Buy a T-money card at a convenience store, subway station or airport for about ₩3,000–₩5,000, then load cash onto it separately. Use it on subways, buses, many taxis and some convenience-store purchases. In Seoul, a basic subway ride with a T-money card is ₩1,500. Before leaving Korea, refund leftover balance at a convenience store if it is ₩20,000 or less; a ₩500 fee applies, and the card purchase price is not refunded.
T-money is the one card almost every Korea visitor should buy. It saves time, gives transfer discounts, and works across subway, bus and many taxi systems.
You can technically buy single subway tickets, but it is slower and less convenient. For a normal trip, get T-money on day one.
Where do you buy a T-money card?
Buy one at:
CU
GS25
7-Eleven
Emart24
subway station machines
airport shops or transport counters
The card itself usually costs around ₩3,000–₩5,000. Character or special-design cards cost more but work the same.
Say "T-money card" at the counter. Tourist-area staff will understand.
How do you top it up?
T-money top-up is usually done with Korean won cash.
You can recharge it at convenience-store counters or subway station machines. Subway machines usually have an English menu.
The official top-up rules are:
top up in ₩1,000 units
load ₩1,000–₩90,000 at a time
card balance cannot exceed ₩500,000
no top-up service fee
For most visitors, start with ₩20,000–₩30,000. Add more later if needed.
How much do you save with T-money?
Using T-money instead of a single-use paper ticket saves money on every ride.
Ticket type | Basic fare (Seoul, ≤10 km) |
|---|---|
T-money card | ₩1,500 |
Single-use paper ticket | ₩1,650 |
Saving per trip | ₩150 |
On a 5-day trip with 4 subway rides per day, that is ₩3,000 back — close to the cost of the card itself.
Transfer discounts add more: switching between subway and bus within 30 minutes reduces or eliminates the next fare. This only works if you tap correctly on both entry and exit.
How do you use it?
Tap the card when entering and exiting subway gates.
On buses, tap when you board and tap again when you get off. This matters because transfer discounts depend on correct tapping.
T-money can be used for:
subway
buses
many taxis
some convenience stores
some vending machines and small payments
Do not treat it like a full debit card. It is mainly a transit card.
Alternatives to T-money
Card | Notes |
|---|---|
Cashbee | Same transit function, issued by Lotte. Works everywhere T-money does. |
Korea Tour Card | T-money + discounts at Gyeongbokgung, N Seoul Tower, Lotte World and others. About ₩3,000 more than a standard T-money. Worth it if you plan two or more major attractions. |
Apple Pay / Google Pay transit | Works on Seoul Metro if your phone and card support Korean transit. No physical card needed. |
Single-use ticket | Fine for one ride. ₩500 deposit returned at exit-hall machines. Slower and more expensive per trip. |
How do refunds work?
Before leaving Korea, spend the balance down or refund it.
Convenience stores can usually refund balances of ₩20,000 or less, minus a ₩500 service fee. You get the remaining balance back in Korean won cash.
For larger balances, you may need a T-money customer center or T-money Town. The easiest approach: do not overcharge the card near the end of your trip.
The card purchase price itself is not refunded. Keep the card as a souvenir or reuse it on your next Korea trip.
Where to get your refund at the airport
The easiest refund locations before flying home:
Incheon Airport T1 / T2: GS25 in the departure area, airside (after security)
Gimpo Airport: CU or GS25 in the departure area
Any convenience store nationwide: refunds up to ₩20,000 without a receipt; above ₩20,000 requires the original purchase receipt
Refund fee: ₩500 is deducted from your balance. If your balance is ₩500 or less, nothing is returned.
Practical tip: Stop topping up 2–3 days before departure. Aim for a balance of ₩3,000–₩5,000 at the airport — the ₩500 fee is a small fraction and the refund takes under a minute.
Trip Budget Calculator
Trip Budget Calculator — Transit is already included.
Use it to estimate subway, bus, taxi and KTX costs for your Korea trip in KRW and your home currency.
Before you leave Korea
Spend the balance first
Use leftover T-money at convenience stores or on your final airport transit if accepted.
Keep the balance under ₩20,000
Refunds are easiest at convenience stores when the balance is ₩20,000 or less.
Do not load too much on the last day
Add only what you need for final rides.
Keep small cash for top-ups
Foreign cards often do not work for T-money recharging.
Tap out properly
On buses and subways, tapping correctly helps you receive transfer discounts and avoid extra charges.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to register my T-money card?
No. T-money is completely anonymous — no ID, no app, no registration. Buy it, load cash, and tap.
What happens if I forget to tap out?
On Seoul Metro you must tap both in and out. A missed tap-out means you are charged the maximum fare for that line on your next entry. There is no separate penalty — just the fare difference.
Can I use T-money for food or shopping?
At convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, Emart24), some bakeries and vending machines — yes. At restaurants and most regular shops — no.
What if I lose my T-money card?
Because it is unregistered, the balance cannot be recovered. Treat it like cash and avoid loading large amounts you do not need right away.
Can one T-money card cover multiple people?
No — only one tap per card. Each person needs their own card or phone wallet.
Does T-money expire?
The balance does not expire with normal use. Inactive cards (no transactions for 5+ years) may be deactivated by the issuer.