recharged. For example, if you recharge or purchase the card on 5th April, you can set the effective date as April 8th. It will automatically expire after 30 days from that date.
After purchasing the card, you can recharge it either online through T-Money app or go to charging kiosks inside subway stations (Seoul Metro Lines 1 to 8, Line 9, Ui-Sinseol Line, and Sillim Line).
Where can I buy climate cards in Korea?
You can either choose physical card or mobile version of the card.
One important thing to note about the physical climate card is that you have to play 3,000 KRW extra.
Physical Climate Card you can find it at these locations:
- Seoul Metro Information Center (Lines 1 to 8)
- Stations between Seoul Station and Cheongnyangni Station (Line 1).
- Convenience stores near subway stations (Line 9, Ui-Sinseol Line, Sillim Line)
Registering the physical Climate Card
If you opt for the KRW 62,000 subway and bus-only plan, card registration isn’t required as you can recharge it with cash at subway station machines. However, for the KRW 65,000 plan including Seoul bike service (Ttareungi), card registration on the T-money website is mandatory. This enables access to the ‘T-money Go’ app for bike service use. Although optional, card registration is advised for lost card reporting and refund requests.
Mobile versions of Climate Card:
At the moment, iOS users will find it difficult to use the mobile version of Climate Card as it is digitally vulnerable.
Android users, on the other hand, can download the T-Money app, sign up, and issue and charge the Climate Card.
How to use Climate Card?
It’s easy as 1-2-3!
Just like any other transportation card, in subways and buses, simply tap the card (mobile or physical) to get on and off. Make sure you do it diligently as failure to do so twice when getting down will result in temporary suspension of the card for 24 hours.
For Seoul Bike, you have to register the card on the Tmoney GO app. After registration, you can use it for one-hour Seoul Bike passes during the validity period.
Refunds
Well, if you haven’t been able to make full use of the Climate Card, you can avail refund option as well. Make sure you do it before the 30 day period ends.
Refund amount = total charged amount – total used on public transportation – 500 KRW fee
You can get more information from Climate Card – Seoul Metropolitan Government
Climate Card vs K-Pass – which is better?
| Climate Card | K-Pass |
|---|---|
| 62,000 KRW for Subway + Bus 65,000 KRW for Subway + Bus + Cycle | 20~53% refund for using public transport more than 15 times in a month |
| Seoul and limited connectivity around the capital | Available all across the country |
| introduced by the Seoul Metropolitan Government | implemented by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport |
Seoul is taking a big step towards sustainability with the launch of their Climate Card. This eco-friendly pass will grant unlimited access to public transportation, making it a budget-friendly and convenient option for getting around the city.
Have you tried using the pass? Let us know in the comments!
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