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Seoul CityPass Plus, Seoul CityPass and M-Pass Difference Review

46 comments
Seoul CityPass Plus, Seoul CityPass and M-Pass Difference Review

T-Money (basic)

The T-money card is rechargeable in amounts ranging from 1,000 won to 90,000 won at any of the T-money vendors or Ticket Vending and Card Reload Devices inside most subway stations.

There's a discount using T-Money, Transfer discounts are applied on bus/subway fares only when using T-money. For instance, when transferring while traveling within a 10km distance, if you use T-money, then transferring is free. This is a much better deal than using cash, as you would have to pay the basic fare each time you transfer. You can transfer a maximum of four times.

T-Money comes in various form: card, accessory and T-Money chip. 

Price: 2,500 won
Sales Locations: Convenience stores (GS 25, CU, Mini Stop, Buy The Way, 7-Eleven, Story Way) bearing the T-Money logo and Ticket Vending and Card Reload Devices inside subway stations
Recharge/Refund Locations: All sales locations
for more information click here


Seoul City Pass Plus

for another 500 won you can purchase Seoul City Pass Plus instead of the normal T-Money card. if you are planning to visit the place listed below, the 500 won is worth the money.

Seoul City Pass Plus is a transportation card with the T-money function and additional tourist benefits that can be used in and around Seoul. The card can be used for transactions at four royal palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, and Deoksugung), Jongmyo Shrine, as well as many convenience stores. The card also offers 5% off rides on the Seoul City Tour Bus and discounts at dozens of tourist sites and shops including restaurants, exhibitions, opticians, and beauty salons.


Price: 3,000 won (Discount guide booklet included)
Sales/Recharge locations: Convenience stores (GS25, CU, Mini Stop, Buy The Way, 7-eleven) bearing the T-money logo
Transportation: Buses, subways, and Seoul City Tour Bus in the Seoul Metropolitan City area
for more information click here


Seoul CityPass (is not Seoul CityPass Plus)


A lot of people getting confuse by this different type of card, with Seoul Citypass card you can use the subway or bus up to 20 times a day, regardless of the distance or mode of transportation, and you can enjoy the Seoul City Tour Bus that take you around the downtown and palaces as many times as you wish.


The Seoul City Tour Bus is a tourist bus that takes you to all of your favorite tourist spots and shopping areas. By using the SEOUL CITY PASS you can board and get off from the bus at any time or place you want, all day, as many times as you like.

Using the coupons provided to you in the SEOUL CITY PASS Guidebook, you can go to famous tourist spots for either free or receive discounts.The bus tours that allow you to use the SEOUL CITY PASS are the downtown tour and the palace tour co as well as the night tour.

SEOUL CITY PASS USERS can receive a 20% discount when going on the night tour.

Price: from 15,000 Won to 35.000 Won
Sales location:
GS25, Family Mart, and MINISTOP convenience stores (located on the arrival floor of Incheon International Airport)
Dongdaemun Tourist Information Office
Gwanghwamun Tourist Information Office
Itaewon Tourist Information Office
Gimpo Airport Tourist Information Office
Samilgyo Tourist Information Office
Myeong-dong Tourist Information Office
Namdaemun Tourist Information Office
Jamsil Tourist Information Office.

This is a picture of GS25 in arrival hall in case you are wondering what it looks like

This is the famous KBooks pciture, a lot of people buying (or ordering) prepaid sim card and send it to this place, for guide you can refer to this link EG sim



M-PASS Card


Metropolitan Pass or M-Pass is a transportation card that offers 20 rides a day for the duration of the pass in the Seoul Metropolitan City area, including Seoul Subway Lines 1-9, Incheon Subway, AREX's (Incheon Airport Railroad Express) standard train (i.e. not the express train), metropolitan trains (except the Sinbundang Line), and Seoul Buses (except red buses).

M-Passes come in five different types: 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, 5-day and 7-day passes. They are valid for the designated time period, and expire at midnight on the last day of validity. (e.g. 3-day M-Pass Activation: January 1, 2014 / Expiration: 11:59 p.m., January 3, 2014)

M-Passes are available for purchase at Seoul Travel Information Centers (I-Tour Seoul Centers) in the Incheon International Airport Passenger Terminal. When buying an M-Pass, you must pay a refundable deposit of 4,500 won, and a non-refundable service charge of 500 won. Also, you will receive discount admission coupons to popular tourist attractions. The deposit as well as any remaining T-money balance on the M-Pass is refunded when you return it to any of the I-Tour Seoul Centers.

