Seoul Subway 2025, Made Simple: T-money, Climate Card, Apple Wallet—and the smartest way to commute for workers, WH-visas & students
Who it’s for: long-stay foreigners in Seoul—full-time employees, working-holiday makers, and international students—who want reliable, money-savvy transit with zero confusion.
Why the Seoul Subway Matters
Feature | Why it helps foreigners | Quick Data |
Price | Cheapest way to commute daily | ₩1,550 base fare (as of June 2025) |
Coverage | Connects every district + airports | 23 lines, 760+ stations |
Reliability | No traffic delays, trains every 2–5 min | 05:30–24:00 daily |
Language Support | Bilingual signage & announcements | Korean + English (often JP/CH) |
Tech Integration | Works with Apple Pay / Samsung Pay | Tap phone or watch directly |
Safety & Cleanliness | Platform doors, CCTV, heated seats | Free Wi-Fi + modern facilities |
The 2025 reality (what actually changed)
- Base subway fare is now ₩1,550 (adult, transit card) as of June 28, 2025 across Seoul–Incheon–Gyeonggi lines. Early-bird rides before peak hours cost ₩1,240. (Korea Joongang Daily)
- Climate Card = unlimited rides in Seoul on subways & city buses, plus optional Seoul Bike (Ttareungi). Short-term tourist passes (1/2/3/5/7-day) are now official. (Official Website of the)
- Apple Wallet supports T-money (iPhone/Watch) nationwide (2025). Caveat: top-ups inside Apple Wallet require a Korea-issued card; otherwise recharge via kiosks/convenience stores or the T-money app (where eligible). (Apple, Korea Joongang Daily)
- Service & info upgrades: multi-language signage/announcements, plus 2025 display refresh to show next-stop/arrivals more clearly. Typical operating hours: ~05:30–24:00. (Visit Seoul, 코리아헤럴드, Official Website of the)
Cheat sheet: which pass should you get?
“Pick the pass that fits your month, not your mood. Most commuters break even faster than they think.”
A. Quick math (adult fares, base-fare trips; transfers are free within the window)
Pass | Price | Break-even rides* |
1-day Climate | ₩5,000 | ~4 trips |
7-day Climate | ₩20,000 | ~13 trips |
30-day Climate (no bike) | ₩62,000 | ~40 trips |
30-day Climate (+Seoul Bike) | ₩65,000 | ~42 trips |
- Break-even = price ÷ ₩1,550 base fare. Longer distances add small surcharges; you’ll break even sooner if you ride far/often. Fare update: ₩1,550 from June 28, 2025. (Korea Joongang Daily)
B. What each option actually covers (2025)
Option | What it covers | Who it’s for | Where to get / How to pay |
Pay-as-you-go T-money (physical card) | All Seoul buses/subways + convenience stores/taxis that accept T-money | Light riders, visitors outside Seoul a lot | Buy at GS25/CU/7-Eleven & stations; reload with cash at stores/kiosks. (티머니) |
T-money in Apple Wallet | Tap in/out with iPhone/Watch | iOS users who want phone-only transit | Add “Tmoney” in Wallet; Apple Wallet top-ups need KR-issued cards; otherwise use kiosks/T-money app. (Apple, Korea Joongang Daily) |
Climate Card—short-term 1/2/3/5/7-day | Unlimited bus+subway in Seoul (no bikes) | Tourists, business trips, busy errand weeks | Buy physical card (₩3,000) at info centers/convenience stores; top up at station kiosks. (Official Website of the) |
Climate Card—30-day (₩62k / ₩65k with bikes) | Unlimited rides in Seoul (plus Seoul Bike if included) | Students & commuters; WH visas | Mobile (Android 12+) or physical for iOS; card price, coverage & purchase locations on the city’s site. Youth (19–39) discount available. (Official Website of the) |
Good to know: The Climate Card’s subway coverage is broad (Lines 1–9, Ui-Sinseol, Sillim, Gyeongui–Jungang segments, Suin–Bundang segments, etc.). It includes AREX between Seoul & Gimpo Airport, and since Sept 13, 2024 you can get off at ICN T1/T2 (you just can’t board there). Private Shinbundang Line remains excluded. (Official Website of the, Korea Joongang Daily)
Payment Options in 2025: Which One Is Best?
Method | Up-front Cost | Reload Options | Works for… | Pros | Cons |
T-Money (Physical Card) | ₩3,000 | Cash at kiosks / convenience stores | Everyone | Reliable, universal | Need to carry extra card |
T-Money in Apple Wallet | Free (digital) | KR-issued card inside Wallet, or top-up at kiosks | iPhone / Apple Watch users | No physical card, Express Transit mode | Foreign credit cards often can’t top-up directly |
T-Money in Samsung Pay / T-Money App | Free (digital) | Visa/MasterCard top-up in app | Android users | Works with foreign cards (via app) | Setup requires Korean app store |
Climate Card (Physical) | ₩3,000 card + pass fee | Station kiosks, info desks | Long-stay foreigners | Unlimited rides, saves money | Only Seoul-area coverage |
Climate Card (Mobile, Android) | Free (digital) | T-Money app + KR card | Commuters, students | No extra plastic, all-in-one | iOS not supported yet |
Climate Card: The 2025 Pass System
Pass Duration | Price | Break-Even (rides) | Who Should Buy |
1-Day | ₩5,000 | 4 rides | Tourists on sightseeing blitz |
2-Day | ₩8,000 | 6 rides | Weekend visitors |
3-Day | ₩10,000 | 7 rides | Long weekend / short business |
5-Day | ₩15,000 | 10 rides | Busy work week |
7-Day | ₩20,000 | 13 rides | Exchange students on trial |
30-Day (No Bike) | ₩62,000 | 40 rides | Office workers, long-term WH-visa |
30-Day (+ Bike) | ₩65,000 | 42 rides | Students / commuters who cycle last mile |
💡 Pro Tip: At ₩65,000 for 30 days, riding twice a day already pays off in ~3 weeks. Everything after is free riding.
