T-money Card: everything visitors need to know

What is a T-money card?

T-money is South Korea's rechargeable transit card. It works on every subway line in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, and most other Korean cities, plus intercity buses, airport limousine buses, and taxis. Like Japan's Suica card, it eliminates the need to buy individual tickets for every journey.

T-money also works as a payment card at CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, and most convenience stores — though card payments are so universally accepted in Korea that this is a secondary benefit.

Where to get a T-money card

Incheon Airport: Available at CU and GS25 convenience stores inside the terminal, before you clear customs. Buy one immediately on arrival — it works on the AREX express train into Seoul.

Gimpo Airport: Available at convenience stores and subway ticket machines.

Any convenience store: CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, and Emart24 all sell T-money cards throughout Korea. Costs ₩3,000–5,000 for the card itself.

Subway ticket machines: Some machines issue T-money cards. Look for the T-money logo.

How much to load

Top up at any convenience store (ask the cashier, they will do it immediately) or at subway ticket machines throughout Korea.

Transfer discounts

One of T-money's biggest advantages: free transfers between subway and bus within 30 minutes. If you take a subway then a bus (or vice versa), the second journey is discounted. This can save significant money over a multi-transit day.

Returning your T-money card

You can refund the remaining balance (minus a ₩500 processing fee) at any subway ticket machine or customer service center. The card itself (₩3,000–5,000) is not refunded — most visitors keep it as a souvenir or for a return trip.

T-money vs cash — which is better?

T-money for all transit. Cash or card for everything else. Korea is one of the most cashless countries in the world — your foreign Visa/Mastercard will be accepted almost everywhere. T-money is specifically for buses and subways.