Child fare and discounts

Public transport fares in South Korea: Children up to 5 years old travel free. Child tariff applies from 6 to 12 years. Teen tariff applies from 13 to 18 (and sometimes until turning 19) years old. Adults (19+) pay the full fare.

Public transport in South Korea: T-money cards are required individually for subway travel for children. To apply child fare discounts, visit a staffed counter at a subway station with the child's passport or ID to register the date of birth.

For children aged 0-5 traveling on South Korean KORAIL trains, no separate ticket is required if the child shares a seat with an adult. Seat reservation is only necessary if the child requires their own seat, which can be purchased at a 75% discount at station counters.

When traveling with children on public transport in South Korea, it is more cost-effective to purchase specific child-fare tickets or use child-specific transportation cards, as these fares are generally cheaper than adult fares.

Children under 2 years old can generally travel on express buses in South Korea. While not commonly seen, tickets are typically free for such young children. Ensure compliance with any specific carrier regulations if available.

T-Money cards are generally more cost-effective for children in South Korea compared to Climate Cards, especially when traveling outside of Seoul. T-Money cards offer discounted fares for children and can be used nationwide, whereas Climate Cards are limited to the Seoul area.

T-money cards for children must be configured at the point of sale (convenience store or metro kiosk). Passport proof of age is required to register the child fare status on the card.

When using travel cards like Wowpass in South Korea with a child, a separate card is required for each person for public transport (metro and buses). This is because fares are typically charged upon both entry and exit, and a child's fare may differ. While it might be possible to negotiate with a bus driver for a single card, it's not a reliable method. Therefore, purchasing individual transport cards for children is necessary.

For public transport in South Korea, T-Money cards are recommended, especially when traveling with children. T-Money cards can be purchased and topped up at convenience stores (7-Eleven, CU, GS25) or at ticket machines in metro stations and airports. Child-specific fares are available and offer lower prices; these should be activated if the child meets the age criteria. While Wowpass can be used, it does not facilitate topping up child T-Money cards. Child T-Money cards can be recharged via ticket machines or at convenience store checkouts. Various card designs are available, including themed collections.

Bus fares in South Korea typically range from 700 to 1600 KRW depending on payment method (transport card vs. cash). Children under 6 ride for free with a transport card. For children aged 6-18, a youth tariff can be applied to a T-money card by presenting the child's passport at a top-up station. Transfers within 30 minutes on buses are usually covered by a single fare. Subway fares are slightly higher, around 1550 KRW.

To activate a youth/child discount rate on a T-money transit card, the user must present the teenager's passport to the cashier at a metro station information desk or convenience store during purchase or top-up.