Everything you need to know about WOWPASS Card: Where to buy, How to use, top-up for Cashless Payment in Korea

WOWPASS card helps tourists spend, travel, and withdraw money easily when traveling to Korea. So, what is WOWPASS korea, how to use, how to top up WOWPASS, where to buy it? Discover the most complete guide of using it with Living Nomads in this WOWPASS review!

Traveling to Korea is now easier than ever thanks to the WOWPASS card, a smart card that combines payment, top-up, and T-Money in one. No need to exchange a lot of cash or worry about excess or shortage when taking the subway, tourists only need a compact card to spend, travel, and enjoy promotions everywhere.

WOWPASS: Prepaid Card for Cashless Payment in Korea

For your convenience, we have compiled the experiences of using the WOWPASS card, from how to buy, top-up, withdraw, and handle lost cards. Follow now!

What is a WOWPASS card? Discover the No. 1 “Powerful” Card in Korea

WOWPASS is known as the No. 1 “all-in-one” travel card in Korea, currently with more than 2 million users. With this compact card, you can pay cashlessly everywhere, even at stores that do not accept international cards.

Not only stopping at payment, WOWPASS also integrates the function of traveling on public transportation like the Tmoney card, making traveling in the city easier. Visitors can also exchange money directly at WOWPASS machines with 16 different foreign currencies, quickly top up with credit cards or cash, and even conveniently send & receive money between WOWPASS accounts or Korean bank accounts.

Where to Buy WOWPASS Card?

There are many ways to own a WOWPASS card, depending on your itinerary and travel habits. The card can be registered directly at WOWPASS machines throughout Korea, or pre-ordered online to receive at the airport and convenience stores. Whichever method you choose, you only need to bring your passport and prepare cash to load the card initially.

Register for WOWPASS at the Airport or Subway Station

T-money Card

The simplest way is to find one of the more than 300 WOWPASS machines located at airports, major subway stations or hotels. Right here, you can register directly or enter the code if you have pre-ordered online. Just a few steps: scan your passport, choose the currency, load cash and activate the card, then link it to the WOWPASS app to use.

If you want a more convenient package, visitors can choose the Airport Package to receive at the SKT counter at the airport. This package includes a WOWPASS card, SIM card and Tmoney balance, and can purchase additional AREX tickets with pre-loaded money. You can book the card at any time, pick up the card right after landing, very suitable for those who want to travel by public train from the airport. Package price from 29,400 KRW (About 556,000 VND).

Korea CU Convenience Store Cash Voucher

Buy WOWPASS Card at CU Convenience Store

In addition, at Incheon Airport (T1 & T2), you can also visit the 24/7 CU convenience store to receive the WOWPASS card you ordered online. Just show the barcode on the app to the staff, you will receive the card right at CU store No. 4 (1st floor, left side of arrival hall F). The current price is only 4,500 KRW (About 85,000 VND)

Buy WOWPASS Card at Klook

WOWPASS can now also be easily booked right on Klook, bringing maximum convenience to travelers. After completing the booking, you will immediately receive a voucher code to redeem the card at the nearest WOWPASS machine or CU convenience store.

The operation is extremely simple, similar to the registration form with the code. Booking through Klook also gives you more peace of mind with a clear process, friendly Vietnamese support and many promotions exclusively for you, helping you prepare for your trip to Korea both economically and completely.

WOWPASS: Prepaid Card for Cashless Payment in Korea

• Price of WOWPASS Card booked at Klook, received at the card exchange machine: 98,000 VND ($3.72)
• Price of WOWPASS Card booked at Klook, received at CU convenience store: 135,000 VND ($5.12)

Whichever way you choose, don’t forget the last step: register the card on the WOWPASS application by scanning the barcode on the back and entering the CVC code. This is the key to fully taking advantage of the benefits that WOWPASS brings throughout your trip to Korea.

Places Where You Can Pay With WOWPASS

If Tmoney is associated with the familiar image of a subway card, WOWPASS expands the experience a lot more. In addition to being used as a public transportation card, you can also use WOWPASS to pay at countless locations across Korea.

Shopping Malls and Stores

Busan & Gyeongju Private Customized Tour

WOWPASS is accepted at most shopping locations, from bustling shopping areas like Myeongdong, Dongdaemun to convenience stores, cafes or fashion stores. This is a big plus compared to many international cards that often have difficulty paying at small shops.

