If you plan to ride the subway or buses in Korea even a few times, a T-money card will save you time, cash, and small daily frustrations. You tap in, tap out, and you’re done—no buying single tickets every ride, no digging for exact coins on buses.
This is a practical guide written for foreigners: where to buy a T-money card, how to recharge it, how transfers work, how to check your balance, and how refunds actually work (including the rules people usually discover only at the counter).
Official Links (Start Here, Not Random Forums)
- T-money Foreigner Guide (official): https://www.t-money.co.kr/
- VISITKOREA – Transportation Cards (official tourism portal): https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/
- Visit Seoul – Transportation (official city tourism): https://english.visitseoul.net/
What a T-money Card Is (And Why Locals Use It)
T-money is a rechargeable prepaid transport card used across Korea for public transportation—subway and buses in most cities—and it’s also accepted for small payments in many places. The official T-money foreigner guide explains transfer discounts and how the system works for taps and transfers.
Short version: if you’re using transit more than once, T-money usually makes your trip smoother and helps you benefit from transfer discounts (when you transfer within the time window).
Where to Buy a T-money Card (Fast, Realistic Options)
The easiest places to buy a physical T-money card are typically major convenience stores and transport hubs. VISITKOREA’s official transportation card page introduces T-money and other transit cards and is a safe starting point for travelers.
Official reference (transportation cards overview): VISITKOREA Transportation Cards
Human tip: If you’re buying at a convenience store, just say “T-money card, please.” If you want a plain one (not a special tourist card), that phrase still works.
How to Recharge (Top Up) Your T-money Card
Recharging is straightforward: you add value, then tap as you ride. In practice, most people recharge at convenience stores or at charging machines in subway stations (availability can vary by station and region).
What to do at a convenience store: hand over your card and the cash amount you want to add. If you’re nervous, show the amount on your phone (“10,000 won recharge, please”).
Human tip: Start with a small top-up (like 10,000–20,000 KRW). You can always add more later, and it makes refunds easier if you don’t end up using the full balance.
How Transfers Work (The One Thing That Saves You Money Daily)
Korea’s transit system often gives transfer discounts when you move from subway → bus, bus → subway, or bus → bus within the transfer time window. The official T-money foreigner guide explains that transfer discounts apply when you transfer within the allowed time (and the time window can be longer at night).
Official reference (transfer discount explanation): T-money Foreigner Guide
The mistake foreigners make: tapping in but not tapping out (especially on buses). In many systems, the exit tap matters for correct fare and transfer logic. When in doubt, copy locals: tap when you enter and tap again when you exit.
How to Check Your Balance (Without Guessing)
The easiest low-stress method is to ask at a convenience store cashier (they can usually tell you the balance when you hand over the card). Some stations and machines also show balances during top-up. If you prefer official guidance and broader context, the official T-money foreigner guide and the official tourism portals above explain how these cards work and where they’re used.
Human tip: If you’re about to board a bus and you’re unsure, check balance before you rush. Once you’re on the bus, you’ll feel pressured and it’s annoying to hold up the line.
Refunds: How to Get Your Remaining Money Back (Read This Before You Leave Korea)
Refund rules are the part most people learn too late. T-money’s official “Tmoney Only for Foreigners” pages explain key refund conditions, including a common threshold where refunds are available when the remaining balance is not more than a certain amount (often shown as 20,000 KRW on official pages), and that a service fee can apply.
Official reference (refund conditions example): T-money refund info (official)
Practical takeaway: If you want an easy refund experience, don’t keep a huge remaining balance on your card. In the last day or two, top up less and spend down what’s left.
What usually gets refunded: the remaining card balance (and in some products, a refundable deposit is mentioned on official tourism pages). The cost of the physical card itself is often not treated the same as the balance—so don’t assume the card purchase price is refundable.
Official reference (deposit mention in transport context): Visit Seoul Transportation
Common “T-money Doesn’t Work” Situations (And Quick Fixes)
- It won’t tap: try again flat against the reader, and keep it still for a second (don’t swipe like a credit card).
- Bus driver says it failed: your balance may be low—recharge at the next stop or use a backup payment method.
- You’re transferring and got charged more than expected: you may have missed the transfer window or forgot to tap out on the previous ride.
- You want to refund but your balance is high: spend it down first (buy convenience store items that accept transit cards) and then request a refund within the official refund conditions.
FAQ (Quick Answers)
Q1) Is T-money only for Seoul?
No. T-money is widely used across Korea, especially in major cities. For a simple official overview of transport cards that work broadly, see VISITKOREA’s transportation card page.
Q2) Do I need cash to recharge?
Many people recharge with cash at convenience stores or station machines. Availability of card-based top-ups can vary by device/operator, so cash is the safest assumption for a smooth first recharge.
Q3) Can I get a refund of my remaining balance?
Yes, refunds are possible under certain conditions, and official T-money pages show refund thresholds/fees for specific foreigner-oriented products. Always check the official refund conditions before you rely on them.