In South Korea, travelers can buy a Single Journey Ticket or a rechargeable card called T-money Card. We advise you to get a T-money Card as it is a magic wand that will make your journey super convenient!
These cards can be used not only for all the buses, subway, and taxis but also as a method of payment at affiliated stores.
1. Where to Buy Your T-money Card
You can easily purchase the basic T-money Card at retail convenience stores, such as CU, GS25, Ministop, and 7-Eleven. The card itself costs KRW 2,500. There is a variety of T-money cards with cute designs from Kakao Friends, BT21, and many more. These special T-money cards can cost extra money.
2. How to Reload or Refund T-Money
There are 3 ways to recharge your T-money Card.
1) Use a ticket vending machine that is located inside all the subway stations and train stations.
- Select your preferred language on the screen (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese).
- Click the third button with the T-money logo on the far right and touch the “Reloading the transit car” button.
- Place your card on the loading pad and then select the amount of money you want to add.
- Insert a coin or cash and wait briefly while your T-money card completes reloading.
- Confirm your T-money card’s balance.
2) Newstands near a bus stop with a display of the T-money sign. You can find them usually next to the subway station exits and entrances.
3) Head over to retail convenience stores. This is the easiest way to recharge your card!
Tip: Some Student IDs offer the T-money card service, but may not be recharged at convenience stores. Therefore, find the closest subway station to reload your card.
Top-up: You can top-up the card in the unit of KRW 1,000, in the range of KRW 1,000 to KRW 90,000. The amount of money deposited in the Tmoney card may not exceed KRW 500,000.
| Convenience Store | GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, MINISTOP, Story Way, Emart24, 365 PLUS |
| Subway Stations (Top-up Only) | – Top-up machine including One-time ticket issuer, Tmoney vending machine, portable reload machine – Information Center |
| Others | Tmoney Town (Seoul Station Exit #10, Seoul City Tower 1F) |
Refunds: You can get a refund at all retail locations, however, the card price and service fee of KRW 500 are nonrefundable. Partial refunds are available only for amounts between KRW 10,000 and KRW 50,000 and will be refunded in units of KRW 10,000. (Plate money cards only) Therefore, it is suggested to charge your T-money card up to KRW 50,000.
3. How to Use T-Money
First, you should keep in mind that you must tap your card when boarding and getting off buses or entering and exiting subway stations. Transfer discounts are available, but they are limited to four times a day, within a transfer time limit of 30 minutes (up to 1 hour from 9pm to 7am the next day). If you are transferring to the bus with the same numbers or re-entering the same subway station after exiting, the transfer discounts won’t be applied even if you are transferring within 30 minutes.
1) Bus: When you get on the bus, place the card on the sensor. It will tell you how much money has been charged and remained. If an error occurs, give it a second or two, and try again. If this continues, the bus driver will let you know what the issue is. When you exit the bus, tap the sensor one more time to get a discount on the transfer. If you don’t tap your card before getting off the bus, you won’t be able to get the benefit of a transfer discount. You can enjoy 4 discount transfers in a day.
- Tip: Make sure you tap your card again and you hear a beep. If you don’t, you will be charged extra for the distance traveled.
2) Subway: When you enter the subway station, place the card on the sensor until it beeps. It will show the amount charged on the top and the remaining balance at the bottom. If you are transferring, you won’t be charged and the amount that appears on the sensor will be zero. Tap your card again upon arriving at your destination and then you will be able to exit the gate. If an error occurs, press the red “help” button, and the staff will come and help you.
3) Taxi: Not all but some taxis do accept T-money as a form of payment. Look out for the signs of the “T money” logo on the taxi and inform the driver that you want to pay with a T-money card. Please be aware that you should have enough balance on your T-money card in advance to pay the full fare.
When you arrive at your destination, simply tap your card on the sensor and the screen above the gray box (see picture below) will let you know your remaining balance.
