T-money card: how to buy, top up and use it, step by step
The rechargeable card for Seoul’s subway, buses and many taxis. Where to buy it, how to top up at a machine, how free transfers work and how to get a refund.
T-money is the rechargeable transport card used across Seoul and most of Korea. You tap it on subway gates, buses and many taxis, and you can even pay with it at convenience stores. It is the easiest way to get around and cheaper than single tickets.
Step 1: Buy a card
- Convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, emart24): say “T-money card, please” at the counter. Stores at Incheon Airport arrivals sell them too.
- Subway ticket machines in many stations sell cards as well.
- Cards come in plain and character designs. They all work the same way.
The card costs a few thousand won and comes empty. You must add money before your first ride.
Step 2: Top up (charge) the card
At a convenience store
Hand the card and cash to the staff and say how much to add, for example “Twenty thousand won, please.” They will tap it on their reader and give it back.
At a subway top-up machine
- Find a machine marked Card Top-up / Transportation Card near the station gates.
- Press English on the screen.
- Place your card on the reader tray. Leave it there until you finish.
- Choose an amount and insert cash (most machines take notes only, not cards).
- Wait for the “Completed” message before removing your card.
Step 3: Ride
- Subway: tap on the gate reader when you enter and again when you leave. The fare depends on distance.
- Bus: tap on the reader by the front door when you get on, and tap again on the reader by the back door when you get off.
- Taxi: tell the driver “T-money” and tap the card on the reader by the meter.
Free transfers explained
When you tap off a bus and then tap onto the subway or another bus within the transfer window, you pay only for the extra distance instead of a second base fare.
- The window is about 30 minutes in the daytime and longer late at night.
- It only works if you tapped off the first bus.
- You can usually transfer a few times in one journey.
Unlimited passes for visitors
Seoul offers unlimited-ride passes that cover the subway and city buses for a set period. The products and rules have changed several times recently. Before you buy, check the current options, prices and where visitors can buy them on Seoul city’s official site. A pass makes sense if you ride more than three or four times a day. See Seoul transit passes compared.
Check your balance
- Place the card on a top-up machine and the balance appears on screen.
- The gate or bus reader also shows your remaining balance after each tap.
Get your money back before you leave
You can get a refund of the remaining balance at many convenience stores, usually for a small fee. Large balances may need to go to a T-money service point. You cannot get back the price of the card itself.
Common problems
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| The gate beeps and does not open | Your balance is too low. Top up at the nearest machine. |
| “Card read error” | You may have two transport cards in your wallet. Tap one card on its own. |
| Charged twice on the bus | You may have tapped on instead of off. Tell the driver, or check later with the 1330 hotline. |
Official sources
Prices, timetables and rules in Korea change often. We check this guide regularly, but please confirm details with the official sources linked above before you travel.