Seoul Travel Information Centers (I-Tour Seoul Centers)
  • Locations: Incheon International Airport Passenger Terminal (1F), Exits 5 & 10
  • Price: 10.000 - 59.500 Won
  • Inquiries: +82-32-743-3270
  • Upon purchasing M-Pass, you will receive coupons for discounted admission to tourist attractions and restaurants (10 to 20% off).
M-Pass Refunds (M-Pass must be returned to Seoul Travel Information Centers located in the Incheon International Airport)
  • 4,500-won deposit 
  • Remaining T-money balance 

 

Conclusion:

It's really depends on your schedule, for me I only spent 23.000 won on my last trip. For Seoul CityPass it maybe worth if you are taking the Seoul City Bus. For M-Pass I don't think you will spend 10.000 won per day for the transport. so the best option that you can consider is to take Seoul City Pass Plus which cost 3000 Won.


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46 comments

  1. is there any possible way for me to check what are restaurants that have discounts using Seoul City Pass Plus?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Jay, sorry for the late reply. I can't find the list of the restaurant :(

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Hobbit.

    Contemplating on which pass to get for a 4-day trip. Please help. Also will these passes work from Incheon to Seoul Center City?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. T-Money and Seoul City pass plus will work anywhere just make sure you've enough credit inside. Seoul City Pass & M-pass will work in incheon airport but only for standard train not the express.

      if you are taking bus/train for more than 10 times a day and taking Seoul city bus tour take the Seoul City Pass.

      If you are taking bus/train for more than 10 times a day but not planning to take the city tour bus, take the Mpass card.

      if you are taking bus / train less than 10 times a day and planning to visit Seoul tower take the Seoul city pass plus. Else take a normal T-Money card ( Seoul City pass plus is 500won more than the normal T-Money card )

      Delete
  4. Thank you for your prompt response. By extra 500 won ; do you mean each card have a fee? In other words, it costs 2500 won for the T-Money card plus the amount you are wanting to load the card? And the Seoul City Plus Pass card will make it 3000 for the card plus the amount you are loading?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup, that's the price of the card itself, the T-Money Basic costs 2500 won while the Seoul City Plus Pass card costs 3000 won, the difference is that the Seoul City Plus Pass have voucher + extra discount in some of the tourist spots. After you bought the card, you need to top it up before you can use it.

      If there's credit left below 20.000 won, you can do a refund with a fee of 500 won. the card fee itself 2500/3000 won is non-refundable.

      Delete
  5. Good afternoon,

    I'll be visiting Seoul for 4 nights.
    I plan to catch the airport bus from Incheon Airport to W Walkerhill. After 1 night I'll move to downtown Seoul. I intend to catch the AREX All Stops from Seoul Station to Incheon Airport on my final day.

    Is it possible to buy a 1 DAY MPass on Dec 21st upon my arrival into Seoul, then load in TMoney credit. Start using the T-Money credit straight away but only use the 1 DAY MPass on my final day (Dec 25th)? Meaning start using the MPass as a T-Money card first, the 1 DAY MPass only to be used on the final day?

    Thanks,
    Melanie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never used the MPass before so I might be wrong, I guess you need to activate it before you an use the pass / T-Money credit and the T-Money credit will be used after the pass has ended. your best bet is to buy normal T-Money card + M-Pass.

      Btw why don't you buy the Arex ticket directly, the Exrpress Arex fare is cheaper than M-Pass, it's 8000 won.
      AREX EXPRESS

      or use the T-Money for the all stop AREX train and it's even cheaper.
      AREX All Stop

      Delete
  6. Hi I wonder if you can use Seoul City Pass Plus outside Seoul? I know that T money can be used also in Jeju for example.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes as long as they accept T-Money, Seoul City Pass Plus basically is a T-Money card with voucher and discount in some places.

