I BOUGHT A VISIT BUSAN PASS – WAS IT WORTH IT?

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One of the most prominent activities you will find for Busan is the Visit Busan Pass. But what is it, how does it work, and most importantly, is it worth the money?

During my four week stay in Busan I took the plunge and bought a 5 Activity Visit Busan Pass. Was it worth the money and would I recommend it? Yes, it worked for me and will work for most, with some caveats.

Read on for a short explanation of what the pass is and how it works, followed by my personal experience, some things to consider before you buy, and a sample itinerary that will optimize the value while still being doable.

Visit Busan Pass – what is it?

General Overview

You will find several included attractions in Haeundae

The Visit Busan Pass is an attraction bundle similar to the Go City cards available in most big cities. For a flat fee you get access to a variety of sights and activities. The idea is that it will save you quite a bit of money. And it does, if you actually use many or most of the features.

I usually pass on these passes for myself. Not because they are a scam – they aren’t. They work exactly as promised. But because they don’t fit my style of travel. I am quite slow when touring and usually just manage one or two attractions per day.

Two alternatives depending on your style

Like many similar passes, the Visit Busan Pass comes in two distinct varietes: a time-based and an attraction based alternative.

Time-based Visit Busan Pass

This is the better known and more popular variety. For a flat fee you get access to the entire list of attractions (currently 34) during a set amount of time.

Available Versions: You can choose between a 24 hour and a 48 hour Busan Pass

Advantage: This version gives you the biggest savings if used properly. If you hit a large number of the included activities (and especially the more expensive ones) you can save quite a lot.

Disadvantage: In order to get your money worth you will have to tick off a fair number of attractions which means you might have to hustle instead of taking your time to properly enjoy each one of them

Is it right for you? This pass makes sense for you if you want to experience a good number of the included attractions and if you enjoy (or at least don’t mind) a fairly brisk pace when sightseeing.

Attraction-based Visit Busan Pass

This pass variety is basically just a bundle of several tickets. You get a specified number of admittances (separated by tiers) for a fixed price. There is however no real time limit – you can take your time and split it over your entire trip (within 365 days I believe).

Available Versions: You can choose between a Busan Pass with 3 or 5 attractions

Advantage: You can accurately predict if and how much you will save. Check the list of included attractions, pick the ones you want to visit, add up their regular admittance price, and compare it to the price of the pass. In addition, you can take your time and tour in the order and speed you prefer.

Disadvantage: While you will save money, the savings are more limited than with the all attraction pass. And if you change your travel plans you may struggle making it worth its money (guess who did stray from the plan?)

Is it right for you? This pass will make sense for most that do not fit the time-based variety, provided you plan on visiting several of the higher pricedd attractions.

My personal Experience with the Visit Busan Pass

Deciding on a Pass

Once again I spent a ridiculous time thinking it over and going over all the pass rules and possible attractions.

I decided against the time-based version. While it can save a lot of money it does require you to hustle. This doesn’t bother me too much when I only visit a city for a short time. But if I am in Busan for four weeks it seemed silly to squeeze the majority of attractions in just two or three days. (Joke is on me because that is what happened anyway.)

So the attraction based pass it was. I figured I would save money with it as it included Lotte World Busan, Busan’s main amusement park which I was planning to see. The amusement park ticket alone costs over USD 23 whereas the Visit Busan Pass with 5 attractions is USD 43. Surely the other four attractions would cost more than USD 20.

At that point I felt quite smug as I had a clear idea which attractions I was going to visit and the pass was good value and wouldn’t hurt my budget.

Attraction	Regular Price*
Lotte World Busan	49,000 KRW
Spa Land Centum City	26,000 KRW
Brick Campus Busan	15,000 KRW
Songdo Marine Cable Car	24,000 KRW
Arte Museum Busan	22,000 KRW
Total	136,000 KRW
Cost of Visit Busan Pass	65,000 KRW
Expected Savings	71,000 KRW

Bolded attractions are higher category, my pass included 2 of these and 3 regular ones
*The prices above are the official prices as of May 2026. You can likely get some discounts on some of these.

Buying the Pass

You can buy the pass either on the official website or via third party portals. The official website seems slightly wonky so I decided to buy my Visit Busan Pass on Klook.

