T-money is a rechargeable tap card that works on the subway, city buses, many taxis, and even convenience-store counters across Korea. One card covers your whole trip and every transfer. Here's the full loop.
- 1
Buy a card at any convenience store
CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, and Emart24 all sell blank T-money cards for around ₩2,500–4,000. Station machines sell them too. There are cute character editions, but any card works identically.
- 2
Recharge it with cash
Hand the cashier the card and the cash, or use the recharge machines in every subway station. Most recharge points are cash-only, so keep some ₩1,000 notes. Load ₩20,000–30,000 to start.
Estimate how much to load → - 3
Tap in and tap out
Touch the card to the reader when you enter and again when you exit. Korean fares are distance-based, so tapping out matters — skip it and you can be charged a penalty fare next time.
- 4
Use it beyond transit
The same card pays at convenience stores, vending machines, and many taxis. Any leftover balance can be refunded at a convenience store (minus a small fee) before you fly home.
Try it
- Estimated rides
- 20
- Suggested top-up
- ₩40,000
- Total to budget
- ₩43,000
Rough guide only. Fares are distance-based, so real cost varies by trip length; the estimate uses a typical Seoul ride and adds a small buffer.
Common questions
Do I need a T-money card if I have a foreign credit card?+
Can two people share one card?+
Is the climate card or a tourist pass better?+
Sources & official links
- T-money official ↗checked 2026-06-01
- Korea Tourism Organization ↗checked 2026-06-01
Fares, schedules, and app details change. Always confirm on the official site before you rely on anything time- or money-critical.