moa999
Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2003
- Posts
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Spending 2d and 2n in Seoul for first time in March and going down the rabbit hole on transport and payment options and discount cards which seemed varied and overlapping.
Maybe some recent travelers have advice.
Flying in JQ and out early day 3 so have booked arrival and departure nights at the Walker Hill Darakhyu landside, with only one night in Seoul itself at Voco Myendong.
Solo traveller and happy to use public transport.
What I've gathered. (Using A$1 to 1000 KRW)
T-Money - classic transport card - Pay $3 for card - Pay per ride typically $1.40. Can also use card in some other places like c-stores. Can only refill with cash.
Climate Card - separate card for $4 - that allows unlimited transport in Seoul from $5-2 a day, longer cheaper.. can seemingly also store T-Money. Can only refill with cash. Not as easy to get as T-Money.
Can seemingly use Arex local services to the airport, but not from, but otherwise Seoul City only.
EZL (was Cashbee) - combination Korean debit card and transport card with some Lotte discounts. You want the IC version. $4-5 card fee.
WowPass - combination Korean debit card and T-Money card. Card is $4-5. Can load with foreign currency at ok (1-1.5% rates) at some machines, or foreign CC (4%). Can transfer from the debit card portion to T-Money using mobiles with NFC.
Trip.Pass. App that also acts as passport replacement for ID, hotels and tax cash back, as well as a Korean debit card. Card is $5 but Android phones can use NFC or barcode, Apple maybe just barcode or linked card.
Discover Seoul Card. Free or Discounted tourist card from $60-100. In 48/72/120hr versions. Includes one-way limo bus (just 67xx) and one-way Arex Express. Good value of you use expensive places like Seoul Tower, eland cruise, etc. also now some more limited attraction cards.
Card version includes T-Money chip, mobile version includes free e-Sim
At this point I'm thinking a 2-day Climate Card, Discover Seoul Card, and a few $s on Trip.Pass in case I get someone who can't take credit cards
Way more complicated than even China.
Maybe some recent travelers have advice.
Flying in JQ and out early day 3 so have booked arrival and departure nights at the Walker Hill Darakhyu landside, with only one night in Seoul itself at Voco Myendong.
Solo traveller and happy to use public transport.
What I've gathered. (Using A$1 to 1000 KRW)
T-Money - classic transport card - Pay $3 for card - Pay per ride typically $1.40. Can also use card in some other places like c-stores. Can only refill with cash.
Climate Card - separate card for $4 - that allows unlimited transport in Seoul from $5-2 a day, longer cheaper.. can seemingly also store T-Money. Can only refill with cash. Not as easy to get as T-Money.
Can seemingly use Arex local services to the airport, but not from, but otherwise Seoul City only.
EZL (was Cashbee) - combination Korean debit card and transport card with some Lotte discounts. You want the IC version. $4-5 card fee.
WowPass - combination Korean debit card and T-Money card. Card is $4-5. Can load with foreign currency at ok (1-1.5% rates) at some machines, or foreign CC (4%). Can transfer from the debit card portion to T-Money using mobiles with NFC.
Trip.Pass. App that also acts as passport replacement for ID, hotels and tax cash back, as well as a Korean debit card. Card is $5 but Android phones can use NFC or barcode, Apple maybe just barcode or linked card.
Discover Seoul Card. Free or Discounted tourist card from $60-100. In 48/72/120hr versions. Includes one-way limo bus (just 67xx) and one-way Arex Express. Good value of you use expensive places like Seoul Tower, eland cruise, etc. also now some more limited attraction cards.
Card version includes T-Money chip, mobile version includes free e-Sim
At this point I'm thinking a 2-day Climate Card, Discover Seoul Card, and a few $s on Trip.Pass in case I get someone who can't take credit cards
Way more complicated than even China.
