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How to Use a T-money CardPhoto: Jon Åslund · BY 2.0

How to Use a T-money Card

Namdaemun-ro 5-ga (T-money Town, Seoul City Tower Bldg, 1F — HQ reference), Jung-gu$
Directions

T-money is Seoul's rechargeable tap-to-pay transit card, accepted on every subway line, city bus, and many taxis. Buy one at any convenience store or airport for ₩2,500, load cash, then tap in and out on every ride. It also pays for snacks at CU, GS25, and more — the single most essential item for getting around Seoul.

Key facts

Hours
Hours not verified
Price$
Phone—
Website—
Nearest transitAvailable at every Seoul Metro station vending machine and all major convenience chains (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, Emart24) citywide; also sold in Incheon Airport arrivals hall
Time needed5 minutes to buy and load; usable immediately
Best time to goBuy before leaving Incheon Airport or at your first convenience store — you need it for the AREX train into the city
Last verifiedJuly 12, 2026

Frequently asked questions

Where can I buy a T-money card in Seoul?
T-money cards are sold at Incheon Airport arrivals hall (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven inside the terminal), any convenience store nationwide (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, Emart24), and subway station ticket vending machines. No registration or Korean ID is required — just pay cash and go.
How do I get a refund on my leftover T-money balance?
Balances under ₩20,000 can be refunded on the spot at any convenience store (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven) with a ₩500 service fee deducted. Balances of ₩20,000–₩50,000 require a T-money service centre inside a major subway station. The card purchase price itself is non-refundable, and the card never expires — so keeping it for a return trip is often the smartest move.
What is the current subway and bus fare with T-money?
As of June 2026, a single Seoul subway ride costs ₩1,550 with T-money (vs. ₩1,650 for a single-journey paper ticket). Seoul bus base fare rose to ₩1,500 from August 2024. Fares increase slightly for distances beyond 10 km.
How do I use T-money on the Seoul subway and bus?
Tap your card on the yellow reader when you enter and again when you exit every subway gate and bus door. Failing to tap out means you lose your transfer discount and may be charged the maximum distance fare. The reader beeps and displays your remaining balance.
How do I top up (recharge) my T-money card?
Top up at any convenience store counter or subway station vending machine in ₩1,000 increments (minimum ₩1,000, maximum ₩90,000 per top-up; card balance cap ₩500,000). Convenience store top-ups are cash-only. Since March 2026, 440 new kiosks at 273 Seoul Metro stations (Lines 1–8) accept Visa, Mastercard, and other foreign cards for top-up, with a 3.7% service fee.
Can I use T-money on my phone instead of a physical card?
As of July 2025, T-money is available via the T-money GO app on both Android and iPhone. Top up using Visa/Mastercard and add to Apple Wallet or Samsung Pay. However, foreign Visa cards are not yet supported for mobile top-up as of early 2026, so most international visitors still find a physical card charged with cash faster and simpler.
How much does a T-money card cost?
A standard T-money card costs ₩2,500 and starts with ₩0 balance, so you must top it up immediately after purchase. Designer or character-edition cards (Kakao Friends, BT21, Sanrio) cost more, typically ₩3,000–₩5,000, but work identically.
Can I get a transfer discount with T-money?
Yes — transfer between subway and bus within 30 minutes of tapping out and you skip the second base fare, paying only distance-based add-ons. The window extends to 60 minutes between 9 PM and 7 AM. Discounts are capped at four transfers per day, and re-boarding the same line or bus number does not qualify.

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