There is a choice between a mobile pass and a physical card. The physical card includes a T-Money card (South Korea’s version of a transportation card that you top up and then use to pay for all public transit). As I already had a T-Money card I went for the mobile pass. The mobile pass does not require a pick-up but just gets downloaded on your phone.

Buying the pass went off without a hitch and I downloaded it in the Klook app without any problem.

Using my Pass

For various reasons (but mostly because I kept dithering) I didn’t buy my pass until closer to the end of my time in Busan. And then I didn’t right away use it which did lead to some problems down the road…

1. Attraction: Songdo Cable Car

The first attraction I used my Visit Busan Pass for was a ride on the Songdo Cable Car just as I had planned. And here a feature/advantage of the Pass became clear: As I had basically already paid for the pass there was no need to try to save money. Instead of opting for the cheaper gondola or getting just a one way ticket I went ahead and did the return trip in the crystal cabin. I was a bit nervous whether an all glass gondola would be scary but it was fine. I had a great time!

1 attraction down, 4 to go (Pass Value: 24,000 KRW)

2. Attempt: Getting derailed at Lotte World

Sorry, this is as close as I got to Lotte World Busan

Three days before I was to leave Busan I finally decided it was time to visit Lotte World. This amusement park is quite inexpensive compared to places like Walt Disney World or Universal but one of the most expensive attractions in Busan. After much back and forth, I had decided that the weekend would be best to enjoy parades or shows that might not happen on the weekend.

But as I was getting ready to actually go there I realized that maybe Lotte World wasn’t perfect for me. This park is great for smaller children. It also offers a number of wild thrill rides. Unfortunately, neither one of those really fit me at this point…

But no matter, I made my way all the way from the PNU area to the outskirts of Haeundae. It was quite a trek, requiring several different trains. When I got to Osiris Station I realized that Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, one of Busan’s must-see attractions, wasn’t too far away. As I was already in the area it seemed a good idea to first quickly visit there (seemed beeing the operative word).

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple was beautiful but had nothing to do with the Pass

So I decided to first quickly check out the temple before visiting the amusement park. What could go wrong adding a temple visit on a Sunday afternoon before going to the amusement park?

Now, the temple was quite crowded and Sunday noon was not the best time for a visit. Still it is beautiful and I had a good time. But by the time I was done touring the temple and walked back to Lotte World I was not feeling it at all. I was already tired and spending the next 6 hours at a crowded park did not appeal.

So I threw over all my plans and decided to just go back to my apartment. Maybe I could come back on another day?

Still 1 attraction down, 4 to go (Pass Value: 24,000 KRW)

Scrambling to Adjust

Now I had to adjust. I still had 4 attractions to go and not only did I not feel much like Lotte World but getting to that part of town had turned out to be a huge pain. I really didn’t want to travel all the way there again, so my planned visit to Brick Campus Busan was also on the chopping block.

Well, I was going to worry about that later. For now Arte Museum was still on.

2. Attraction: Arte Museum

After my long somewhat futile excursion the day before I would have loved to just stay in. But the clock was ticking so I made my way down to Yeongdo. There I explored Taejongdae (including a ride on the Danubi Train). This cute little “train” is included with the Time-Based Pass but as it is fairly cheap was not worth using one of my tickets for so I just paid out of pocket.

However, my next stop was Arte Museum Buseum and at KRW 22,000 that was worth using my Visit Busan Pass for. I had a wonderful time there and am very glad I visited!

2 attractions down, 3 to go (Pass Value: 46,000 KRW)

So here I was, still 3 attractions to go (including 2 of the higher value ones) and it was my last day. Which meant I would have to go at quite a brisk pace!

Morning: 3. Attraction – Spa Land Centum City

Honestly, this was one of the biggest advantages of the Visit Busan Pass for me. When I originally went over the list of included attractions, Spa Land Centum City sounded loads of fun. But to be honest, if I hadn’t already bought the pass I would have chickened out. I have never been to a similar place and the bathing in the nude and all the various rules were kind of freaking me out. I know I would have found an excuse to go if I hadn’t already pre-paid!

