Your Comprehensive Guide to Public Transportation Discounts and Regional Fare Support for Autumn 2026

Your Comprehensive Guide to Public Transportation Discounts and Regional Fare Support for Autumn 2026

This autumn, in 2026, you can enjoy more affordable and convenient excursions thanks to various public transportation discounts and fare support programs implemented nationwide. From the government's central 'Modoo Card' (Everyone's Card) to specialized benefits from local governments like Seoul's 'Climate Companion Pass' and Gyeonggi-do's 'The Gyeonggi Pass,' we'll delve into the public transportation support policies currently effective as of August 21, 2026.

Autumn 2026 Public Transportation Discounts: At a Glance

Major public transportation discount schemes implemented this autumn can largely be divided into the nationwide K-Pass (Modoo Card), Seoul's Climate Companion Pass, and Gyeonggi-do's The Gyeonggi Pass. You can compare the features and main benefits of each scheme to choose the most advantageous option for yourself.

Understanding K-Pass (Modoo Card)

The K-Pass, with the introduction of the 'Modoo Card' system on January 1, 2026, is a nationwide public transportation support scheme that offers either a fixed percentage refund (cashback) on public transportation fares or a full refund for public transportation expenses exceeding a monthly threshold.

Eligibility and Benefits

• Eligibility: Domestic residents who use public transportation 15 or more times per month (usage frequency condition may be relaxed for the first month of subscription), and those aged 19 or older whose registered address is within a participating region.
• Refund Method: The most advantageous refund method for the user is automatically applied.
  • Fixed Amount Type (Modoo Card): If monthly public transportation usage exceeds a set threshold, 100% of the excess amount is refunded.
    • Standard Type (Single fare under ₩3,000)
      • Seoul Metropolitan Area General Adults: Full refund for amounts exceeding ₩62,000/month
      • Seniors aged 65+, Youth (ages 19-34), Families with 2 children: Full refund for amounts exceeding ₩55,000/month
      • Multi-child families (3+ children) and low-income individuals: Full refund for amounts exceeding ₩45,000/month
    • Plus Type (Including premium services like express buses, Shinbundang Line, GTX)
      • Seoul Metropolitan Area General Adults: Full refund for amounts exceeding ₩100,000/month
      • Seniors aged 65+, Youth, Families with 2 children: Full refund for amounts exceeding ₩90,000/month
  • Existing K-Pass Method: When using public transportation 15 or more times per month, a fixed percentage of the usage amount is refunded (up to 60 times).
    • General: 20% refund
    • Youth: 30% refund
    • Low-income: 53% refund
    • Multi-child families (2 children): 30% refund, (3+ children): 50% refund
    • Seniors aged 65+: 30% refund (as of 2026)

How to Apply

• Existing K-Pass Users: You can use your existing card after checking 'Agree to Modoo Card Service Terms' on the K-Pass app or website, without needing a separate card issuance.
• New Users: You must apply for a K-Pass dedicated card from a partner credit card company (e.g., Kookmin, Shinhan, Woori, Toss Bank, etc., 27 companies in total), then register as a member and register your card on the official K-Pass website or app.

Seoul's Climate Companion Pass (Modoo Card: Climate Companion Pass)

Starting September 1, 2026, Seoul will implement the 'Modoo Card (Climate Companion Pass),' combining the government's 'Modoo Card' system with Seoul's specialized benefits. This evolved form of the existing Climate Companion Card provides broader transportation fare support to Seoul residents.

Eligibility and Benefits

• Eligibility: Seoul residents (Youth criteria expanded to ages 19-39).
• Benefits: The most advantageous method is automatically applied based on your usage pattern.
  • Refund Type: If monthly public transportation usage is less than ₩62,000, a basic 20% refund of the usage amount is provided. Youth, adolescents, multi-child families, and low-income individuals receive up to 53.3% refund.
  • Fixed Amount Type: If monthly public transportation usage is ₩62,000 or more, enjoy unlimited use of Seoul city transportation.
  • Plus Fixed Pass: For ₩100,000/month, freely use metropolitan transportation methods including express buses and metropolitan railways.
• Eligible Transportation Modes: Seoul area subways, buses, Ttareungi (Seoul Bike), Hangang Bus, Gimpo Goldline. This is the K-Pass usage scope with the Climate Companion Card service added.

How to Apply and Transition

• Existing Climate Companion Card Users: You must obtain a new 'Modoo Card' before September 1. Existing Climate Companion Card prepaid/mobile cards can be used until August 29, 2026, and post-paid cards until the end of August 2026, with service terminating from September 1.
• New Users: You can apply through a credit card company or purchase at convenience stores. Those with physical cards can exchange them for new cards free of charge at 12 major Seoul subway stations starting in September.

Gyeonggi-do's The Gyeonggi Pass

The Gyeonggi Pass is a program that provides additional benefits to Gyeonggi-do residents, based on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's public transportation fare refund support initiative.

