Many people save up for months or even years for their dream trip. If Korea is your dream destination, then let us help remove some of that financial burden! From discounted transportation to free admission at popular attractions and discounts for shopping, performances, and dining, tour passes can help you save money in a range of areas. We’ve collected information about Korea’s various tour passes to make it easier for you to choose the right one! With the money you’ll save, your dream trip to Korea can take place even sooner!

Discover Seoul Pass

What is it? Take the K-limousine from the airport directly to Seoul to start your journey! From the City Tour Bus and Ddareungi, Seoul’s public bicycle rentals, to shopping, performances, and experiences, enjoy Seoul to the fullest with the Discover Seoul Pass!

The first tourist-exclusive tour pass in Seoul, it includes free admission to many of Seoul’s main tourist attractions, as well as discount benefits. In addition, pass holders can freely use a range of public transportation options to get around, including Seoul’s public bicycles, the City Tour Bus, Airport Railroad Express (AREX; limited to one use), and airport buses (K-limousine).

The pass comes in three types: 24-hour, 48-hour, and 72-hour validity, and can be purchased as either a card or a mobile pass. The card-type can only be purchased at select locations, but this inconvenience is small when compared to the added benefit of being able to use the pass as a transportation card. Aside from this small difference, the remainder of benefits is the same for both the card pass and mobile pass. The pass can be used freely within the valid period; simply show your card or mobile pass QR code at the ticket booth to get your free admission ticket!

Top Attractions with the Discover Seoul Pass

Seoul’s representative palace┃ Gyeongbokgung Palace

Beauty of vibrant Seoul┃Namsan Seoul Tower

Best shopping in Korea┃ Dongdaemun Shopping Complex

Pedal along the Hangang River┃Yeouido Hangang Park

Unique gallery full of photo spots┃HiKR Ground

Visit Busan Pass

What is it? Save up to 500,000 won on admission to attractions throughout Busan!

As of September 12, Busan Pass is back and better than ever after a renewal! The pass allows free admission to over 30 tourist attractions, as well as discounts at over 120 restaurants, shops, activities, and even accommodations!

Visit Busan Pass comes in a time-limit variety (24- or 48-hour) and a quantity-limit variety (Big 3 or Big 5). Both types can come as a mobile pass or a card pass with the possibility to be used as a transportation card, although there is a 3,000 won additional fee for the card pass. To use the transportation card function, you will need to load the pass with a balance at a nearby convenience store or at a subway station before using it. The transportation card function can be used nationwide.

Korea Tour Card

What is it? An all-in-one card for use throughout the country, with benefits ranging from discounts at franchises like McDonald’s and Starbucks to great exchange rates, transportation, and easy purchasing!

This foreigner-exclusive transportation card makes it easy to use a range of public transit options, including subway, bus, and even taxi. You can even get special discounts when using the card to make purchases in shops, restaurants, and performances. With no expiration date, you can continue to use the card every time you visit Korea by simply reloading your card balance. One card can hold a balance of up to 500,000 won.

If you are planning on staying mostly on the southern coast, then try out the Korea Tour Card – Namhaean Coast edition! This card includes even more special benefits for attractions in Busan, Tongyeong, Geoje, Yeosu, and Suncheon.

[Tip: All about transportation cards in Korea]

Top Attractions with the Korea Tour Card – Namhaean Coast Edition

The first maritime cable car in Korea┃Yeosu Maritime Cable Car

Time travel to Korea’s past┃Naganeupseong Walled Town

Walk through a picture book village ┃Dongpirang Village

Korea’s first National Garden┃Suncheonman Bay National Garden

Traditional market full of fresh seafood┃Tongyeong Jungang Market

Korail Pass

What is it? Take a trip here, there, everywhere via train! With no limit on use within the valid period, take time to head off the beaten path and discover hidden gems!

Korail Pass is a train pass perfect for travelers looking to go to many places. The best part of the pass is that it provides pass holders with unlimited use of general cars throughout the pass duration. Travelers can use the pass to ride KTX, ITX-Cheongchun, ITX-Saemaeul, Saemaeul, Mugunghwa, and Nuriho trains.

Korail Pass is available for a range of days from two to five days. If you’re traveling with friends or family, you can get the saver pass, available for two to five people! While the use is the general car is unlimited, you can only reserve seats two times per day. If you wish to upgrade to the first-class car, you will have to pay 50% of the seat price. While Korail Pass can be used for most Korail-operated trains, it is not accepted on the SRT, subway, or temporary tourist trains (Donghae Santa Train, Baekdu Valley Train, Jeongseon Arirang Train, Gugak & Wine Train, Traditional Market Tourist Train, Seomjingang Train Village Tourist Train, Rail Cruise Haerang, etc.).

[TIP: All about trains in Korea]

Top Attractions with the Korail Pass

Play, eat, and relax ┃Jumunjin Beach

The most Korean city in Korea ┃ Jeonju Hanok Village

Tourist zone on a grand scale ┃ Mokpo Special Tourist Zone

Healing with nature ┃ Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch

Experience beautiful and mysterious outer space┃ Namwon Aircraft & Space Observatory

Namane Card

What is it? Load up the card balance to use wherever. The personalized design makes each card one-of-a-kind!

The Namane Card is a great choice for tourists who don’t want to carry cash around. Simply load the card balance and you can use it like a debit card to make purchases anywhere, both online and offline, as well as on public transit. What makes Namane Card stand out from other similar cards is the personalization possible. Users can pick one of the standard images, or upload a photo from their phone for the front of the card, as well as write a small phrase.

Namane Card can hold two separate balances for payment and for transportation, with the amounts easily transferable. When loading the card balance, the minimum limit is 1,000 won, and each balance has a maximum of 500,000 won. After using the card, the remaining payment balance can be refunded, but only if 60% of the total loaded amount has been used. For refunds of a transportation balance under 30,000 won, visit a CU convenience store. If the transportation balance is over 30,000 won, you will have to visit a Korail customer service center at train or subway stations, or a Korail Travel Center. For all refunds, a 500 won service fee applies. Users can easily check their Namane Card balance through the VISITKOREA app.

To make your Namane Card, the first step is to download the Namane Card mobile application! After designing your card with the image and text you want, save it to get a QR code. With your QR code at hand, scan it at a Namane kiosk and your saved design will be printed for your one-of-a-kind card!

Top Attractions with the Namane Card

World-themed cave theme park┃ Gwangmyeong Cave

A royal world within the city┃ Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

Amusement park with a view of the sea┃Wolmi Theme Park

Activities abound┃Nami Island

Beautiful fall foliage attraction┃Hwadam Botanic Garden

Wowpass Card

What is it? Enjoy a cashless trip with this all-in-one card, from currency exchange to shopping and transportation!

Wowpass Card is a foreign tourist-exclusive prepaid card accepted throughout Korea. The card can be loaded with foreign currency, cutting out the need for currency exchange, and can be used as a transportation card as well. All you need is your passport to get a Wowpass card, manage your balance, and even apply for a new card if you lose it. The card is a great asset to have as Korea quickly changes to a cashless society.

Top Attractions with the Wowpass Card

Unique landscape of strange rocks┃Hajodae Scenic Point

Paradise in the southern sea┃Oedo-Botania

Sunrise hotspot┃Homigot Sunrise Square

Resting place of Silla history┃Gyeongju Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex

Peaceful hanok village┃Andong Hahoe Village

* This column was last updated in September 2023, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check for updates before visiting.