Heading to South Korea? We have good news – using the city’s extensive public transport network is now even easier as T-money cards have just been added to Apple Wallet.
Previously, those looking to use the metro or bus network would need to purchase a physical card. While the initial card purchase can be done using your debit or credit card, only cash is accepted for credit top ups.
Now, visitors can simply head to Apple Wallet, add a transport card, and then choose the top up amount. The base fare on Seoul’s metro for a single journey under 10km is 1,550KRW (85p), with an additional 100KRW (5p) for every 5km after that. Bus fares vary from 1,200KRW (65p) for local buses up to 3,000KRW (£1.60) for rapid buses.
Currently, mobile T-Money cards are only available for iOS users. Samsung, which is a Korean brand, also offers mobile T-money cards, but only on phones purchased in South Korea.
T-money can also be used to pay for taxis, as well as at convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, GS25 and CU.
If you’re visiting South Korea for the first time, don’t forget to download a local navigation app such as KakaoMap or Naver Map. Google Maps does not work correctly in the country as South Korea requires navigation networks store map data in a locally-based server due to national security concerns.
The news comes after Japan announced it would be launching a travel card app for international visitors in February.
Last month, Apple also unveiled its new Digital ID for US travellers.
More information: t-money.co.kr
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