4. T-Money Only for Foreigners
1) Unlimited Data SIM Card (5~60 Days) + T-money Card
If you need a SIM card and T-money, get this data-only SIM card & T-money combo to stay connected 24/7! You can conveniently pick it up at Incheon International Airport Terminals 1 & 2, Gimpo International Airport, and Gimhae International Airport (Busan). You can still use the T-money card even after your SIM card expires. Click here to get 17% OFF on Trazy!
2) Discover Seoul Pass
With Discover Seoul Pass, you can explore the tourist attractions in Seoul with special discounts! You can gain free admission to over 50 major tourist destinations in Seoul including palaces, museums, and more. Check out the free admission attractions here. Also, you can take advantage of getting 10~15% discounts at over 100 tourist sites including traditional experience and DIY activities. Check out the special discount benefits here. The pass duration options are 24, 48, and 72 hours. You can pick it up at Incheon International Airport Terminals 1 & 2, Gimpo International Airport, and Myeongdong Tourist Information Center. The t-money card function is optional.
3) Korea Tour Card
With this card, you can enjoy various discount benefits for shopping, F&B, culture, tour, and entertainment, such as ski resorts, aquariums, theme parks, and many more! It costs KRW 4,000 and you can buy it online on the Korea Tour Card website or on-site at various service points. To pay public transport fares using this card, you should top-up it at a convenience store or a subway station. Up to KRW 500,000 can be loaded and only Korean Won is accepted. Check out more information here.
4) AmazingPay T-money
With this card, you can get a 10% discount when taking an airport limousine! There are also discount benefits for various tourist attractions, F&B, and cultural performances, such as Lotte World, 63 Square, NANTA, and many more. It costs KRW 50,000 (credit KRW 46,000 + card fee KRW 4,000) in cash only (Korean currency). You can buy it at the airport bus ticket office (No. 4 & 9 gates at 1F Incheon Airport Passenger Terminal) or CU Incheon International Airport branch. Check out more information here.
5) Alipay T-money
This is a T-money card for Alipay users, the payment app used by most Chinese people. It’s KRW 23,500 (credit KRW 20,000 + card fee KRW 3,500) and it’s available for purchase on the Alipay in Chinese Yuan. The price in Yuan is subject to change according to the daily exchange rate. It can be used for shopping at retail brands, including convenience stores, marts, bakeries, cafes, theme parks, cosmetic shops, and many more. Check out more information here.
If you’re looking for a train pass that travels throughout all Korean regions, we recommend a KR Pass or an Express Bus! Also, don’t forget to read the blogs below to learn more about the transportation system in Korea for your hassle-free trip.
- A Complete Guide to Public Transportation in Seoul
- Getting Around Seoul: Finding the Right Travel Pass
- How to Travel by Train in South Korea Pain-Free with KR Pass
Don’t forget to visit Trazy.com, Korea’s #1 Travel Shop, for more tips and advice about new locations and things to do in Korea!
[Photo Credit]
- Newsis.com (https://newsis.com/ar_detail/view.html?ar_id=NISX20160502_0014058544&cID=10401&pID=10400)
- Business Korea (https://trazy.com/things-to-do/korea?ch=0004&label=tmoney card guide&link_id=14786)
- inews24.com (http://www.inews24.com/view/738044)
- News Wire (https://www.newswire.co.kr/newsRead.php?no=306729)
- VisitKorea Official Website
- Korea Smart Card
- T-money Official Website
Thanks for the run down on t-money cards! We’re on a bus in Busan now and your post helped us immensely. 🙂
Hello Thomas & Katherine! Very glad to hear that it helped you guys out. 🙂 Have a great trip in Busan!!
If you need to purchase a t-money card once you are in s.korea, is the money you pay for the card in us dollars or korean dollars. I will be going to S.K in a few months and will be there for about 10 days
Thanks so much for this! I will be traveling to SoKor for the first time and I am gathering as much info as possible. Thanks again!
You’re welcome. Hope you have a great time in South Korea! 🙂
Hi, thank you for your informative post! I have a question though, it is possible to recharge the T-money in Busan? I have read somewhere that you can use the T-money in Busan but not able to recharge it there.
