T-money Card Guide for Seoul

What is T-money?

The T-money card is Seoul's rechargeable smart transit card — your single most important travel tool in Korea. It works on every subway line, city bus, intercity bus, and most taxis. You can also pay at convenience stores like CU, GS25, and 7-Eleven with it.

Unlike single-journey tickets, T-money gives you discounted fares and free transfers between subway and bus within 30 minutes. Over a week of travel, this can save you ₩20,000–₩50,000.

Where to Buy

• Convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) — Most common. Cost: ₩2,500–₩4,000 for the card itself
• Incheon Airport — Available at GS25 / CU in arrival halls (buy immediately on landing)
• Seoul Metro ticket machines — Available at every subway station
• Online pre-loaded cards — Some travel sites sell pre-charged T-money for tourists

How to Top Up (Charge)

Recharging is fast and easy:

• Any convenience store cashier — hand over the card and cash, say the amount
• Seoul Metro ticket machines — select "T-money Charge" and insert bills
• Minimum top-up: ₩1,000 | Maximum balance: ₩500,000

We recommend loading ₩50,000–₩100,000 at once. Each subway ride costs ₩1,400–₩2,150 and bus rides ₩1,200–₩2,800 depending on distance.

How to Use T-money

• Subway: Tap yellow card reader at entry → tap again at exit. Fare calculated by distance automatically.
• Bus: Tap when boarding → tap again when exiting (required for transfer discounts).
• Taxi: Ask before riding — most accept T-money but not all.
• Convenience stores: Just tap at the payment terminal like a credit card.

Transfer Discounts — The Big Benefit

When you transfer between subway and bus (or bus to bus) within 30 minutes using T-money, you only pay the distance difference — not a full new fare. This is a significant saving that cash passengers don't get. Always tap out when exiting the bus to register the transfer.

Fares (2026)

• Basic fare (up to 10km): ₩1,400
• Every additional 5km: +₩100
• Express bus (intercity): varies, usually ₩2,800+
• AREX Airport Railroad to Seoul Station: ₩9,500 (all-stop) or ₩11,000 (express)

Getting a Refund at Trip End

When you're leaving Korea, you can refund any remaining balance:

• Convenience stores: up to ₩20,000 refunded, ₩500 service fee deducted
• Seoul Metro customer service centers: full amount, no fee
• Incheon Airport T-money refund machines in departure area

T-money vs. Single Journey Ticket

• Single journey ticket: ₩100 more per ride + ₩500 deposit (returned at exit machine)
• T-money: cheaper fares + free transfers + usable at convenience stores
• Verdict: Always use T-money unless it's your very last trip