WOWPASS Explained: The Best Card for Traveling Around Korea
If you're planning a trip to South Korea, there’s one item you’ll want to keep in your wallet from the moment you land. It’s called WOWPASS, and it just might be the most useful card you’ll carry during your stay.
WOWPASS is a combination of two things: a prepaid debit card and a transportation card, known locally as Tmoney. This means you can use it to pay for almost everything in Korea, from your morning coffee to a late-night subway ride.
What Makes WOWPASS So Convenient?
WOWPASS allows you to load Korean won directly or convert your home currency into won using one of the 16 accepted currencies. You can do this at WOWPASS kiosks found all over the country or through the WOWPASS mobile app. Exchange rates are available in real time, and there are no transaction fees when you load the card. The service also claims to offer better rates than banks.
The card works for regular purchases by inserting it into a card reader, just like a local debit card. Unlike some international cards that get declined or aren’t accepted in small shops, WOWPASS is treated like any other Korean card. You can use it in restaurants, convenience stores, clothing shops, and more.
For public transport, the card works like any Tmoney card. Just tap it at subway or bus terminals. It’s valid on all buses and subway lines throughout the country. This saves you from buying single-journey tickets or a separate transport card.
Accepted Currencies and Denominations
You can top up your WOWPASS using any of the following 16 currencies. Each one must be in specific denominations when using the kiosk:
Korean Won (KRW): 1,000 / 5,000 / 10,000 / 50,000
Japanese Yen (JPY): 1,000 / 5,000 / 10,000
US Dollar (USD): 10 / 20 / 50 / 100
Chinese Yuan (CNY): 100
New Taiwan Dollar (TWD): 500 / 1,000
Hong Kong Dollar (HKD): 100 / 500 / 1,000
Euro (EUR): 10 / 20 / 50 / 100
Singapore Dollar (SGD): 50 / 100
Australian Dollar (AUD): 50 / 100
British Pound (GBP): 20
Canadian Dollar (CAD): 50
Thai Baht (THB): 1,000
Philippine Peso (PHP): 1,000
Vietnamese Dong (VND): 500,000
Malaysian Ringgit (MYR): 100
Indonesian Rupiah (IDR): 100,000
Where to Get a WOWPASS
WOWPASS is available at most major travel entry points in South Korea. You can pick one up at:
Incheon International Airport Terminal 1
Incheon International Airport Terminal 2
Gimpo International Airport
Jeju International Airport
Gimhae International Airport
Daegu International Airport
Incheon Port and Busan Port
You can also reserve a card online through the WOWPASS website, so it’s ready for pickup when you arrive.
Topping Up the Card
There are two balances on your WOWPASS: one for general shopping and another for public transport. You’ll need to top them up separately.
The general WOWPASS balance can be topped up with Korean won or one of the accepted foreign currencies at a machine. You can also use an overseas credit card, mobile wallet, or even PayPal through the app. Just keep in mind that funds added through PayPal can’t be withdrawn later.
For the Tmoney transport balance, you can top it up at subway stations, convenience stores, or via the mobile app if your phone supports NFC. You can even use your WOWPASS balance to refill the Tmoney portion.
Withdrawing Cash
If you need Korean won in cash, you can withdraw it from any WOWPASS machine. Each withdrawal has a limit of 100,000 KRW and comes with a fee of 1,000 KRW. Note that machines at Incheon Airport’s AREX area don’t support withdrawals.
Coins or amounts under 1,000 KRW cannot be withdrawn, so plan accordingly.
What If You Lose the Card?
If your card gets lost, you can immediately suspend it using the app. Your WOWPASS balance will be protected and can be transferred to a new card. However, the Tmoney balance cannot be recovered, so it’s good to keep your card safe.
Getting a Refund
Tmoney balance refunds are available depending on the amount:
Under 20,000 KRW: Visit GS25, 7-Eleven, or similar stores
Under 30,000 KRW: Visit CU or Emart24
Under 50,000 KRW: Go to an information center at a Seoul subway station
Over 50,000 KRW: Visit Tmoney Town at Seoul Station (weekday hours only)
The refund fee is 500 KRW.
Why WOWPASS Is Worth It
WOWPASS is ideal for travelers who want to simplify their payments in Korea. Instead of juggling cash, figuring out which cards work, or standing in line for subway tickets, you can handle nearly everything with one card.
It’s simple, it works almost everywhere, and it saves you time and effort throughout your trip.
