Planning a trip to South Korea? Don’t leave without getting yourself a T-money card — the essential Seoul transportation card.
The T-money card makes getting around Korea easier, faster, and cheaper. From navigating the subway to hopping on a local bus or paying at convenience stores, the T-money card is a must-have for every traveller in Korea.
In this guide, we break down everything you need to know about the T-money card, including where to buy it, how to use it, how to get a refund, and whether it’s better than the Korea Tour Card. Let’s go 👇
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📌 Table of Contents: T-money card (2025)
- What is a T-money card?
- T-money Card Price & Where to Buy
- How to Top Up a T-money Card
- How to Use the T-money Card on the Bus & Subway
- The T-money App: What Can You Do?
- T-money Refund: How to Get Your Balance Back
- Does the T-money Card Expire?
- T-money Apple Pay Support: What’s the Latest?
- Korea Tour Card vs. T-money: Which Is Better?
- Other Ways to Use the T-money Card
- T-money Card FAQs
What is a T-money Card?
Image credits: Inbebo
The T-money card is a rechargeable prepaid transportation card that works throughout South Korea, including Seoul, Busan, Incheon, and Jeju. Think of it as your go-to Seoul transportation card that also doubles up as a payment card for small purchases.
It works on:
- 🚌 Buses
- 🚇 Subways
- 🚕 Taxis
- 🏪 Convenience stores
- 🚴 Seoul City Bikes (Ddareungi)
- 🚄 Some intercity trains and airport transportation
Essentially, it’s an all-in-one Korea metro card and contactless travel pass, much like Hong Kong’s Octopus Card or Japan’s Suica.
💡 Can foreigners use T-money? Yes — and it’s highly recommended for tourists. No Korean ID or phone number required!
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T-money Card Price & Where to Buy
| Where to Buy | Price (Card Only) |
| Convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) | 2,500 KRW – 4,000 KRW (~S$2.34 – S$3.74) |
| Subway stations | 2,500 KRW – 4,000 KRW (~S$2.34 – S$3.74) |
| Incheon Airport | ~4,000 KRW (~S$3.74) |
| Buy online ((Klook, Trazy, KKday) | Varies by delivery or pickup option |
📌 Note: The T-money card price does not include any stored value. You’ll need to top up separately.
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Where to Buy Your T-money Card (In Korea & Online)
📍 In Korea:
- Major Convenience stores with the T-money logo (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, etc.)
- Subway stations via vending machines or counters
- Incheon or Gimpo Airport – most tourists grab one here right after landing
- Tourist Information Centres
🌐 Online (Before Your Trip):
You can pre-order your T-money card online via:
- Klook
- Trazy
- KKday
This option lets you pick up the card at Incheon or Gimpo airport upon arrival — a great choice for convenience and skipping queues!
✈️ T-money card Incheon Airport tip: Purchase at GS25 or CU stores in Arrivals or the AREX Travel Center.
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How to Top Up a T-money Card
Image Credits: Trazy Blog
Here’s where you can top up:
- Convenience Stores: Hand the cashier your card and cash
- Subway Station Machines: Accepts cash; English-friendly interfaces
- T-money App (Android only): Top up via credit card (NFC required)
⚠️ Important: T-money card top-ups usually require cash unless using certain third-party cards or Android mobile apps.
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How to Use the T-money Card on the Bus & Subway
Using your T-money card on the bus and subway is incredibly simple:
🚇 Subway:
- Tap at the entry gate
- Tap again when exiting
- The screen will display the fare charged and your remaining balance
🚌 Bus
- Tap on the reader when boarding near the driver
- Tap again at the rear exit when getting off
- The sensor will display the amount charged and your remaining balance.
🪙 Tip: To receive transfer discounts, always tap in and out correctly. You can transfer between buses, subway lines up to 4 times within 30 minutes (or one hour between 9 PM and 7 AM).
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The T-money App: What Can You Do?
The T-money app allows you to:
- Check your card balance
- View transaction history
- Recharge (with Korean card + Android NFC)
⚠️ The app is currently Android-only. T-money Apple Pay will be rolled out gradually for iOS users.
Tip: For English-speaking travellers, it’s better to rely on physical reloading stations at subways or convenience stores.
