🔖 This is a sample image inspired by the T-money card design for travelers.
If you're traveling around Korea—whether it’s Seoul, Busan, or Jeju—having a transportation card makes everything so much easier.
You can use it for subways, buses, airport buses, and even taxis!
If you’re wondering how to buy it, recharge it, and use it, this guide has everything you need.
🎫 Which Transportation Card Should You Get?
The most common one is the T-money card.
There’s also Cashbee, but T-money is easier to find and more widely used.
- Subway
- Bus (local, town, and express buses)
- Airport bus
- Some taxis
- Convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, etc.) for snacks or drinks
📍 Where to Buy a T-money Card
Super easy—you can get it as soon as you arrive.
- Incheon Airport (both Terminal 1 & 2)
- Subway stations (ticket vending machines or information centers)
- Convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, etc.)
💡 Card price: ₩2,500–4,000 (card price only; you charge the balance separately)
👉 The card itself is non-refundable.
💰 How to Recharge
- Use a recharge machine at subway stations
- Or ask at a convenience store counter—just say “Recharge, please!”
✔️ Usually cash is preferred, but some places accept credit cards too.
✔️ You can top up any amount, whenever you need.
🚍 How to Use
It’s super simple. Just tap your card!
- Subway: Tap at the entry gate
- Bus: Tap when you get on and get off (⚠️ Important!)
- Taxi: Ask the driver, “T-money okay?” then tap on the card reader
🔁 Don’t Forget Transfer Discounts!
If you use public transportation (i.e. subway, bus) with your T-money card, you can get a ₩100-plus discount for every ride.
T-money card holders can enjoy up to four discounts a day, if they transfer within a transfer time limit of 30 minutes (up to 1 hour from 9pm to 7am the next day).
The discount applies when transferring:
- From subway to bus and vice versa
- From one bus to another (excluding buses running along the same route)
💡 ⚠️ IMPORTANT: On buses, you MUST tap your card both when getting on and getting off to get the discount!
🚫 What If You Don’t Have a T-money Card?
- Subway: You can buy a single-journey ticket (₩500 deposit refundable at the machine after use).
- Bus: Some buses do not accept cash at all. Even if they do, they don’t give change.
👉 This is why getting a transportation card is highly recommended. Without it, using buses can be quite inconvenient or sometimes impossible.
🔄 Can You Refund the Balance?
- The card price itself is non-refundable.
- But any remaining balance can be refunded at convenience stores or subway station customer centers.
✨ Pro Tip!
You can also buy the Discover Seoul Pass at Incheon Airport.
👉 It works as a transportation card plus free entry to many tourist attractions.
👉 However, if you only need transportation, T-money is cheaper and simpler.
🚀 In Short—Get a T-money Card!
- Buy it at the airport or any convenience store
- Recharge and use it for subways, buses, and taxis
- Enjoy transfer discounts (subway ↔ bus, bus ↔ bus) within 30 minutes (or 1 hour at night)
- Refund the remaining balance (except the card price) before you leave
✔️ Whether you’re in Seoul, Busan, or Jeju, one T-money card is all you need to travel like a local.
👉 Coming Next:
- Subway Tips for First-Timers in Korea
- How to Read Bus Routes & Ride Like a Local
Stay tuned! 😊