Local Restaurants and Eateries

KORAIL PASS – KTX Train Ticket

If you have WOWPASS in hand when traveling to Korea, You don’t need to worry about carrying a lot of cash because with just a WOWPASS card, you can enjoy crispy fried chicken in Hongdae or a fragrant BBQ meal in Gangnam. Interestingly, even local eateries that do not accept international credit cards can swipe WOWPASS.

Public Transportation

WOWPASS can completely replace Tmoney in transportation, making the journey in the city more seamless and convenient.

• Subway: Just tap your card at the ticket gate and you can travel all over Seoul, Busan, Daegu or Daejeon. The subway system in Korea is notoriously complicated, but WOWPASS is accepted on all lines, just like an “upgraded” Tmoney.
• Buses: From the blue, red and yellow inner-city buses in Seoul to the regional buses, WOWPASS works smoothly. Even intercity buses connecting neighboring cities can be paid with this card, instead of having to buy paper tickets.
• Taxi: With WOWPASS, you don’t have to worry about change when taking a taxi. Most official taxi companies accept card payments, just swipe the card at the POS machine on the bus and you’re done.

[FREE T-money] SIM Card for South Korea Unlimited Local Data (LG U+)

Compared to Tmoney, which only focuses on metro and buses, WOWPASS is more convenient in that it can be used both for commuting and as soon as you get off the bus to pay for a cup of coffee or a snack.

Travel Services and Experiences

Many hotels, spas, beauty salons, and even clinics support payment via WOWPASS, even if you are not a guest. This makes WOWPASS a convenient “key” for tourists to fully experience Korea without being limited by payment barriers.

Places Where WOWPASS Cannot Be Used

Although WOWPASS is very convenient, there are still some places where it cannot be used. This card is not applicable at small shops, traditional restaurants in local markets, or some old vending machines that only accept T-money or cash. In addition, some parking lots and old public payment machines do not support WOWPASS, so tourists should prepare extra cash or a backup credit card to avoid inconvenience.

Everland 1 Day Pass

When encountering a place that does not accept WOWPASS, the simplest way is to prepare some cash in KRW, especially when going to traditional markets or small restaurants. If you forget to bring cash, you can find a nearby WOWPASS machine to quickly exchange foreign currency.

Korea Intercity Express Bus Ticket

In addition, if necessary, use an international credit card or Tmoney transportation card for older vending machines or parking lots. Flexibly combining multiple payment methods will help your trip not be interrupted, taking advantage of the convenience of WOWPASS while having a backup plan.

Where to Find WOWPASS Machines?

South Korea 4G Prepaid SIM Card (KR Airports Pick Up) from KT

There are currently more than 300 WOWPASS machines located throughout Korea, located in places that are easy for tourists to visit such as Incheon Airport, Gimpo, major subway stations, hotels, shopping malls and many other places. Just open the app or website, you will quickly find the nearest machine to make a card or recharge.

A small note: the machines at Incheon Airport only accept KRW cash, so it’s best to exchange a small amount in advance for easier operation. Before using, you should also check the location, accompanying services and operating hours right on the app so you don’t miss out!

Gyeongju The Old Capital of Korea One Day Tour from Busan

The interesting thing is that the WOWPASS machine is not only for hotel guests or shoppers in the store. Even if you just happen to stop by, you can still comfortably use this service, which is really a very “indulgent” flexibility for tourists, right?

How to Top Up Your WOWPASS Card

If you want to fully enjoy your trip to Korea, topping up your WOWPASS is extremely simple with two flexible options: top up with cash or via the mobile app.

Top Up Cash (16 Currencies)

LEGOLAND ® Korea Resort Ticket

At WOWPASS machines, you just need to insert cash and the amount will be converted immediately at a competitive exchange rate. A big plus is that the system supports up to 16 foreign currencies, including USD, EUR, AUD, CAD, GBP, SGD, PHP and many others. Compared to exchanging money at the airport, the exchange rate displayed on the WOWPASS app is often more “comfortable”, helping you save a significant amount. All operations are free and clearly displayed on the screen, very convenient to follow.

