Public Transport in Korea 2026: T-money, K-Pass (모두의카드) Refunds and Seoul's Climate Pass

Korean buses and subways use tap cards. T-money (and similar cards like Cashbee) work almost everywhere. Big changes in 2026 have made fare refunds much more generous, and many foreign residents qualify.

What changed in 2026

• K-Pass became "모두의카드 (K-Pass)". You still need 15+ public transport trips per month (any number in your first month). Each month the system automatically pays whichever of three methods gives you the most:

1. Basic (기본형): a percentage refund. General 20%, youth (19–34) 30%, seniors 30%, 2-child parents 30%, 3+ child parents 50%, low-income 53.3%.
2. Standard (일반형): 100% of spending above a monthly threshold, counting only trips under 3,000 KRW each. The capital-area threshold for general users is 62,000 KRW.
3. Plus (플러스형): the same, but it covers all trips, including express buses and GTX. The capital-area general threshold is 100,000 KRW.

• A temporary boost (April–September 2026) raised rates in off-peak commuting hours and halved thresholds. It was scheduled to end with September 2026 trips, so check korea-pass.kr for any extension.
• Seoul's Climate Card (기후동행카드) unlimited pass was folded into 기후동행패스 (Climate Pass) from 1 Sept 2026. It's a Seoul-resident version of 모두의카드 with extras, such as the youth rate extended to ages 19–39.

Can foreigners use it?

Yes, if you have a foreigner registration number and can pass identity verification (simple authentication, a phone in your name, or a joint certificate). That's the City of Seoul's FAQ answer; if verification fails, it directs you to the 모두의카드 call center (031-427-4415). You must also be 19+ and registered as living in a participating local government area.

Capital-area thresholds (standard / plus), 2026 base

*Source: K-Pass (korea-pass.kr), Korea Transportation Safety Authority, T-money. Other regions have lower thresholds.*

The full guide covers which card to get, how to register step by step (including the foreigner-specific verification hurdles), how refunds are paid, worked examples, and the mistakes that lose people their refunds.

Step 1 — Get a compatible card

Options:

• Credit or debit card with K-Pass/모두의카드 function from one of the participating card companies. This is the easiest route if you have a Korean bank account.
• Prepaid 모두의카드 / 기후동행패스 card (T-money etc.), sold at convenience stores and, for the Seoul Climate Pass, all Seoul Metro station kiosks (from Sept 2026). You charge it with cash at kiosks or convenience stores, or through the Mobile T-money app.
• Mobile T-money (Android, and iPhone/Apple Watch via Mobile T-money). Per T-money, the 모두의카드 function works only inside the Mobile T-money app itself, not through partner apps.

Step 2 — Register the card (required)

1. Open the K-Pass / 모두의카드 website or app (korea-pass.kr).
2. Sign up with identity verification. Enter your foreigner registration number where it asks for a resident number.
3. Register your card number. For prepaid cards, also register the card and a refund account with the issuer (e.g., the T-money website).
4. Youth status is applied automatically from your date of birth. Low-income and multi-child status need extra verification.

If verification fails: this usually means your phone isn't in your name or your ARC isn't linked. Fix the phone line first (see our phone guide), then call 031-427-4415.

Step 3 — Ride and tap correctly

• Tap in and tap out on buses as well as the subway. Transfers are discounted only when you tap out.
• Hit 15 trips a month (not needed in your first month).
• The standard method only counts trips under 3,000 KRW. Expensive express or GTX trips are counted under the plus or basic method instead.

Step 4 — Get paid

• Refunds are calculated monthly. Payment timing and method depend on the issuer: card cashback/statement credit for credit and debit cards; T-mileage (or an account deposit for physical T-money cards) on the last business day of the next month for Mobile T-money.
• Check your history in the K-Pass app.

Worked examples (capital area, base thresholds, general user)

• Light commuter, 40 trips × 1,550 KRW = 62,000 KRW. Basic 20% = 12,400 KRW back; standard = 0 (not above 62,000). Basic wins: ~12,400 KRW.
• Heavy commuter, 60 trips × 1,550 = 93,000 KRW. Basic 20% = 18,600; standard = 93,000 − 62,000 = 31,000 KRW back. Standard wins.
• Youth (age 28), same 93,000 KRW: standard = 93,000 − 55,000 = 38,000 KRW. *Illustrative only; actual fares vary by distance and mode. The system automatically picks the best method.*

What's NOT covered

Intercity and express buses that need separate tickets, KTX, SRT and airport limousine buses. Airport Railroad commuter trains, Shinbundang, GTX and metropolitan buses are covered.

Seoul residents: Climate Pass (기후동행패스) specifics

• It's 모두의카드 with Seoul extras: youth rate up to age 39, and cultural discounts (e.g., Seoul Botanic Park). Ttareungyi bike integration was "under discussion" as of the Seoul FAQ.
• Residents of Gimpo, Goyang, Gwacheon, Seongnam and other Gyeonggi cities that used the old Climate Card must switch to their own region's version (e.g., The 경기패스).
• Lost prepaid card = lost balance. It can't be refunded under T-money terms, so register it and keep the balance low.
• Existing 모두의카드/K-Pass users who are Seoul residents got the Climate Pass benefits automatically from 1 Sept 2026.

Tourists or newcomers without an ARC

You can't register for refunds yet. Use a normal T-money card, which you can buy and top up with cash at convenience stores and stations. Seoul also sells short-term passes for visitors; check the Seoul Metro or visitkorea sites for current products.

Income tax bonus

Public transport spending gets a higher card-deduction rate in year-end tax settlement. For prepaid cards, register the card for income deduction with the issuer (e.g., the T-money site). See our year-end tax guide.

Common mistakes

• Not registering the card: no refund, ever, for trips before registration.
• Using a partner payment app for Mobile T-money: refunds don't accrue.
• Not tapping out on buses: you lose transfer discounts and the trip may be miscounted.
• Address not registered in a participating area: ineligible.
• Expecting the April–Sept 2026 boosted rates to continue: they were temporary.

*As of Oct 2026 per K-Pass (korea-pass.kr), T-money's K-Pass guide, Korea Transportation Safety Authority, the City of Seoul Climate Pass FAQ, and policy briefings. Rates and thresholds change, so check the official sites. This is general information.*