T-money Card in Korea: How to Buy, Top Up, Use and Refund (2026)

Fantagy Korea editorial team · Updated 2026-10-31

T-money is Korea's most widely used reloadable transit card. You tap it on subways and buses, and you can also use it at shops that show the T-money logo.

Where to buy

• Convenience stores nationwide (GS25, CU, 7-ELEVEN, etc.).
• Information centers in Seoul subway stations on Lines 1–8.
• VisitKorea lists the general card price as ₩3,000–5,000, depending on the design.
• T-money also sells a Tmoney Travel Card for foreign visitors at ₩6,000, available at convenience stores.

Topping up

• Pay in cash (Korean won) at T-money sales points such as convenience stores, or at the ticket vending machines in subway stations.
• Top-ups are in ₩1,000 units, from ₩1,000 to ₩90,000 at a time. The card can hold up to ₩500,000.

Using it

• Tap it on the reader when you board and again when you get off. You have to tap out to get the transfer discount.
• Transfer discount: switch between subway and bus, or from one bus to another, within 30 minutes (up to 1 hour from 9 PM to 7 AM) and you get a discounted fare. This works up to four times a day.
• Child (6–12) and youth (13–18) fares apply only after you register the card with a date of birth at a convenience store or subway information center, showing ID.

Refunds

• You can get the remaining balance back in cash at T-money sales or top-up points, minus a ₩500 fee. The price of the card itself is not refunded.
• Partial refunds (₩10,000–50,000, in ₩10,000 units) are available only at Tmoney Town and the T-money service centers in subway stations. VisitKorea notes that refunds over ₩50,000 are handled only at Tmoney Town in Seoul Station.

Alternative: Seoul Climate Card

If you ride a lot inside Seoul, look at the Climate Card short-term passes: 1-day ₩5,000, 2-day ₩8,000, 3-day ₩10,000, 5-day ₩15,000 and 7-day ₩20,000, plus ₩3,000 for the physical card. VisitKorea notes that from 1 October 2026 the card works only within Seoul, and it does not cover the Sinbundang Line or GTX.

Arriving by plane? See Incheon Airport to Seoul by AREX and Gimpo Airport to Seoul.

Sources

• T-money — Foreigner guide (official)
• T-money — Tmoney Travel Card (official)
• T-money — Climate Card guide for foreigners (official)
• VisitKorea — Transportation Cards (KTO)

Checked by the Fantagy Korea editorial team on 2026-10-31. Prices, timetables and rules change — confirm on the official site before you travel.