Eligibility and Benefits

• Eligibility: Gyeonggi-do residents aged 19 or older whose registered address is in Gyeonggi-do as of the application date.
• Benefits: When using public transportation 15 or more times per month, the refund is automatically calculated and paid in the manner that provides the greater refund to the user, choosing between a fixed percentage refund or a refund for usage exceeding a threshold, based on the user's total monthly public transportation expenses and usage type.
  • Youth: 30% refund
  • Ages 40+: 20% refund
  • Low-income: 53% refund
  • Children/Youth: ₩240,000 annual support
• Eligible Transportation Modes: Most nationwide public transport (city buses, express buses, subways, GTX, Shinbundang Line, etc.).

Autumn Getaways: Connecting with Public Transportation Deals

Plan a special autumn outing in 2026 by leveraging public transportation discounts. Various local governments nationwide and Korail are offering diverse tourism products and discount benefits.

• Korail Free Travel Products to Population Decline Regions: Visit and authenticate designated tourist sites within population decline regions (42 locations) to receive a refund equivalent to 100% of train fares as discount vouchers (as of 2026-03-25). Benefits are available in areas such as Pyeongchang-gun and Yeongwol-gun in Gangwon, Jecheon-si in Chungbuk, Gochang-gun in Jeonbuk, Gangjin-gun in Jeonnam, and Miryang-si in Gyeongnam.
• Theme Train Discounts: 50% discount on 5 routes including the Seohae Golden Train, Namdo Ocean Train, Donghae Santa Train, Baekdudaegan Canyon Train, and Jeongseon Arirang Train (as of 2026-03-25).
• Local Love Vacation Support Program: When visiting population decline regions, 50% of travel expenses are refunded as mobile local currency (as of 2026-07-25). Hwacheon-gun will implement a 'Half-Price Trip' from September to December 2026, refunding 50% of travel expenses. These are great regions to visit in conjunction with early autumn camping.
• Accommodation Sale Festa: Distribution of discount vouchers for non-metropolitan accommodation facilities (as of 2026-03-25). ₩30,000 discount for stays of ₩70,000 or more per night, and ₩20,000 discount for stays under ₩70,000. This is useful when booking accommodation near autumn foliage spots.
• Seoul International Fireworks Festival: Scheduled to be held in October 2026, around Yeouido Hangang Park. Using public transportation allows you to avoid congestion and conveniently enjoy the festival.

Unlock More Savings: Partner Services

Beyond K-Pass and the Climate Companion Pass, you can also receive additional public transportation discounts through partner services provided by telecommunication companies, credit card companies, and others.

K-Pass Partner Credit Card Benefits

Credit card companies that issue K-Pass dedicated cards also offer additional lifestyle discounts beyond public transportation benefits. Each card company provides various lifestyle discount services, such as additional cashback based on public transportation usage, discounts at convenience stores, or on telecommunication fees. It's advisable to compare the benefits of each card company to choose the card that best suits you.

Telecom Carrier Memberships

Some telecom carrier memberships offer discounts when charging specific transportation cards, or accumulate points when using affiliated transportation services. Check and utilize the membership benefits of each telecom carrier.

Important Notes and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Important Notes

• Address Verification: K-Pass and local government-linked programs apply benefits based on your registered address. If your address does not match, you may not receive benefits or refunds may be reclaimed.
• Usage Frequency Criteria: K-Pass and The Gyeonggi Pass benefits apply when public transportation is used 15 or more times per month. The usage frequency condition may be relaxed for the first month of subscription.
• Automatic Application Check: While the 'Modoo Card' automatically applies the most advantageous refund method for the user, it is advisable to check your own usage patterns to estimate your expected benefits in advance.
• Card Number Renewal: During a K-Pass system update in May 2026, there was an issue where some users' ride history was missing due to data loss. To ensure normal benefit application, card numbers must be renewed by July 7, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Can I use K-Pass and the Climate Companion Pass simultaneously?

A1. K-Pass provides refund benefits for nationwide public transportation use, while the Climate Companion Pass offers unlimited public transportation use within the Seoul area or refund benefits. As the Climate Companion Pass transitions to the 'Modoo Card (Climate Companion Pass)' and integrates into the K-Pass system from September 1, 2026, you won't receive benefits simultaneously, but rather the most advantageous benefit will be applied automatically based on your usage.

Q2. Are there public transportation modes where K-Pass is not applicable?

A2. Yes, K-Pass does not apply to transportation modes that require separate ticketing, such as intercity (express) buses, KTX, and SRT. However, it is applicable to buses, subways, express buses, the Shinbundang Line, GTX, and other services that you use by tagging a transportation card.

Q3. If a The Gyeonggi Pass user uses public transportation outside of Gyeonggi-do, will they not receive benefits?

A3. The Gyeonggi Pass is a system that provides additional benefits to Gyeonggi-do residents based on the K-Pass. Even if you use public transportation outside of Gyeonggi-do, the basic K-Pass benefits will still apply, but you will not receive the additional benefits exclusive to The Gyeonggi Pass.