Hello! The T-money card itself is rechargeable, so it is possible to recharge T-money in Busan as well. 🙂
Thank you so much for your prompt reply!
You’re welcome!
Hi, I was wondering because we are travelling to Busan first before heading to Seoul. Would we still be able to get a T-money card or do we need to purchase another card instead in Busan?
Hello jbeano! If you are going to travel both Seoul and Busan, we recommend you to purchase T-money card as you can use the card in both cities. Hope this answers your question! 🙂
hi there is it possible to recharge t money card using my credit card as payment? thank you
Hi memee manaol! Credit card option is not available for tourists. Please be noted that it’s available only for very limited credit cards which are issued in Korea. Instead, you can recharge T-money card at any subway stations and convenience store with T-money sign with cash.
HI THERE TRAZY THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOURE REPLY WAS SUCH A RELIEF! SO HELPFUL. THANKS AGAIN.
HI AGAIN TRAZY IM PANNING TO GET AN EG SIM CARD BUT NOT SURE WHICH ONE TO GET. MAY I ASK THAT IF I GET THE UNLIMITED ALL DATA WILL I BE ABLE TO USE VIBER ON THAT SIM. BECAUSE ALL DATA SIM CARD DOESNT ALLOW CALLS INCOMING OR OUTGOING. I WANT TO KNOW HOW IT IS WITH VIBER? THANKS AGAIN
Hi memee manalo! We advise you to purchase this SIM card via the link, https://www.trazy.com/experience/detail/korea-sim-card-prepaid-mobile-data-eg-sim-card. With this SIM Card, you are able to use mobile data and also make or receive local and overseas voice calls. Hope this info helps!
HI AGAIN TRAZY IM PANNING TO GET AN EG SIM CARD BUT NOT SURE WHICH ONE TO GET. MAY I ASK THAT IF I GET THE UNLIMITED ALL DATA WILL I BE ABLE TO USE VIBER ON THAT SIM. BECAUSE ALL DATA SIM CARD DOESNT ALLOW CALLS INCOMING OR OUTGOING. I WANT TO KNOW HOW IT IS WITH VIBER? THANKS AGAIN
Hi memee manalo! We advise you to purchase this SIM card via the link, https://www.trazy.com/experience/detail/korea-sim-card-prepaid-mobile-data-eg-sim-card. With this SIM Card, you are able to use mobile data and also make or receive local and overseas voice calls. Hope this info helps!
Hi, I am traveling to Busan first, before going to Jeju & Seoul.
Is it possible to buy T-money card in Busan? Where can I buy it in Busan?
According to some references I found, there are Hanaro Card & MyBi Card available in Busan.
Hi, I am traveling to Busan first, before going to Jeju & Seoul.
Is it possible to buy T-money card in Busan? Where can I buy it in Busan?
According to some references I found, there are Hanaro Card & MyBi Card available in Busan.
Hello Lilik! Sorry for the belated reply. Yes, it’s possible to buy T-money card in Busan at convenience store chains like GS25, CU and Seven Eleven, or from ticket vending and card recharging devices inside subway stations as well. We highly recommend T-money Card because you can use it in both cities, Busan and Seoul, where as the usage of Hanaro Card and MyBi Card is limited to Busan and its neighboring cities. Hope this info helps! 🙂
Hi thank you very much. Your information is really helpful.
Hello! May i check if the T-money card price is still 2500won and is it possible to top-up ~10,000won for the first time or is there an fixed amount? Thanks!!
Hello JyKel! Yes, the basic T-money Card costs 2,500 KRW and there is no fixed amount when you charge for the first time. You can top up any amount from 1,000 KRW to 90,000 KRW at a time and up to 500,000KRW in one day. Hope this answers your question! 🙂
Hello! May i check if the T-money card price is still 2500won and is it possible to top-up ~10,000won for the first time or is there an fixed amount? Thanks!!
