Korea T-money Card Guide 2026
Buy a T-money card at any convenience store for ₩2,500 ($2). It works on all subways, buses, and taxis across Korea. The killer feature: free bus-subway transfers within 30 minutes, saving ₩1,400+ per transfer.
What Is T-money?
T-money is Korea’s universal transit card — like London’s Oyster or Tokyo’s Suica. One card covers all subways, buses, taxis, and convenience stores nationwide. It’s the single most useful item for any visitor.
T-money vs Korea Tour Card vs WOWPASS
- All subways + buses + taxis
- Free bus-subway transfers
- Convenience store payments
- Available everywhere
- Refundable balance (- ₩500)
- All T-money transit features
- Discounts at attractions
- Airport lounge deals
- Slightly harder to find
- Good for sightseeing-heavy trips
- Transit (T-money built in)
- Visa card for store payments
- Currency exchange via app
- ATM withdrawals
- Best for cashless travel
How to Buy & Charge T-money
Buy at Convenience Store
Any CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, or Emart24. Say “T-money card juseyo” (T머니 카드 주세요). Costs ₩2,500-4,000.
Charge at Subway Machines
Insert card, select English, press “충전” (charge), insert cash. Min ₩1,000. Also works at convenience stores.
Tap & Ride
Tap on subway turnstile or bus reader when boarding. Tap again when exiting buses — fare is distance-based.
Refund Before Leaving
At convenience stores or subway machines, refund remaining balance minus ₩500 fee.
With T-money, transferring from subway to bus (or vice versa) within 30 minutes is free. Without T-money, you pay full fare (₩1,400+) every time. Over a week, this easily saves ₩10,000-20,000.
Transit Costs with T-money
| Transport | T-money | Cash | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul subway (base) | ₩1,400 | ₩1,500 | ₩100/ride |
| Seoul bus (base) | ₩1,400 | ₩1,500 | ₩100/ride |
| Bus-subway transfer | Free! | Full fare | ₩1,400+ |
| AREX (airport rail) | ₩4,150 | ₩4,250 | ₩100 |
| Taxi (base fare) | ₩4,800 | ₩4,800 | None |
Load ₩15,000 ($11) for a typical week of tourist transit. That covers about 10-12 rides with transfers. Check balance at any subway reader.
Where T-money Works
- All subways — Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju
- All buses — city, intercity, airport
- Taxis — tap on payment terminal
- Convenience stores — CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, Emart24
- Vending machines — drinks at stations
- Lockers — coin lockers at subway stations
- Jeju buses — island-wide bus network
Frequently Asked Questions
Can two people share one T-money card?
No. Each person needs their own card. The system tracks entries/exits per card — sharing causes fare errors and blocked gates.
Does T-money work in Jeju?
Yes! No subway in Jeju, but T-money works on all Jeju buses covering the entire island.
Apple Pay for transit?
Not yet (as of 2026). Samsung Pay supports mobile T-money. iPhone users need a physical card.
Can I refund my T-money card?
Refund remaining balance at convenience stores (₩500 fee) or subway machines. The card itself is non-refundable — keep it as a souvenir!