A T-money card is the rechargeable transport card most visitors use in Korea. You buy it for 3,000 to 4,000 won at a convenience store, load it with cash, and tap it on subway gates, buses and many taxis. It also gets you a cheaper fare than cash and discounted transfers between subway and bus. When you leave, a convenience store will give you the leftover balance back, minus a 500-won fee. This guide covers where to buy it, how to top it up, what each ride costs, and how to get your money back, using Tmoney's own rules (as of November 2026).
T-money in 30 seconds
| Question | Short answer (as of Nov 2026) |
|---|---|
| What is it? | A prepaid transport card you tap on gates and bus readers |
| Price of the card | 3,000 won (plain card) or 4,000 won (Tmoney Travel card) |
| Where to buy | Convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, emart24 and others), Incheon Airport bus ticket counters (Travel card) |
| How to load money | Cash only for visitors, 1,000-90,000 won per top-up |
| Maximum balance | 500,000 won |
| Seoul subway fare | 1,550 won by card, 1,650 won cash (adult base fare) |
| Leftover money | Refunded in cash at convenience stores, minus 500 won |
| Card price | Not refunded |
If you only remember one thing: carry some Korean won cash. You need it to top up.
Which card to buy: plain, Travel or Travel+
Tmoney sells several designs. For a visitor, three matter:
| Card | Price | Where to buy | What's different |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain T-money card | 3,000 won | 7-Eleven, emart24, street kiosks (GS25 and CU sell their own 3,000-won designs) | Transport and Tmoney shops. Nothing extra |
| Tmoney Travel card (for foreign visitors) | 4,000 won | Convenience stores and staffed bus ticket counters inside Incheon Airport | Same transport use nationwide, plus discounts at partner tourist shops and attractions |
| Tmoney Travel card+ | 6,000 won | Convenience stores | Travel card benefits plus WOWPASS payment: top up with the WOWPASS app or kiosk and use it as a payment card |
All three work on buses, subways, taxis, airport buses and express buses across Korea, according to Tmoney. The older Korea Tour Card is no longer sold, but existing cards still get the partner benefits.
Who should buy what: - Short trip, just getting around: the 3,000-won plain card is enough. - You land at Incheon and want it sorted before the train: buy the Travel card at an airport bus ticket counter. - You already use or plan to use WOWPASS: the Travel card+ puts both on one card. - You'll ride a lot in Seoul for several days: compare with the Climate Card, an unlimited Seoul pass (see our Climate Card guide).
How to top up (charge) your card
New cards usually have no money on them. Load some before your first ride.
At a convenience store: hand the card and cash to the cashier and say "charge, man won" (10,000 won) or show the amount on your phone. Tmoney lists GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, MINISTOP, Story Way, emart24 and 365PLUS as top-up shops.
At a subway machine: 1. Find the ticket or top-up machine near the gates. Most have an English button. 2. Place the card on the card spot. 3. Choose the amount and insert Korean won notes. 4. Wait until the screen says it's done before you lift the card.
The rules: - Top-ups are in 1,000-won steps, from 1,000 to 90,000 won at a time. - The card can hold up to 500,000 won. - Cash is the method for visitors. Tmoney's card top-up option only works with cards issued by one Korean bank, so a foreign credit card won't work. - At GS25 and CU you can ask to put your change from a purchase onto the card.
What a ride costs in Seoul
Tmoney publishes Seoul's fares. Adult prices, as of November 2026 (subway fares from 28 June 2025, bus fares from 12 August 2023):
| Ride | With T-money | Cash |
|---|---|---|
| Subway (base fare) | 1,550 won | 1,650 won |
| Blue and green city buses | 1,500 won | 1,500 won |
| Village (maeul) bus | 1,200 won | 1,200 won |
| Red wide-area bus | 3,000 won | 3,000 won |
| Late-night bus | 2,500 won | 2,500 won |
Three things make the card better than cash:
- Cheaper subway: 100 won less per subway ride than cash.
- Transfer discount: switch between subway and bus (or bus to a different bus route) within 30 minutes of tapping out, or 1 hour between 9pm and 7am, and you're charged by total distance instead of paying two full fares. Tmoney allows up to four transfers a day this way.