But as it was I didn’t have much choice if I didn’t want to lose money on the pass so off I went (with some trepidation). And I absolutely loved it. Centum City Spa was definitely one of my favorite experiences in Busan.

3 attractions down, 2 to go (Pass Value: 72,000 KRW)

Afternoon: 4. Attraction – Haeundae Beach Train

As I had also bailed on Brick Campus I had an additional attraction coupon. To fit it all in one day I had to choose something that was close by and finally hit on the Haeundae Beach Train.

This is not the fancier sky capsules but does cover the same path. I took the train one way but walked back (though I had a return ticket) to get a better look at the various skywalks and observatories. The price for the return ticket normally would have been KRW 16,000.

While the train was fun, I wouldn’t call it a must-see. However, without the necessity of going there I would not have visited this area at all (embarassing considering how long I was in Busan) and I am very glad I did.

Another point for the Visit Busan Pass.

4 attractions down, 1 to go (Pass Value: 88,000 KRW)

Early Evening: 5. Attraction – Busan X The Sky

When I decided against visiting Lotte World I had to find another top category attraction and eventually decided on Busan X the Sky. Busan X the Sky is basically an elevator ride up Haeundae LCT Landmark Tower. This is Busan’s highest building and from floors 98-100 you have a wonderful view over the city (and can visit the highest Starbucks).

Honestly, I would never have splurged on this attraction out of pocket. Paying KWR 29,000 for basically an elevator ride and a photo opportunity sounds a lot. BUT I absolutely loved the experience, had a great time, and am so glad I went!

5 attractions down, achievement unlocked (Pass Value: 117,000 KRW)

My Verdict

I didn’t save quite as much money as I had originally planned but did still save KRW 52,000 so paid just a little more than half of what it would have cost out of pocket.

For me, maybe the biggest advantage of the Visit Busan Pass was that it forced me to actually go through with all the sightseeing (or at least with the amended version). I tend to get too lazy or decide to save money and sometimes lose out on great experiences because of that.

Overall, I am very glad I got a Visit Busan Pass – it definitely worked for me.

Another potential inclusion in the Busan Pass

Would I recommend the Visit Busan Pass?

Yes, I would recommend the Visit Busan Pass for most visitors. As long as you are interested in the listed attractions and actually visit them you will save money.

How to find out if a Visit Busan Pass is right for you:

1. Check out the most current inclusions for the pass and see which ones you are interested in

If there are only one or two attractions listed that you want to do, give the pass a skip. The more you find appealing, the better a fit it is for you.

Make sure to check the the inclusions on the official website. Also check whether you need to pre-book/pre-plan the reservation, if the attractions are closed on certain days, and how the different categories work on the attraction-based version.

2. Decide if the time-based or the attraction-based version works better for your vacation style

The attraction-based version is usually better if you have a longer stay in Busan (more than 3 days), if you are only interested in three to five of the attractions, or if you dislike brisk touring and would rather take your time enjoying each activity.

The time-based version is better if you are in Busan for just two to three days anyway, want to maximize your savings, are interested in a fair number of the attractions, and don’t mind several activities on the same day.

3. Double-check if it will really work for you

Once you have narrowed down that the Visit Busan Pass is of interest to you (Step 1) and which one fits you better (Step 2), make a quick check/plan to see if it is worth it for you.

For the attraction-based plan you can just add/estimate how much the components would cost separately and compare that to the pass price.

For the time-based plan it is best to come up with a rough itinerary that includes an estimate of timing/order. Busan is spread out so getting from attraction to attraction can eat a fair amount of time, making it difficult to hit all you want to see without a plan. Below I will give you a sample plan that will definitely make the plan worth it!

Check instructions on how to utilize your pass. For most attractions you will just have to go to the ticket counter at the attraction, show your Visit Busan Pass, and get a regular ticket.

Optimizing the Plan – 48 H Version

The best use of the time-based plan will depend on you and your personal interests. No point in saving money by doing stuff you have no interest in!

However, the following is a sample plan that would suit many and that groups activities by location so you won’t waste time going back and forth. I have also included some Busan must-sees that do not require the pass so it is basically a three day Busan itinerary hitting most of the big sights.

