How do I buy and use a T-money card?
Buy a T-money card at a convenience store or subway station, top it up with cash, and tap it when you get on and off.
GuideWhich card should I get?
Prices are “about” figures from Tmoney's own English guide, checked Nov 1, 2026. Special designs can cost more.
Buy and top up
- Buy it. Ask at a GS25, CU, 7-Eleven or Emart24. Acceptance can depend on the individual store. Subway station vending machines also sell it, and Seoul subway information centers on Lines 1 to 8.
- Top up at the register. Hand the card to the cashier and say the amount. It loads right away. Cash is the most reliable way to pay.
- Or use a station machine. They sit near the gates and have English, Chinese and Japanese menus. Some take cash only, so keep a little cash on hand.
- Don't plan on a foreign credit card. Tmoney says not to assume a foreign-issued credit card can top up a standard physical card. The Korea Tourism Organization lists a reload limit of 500,000 won (page updated Aug 2026).
Use it
It works on subways and buses across the country, on taxis with a card reader, and at convenience stores and shops showing the Tmoney logo. On buses, tap when you board and again when you get off. One card is for one person, so don't share it. Check your balance before you travel, because a low balance can stop the gate or the bus fare.
On an iPhone
Tmoney has worked in Apple Wallet as a transit card since July 22, 2025. You can add it through the Mobile Tmoney app, or in the Wallet app by tapping +, choosing Transit Card and South Korea (Tmoney), with an initial top-up of at least ₩3,000.
Every top-up method Tmoney lists for the app is a Korean account or card: a bank account, KakaoPay, Naver Pay (added on iOS on Sept 1, 2026) or mileage. Topping up inside the Wallet app needs a Hyundai Card registered to Apple Pay. The article does not say whether foreign cards or phones work.
Our reading: most visitors will find a physical card easier. It is transit only (no stores or online payments) and refunds go through the app to a bank account in your name.Get your balance back
Before you leave, you can get the remaining balance refunded at convenience stores and other designated places. The card price is not refunded, and a small fee may be deducted. The Korea Tourism Organization says refunds over 50,000 won are only available at Tmoney Town near Seoul Station (Exit 10), as of its page update in Aug 2026.
We left out per-store limits and the fee amount. Official sources don't state them, and other websites disagree. For the Climate Card, visitors without a Korean bank account may need to go to Tmoney Town.
Get the official English subway map
Seoul Metro, the subway operator, publishes the route map as an image file in English. The file is large, so use Wi-Fi.
Korean (PDF), Chinese, Japanese and color-blind-friendly versions are on Seoul Metro's Cyber Station page. Visit Seoul also links an interactive route map that works on a computer only. For routes on your phone, use the official Seoul Subway app or NAVER Maps.
Common questions
Can I top up a T-money card with a foreign credit card?
Don't assume so. Tmoney says a foreign-issued credit card may not work for a standard physical card. Cash is the most reliable option.
Does the card work outside Seoul?
Yes. Tmoney says it works on subways and buses across the country.
Can two people share one card?
No. Use one card per person.
Sources
- Tmoney official English blog: “Getting Around Korea After You Arrive” (Aug 25, 2026, updated Sept 14), “Can You Use Tmoney at Convenience Stores?” (Sept 10, updated Oct 1) and “iPhone Transit Card: How to Use Tmoney with Apple Pay” (Aug 25, updated Sept 14).
- Korea Tourism Organization, VISITKOREA “Transportation Cards” (page last updated Aug 2026).
- Seoul Metro, Cyber Station (route map download, file dated Dec 4, 2025).
Not legal advice. Prices and refund rules change. Check Tmoney before you rely on a number. Found a mistake? Tell us and we will correct it and update the date.
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