Top Up Via Mobile App

Seoul One Day City Tour & Night View Tour

If you don’t want to carry too much cash, you can top up directly via the WOWPASS app using an international credit card, e-wallet or PayPal. Note that Visa cards are not currently supported, but you can use PayPal instead. Before topping up, check PayPal’s terms of use carefully to ensure a smooth transaction. This method is especially suitable for those who like to be compact, with just a few steps on the phone, the card is ready to spend.

How to Use WOWPASS as a Debit Card in Korea

WOWPASS works almost like a domestic debit card, allowing payments at most stores, restaurants, supermarkets and even places that do not accept international cards. Just insert the card’s IC chip into the swipe machine, the transaction will be completed quickly, without worrying about payment barriers.

To manage spending more effectively, you can link WOWPASS to the accompanying application. Here, the entire transaction history and balance will be clearly displayed, with push notifications immediately after each payment. The application also automatically converts to foreign currency, making it easy to check if the store has miscalculated or duplicated transactions.

Vivaldi Park Official Tickets: Ski/Snowyland/Lesson/Shuttle Access

WOWPASS is also extremely convenient when traveling in groups: just scan the QR code to transfer money between accounts, share bills without cash. If you want to pay at street stalls, underground shopping malls or when buying concert tickets, you can transfer directly to a Korean bank account with a fee of only 500 KRW.

In particular, the new feature allows you to create a virtual account to receive money from a Korean bank, which is very useful if you have local friends or need to receive a quick refund.

Seoul K-Pop Tour

How to Transfer Money From WOWPASS Card to TMoney?

If you use WOWPASS as a Tmoney card, you will need to top up your Tmoney balance separately because it is separate from your WOWPASS balance. The simplest way is to top up directly from the app: just use your WOWPASS balance, no need to carry cash.

On the Tmoney screen, select Top-up, hold the WOWPASS card to the top or back of the phone to scan, select “Top-up with WOWPASS”, enter the amount you want to top up, and hold the card to scan until complete. This feature currently supports iPhone 7 and above (iOS 13 and above); Android will be updated soon. Note that you can only top up from WOWPASS to Tmoney, not vice versa.

Mt. Seoraksan Cable Car x Sokcho One day Tour (from Seoul)

If you do not use the app, you can still top up Tmoney with cash at subway stations or convenience stores. In this case, the most convenient way is to withdraw cash from the WOWPASS machine or exchange foreign currency at the machine, then top up directly.

When traveling, just tap the card at the subway gate, on the bus or taxi, and the WOWPASS will function as a regular Tmoney card. The Tmoney balance can be quickly checked in the app, by placing the card on the phone to scan.

When you want to refund TMoney, the processing fee is 500 KRW and the exchange location depends on the remaining amount:

• Under 20,000 KRW: exchange at GS25, 7-Eleven…
• Under 30,000 KRW: exchange at CU, Emart24…
• Under 50,000 KRW: go to the information counter in Seoul subway station.
• Over 50,000 KRW: exchange at Tmoney Town (1st floor, Tmoney headquarters, Exit 10 Seoul Station, open 9:00–18:00 on weekdays).

Nami / Alpaca/ Railbike/ Petite France/ Morning Calm/ Begonia Tour

How to Withdraw the Balance in WOWPASS Card?

You can withdraw the balance in WOWPASS card right at WOWPASS machines and receive KRW cash very quickly. Note: machines in Incheon Airport AREX area do not support cash withdrawal, so please find another machine before using cash.

To withdraw money, first download the WOWPASS app, register your card and enter the 8-digit code displayed on the device into the app. Then, you just need to follow the instructions on the device: select language > select WOWPASS Card > Withdraw Cash > insert the card into the device > verify the PIN code on the app > select the amount you want to withdraw > receive cash.

Discover Seoul Pass

The withdrawal fee is 1,000 KRW/time, each transaction can withdraw up to 100,000 KRW. You can use the function to find the nearest machine on the app to proactively withdraw money when needed, which is very convenient if you want to keep some cash for situations such as eating at traditional markets or taking a taxi.

How to Transfer Money Between WOWPASS Users?

Sharing the cost of group travel in Korea will be much easier with the money transfer feature between WOWPASS accounts. Just open the app, select Send > Between friends, then scan the recipient’s QR code and you’re done. The person who wants to receive money just needs to show the QR code on the app to their friends, and the sender just needs to scan the code and enter the CVC to confirm the transaction.

