T-Money, South Korea’s transportation card, comes in a variety of forms. There is the Climate Card that provides unlimited transportation in Seoul for 30 days, and the WOWPASS Card that includes a foreign currency exchange service, transportation, and payment functions in one. But the most popular among tourists is still the original prepaid T-Money Card. Unlike the Climate Card, which can only be used in Seoul, the standard T-Money Card can be used for public transit and retail purchases nationwide. You can easily purchase a T-Money here and pick it up at Incheon International Airport. Get 3-5% off when you book with our promo code TRAVLISTS.
In a nutshell
- What is T-Money? T-Money is a prepaid transportation card in South Korea that can be used to pay for subway, bus, and taxi fares. It can also be used in select stores like Starbucks, GS25, and Dunkin’ Donuts.
- How much is a T-Money card? T-Money cards cost around $6, but if you want to save money, you can book a Korea SIM card with a FREE T-Money card. View on Klook ➜
- What are alternative transportation cards in Korea? Aside from T-Money, you can also consider buying a Namane Card, Discover Seoul Pass, or a WOWPASS Card.
- Where can I pick up a T-Money card in Korea? After booking, you can easily redeem your T-Money card at Incheon International Airport or Gimpo Airport. Check more information here.
- How do I top up? You can add money to your T-Money card at a convenience store or using a top-up machine in subway stations and Incheon International Airport.
ALSO READ: How to Use WOWPASS in Korea: T-Money & Currency Exchange
Quick Book
T-Money Cards with Promo Code
Klook T-Money Card
• FEATURES: Optional preloaded credits worth ₩10,000 or $7 & pick-up at Incheon Interational Airport
WOWPASS Card with T-Money
• FEATURES: Automated currency exchange, store payment, pick-up at Incheon Airport, & nationwide transportation coverage where T-Money is accepted
Mobile Discover Seoul Pass with Climate Card
• FEATURES: Admission to 75+ attractions in and around Seoul for 72-120 hours & unlimited subway and bus rides in Seoul only
Discover Seoul Pass with T-Money
• FEATURES: Admission to 75+ attractions in and around Seoul for 24-72 hours & prepaid T-Money card
T-Money in South Korea
Essentially, T-Money is a prepaid transportation card in South Korea that you can use to pay for bus, subway, and taxi fares. Just like the Octopus Card in Hong Kong, EasyCard in Taiwan, or Oyster Card in London, T-Money cards will save you from having to purchase single-trip tickets each time you take public transportation in Korea.
There are a variety of T-Money-branded cards available for tourists, and they come with certain features that suit different types of travelers. There is the standard prepaid card for those who want nationwide public transportation access, the Climate Card that includes unlimited subway and bus rides in Seoul for up to 30 days, and the WOWPASS card that combines foreign currency exchange and debit (payment) functions in one. All of these cards bear the T-Money logo, which means you are free to use them to take public transportation in South Korea.
Benefits of Using T-Money
What I personally like about using T-Money is that it offers a fare discount of ₩100 or $0.07 for every ride. (Those who don’t have T-Money in Korea pay the full regular fare when using cash.) Admittedly, the discount for each ride isn’t much. However, towards the end of my first trip to Korea, I was able to save ₩3,900, which was enough to buy me a gimbab or a bottle of coffee in the convenience store.
Moreover, with a T-Money card, you can also get free transfers between buses and subway trains, provided that you hop in and out of the next leg within 30 minutes. (Beyond this time, you’ll be charged for multiple trips.)
Finally, aside from transportation, T-Money in Korea can also be used to pay for purchases in select convenience stores (CVS), vending machines, Starbucks, and Dunkin’ Donuts. This means that you can use your spare T-Money credits on food or drinks, too.
Climate Card for Unlimited Rides
Many travelers who take the subway lines and buses in Seoul, as well as the Han River bus and city bikes (Ttareungi), get the Climate Card (powered by T-Money). This allows them to enjoy unlimited rides for 30 days.
If you are thinking about getting one, first, think about the cost of the card and your itinerary. The standalone Climate Card retails for around ₩65,000 or $45 at convenience stores, and the basic fares of subway and city buses in Seoul are around ₩1,500 or $1. This means that you will only get your money’s worth if you ride the bus or subway at least 40 times within the duration of your trip, e.g., 8 rides in a day for 5 days.