Obviously, you will have to adjust it to your preferences and double-check that it will work during your visit. Some attractions are closed on certain days and of course the pass inclusions can change at any time! So buyer beware!

The biggest hack to increase what you are getting out of the time-based plan is that it lasts for a specific number of hours, not days. This means that you can spread the 48 hour pass over three (and the 24 hour pass over two) days, making it much more valuable.

Sample Itinerary for the 48 hour version of the Visit Busan Pass

The following plan should be doable (but will be tiring). I have included other activities/sights (denoted in cursive) not included in the Visit Busan Pass that are free or inexpensive and worth doing. While I tried to get value out of the pass I did not force it and I avoided activities that require pre-booking or having a group.

I didn’t try Skyline Luge Busan but it was quite popular when I walked by

Day 1

Go to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple in the morning and tour it before it gets too crowded. Around 10 am make your way to the Lotte Premium Outlets-DongBusan for some shopping and people watching. Have an early lunch there at one of the many restaurants.

Around 1 pm it is time to start using your Visit Busan Pass. Give Brick Campus Busan (KRW 15,000) a quick visit. Around 2 or 3 pm head over to the nearby Skyline Luge Busan (KRW 34,000) and do a quick ride. Finally, enter Lotte World Adventure Busan (KRW 49,000). You should still have enough time to get a good feel for the park, do a couple of rides, and enjoy parades or shows in the evening.

Approximate Pass Value: KRW 98,000

Day 2

Start your day with the Songdo Marine Cable Car (KRW 24,000) right at 9 am. Take the cable car across, spend a little time checking out the area or going for a short walk. Quickly check out the Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge (KRW 1,000). This only takes about 15 minutes. Then take the cable car back.

Take a bus to Jagalchi Market and BIFF Square, a good place for a quick early lunch. Don’t miss out on trying Hotteok, the most popular snack there. Either before or after lunch (depending how long you spent enjoying the Songdo area) head up to nearby Yongdusan Park and go up Busan Tower (KRW 12,000).

Take the metro to Haeundae Beach. Ride the Beach Train (KRW 16,000) from Mipo Station as far as you want and then walk back to check out the various skywalks and observatories along the way (if you are too exhausted for more walking you can just take the train back). Finally, enjoy Busan X the Sky (KRW 29,000) with wonderful views over the city. If you hit it just right you can go up while still daylight and spend some time there until it gets dark so you get both a day and night time view of Busan!

Approximate Pass Value Day 2: KRW 82,000

Gamcheon Cultural Village is a popular photo spot and deserves a spot on your itinerary

Day 3

Start your day at Gamcheon Cultural Village. Make sure to take the bus there instead of walking (guess who didn’t). Use your Visit Busan Pass to dress up in traditional Hanbok, enlightenment-period costumes or vintage school uniforms (!) (KRW 15,000) and take some photos before the area gets crowded with tourists.

Note: I have included this here under the assumption that you are only in Busan for a short period and want to see Gamcheon. If not, you can find other pass attractions that will save you more money or are closer to Centum City.

Make sure to leave early enough (say 10:30 am) to make sure to get to Centum City by 12 pm or so. That way you can still enter Spa Land Centum City (KRW 26,000) before your 48 hours are up!

Approximate Pass Value Day 3: KRW 41,000

Total Pass Value for the three days: KRW 221,000

Given that the cost for the 48 hour Visit Busan Pass is just KRW 85,000 you will save quite a bit even if you skip something on the itinerary and accounting for possible discounts you might be able to get for individual attractions.

So what are my final thoughts?

The Visit Busan Pass is popular for a reason. It includes many of Busan’s more popular paid attractions and can save you money. If its features fit with your travelling style and interests, it is a good alternative and very easy to use.

The attraction-based version was a good choice for me. Halfway through I wasn’t so sure if it would be worth the money as I changed my mind (once again) about what to do. However, it gave me a bit of a push to go through with attractions I was interested in but nervous about (like Centum City Spa) and allowed me to splurge without feeling guilty (Busan X the Sky). I loved both of these experiences and am so glad I went! I am fairly sure I would not have done either without the Visit Busan Pass so I am very glad I bought it. And I saved money in addition!