If your Busan plan includes the big-ticket attractions — the glass-floored BUSAN X the Sky, the candy-coloured Sky Capsule, Lotte World, the Skyline Luge — the Visit Busan Pass can save you a useful chunk of money and a lot of queuing. It’s the city’s official tourist pass: one card (or app) that gets you free entry to dozens of paid sights and discounts at hundreds more, sold to foreign visitors only. The catch is that it only pays off if you actually pack attractions into the time window, so the real question isn’t “is it good?” but “does it fit your itinerary?” The first time I used a 24-hour pass I did X the Sky, the Sky Capsule and an aquarium in an afternoon and evening, and it had paid for itself before dinner. This guide explains exactly how the pass works, the types and prices, everything that’s included, how to activate and use it, where to buy it, and — most importantly — how to work out whether it’s worth it for your trip. Plan it alongside the rest with our complete Busan Travel Guide.

1. What is the Visit Busan Pass?

The Visit Busan Pass is Busan’s official tourist pass that gives foreign visitors free entry to more than 40 paid attractions and discounts at 160+ venues, all on a single pass. It’s run by the city’s tourism organisation and sold only to non-Korean travellers, who verify their status with a passport.

• One pass, many sights: instead of buying separate tickets, you tap or scan the pass to get in free at included attractions.
• Two formats: a mobile (app) pass and a physical card; the physical card also works as a rechargeable transport card for the subway and buses.
• Foreigners only: you’ll need your passport to buy and, in some cases, to collect or activate it.

2. Is the Visit Busan Pass worth it?

The Visit Busan Pass is worth it if you’ll visit two to three (or more) paid attractions within the pass window — that’s usually enough to beat the price. Because Busan’s headline attractions aren’t cheap, the maths tips in your favour fast.

• Quick example: BUSAN X the Sky (around 27,000 won), Lotte World Adventure Busan (around 50,000 won) and the Sky Capsule (around 30,000 won for two) together already cost more than a 24-hour pass.
• Worth it when: you’re doing a packed sightseeing day or two — towers, the Sky Capsule, the luge, an aquarium, a cable car.
• Not worth it when: your trip is mostly free or cheap things — beaches, Gamcheon Culture Village, temples, markets and street food.

3. Pass types: 24-hour, 48-hour, Big3 & Big5

There are two styles: time-based passes (24H/48H) for unlimited entry within a window, and quantity-based passes (Big3/Big5) where you pick a set number of attractions.

• Time-based rewards intensity — the more you cram into the window, the more you save.
• Big3/Big5 suit a relaxed pace, but availability has changed over time, so confirm they’re still sold before counting on them.

4. How much does it cost?

Expect roughly 49,000–55,000 won for the 24-hour pass and 69,000–85,000 won for the 48-hour, but prices change and online deals are often a little cheaper — always check the current price before buying.

• 24-hour: about 49,000–55,000 won (adult).
• 48-hour: about 69,000–85,000 won (adult).
• Children are cheaper; Big3/Big5 are priced separately — see the seller.
• Book online in advance (official site or platforms like Klook and KKday) — it’s often slightly cheaper than buying on the spot, and you collect or activate on arrival.

5. What’s included (the headline attractions)

The pass covers Busan’s biggest paid attractions for free, plus discounts at 160+ restaurants, shops and activities. Headline free-entry sights usually include:

The exact list changes, so check the current included attractions when you buy — but the big names above are the ones that make the pass pay.

6. How to activate and use it

The pass activates the first time you use it — either entering an included attraction or tapping it at a transport gate — and the clock (24h/48h) starts from that moment.

• Time-based passes: don’t activate it until you’re ready to start your attraction day, since the window runs continuously from first use.
• At attractions: show the mobile pass QR or tap the physical card at the entrance for free entry.
• Transport: the physical card doubles as a rechargeable transit card — top it up at a subway station or convenience store to ride buses and the metro.

7. Where to buy it

You can buy the Visit Busan Pass online before you travel or in person in Busan; either way you’ll need your passport as a foreign visitor.

• Online: the official Visit Busan Pass website and travel platforms such as Klook, KKday, Trip.com and Creatrip — often slightly discounted, with collection or app activation on arrival.
• Offline in Busan: the Visit Busan Pass desk on the 2nd floor of Busan Station, tourist information centres at the main gateways, and a number of partner hotels.
• Mobile vs card: choose the app pass for convenience, or the physical card if you want the built-in transport-card function.

8. Who should buy it — and who shouldn’t

Buy it if your Busan days revolve around paid attractions; skip it if you mostly want free, outdoorsy or food-focused days.

• Great for: first-timers ticking off the icons, families (theme park, aquarium, luge), and anyone planning an intense one- or two-day attraction blitz.
• Probably skip if: you’re here for beaches, Gamcheon, temples, markets, cafés and street food — most of which are free or cheap anyway.
• Mixed trip? Buy a 24-hour pass for your busiest attraction day and pay as you go on the rest.

9. A sample 24-hour pass day

Here’s how to squeeze real value from one 24-hour pass.

1. MorningActivate at Haeundae Blue Line Park — ride the Sky Capsule and beach train along the coast.
2. MiddayHead up BUSAN X the Sky for the glass-floor views over Haeundae.
3. AfternoonOut to Osiria for Lotte World Adventure Busan, or the Skyline Luge nearby.
4. EveningFinish with the SEA LIFE aquarium or Busan Tower, and use discounts for dinner.

Verdict: the Visit Busan Pass is one of the easiest ways to save money in Busan — if your plan is attraction-heavy. Add up the paid sights you actually want; if it’s two or three in a day, the pass almost always beats buying tickets separately, and the physical version doubles as a transport card. Time it to your busiest day, activate it in the morning, and go. Plan the rest of your trip with our complete Busan Travel Guide.

Visit Busan Pass — Frequently asked questions

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