The quick answer
Should most tourists get one?
Yes. If you're going to use buses and subways regularly,
a rechargeable transportation card is one of the easiest options.
Where can you buy T-money?
T-money retailers include participating convenience stores
and T-money service locations in metropolitan subway stations.
How much can you recharge?
Recharge amounts start from ₩1,000.
What is a T-money card?
T-money is a rechargeable transportation card widely used for public transportation in Korea.
Instead of buying a new subway ticket for every journey, you load money onto the card and tap it when using supported transportation.
For a tourist who plans to move around Seoul by subway and bus, this can make everyday transportation much simpler.
Where to buy a T-money card
According to Seoul's official tourism guidance, T-money cards are sold at participating convenience stores and T-money service centers at subway stations in the Seoul Metropolitan Area.
For most travelers, a convenience store is one of the easiest places to look for a physical T-money card. If you don't see one immediately, simply ask the staff:
“T-money card?”
You don't need a complicated Korean sentence.
How much does a T-money card cost?
There isn't one universal card price. The purchase price can vary depending on the card design and type.
Special character designs and souvenir-style cards may cost more than basic versions.
Buying the physical card does not mean it already contains enough money for your transportation. You normally need to add money to the card for travel.
How to recharge T-money
You can add money to your transportation card at supported charging locations.
Official Seoul tourism information states that T-money can be recharged starting from ₩1,000.
Can you recharge T-money with a foreign credit card?
This is where many online guides become confusing.
Seoul has been expanding international-card payment across its transportation infrastructure.
For example, since March 17, 2026, internationally issued credit and debit cards are supported at new Seoul Metro vending machines for services including single-journey tickets and Climate Card short-term passes.
Payment support depends on the card product, machine and service being used. If you're relying on a foreign card rather than cash, check the payment options shown on the specific machine.
How to use T-money on the subway
How to use T-money on a bus
Tap your card on the reader when boarding.
You should also tap when getting off, especially if you want the transportation system to calculate transfers correctly.
This is easy for visitors to forget because bus systems work differently in other countries. In Seoul's integrated fare system, your boarding and alighting taps matter.
T-money and transfer discounts
One major advantage of using a transportation card is access to Korea's integrated transportation fare system when the transfer conditions are satisfied.
This can apply when transferring between buses and subways.
To receive the appropriate transfer treatment, make sure you tap correctly when boarding and getting off.
How much money should you put on the card?
You don't need to load a huge amount immediately.
For a first-time visitor, adding a moderate amount and recharging later is often simpler than loading far more money than you'll use.
If you're unsure how much transportation you'll use, start smaller. Recharge locations are common enough in Seoul that you usually don't need to predict your entire trip on the first day.
Can you get your remaining T-money balance back?
Yes, refunds are available under T-money's refund rules, but where you can receive the refund depends on the amount.
Seoul's 2026 tourism guide lists different refund limits for different convenience-store chains and transportation locations.
If you know you're nearing the end of your trip, avoid adding much more money than you expect to use.
T-money vs single-journey subway ticket
• You're taking multiple subway rides
• You're also using buses
• You want easier transfers
• You're staying in Korea for several days
• You're making very few subway trips
• You don't plan to use buses
• You don't want to buy a rechargeable card
T-money vs Climate Card
These are not the same product.
T-money is generally a stored-value transportation card: you add money and fares are deducted as you travel.
Seoul's Climate Card offers time-based passes, including short-term tourist passes.
| Climate Card tourist pass | 2026 price |
|---|---|
| 1 day | ₩5,000 |
| 2 days | ₩8,000 |
| 3 days | ₩10,000 |
| 5 days | ₩15,000 |
| 7 days | ₩20,000 |
The physical Climate Card itself is purchased separately. Coverage and eligibility also differ from ordinary T-money, so the cheapest option depends on your itinerary.
Which one should a tourist choose?
If you want something simple and flexible for transportation throughout your trip, T-money is an easy default choice.
If you're staying mostly within the Climate Card service area and expect to use public transportation heavily, a short-term Climate Card may be worth comparing.
We'll cover that comparison separately because the answer depends on trip length, destinations and how many rides you expect to take.
Frequently asked questions
Where can tourists buy a T-money card?
Participating convenience stores and T-money service locations in metropolitan subway stations are common purchase options.
Can I use T-money on the Seoul subway?
Yes. T-money is widely used for subway transportation.
Can I use T-money on buses?
Yes. It is commonly used on public buses, including in the Seoul Metropolitan Area.
Can T-money be used in taxis?
T-money can be used in supported taxis.
Do I need to tap when getting off a bus?
Yes. Tapping when you get off is important, particularly for transfer fare calculations.
Can I recharge T-money with a foreign credit card?
International-card support is expanding, but payment methods vary by product and charging location. Do not assume every physical T-money recharge point accepts an overseas credit card.
Is T-money better than buying subway tickets?
For most visitors making repeated subway and bus journeys, a transportation card is generally more convenient than purchasing individual subway tickets.