Should you buy a day pass or just tap Transit Card / Pasmo / Icoca? Enter how many days you're spending in a city and your daily metro/bus rides to compare pay-as-you-go IC card spending (plus recommended preload amount) against popular city subway and regional passes. Read our IC Cards (Transit Card, Pasmo & Icoca) Guide.
Why IC cards almost always win for flexibility
- One tap across companies: Seoul has JR East (Yamanote Line), Seoul Metro, Toei Subway, and private railways (Odakyu, Keio, Tokyu, Tobu, Keisei). Day passes only cover specific operators, whereas a Transit Card, Pasmo, or Icoca covers every single one seamlessly.
- Apple Wallet Transit Card / Pasmo / Icoca: iPhone users can add a digital Transit Card, Pasmo, or Icoca directly in Apple Wallet in 30 seconds and top up in yen with Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or Apple Pay—no physical card needed.
- When a pass truly pays off: the Seoul Subway 72-Hour Ticket (₩1,500 — ₩500/day) is an unbeatable deal if your hotel is next to a Seoul Metro or Toei station and you take 3+ subway rides a day.