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T-money Refund: How to Get Your Balance Back
If you have unused balance on your T-money card at the end of your trip and don’t plan to return to Korea, you can get a refund at:
- Convenience stores like GS25, CU, and 7-Eleven: For balances up to 20,000 KRW (~S$18.68). Note: A small service fee (~500 KRW | ~S$0.47) will apply.
- Subway Stations: Larger refunds may be processed at T-money service centres within some subway stations.
- T-money Town near Seoul Station: For larger refunds of up to 500,000 KRW (~S$467.03). There are no fees for refunds processed here.
Note: The cost of the T-money card itself is non-refundable
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Does the T-money Card Expire?
Good news: T-money card expiry is not an issue. Your card never expires, and the remaining balance stays valid forever. Keep your card and reuse it on your next trip.
T-Money Card Guide — Heading to Seoul? Bookmark this Lotte World Seoul Guide 2025: Tickets, Rides, Tips
T-money Apple Pay Support: What’s the Latest?
[UPDATE]: Starting from 22 July 2025, you can now add Korea’s T-money transit card to Apple Pay! Users can set it up to automatically top up their balance from a selected bank account when their balance runs low.
Tip: Enable ‘Express Mode’ to pay without having to double click the power button.
T-Money Card Guide: Check out this guide for the Best Things To Do In Jeju (2025): 4-Day Itinerary + Travel Tips
Korea Tour Card vs. T-money: Which Is Better?
Image Credits: cktravels.com
When planning your trip, you might come across the Korea Tour Card. So, Korea Tour Card vs T-money – what’s the difference?
| Feature | T-money Card | Korea Tour Card |
|---|---|---|
| Public Transport | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Discounts at Attractions | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Price | 2,500 KRW – 4,000 KRW (~S$2.32 – S$3.71) | 4,000 KRW – 5,000 KRW (~S$3.71 – S$4.64) |
| Tourist Features | Basic | Enhanced |
Verdict:
- Choose T-money for everyday transport use
- Choose the Korea Tour Card if you want sightseeing perks and tourist discounts
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Other Ways to Use the T-money Card
Your T-money card isn’t just for getting around! It can also be used for:
- 🏪 Pay at convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven)
- 🚖 Taxis that support T-money
- 🥤 Vending machines
- 🚲 Link to Ddareungi, Seoul’s public bike rental system
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T-money Card FAQs
Q1: Can foreigners use T-money cards in Seoul?
A: Yes! Foreigners can buy and use T-money cards easily. No Korean ID needed.
Q2: How much money should I load onto my T-money card?
A: Start with 10,000 KRW – 20,000 KRW (~S$9.34 – S$18.69). Top up as needed — the max balance is 500,000 KRW (~S$467.20).
Q3: Where can I buy a T-money card?
A: At Incheon Airport, subway stations, or convenience stores like CU and GS25. Or buy online via Klook.
Q4: Does the T-money card expire?
A: Nope! It’s valid indefinitely.
Q5: How do I get a refund on my T-money card?
A: Refunds for under 20,000 KRW (~S$18.69) can be done at most convenience stores. Larger refunds at T-money Town.
Q6: Can I buy a T-money card online?
A: Yes, via platforms like Klook, Trazy, and KKday.
Q7: How do I use the T-money card on buses?
A: Tap when boarding and again when exiting to get transfer discounts.
Q8: Is the T-money app available on iPhone?
A: Not fully. iOS support is limited until T-money Apple Pay is fully rolled out.
Q9: What’s the difference between T-money and the Korea Tour Card?
A: T-money is mainly for transport. Korea Tour Card includes transport + discounts at attractions.
Q10: Is the T-money card a Korean metro card?
A: Yes — it’s used on subway and metro systems throughout the country.
Final Thoughts: Should You Get A T-money Card in Korea?
If you’re visiting Korea, especially Seoul, the T-money card is a no-brainer. It saves you time, money, and hassle with seamless tap-to-ride access across all modes of transport — subway, bus, taxi, and even bikes.
And while we’re talking about things that save you time, money, and convenience, don’t forget to bring your YouTrip card along for the best KRW rates!
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Happy travels!
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