      Delete
  7. Hi. I have been in Seoul for 4 days in 2013. On March of 2016 I will be in Seoul again, but will only have a 10-hour layover and would love to visit the city for some shopping and food trips.

    1. Will the M Card be a good option for me since i will need to go back to Incheon on the same day?
    2. Can I use the Seoul City Pass for the regular AREX all-stop train going back to the airport?

    Thanks in advance.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi There,

      1. Yes M Card is a good option for you.
      2. You don't have to purchase seoul city pass, you can use the M card for the normal AREX train.

      Always check before purchasing the pass, they may have changed some of the rules.

      Delete
  8. Hello,
    I will be traveling with my cousins on May (we are 5 people).
    We will be going to Jeju, Busan, and then Seoul.
    Was wondering which card will suit us better (probably 1 card that the 5 of us can use)?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Yadira,

      Since you are going out from Seoul, it's better to take the Seoul City
      pass plus or if you don't need the discount voucher you can buy the normal T-Money card (Cost 500 won less).

      You can't use 1 card for 5 people, each of you need to buy their own card.

      Delete
  9. Hai Hobbit,
    Im going to Seoul on may 2016, 5days holidays to see more attractions there.

    So, if im taking M-Pass Card, meaning im only can used for 20 rides per day? and what happen if im using it over than 20 rides? does is stop me for entering any subway? or i need to recharge the card after finish 20 rides per day?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi yes you will not be able to enter if you don't have any T-money credit. M-pass has a T-money function, the credit will be used instead when you've reached the limit.

      Delete
  10. What about the Railplus Card which you can additionally select when buying the Korail pass? According to https://www.letskorail.com/ebizbf/EbizBfKrPassFaq.do?idx=5#hidpos5 "it allows card holders to transfer between public transport systems and also get discounts in Korea?
    Does it have the T-money function? What discounts does it provide?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there, Railplus is only for public transportation as far as I know. it doesn't have T-money function but you can reload it to use for public transportation and stores inside the station.

      The card is currently accepted throughout Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Busan, Chungcheong-do, and in the Honam regions (Daejeon–Mokpo). Over time, RailPlus will be expanded to include the rest of the country.
      Railplus

      Delete
  11. Hi.

    Can Seoul Citypass use for AREX all station stop?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes it should be able to. confirm first with the shop before purchasing.

      Delete
  12. if I'm not wrong, it's not included.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi. I am planning to go to korea this December for 14 days. Can you suggest which one is better to use? Mcard,Seoul City Pass or T Money? And can you estimate the price for each card that I need to pay for 14 days? Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it's really depends on your travel frequency between places.

      if you are taking bus/train for more than 10 times a day and taking Seoul city bus tour take the Seoul City Pass.

      If you are taking bus/train for more than 10 times a day but not planning to take the city tour bus, take the Mpass card.

      if you are taking bus / train less than 10 times a day and planning to visit Seoul tower take the Seoul city pass plus. Else take a normal T-Money card ( Seoul City pass plus is 500won more than the normal T-Money card )

      Delete
  14. hi i'm going to korea this month for 12 days i will spent the 02 first day in busan than 10 days in seoul and i'm litlle bit confuse what to choose because M pass Dosen't work in busan?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. M pass only has 7 day pass not 10 days. Perhaps a normal Seoul City Pass Plus / T money would be a better option except if you are really going to use more than 15 rides per day.

      M Pass for 7 days = 59.500 Won
      T Money / Seoul City pass = 23.000 Won (I only spent this amount in a week in Seoul)

      Delete
  15. Hi Hobbit, I'm going to Seoul end of this year. I'm little bit confuse about Seoul City Pass Plus that you mention "if you are taking bus / train less than 10 times a day and planning to visit Seoul tower take the Seoul city pass plus". Is it including transfer ride? For ex: from Seoul to Nami, should has few transfer subway ride. And toddler 2yo, need to pay for subway fees? Tq

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nadia, it's inclusive and just a rough estimation travelling within the city and occasionally a longer distance like to nami. child below 6 years is free.

      T-money can be used on public buses and subways in several different metropolitan cities and locations including Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Daejeon, Incheon, Daegu and Busan.

