Travel
Korea Railroad Corporation to introduce apple Pay for train ticket payments at station counters
Haps Magazine Korea
April 30, 2025
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Train travelers in South Korea will soon be able to pay for Korail tickets at station counters using Apple Pay, making transactions faster and more convenient for both domestic and international passengers.
The Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail) announced that it will officially introduce Apple Pay mobile payments at ticket counters nationwide. Customers will be able to pay using iPhones and Apple Watches without the need for physical credit cards.
To prepare for the rollout, Korail has already upgraded all ticket booth terminals at stations across the country with near-field communication (NFC) devices earlier this year.
Additionally, automatic ticket vending machines will be gradually updated to support Apple Pay by the end of 2025.
Currently, about 40% of Korail members use iPhones, and among those users, 81% are in their thirties or younger, indicating strong demand from younger travelers.
Korail expects the new payment option to be especially popular with the younger generation who favor mobile and contactless payments.
Apple Pay also supports foreign-issued cards, allowing international visitors to easily purchase train tickets, further improving accessibility and convenience for travelers from abroad.
Korail plans to continue expanding digital payment options in an effort to modernize services and enhance customer experience for all riders.