If you’re planning a first trip to Korea, a T-money card is one of the things to sort out before you ride the subway or a bus. It’s a rechargeable card you tap on a reader to pay for transit. This guide covers where to buy one, how to top it up, where it works and what to do with leftover balance before you fly home.
What Is a T-money Card?
A T-money card is a rechargeable transit card. According to VISITKOREA, the Korea Tourism Organization’s official travel site, this information was last updated in August 2026 and may change, so it’s worth checking before your trip.
The card itself costs between 3,000 and 5,000 won, with 5,000 won listed as the general price. You load money onto it before using it, then tap the card on a reader to pay.
- Works on subways and buses in Korea
- Can be used for purchases at shops showing the T-money logo
Where to Buy and Top Up a T-money Card
You can pick up a T-money card at convenience stores, including GS25, CU, 7-Eleven and MINISTOP — the same stores worth browsing for Korean convenience store snacks while you’re there. It’s also available at passenger service centers inside Seoul Metro stations on lines 1 through 8.
Topping up is a separate step from buying the card. Subway ticket machines can add money to a card you already own, up to a maximum of 500,000 won, but VISITKOREA notes they can’t sell you a new card.
Travelers under 18 should mention their date of birth when buying the card at a store. Registering it this way allows access to reduced fares tied to age.
- Buy at convenience stores or subway passenger service centers
- Top up at subway ticket machines, up to 500,000 won
- Machines top up balance only — they don’t sell new cards
- Under-18 travelers: register date of birth for reduced fares
Where Your T-money Card Works
Beyond subways and city buses, VISITKOREA lists several other places the card works. It can be used on toll roads, public phones, vending machines and at shops displaying the T-money logo.
Transit coverage extends to taxis, express buses, intercity buses and trains in some cases. Some of these may require a separate fare payment on top of the card, so check before you board rather than assuming it’s automatically covered.
Transfer discounts exist between connecting rides on the T-money card system. VISITKOREA doesn’t list a specific discount amount or time window in its current update, so confirm the details if this matters for your itinerary.
Getting a Refund
Before leaving Korea, you can return any unused balance on your T-money card. According to VISITKOREA, where you do this depends on how much money is left.
- Balance over 50,000 won: refund at T-money Town (Seoul Station, Exit 10)
- Balance under 50,000 won: refund at convenience stores
VISITKOREA’s current update doesn’t list a refund fee, so check the terms at the point of refund before assuming the full amount comes back.
Tourist Alternatives to a Standard T-money Card
If you expect to ride a lot in a short time, Korea also offers a few passes built on the T-money system. Here’s what VISITKOREA lists for each option.
| Card | Price | What VISITKOREA Says |
|---|---|---|
| Mpass (T-money tourist card) | 1 day 15,000 won; 2 days 23,000; 3 days 30,500; 5 days 47,500; 7 days 64,500 | Up to 20 trips a day on Seoul Metro, Seoul buses and the airport railroad (direct express excluded). Valid 30 days from issue. Cash only. 3,000 won off if bought after 5 p.m. Issued and returned at T-money Town. |
| Climate Card | Card 3,000 won; passes: 1 day 5,000; 2 days 8,000; 3 days 10,000; 5 days 15,000; 7 days 20,000 | Unlimited rides on Seoul Metro (excluding the Shinbundang Line and GTX) and Seoul city buses, including night buses. Cash or Korean-issued cards only. Exiting outside the coverage area costs extra. The 30-day pass option ended October 1, 2026, per VISITKOREA. Travelers without a Korean bank account must visit T-money headquarters for refunds. |
| EZL | From 4,000 won | Sold at GS25, CU, 7-Eleven and Emart24. Refundable in store if the balance is under 20,000 won. |
| WOWPASS | 5,000 won | Requires a passport to issue. Supports 15 currencies. |
The options differ in price, where they work and how you pay or get a refund, so compare the table against your own plans before buying.
A Quick Checklist for First-Timers
- Buy your T-money card at a convenience store or Seoul Metro passenger service center
- Top up the balance before heading to the platform or bus stop
- Tap in when boarding and tap out when leaving, every time
- Refund any leftover balance before departure — the location depends on how much is left
Cards, prices and terms around the T-money card system can change over time. VISITKOREA last updated this information in August 2026, so confirm current details on the VISITKOREA website or at the point of sale before you travel.
Photo by Jin-Woo Lee on Unsplash