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.
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T-money Apple Pay Support: What’s the Latest?
For a long time, T-money Apple Pay support was a frequent question for iPhone users. The good news is that Apple Pay has officially announced support for public transport in Korea, including T-money!
While the official launch date has not been confirmed, rollout is expected soon. For now, iPhone users will need to use the physical card.
Keep an eye on official announcements for full implementation details!
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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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