WOWPASS in Seoul 2026

WOWPASS is a Korean prepaid card aimed at foreign visitors that bundles three functions into one card: T-money transit functionality, a prepaid Korean Won debit balance you can use anywhere a Korean card is accepted, and an integrated currency exchange that lets you load the card with US dollars, euros, Japanese yen, Chinese yuan, and 12 other currencies at the WOWPASS kiosk. The card costs ₩5,000 and is issued instantly from a kiosk - no application, no Korean ID, no bank account needed.

The currency exchange angle is what makes WOWPASS distinct. Instead of exchanging cash at an airport booth (typically poor rate), you load foreign currency directly onto the card at the WOWPASS kiosk and the system converts it to Won at a published rate. Rates vary but tend to be competitive with city exchange booths for the popular currencies (USD, JPY, EUR, CNY). The card balance then works as a Korean prepaid debit card, accepted at most Korean shops, restaurants, taxis, and online merchants.

WOWPASS is useful in two specific visitor scenarios. First, if you arrive with foreign cash (not just credit cards) and want to convert efficiently without the airport-booth markup. Second, if you want a single card for transit + payments without carrying a separate T-money card. The downside: WOWPASS does not have the Climate Card unlimited-ride structure, so heavy-itinerary visitors still need to compare against the daily pass. And the prepaid debit balance, once converted to Won, cannot be converted back to your home currency at trip end - any leftover stays as Won.

Where to buy

• WOWPASS kiosks at Incheon Airport Terminal 1 (1F arrivals), Terminal 2 (1F), and Gimpo Airport (1F).
• In-city WOWPASS kiosks at major hotels and tourist hubs (Myeongdong, Hongdae, Gangnam, Itaewon).
• Hotel reception desks at partner properties (Lotte, Shilla, Westin, etc.) sometimes stock them.

How to load

1. Insert foreign cash (USD, EUR, JPY, CNY, GBP, AUD, CAD, HKD, SGD, TWD, THB, MYR, IDR, VND, RUB, KRW supported as of 2026) into the kiosk.
2. The kiosk converts to KRW at the published rate and loads onto the card balance.
3. Reload at any WOWPASS kiosk in the city - the system uses the same card across multiple loads.
4. Korean credit cards can also reload via the WOWPASS app.

How to use

1. Subway / bus / taxi: tap like a T-money card. Fare deducts from the prepaid balance.
2. Stores / restaurants: hand the card to the cashier; runs as a Korean debit card.
3. Online Korean shopping: the card has a virtual card number usable for most KR e-commerce.
4. Convenience stores: works as prepaid payment at GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, Emart24.

Refund flow at trip end

Cash refunds at WOWPASS kiosks return the remaining Won balance in your choice of currency (16 supported), with a ~3.5% conversion fee on the refund side. The card itself is non-refundable. If you have a small leftover balance, refunding via kiosk is often more practical than using it up on a final convenience-store run.

vs the other cards

Pick WOWPASS over T-money if you need on-the-go currency exchange or want a single card for everything. Pick T-money if you mainly use credit cards and just need transit. WOWPASS does not replace Climate Card for unlimited-ride days; visitors with both budget and itinerary often carry WOWPASS for payments + Climate Card for rides.

Other 3 cards at a glance

Sources

• WOWPASS official site
• VisitKorea - Transportation Cards

Last verified 2026-05-24.