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South Korea's Transit Revolution: Why Foreign Tourists Can Soon Use Credit Cards

South Korea is looking into a major upgrade for tourists using public transport. They want to let visitors tap their overseas credit cards directly on buses and subways, just like in London or New York. Right now, tourists have to deal with cash or special cards, which can be a hassle. If the study goes well, we could see this convenient system start rolling out by 2027.

Key Points: South Korea Plans Credit Card Use on Public Transit for Tourists

  • The government has commissioned a study to introduce an open-loop payment system for transit
  • The system aims to let tourists pay fares directly with international credit cards
  • Currently, visitors must use cash or buy special prepaid cards, causing inconvenience
  • The plan follows a 15.2% rise in foreign visitors this year, highlighting the need
  • Major global cities like New York and London already use similar credit card systems
  • Implementation could begin as early as 2027, following a phased expansion plan
2 min read

South Korean govt pushes system to allow foreigners to use public transit with credit cards

South Korea reviews a new system allowing foreign tourists to pay for buses and subways directly with overseas credit cards, aiming for 2027 rollout.

"It would be difficult to roll out the system nationwide over a short period... - Government Official"

Seoul, Dec 14

The government has begun reviewing a system that would allow foreign tourists to use buses and subways in South Korea with overseas-issued credit cards, officials said Sunday.

The land and transport recently launched a bid to commission a study on introducing an open-loop public transportation payment system, which was to begin this month and run through the end of next year, according to the officials.

The study aims to enable foreigners to pay public transportation fares directly with international credit cards. Currently, visitors must purchase and top up transportation cards with cash or buy prepaid cards designed specifically for foreigners, which often causes inconvenience, Yonhap news agency reported.

Through the study, the ministry plans to estimate the budget required to introduce the new system and determine who should bear the related costs.

The need for improvement has grown as the number of foreign visitors rose 15.2 per cent on-year to 15.82 million during the January-October period.

Major global cities, including New York and London, have already adopted systems that allow passengers to use public transportation with their own credit cards.

"It would be difficult to roll out the system nationwide over a short period so that the government is likely to adopt a phased expansion in consultation with local governments and public transportation operators," a government official said.

If the study leads to a decision to introduce the system, actual implementation could begin as early as 2027, he added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good initiative, but 2027 for implementation? That seems very slow. Our own NCMC (National Common Mobility Card) system is trying to do something similar, though adoption is still patchy. We should learn from their phased approach but try to move faster. The convenience for visitors is a major factor in how they perceive a country.
A
Aman W
First world problems, but it's nice to see countries making travel easier. In India, we still have places where you need exact change for a bus! Hopefully, our systems will also become this tourist-friendly one day. The focus should be on both foreign tourists and our own citizens.
S
Sarah B
As a frequent traveler, this is excellent news. Carrying cash for transport is always stressful. Many Indian cities are becoming major tourist destinations too. Implementing a seamless payment system would be a game-changer for places like Goa, Kerala, or Rajasthan. It's about improving the overall experience.
V
Vikram M
While this is convenient, I hope they also keep the option for cash or local cards. Not everyone has or wants to use international credit cards due to forex charges. The best systems are inclusive. Our Delhi Metro does a decent job with tokens and smart cards, but there's always room for improvement.
K
Karthik V
Practical step forward. It's all about reducing friction for visitors. When we make things easy, people spend more time enjoying the culture and less time worrying about logistics. More Indian states should partner with tech firms to create similar integrated travel solutions. It's an investment that pays back.

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