Starting today, foreign tourists can enjoy a 40% discount on transportation to Busan and gain free access to one paid attraction with a K-Tour Pass priced at 15,000 won.
On October 1, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization announced the pilot operation of the K-Tour Pass exclusively for foreign visitors in Busan. This integrated pass combines transportation payments and discounts for attractions, marking its first implementation this year. Tourists can present a barcode issued at the time of purchase at attractions, with the option to receive a physical card.
The transportation discount is applied at the time of purchase. After buying the pass from an online travel agency, tourists can book transportation to Busan and receive a 40% discount. The standard fare for a KTX train from Seoul to Busan has recently dropped to 54,400 won due to the integration of high-speed rail services. With the 40% discount, the fare would be approximately 21,700 won, exceeding the cost of the pass. Additionally, discounts are available for one-way fares on regional transportation and the airport express train.
There are two types of passes: a one-day regional pass (Pass 1) for Busan and a period pass (Pass 2) that offers discounts on the Korea Rail Pass for 2 to 5 days, with both priced at 15,000 won. The pass also includes benefits for attractions, allowing free entry to one of 35 participating paid attractions in Busan, along with additional discounts at 50 partner locations, including experiences, tours, and cafes.
Purchases can be made through online travel agencies such as Klook and the WebTour (Hop & Hop) app and website. Upon purchase, a barcode for entry is issued, which can be presented at attractions for free admission and discounts.
Receiving a physical card expands its usability. It can be obtained for free at kiosks in Incheon, Gimpo, and Gimhae International Airports, as well as at Seoul Station and Busan Station. The card can be used for subway and city bus payments, and it can be loaded with Korean won to function like a debit card. Reloading can be done at kiosks using cash or international credit cards, while online reloading is limited to international credit cards.
Busan was chosen as the first pilot area due to the concentration of tourism in the capital region. According to a 2025 survey by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, last year, 76.8% of foreign tourists visited Seoul, while Busan attracted 15.7%, Gyeonggi Province 11.2%, and Jeju 9.7%. Among regions outside Seoul, Busan was the most preferred destination. The government aims to reduce travel burdens between regions in line with the trend of foreign tourists preferring independent travel.
The government plans to expand the initiative based on the results of the pilot operation. It aims to enhance transportation and attraction benefits linked to five major tourism zones centered around regional airports.
Kang Jeong-won, Director of the Tourism Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, stated, "Based on the information collected during the pilot operation, we will improve service quality and allocate approximately 9 billion won in the 2027 budget, which is about three times the amount from this year, to expand transportation and attraction benefits linked to the five major tourism zones centered around regional airports and encourage visits to these areas."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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