Can I use European contactless cards (Monzo / Revolut) directly at Seoul subway turnstiles?
I'm arriving from the UK next week with my Monzo and Revolut cards. Can I just tap them directly at the subway gates in Seoul like in London or New York?
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Answers
No. South Korean transit gates (subway & city buses) do NOT accept foreign Visa/Mastercard EMV contactless cards directly. You must use a domestic transit chip. Your best options: 1. Buy a WOWPASS card (available at major hotels, Incheon Airport, or selected metro stations). It acts as both a foreign-card prepay wallet and a T-money transit card. 2. Buy a standard physical T-money card at any convenience store (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) for 3,000–5,000 KRW and recharge it with physical KRW cash.