      When using T-money, the public transportation fare is 100 won cheaper than when paying with cash, and, unlike cash fares, T-money can be used when transferring from one bus to another, one subway line to another, or from bus to subway or vice versa (within a transfer time limit) at no extra charge. Also, T-money does away with the hassle of purchasing single journey subway tickets. When you are finished using your T-money card, the remaining balance can be refunded after a 500 won service charge.

      Delete
  16. Hi,

    We are planning a holiday to Seoul for 7D/6N. No plan to go out of Seoul, so our program is within the city. Our planned itinerary involved bus and train for the local transport, probably 4-5 times in a day.

    Can you please advise me what is the best card option ? Seoul City Pass ?? Can we use this card to take the airport limousine to Myeongdong ? Is it cheaper as compared to normal airport limousine fare ?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Hobbit,
    I plan to travel to Seoul on April. Instead of the coupons to several attractions mentioned above, does the Seoul City Pass Plus offer discount to Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, and Changyeonggung Palace?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think so, take a loot at my post that's all the coupon that you will get or you can check it here http://www.seoulcitypass.com/coupon.html

      Delete
  18. I will be studying in Korea for 6 weeks this summer at Korea University. What do you think would be best for me to use since I will be there for such a long time?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Hobbit. I will be travelling to Seoul in mid of June for about 5days. So I'm not sure which Citypass to get. Should I get with "plus"? This is my 1st time to Seoul.
    Also I'm not sure is there any tourist data sim card or it would be better to get a pocket wifi?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hi there, it's depends are you going to travel a lot? if you are planning to ride the seoul city bus you may want to consider Seoul citypass else just get Seoul City Pass Plus / basic T-money.

      for internet access if it's 2 people or more people using it you can consider the pocket wifi cause it will be cheaper.

      if you are from Singapore you may also want check the roaming data travel, starhub has a data travel plan for $15 2GB, $20 3GB (30 days)

      Delete
  20. Does transfers count as part of the 20 rides a day for M-Pass

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry I'm not sure. I believe it's counted.

      Delete
  21. Hi, we will visit the SK this coming Dec 1-4. And some places we're planning to visit are Nami Island, Petite France and Cheongpyeong River Land. Based on the sunway Map, this three places are fairly far than the other tourist spot. And during these days, we may travel or ride the subways more than 10x a day. We will also go to Namsan Tower and we're planning go ride the cable car. I know this was asked to you so many times, but can ypu recommend the most convenient card for us? And can the card be purchase in the airport or only in the above stores you mentioned? Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there, since you are going out of Seoul couple of days, you can get normal t-money or Seoul city plus if you need the coupon discount. Yes you can get both at the airport. G25 store.

      Delete
  22. hi! im going to korea on 1st week of May. Just wondering if i buy the seoul city pass plus card, can i use it right away? or do i have to top up the card with certain amount first prior to using it? thanks

    ReplyDelete
  23. hi. i am arriving to seoul next week. can i assume that the M-Card can be used on AREX to travel from Incheon to Seoul Station and back? Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hi there, it's a little bit confusing they mentioned in the website about airport railroad express but on the guide it mention the regular airport railroad. it's better if you ask them for confirmation once you reach at the airport. do let me know so that I can update this page :)

      M-PASS website

      Delete
  24. Hi there!
    I'm gonna have a short stopover at Incheon on my flight from Germany to Japan, so my question is: Can I use the Seoul City Pass with the AREX to get from the ICN Airport to Seoul City and back?
    Since that would be cheaper considering one way with the AREX Express train costs 7500 KRW per direction (discounted due to flight tickets) and like that I'd still have 18 fares left for the subway, if I got that right.

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there,
      no, you can't use the Seoul City Pass for AREX.

      Delete
  25. Hi Hobit,
    My family (2 adults and 1 kid) will having a 10D9N stay in Korea.besides Seoul were plan to visit other places as far as Busan. What do you think is the best option we had Korail, M-Pass, T-Pass, Seoul Pass Plus and Seoul Pass?
    Thanks..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Czarleign, it's really depends on your itinerary, whether you are roaming only inside the town, how many trip are you intended to do per day. if you intended to ride the seoul city tour bus, you can take SEOUL CITY PASS for 1 - 2 days and use the basic t-money function for the rest of your trip.

      Delete

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