Seoul transit pass for travellers to be available from July

SEOUL – The city’s all-inclusive transit pass, the Climate Card, will soon be available for short-term use by visitors to Korea starting in July, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said on May 12.

The introduction of a short-term pass for one, two, three, five, and seven days is to enhance user experience with its affordable pricing. City officials said that the pass is estimated to cost around 20,000 won (S$20) for a five-day duration.

This is a more cost-effective option compared with the cash-only daily pass provided by T-money for foreign tourists, which is priced at 15,000 won for one day, including a 5,000 won deposit and a 500 won service fee.

This cash-only pass is a hassle for foreign tourists, as they have to retrieve their deposit back from a ticket vending machine at subway stations, city officials said.

Currently, the Climate Card costs 65,000 won per month, providing unlimited access to subways, buses, and public bicycles within the city. The 62,000 won option excludes the bike-sharing service.

The new short-term pass cards will also feature new designs inspired by the city’s representative mascots and characters, aimed at attracting younger consumers, city officials said.

Seoul plans to expand the card’s services in October by integrating a water bus service along the Han River called the Hangang River Bus. THE KOREA HERALD/ ASIA NEWS NETWORK