Set-up in 10 minutes (step-by-step)
- If you’re on iPhone: add T-money in Apple Wallet → if you can’t top up (no KR card), buy a physical T-money or Climate Card and reload at kiosks/stores. (Apple)
- If you’re on Android: you can issue mobile Climate Card in the T-money app; physical cards also work. (Official Website of the)
- Transfers = free (up to 4 transfers, i.e., 5 rides) if you tap out/in within 30 minutes (extended to 60 minutes from 21:00–07:00). Always tap on/off. (서울시 뉴스)
- Plan in English: Naver Map / Kakao Map show live ETAs, transfers, and first/last trains. (Visit Seoul)
- Check crowding & car temps: Seoul Metro’s official channels prompt using the app to pick a less-crowded car during hot months. (Official Website of the)
What to expect underground (so you never look lost)
- Languages: Station signs are bilingual; announcements are in Korean & English (often Japanese/Mandarin at big hubs). Screens show arrivals and transfers. (Official Website of the, Visit Seoul)
- First/last trains: roughly 05:30–24:00; verify in your app for your line/station. (Visit Seoul)
- Upgraded displays (2025): more frequent next-stop info on Lines 2/3/4 with wider rollout planned. (코리아헤럴드)
- Free city Wi-Fi is widely available in public spaces and transit; your phone’s data will still be the most reliable underground. (Official Website of the)
Etiquette foreigners actually ask about
“Be quiet, line up, let people off first, and leave priority seats alone.”
- Noise: Seoul’s running a PSA to curb loud phone use—use earphones. You can even report nuisance noise via the official app/1577-1234.
- Priority & pink seats: Don’t sit there unless you qualify. Pink seats are for pregnant riders (there’s an ongoing city campaign around them).
- Escalators: Don’t sprint. Seoul (like many systems) emphasizes safety over “walk left” culture—stand steady and hold the rail. (Stars and Stripes)
Common pitfalls (and easy fixes)
- Missed a tap-out? Your next ride may charge extra and you’ll lose transfer benefits—always tap out. (서울시 뉴스)
- Crossing city limits on Climate Card? If you exit in Gyeonggi/Incheon from a Seoul-tagged trip, settle the extra fare with staff before exiting. (Korea Joongang Daily)
- Apple Wallet top-up fails? That’s normal without a KR-issued card—reload at kiosks or use a physical card. (Apple)
Appendices you’ll actually use
A. Climate Card at a glance (official 2025 pricing & purchase)
- 30-day: ₩62,000 (no bikes) / ₩65,000 (with bikes).
- Short-term: 1-day ₩5,000, 2-day ₩8,000, 3-day ₩10,000, 5-day ₩15,000, 7-day ₩20,000.
- Mobile (Android 12+) or physical (for iOS); physical card costs ₩3,000 and is sold at station info centers & nearby convenience stores; recharge at station kiosks (cash/cards; one card-accepting machine per station). Youth (19–39) discounts exist; foreigners with a resident number are eligible. (Official Website of the, Korea Joongang Daily)
B. Transfers & distance charging (the part people forget)
- Free transfer window: 30 min (or 60 min 21:00–07:00), up to 4 transfers. Always tap out/in to keep the discount. (서울시 뉴스)
- Distance surcharges apply beyond base zones (that’s why unlimited cards pay off even faster for long commutes). (Visit Seoul)
Real-World Scenarios
Persona | Travel Pattern | Best Option | Why |
Working Holiday Visa holder | Daily commute + nightlife trips | 30-Day Climate Card (₩65k) | Unlimited rides + bike option covers long days |
International Student (1 semester) | Classes 4–5 days/week + weekend outings | 30-Day Climate Card (₩62k) | Predictable cost, cheaper than pay-per-ride |
Business Traveler (1 week) | Office commute + evening dinners | 7-Day Climate Card (₩20k) | Stress-free unlimited travel |
Tourist (3 days) | Sightseeing loop (Palace, Hongdae, Gangnam) | 3-Day Pass (₩10k) | Saves money after ~7 trips/day |
Occasional Commuter | 2–3 rides/week | Pay-as-you-go T-Money | Cheaper than unlimited card |
Quick FAQs (2025)
Can I commute iPhone-only now?
Yes—T-money in Apple Wallet works for gates. If you can’t top up (no KR card), reload at kiosks or carry a physical card as a backup. (Apple)
Is the Climate Card worth it for work?
If you ride ~42+ times/month, yes (and even sooner with long trips). Add bikes (₩65k) if you’ll mix first/last-mile cycling. (Korea Joongang Daily)
Does it reach Incheon Airport?
Climate Card covers AREX Seoul↔Gimpo, and you may alight at ICN T1/T2 (boarding there isn’t included). (Official Website of the)
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