Hello JyKel! Yes, the basic T-money Card costs 2,500 KRW and there is no fixed amount when you charge for the first time. You can top up any amount from 1,000 KRW to 90,000 KRW at a time and up to 500,000KRW in one day. Hope this answers your question! 🙂
Hi Trazy,
I would like to recharge my T-money card with credit card. You mentioned that it is possible to do that in convenience stores. Do all stores accept that? 7-11, GS25, CU?
Could you teach me how to request for credit card topup in Korean? Would be really helpful!
+are there any extra charges by using credit card to recharge the T-money card?
Hi Kinlet 🙂
Unfortunately, the credit card option is available only for those who have a specific credit card (Pop-new Woori V Card), which is issued in one of the banks in Korea. If you are planning to visit T-money card during your trip in Korea, please top up the balance at any convenience store/subway stations in cash. Recharging is available at any convenience store that has the T-money sign at the entrance.
Thank you Trazy! was hoping to not bring so much cash but no choice ><
Where can I top-up a T-Money card using Credit Card for payment?
Hi Garry 🙂
If you are a traveler, credit card option is not available. Please recharge your T-money card at subway stations or at a convenience store with cash.
If you have a credit card issued from Woori Bank (one of the banks in Korea), you can top up at Woori bank ATMs or at GS convenience store.
hi trazy, i am travelling from seoul to busan. i have purchased from your guys the Seoul Discovery Pass which also acts as a T-Money Card. As i understand from your replies above, the T-money option is available in Busan for top up and usage in Metro and Buses. How about using the T-money for purchases at shops? Also how about refunds? if i have balance money, how do i get a refund?
Hi Bob Yu,
Unfortunately, we do not provide booking service for the Discover Seoul Pass at the moment. T-money purchase is available depending on the shop. We highly recommend you to check the details directly with each shop 🙂
My family of 4 is traveling in Korea next week. Can we all use the same T-money card and scan it 4 times to ride the subway, or do we each need a card? Can we purchase it with U.S. dollars, or do we need to convert to KRW first? Thanks.
Hi Janel 🙂
Unlike public buses, each person must have their own T-money card to use the subway. T-money card can easily be purchased at retail convenience stores such as CU, GS25 and 7-Eleven. The card itself costs from 2,500~4,000 KRW (USD not available) depending on the design.
Hi. does my son (below 2 years old) need to have t-money card to use the subway too? or he can travel using the subway for free?
Hi Dye,
Children under 6 years old are free of charge (up to 3 children). Your son may use the subway for free in Seoul.
Hi,
Can i use the T-money card to take intercity bus from Busan to Gyeongju and local buses in Gyeongju? Thank you.
Hi May,
It is not possible to purchase intercity bus tickets with T-money card but you can use it for local buses in Gyeongju.
Hi Trazy. I have two tmoney cards, one is empty and the other has some cash. Can I pass the money from one to another?
Hi, Vitoria! Please inquire it to T-money customer center.
Hi, I live in Muju and want to try using it on the buses (they use Cashbee but I know its interchangeable). Do I need to tap on AND off? I have seen people who use Cashbee only tap on and NOT off.
I’m just confused, I don’t want to be charged twice.
Thank you!
Hi Ayunda! We are sorry for the late reply. If you aren’t transferring to another bus or metro, you don’t need to tag the card when you get off from the bus.
Hi Trazy!
Do you happne to know where to get the tmoney cards from gimhae airport? I’ve read online that it is pretty difficult to get it there a few years back. So I’m wondering if its more common now. Look forward to your reply!
Hi Joshua! You can purchase the Tmoney card at most of the convenience stores in Korea.
Hi,
If I use the Discover Seoul Pass as a Tmoney does the first use of Tmoney start the countdown of my 72 hours or does it only begin after I use it for free admission to an attraction?
Hello, please send your inquiries to inquiry@trazy.com Thank you!
Can I top up my T money card with American Credit cared or debit card or you have to use only cash? If cash, can I use US dollars?
Thank you!
Hello, we couldn’t find information that T money card can be recharged with overseas credit card or debit card. We recommend you to use cash in Korean won. Please check the link https://www.t-money.co.kr/ncs/pct/ugd/ReadFrgnGd.dev for more accurate information. Thank you!