T-money Card Guide (2026): Where to Buy, How to Top Up, Subway Fares & Refunds

The T-money card (티머니) is the rechargeable transit card you tap on Seoul’s subway, buses and many taxis. It also works at convenience stores. Buying one is the first thing to do after landing. It’s cheaper per ride than single tickets and makes bus-subway transfers work.

Last checked: October 2026. Card prices and refund rules vary by seller and change from time to time. Check at the counter.

T-money quick facts

Where to buy a T-money card

The easiest place is any convenience store: GS25, CU or 7-Eleven, including the ones at Incheon Airport. Say “T-money card” at the counter. You’ll usually pay for the card, then ask them to load money onto it. Subway stations also sell cards from machines.

How to top up

• Convenience store: hand over the card and cash, and say how much to add.
• Subway station machine: choose English, place the card on the reader, pick an amount, insert cash.
• Top-ups are generally done with cash, so keep some won on you.

Fares and transfers

• Subway fares are distance-based, starting at 1,550 KRW for adults paying by card.
• Always tap out when leaving the subway and when getting off buses. That’s how transfers are calculated.
• Transfer between subway and bus within the time limit (roughly 30 minutes) and the next leg counts as part of the same trip, so you pay little or nothing extra.

Getting your money back before you leave

Leftover balance can be refunded at convenience stores, usually for smaller balances and with a 500 KRW fee. Larger balances may need a T-money service centre. The easiest plan is to top up in small amounts and spend the rest at a convenience store on your last day.

Alternatives worth knowing

• Climate Card (기후동행카드): Seoul’s unlimited transit pass, with short-term versions for visitors. Worth it if you ride a lot in a few days.
• Prepaid travel cards like WOWPASS combine a T-money function with payment and currency exchange.

FAQ

Can I share one T-money card?
No. Each person needs their own card to pass the gate.

Can I tap my foreign credit card at the gate instead?
Not reliably in Seoul yet. Get a T-money card.

Does T-money work outside Seoul?
Yes, on transit in most big Korean cities, including Busan.

Sources: SeoulStart – T-money guide (May 2026) · iVisitKorea – all about T-money · T-money card guide for 2026 travellers
Photos: hyolee2 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 · 바리반디(talk / Contributions) at the Korean Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 kr · LERK / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0