Legoland & Everland & Nami Island Carpool and Private Car Charter

Each time, you can transfer up to 100,000 KRW, with a limit of 10 times/day, which is enough for situations such as sharing money for BBQ, buying train tickets, or shopping together. Thanks to that, the whole group does not need to exchange a lot of cash, nor worry about separate bills, extremely neat for a trip with friends or family.

How to Re-Register for a WOWPASS Card

If you accidentally lose your WOWPASS card during your trip, don’t worry too much. Just open the WOWPASS app, go to Settings > Manage Card > Pause Card to temporarily lock it immediately, ensuring the balance is still safe. After that, you can easily re-issue a new card and continue using the remaining amount on the old card. Note that the Tmoney balance used for trains and buses cannot be restored when the card is reissued.

The card reissue fee is 3,000 KRW, and the new card will be valid for 6 years from the date of manufacture. To reissue, find the nearest WOWPASS machine via the app, select language > WOWPASS Card > Reissue a Card > scan your passport > verify on the app > add more money if needed > finally insert the new card into the machine to activate.

WOWPASS’s Rewards program is quite attractive, especially for those who often travel with friends. For each successful referral, you will immediately receive a bonus of 1,000 KRW, and if you are the invitee, you will not be at a disadvantage: just top up the card in foreign currency, you will get **0.5% refund**. This program lasts until December 31, 2025, so you can take advantage of it when traveling to Korea.

In addition to invitation rewards, WOWPASS also regularly offers promotions when spending at familiar brands such as Lotte Duty Free, Hyundai Outlets, Seoul Tower, Line Friends, Innisfree… All are continuously updated on the application, helping you shop, eat or have fun in Korea more economically.

Wowpass review: WOWPASS Card FAQs

What is WOWPASS?

WOWPASS is a prepaid card for tourists in Korea that can be used for payments, cash withdrawals, and public transportation thanks to the integrated Tmoney function.

Where can I buy a WOWPASS card?

You can buy the card at WOWPASS machines located at airports, subway stations, or downtown areas. The detailed location is displayed on the WOWPASS app.

Does the WOWPASS card have an expiration date?

Yes. The card is valid for 6 years from the date of manufacture (printed on the back of the card).

How can I top up the card?

You can top up directly in foreign currency at the WOWPASS machine or top up via the app using an international credit/debit card.

Can I withdraw cash from the card?

Yes. The KRW balance on the card can be withdrawn at the WOWPASS machine (except the machine at AREX area of Incheon Airport). The maximum withdrawal amount is 100,000 KRW per transaction, the fee is 1,000 KRW.

What if the card is lost?

You can temporarily lock the card right in the app and proceed to reissue a new card at the WOWPASS machine. Note: the WOWPASS balance will be retained, but the Tmoney balance cannot be restored.

How is WOWPASS different from regular Tmoney?

In addition to the Tmoney feature for travel, WOWPASS can also be used for shopping payments, cash withdrawals, money transfers between WOWPASS accounts and has many incentives/refunds for travelers.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Seoul you can refer to

• Incheon International Airport (ICN) Limousine Bus Transfers for Seoul (Gangnam District)
• Discover Seoul Pass (BTS Edition Available)
• Klook Pass Seoul
• Seoul Yeouido Eland Han River Cruise
• Alpaca/ Nami/ RailBike/ Morning Calm/ LEGOLAND/ Painters/ Wild Show
• Bukchon Oneday Hanbok Rental Experience (4/24 Hrs)
• Nami Island, Petite France, Garden of Morning Calm, and Gangchon Rail Bike Day Tour from Seoul
• Everland 1 Day Pass
• Lotte World Ticket in Seoul
• AREX Incheon Airport Express Train Ticket
• KORAIL PASS – KTX Train Ticket
• Discover Seoul Pass
• N Seoul Tower Ticket
• Lotte World Tower Seoul Sky Ticket
• Coex Aquarium Admission Ticket in Seoul
• DMZ(Demilitarized Zone) Tour
• 4G Prepaid SIM Card (SK Airports Pick Up) for South Korea
• [Sale] Hanbok Experience (Hanboknam Gyeongbokgung Store) with Korean Hairstyling
• [SALE] South Korea 4G Pocket WiFi (KR Airports Pick Up) from KT Olleh

Are you finding more top things to do in Seoul: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here.