
The K-Tour Pass is a pilot in Busan that started on Thursday, Oct 1, 2026, run by the culture ministry and the Korea Tourism Organization for foreign independent travelers. It comes in two versions at 15,000 won each, includes free entry to one of 35 paid Busan attractions and discounts at 50 partner merchants, and it can be bought online through Klook and Webtour.
What the pass is
The Korea Times, Starnews and Herald Business reported the launch on Oct 1, 2026. The pass is a pilot for foreign independent travelers, with Busan as the test region. The Korea Times reports that 76.8 percent of foreign visitors in a 2025 survey went to Seoul, 15.7 percent to Busan, 11.2 percent to Gyeonggi and 9.7 percent to Jeju, and that the aim is to draw travelers beyond the capital.

The two versions
| Version | Type | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Pass 1 | Single-day zone ticket | Up to 40 percent off one-way intercity transit and the Airport Railroad Express |
| Pass 2 | Period ticket, 2 to 5 days | Linked to a Korail Pass discount |
Both versions cost 15,000 won, according to the Korea Times and Starnews. Both include free admission to one of 35 paid Busan attractions and discounts at 50 partner merchants.
Herald Business describes the transit discounts as applying to both versions, while another report on the related Go Local campaign says either one or the other. The listing on Klook or Webtour is the place to read the exact terms before you buy.
How to buy and use it
The pass is sold online through Klook and Webtour. The Korea Times names Webtour’s partner service as WebBaggage, while Herald Business names it Hop & Hop, so search for the pass by its name rather than by the service. An optional physical card, which combines transit and a won debit function, is free at kiosks at Incheon, Gimpo and Gimhae airports and at Seoul and Busan stations. It can be topped up with cash or a foreign credit card at stations, while online top-up accepts foreign credit cards only.

What happens next
The culture ministry proposed 9 billion won in the 2027 budget for the pass, about three times this year’s amount, to expand it to five regional zones, according to the Korea Times. The proposal is part of a budget that still has to pass, so the zones are plans rather than launched products.

Choosing between the two versions
The reports describe the versions by length, not by price, since both cost 15,000 won. Pass 1 is a single-day zone ticket, so it fits a visitor who plans one intercity ride, for example a single one-way intercity trip. Pass 2 runs for two to five days and links to a Korail Pass discount, so it suits someone who will take several rail journeys during a longer stay. If you are not sure how many intercity rides you will take, count them on a map first, because the transit discount only helps on the rides you actually make.
A related campaign beyond Seoul
The Korea Tourism Organization also runs Unlock Your Korea: Go Local, which started on Wednesday, Oct 7 and runs through Dec 13, according to the Korea Times. It centers on gateways outside Seoul and a WOWPASS cashback for spending at local businesses. A separate guide on this blog covers the campaign, and the two programs pursue the same goal of moving visitors out of the capital.
A Busan trip with the pass
- Decide how long you will be in Busan: one day suits Pass 1, and two to five days suits Pass 2.
- Buy the pass on Klook or Webtour and read the listing for the exact discounts.
- Pick up the optional physical card at a kiosk at Incheon, Gimpo or Gimhae airport or at a Seoul or Busan station, if you want one.
- Choose your one free attraction from the list of 35 paid sites before you go.
- Check which of the 50 partner merchants are near your route.
- Number of days in Busan decided
- Version chosen
- Free attraction chosen
- Card collected or skipped
Frequently asked questions
When did the K-Tour Pass start?
On Thursday, Oct 1, 2026, as a pilot in Busan.
How much does it cost?
15,000 won for each of the two versions.
Where can I buy it?
Online through Klook and Webtour, per the Korea Times.
What is included?
Free entry to one of 35 paid Busan attractions, discounts at 50 partner merchants and transit discounts that depend on the version.
Do I need the physical card?
No, it is optional. It is free at kiosks at Incheon, Gimpo and Gimhae airports and at Seoul and Busan stations, and it can be topped up with cash or a foreign credit card at stations.
Will it expand?
The culture ministry proposed 9 billion won in the 2027 budget to expand to five regional zones, which still needs approval.
Sources
- Korea Times: Korea’s new K-Tour Pass offers foreign travelers a gateway beyond Seoul (Oct 1, 2026)
- Starnews Korea: K-Tour Pass (Oct 1, 2026)
- Herald Business: K-Tour Pass (2026)
Details checked against these pages on Oct 27, 2026. Weekdays were confirmed with a calendar calculation.