Foreign visitors to Busan from Oct. 1 can use the K-Tour Pass on a pilot basis to get discounts on intercity transportation and admission fees at tourist attractions. Shown are international tourists waving atop the national geopark Taejongdae Cliffed Coast in Busan's Yeongdo-gu District. (Korea.net DB)

By Uyen Nguyen

Foreign visitors to Busan from Oct. 1 can use the K-Tour Pass on a pilot basis to get discounts on intercity transportation fees and admission to tourist attractions in the country's No. 2 city.

The card combines transportation and tourism benefits to ease mobility for such travelers around Busan, reflecting the growing global preference for solo travel, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization said.

The pass comes in a single-day type for travel to Busan and the other with a two- to five-day Korail Pass. Both are priced at KRW 15,000.

The one-day edition offers 40% off intercity transportation to Busan while the other grants discounts when buying a Korail pass. Both also include free admission to one of 35 participating tourist attractions in the city, as well as offers at 50 partner businesses like interactive centers, attractions and cafes.

The K-Tour Pass is available for purchase through the apps and websites of the online travel agencies Klook and HopnHop, a reservation platform for inbound foreign travelers by Webtour. The barcode issued with an online purchase is good for free admission and discount benefits.

A physical card for public transportation use is also available. Offered free of charge at kiosks located at Incheon, Gimpo and Gimhae international airports and Seoul and Busan stations, the card can be topped up with cash in KRW or international credit cards.

Based on the results of the pilot program, the ministry plans to improve the service and expand transportation and tourism benefits next year by linking it with five major tourism zones centered around provincial airports.

uyen81@korea.kr