- Early-bird discount: rides from the first train until 6:30 am are 20% off the card fare.
The subway fare goes up with distance, so long rides cost more than the base fare. The gate screen shows what you paid and what's left.
Important: to get the transfer discount, tap your card when you get off the bus, not only when you get on.
Worked example: a 3-day trip
Say you're in Seoul for 3 days and take 4 rides a day: 2 subway rides and 2 bus rides, and each bus ride is a transfer within 30 minutes.
| With T-money | Paying cash | |
|---|---|---|
| Card | 4,000 won (Travel card) | 0 |
| 6 subway rides at base fare | 9,300 won | 9,900 won |
| 6 bus rides (transfers) | Not a new full fare: charged together with the subway ride by total distance | 9,000 won |
| Rough total | 13,300 won plus distance charges | 18,900 won |
The exact transfer charge depends on how far you travel, so treat this as a rough guide. The card pays for itself mainly through transfers. Load 20,000 won for a 3-day trip like this. You can top up again if you run low, and you'll get the rest back when you leave.
Taxis, shops and other places you can tap
The Tmoney Travel card page lists taxis, airport buses and express buses as well as subways and city buses. Before you get in a taxi, check for the card reader near the front seat, or ask "T-money, OK?".
You can also pay at many shops that show the Tmoney logo, including convenience stores and some cafés and fast-food chains. Tmoney notes that some shops inside malls, department stores and highway rest stops don't accept it.
How to get your money back before you fly
Plan your last top-up so little is left. Then, before your flight:
| Where | Balance it will refund | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| GS25 | Under 20,000 won | 500 won |
| 7-Eleven and some kiosks | 20,000 won or less | 500 won |
| CU, emart24 | 30,000 won or less | 500 won |
| Subway customer service centers (Seoul area), Tmoney Town (Seoul Station exit 10) | Partial refunds of 10,000-50,000 won in 10,000-won steps | Check at the counter |
- You get the balance in cash (Korean won) and keep the card.
- The card price (3,000-4,000 won) is not refunded.
- If the balance is smaller than one base fare (1,550 won), Tmoney's refund table says no fee is charged.
- Over 50,000 won needs a bank transfer to a Korean account or a visit to Tmoney Town, so don't load that much.
Two cards with small balances? Staff at Seoul-area subway customer centers, GS25 and 365PLUS stores, and Tmoney Town can move a balance under 20,000 won from one card to another for free.
Many visitors simply keep the card for their next trip instead.
Common mistakes
- Trying to top up with a credit card. Bring won notes.
- Not tapping off the bus. You lose the transfer discount.
- Two cards in one wallet. The reader may charge the wrong one or give an error. Tap one card only.
- Lifting the card too early at the top-up machine. Wait for "complete".
- Loading a big balance on your last day. Refunds have limits and a 500-won fee.
FAQ
Can I use T-money outside Seoul?
Yes. Tmoney says the Travel card works on public transport nationwide, including buses, subways and taxis. Fares and transfer rules differ by city, so check the local transport site.
Can I use one card for two people?
No. Each person taps their own card at the gate. Buy one card per traveler.
Is T-money or the Climate Card better?
T-money is pay-as-you-go and works across Korea. The Climate Card is an unlimited pass for Seoul that makes sense if you ride a lot. See our Climate Card guide for prices and limits.
Who can help me in English?
Call 120 (Dasan Call Center) and press 9 for foreign-language help, as listed by Tmoney. The 1330 Korea Travel Hotline also helps visitors (see our 1330 guide).
Final word
Buy a T-money card at the first convenience store you see, or the Tmoney Travel card at an Incheon Airport bus ticket counter. Load 10,000-20,000 won in cash, tap in and out (also on the bus), and switch between subway and bus within 30 minutes to save. On your last day, get the leftover balance back at a convenience store for a 500-won fee.
Next steps: get from the airport with our Incheon Airport to Seoul guide, find your route with Naver Map vs Google Maps, and grab a snack while you top up with our convenience store food guide.