To get even more value for your spend, I recommend purchasing this Discover Seoul Pass with Climate Card. The bundle pass costs around the same as the standalone Climate Card, but you also enjoy admission to 3 attractions on top of the unlimited public transit rides for 30 days.
Book a T-Money Card for South Korea
Which T-Money-branded card should you pick? To help you with your choice, our team at Travlists has a rundown of the most popular options that you can book online or purchase in-store.
1. T-Money Card by Klook
Klook, the leading travel activity booking app from Asia, offers custom-designed T-Money prepaid cards for tourists. What we like about Klook’s T-Money is that it can be picked up conveniently at the airport and comes in two options: the standalone card and the card with preloaded credits. Before moving to South Korea, I have used this option several times as a tourist. It was always easy to redeem and use. I recommend getting the preloaded card so you can use it instantly to ride the all-stop train from Incheon Airport to downtown Seoul.
- PRICE: Book here starting at $3.55
- WHAT YOU’LL GET: Optional card with preloaded credits (worth ₩10,000 or $7) & customized T-money card (Klook design)
- PICK-UP LOCATIONS & HOURS:
- Incheon International Airport, Terminal 1: 7am-9pm
- Incheon International Airport, Terminal 2: 6:30am-8:30pm
- BEST REVIEW: “The card can be used on both subways and buses [in] Seoul. Convenient for traveling… No need to carry cash… buy [the card on] Klook because the price is cheaper…”
2. T-Money Card by CU and Other Convenience Stores
Travelers who are already in South Korea may also purchase a T-Money in convenience stores like CU, 7-Eleven, Emart24, or GS25. The only downside of purchasing offline is that you will need to carry some cash to add some credits to your card.
- PRICE: Around $2-4, depending on the design
- WHAT YOU’LL GET: T-Money card with design based on availability at the store
3. WOWPASS Card with T-Money
Our next transportation card option is WOWPASS. With a WOWPASS card, not only will you get to enjoy a convenient way to pay for transportation (the card carries the T-Money logo), but you will also enjoy an automated foreign currency exchange service. Here’s how it works: Upon arrival in South Korea, you can convert your foreign currency using a WOWPASS machine (e.g. USD, PHP, SGD, HKD, EUR, AUD, etc.) and load the amount to your WOWPASS Card. You can then use your WOWPASS card to pay for your purchases at restaurants, shops, and virtually all stores that accept card payments. You will also be able to use the card to take the subway, buses, and trains.
- PRICE: Book here for only $3.5
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: WOWPASS Card with T-Money & foreign currency exchange service
- LOCATION: With your voucher, locate a WOWPASS machine at the following and redeem your card.
- Airports: Incheon International Airport (Terminals 1 & 2), Gimpo International Airport
- Subway stations: Seoul Station, Myeongdong Station, Hongik Univ. Station (Hongdae), Jamsil Station, Gangnam Station, DDP Station, Gwanghwamun Station, Yeouido Station, & more
- Hotels: L7 Hongdae, La Casa Hotel Seoul, Travelodge Dongdaemun, Ibis Styles Ambassador Incheon Airport, Jeju Shinhwa World Marriott Resort, Fairfield by Marriott Busan, & more
- Malls: Lotte Mart Gimpo Airport Branch, Emart Jeju Branch, & more
- Stores: M Playground Hongdae, CU Myeongdong, & more
- BEST REVIEW: “We were so glad that this is available to tourists. This is really a big help when you visit. This saves you a lot of time exchanging your money [for] Korean Won… Indeed, South Korea is already a card society. Even the small-scaled [entrepreneurs] accept this. This works like a debit card for tourists. They have promotions and [cashback] from time to time. I hope in the future, more [WOWPASS] Kiosks will be available everywhere… Also, this works as a [T-Money too,] but you have to recharge it [on T-Money] Kiosks with cash.”
4. Mobile Discover Seoul Pass with Climate Card
To enjoy unlimited rides and visit attractions around the capital, get the Discover Seoul Pass with Climate Card. The basic pass costs around the same as the standalone Climate Card, but you get to visit three attractions of your choice.
- PRICE: Book here starting at $34.5
- WHAT YOU’LL GET: Discover Seoul Pass (mobile pass) for 72-120 hours & mobile Climate Card
- PICK-UP LOCATIONS:
- Incheon International Airport Terminal 1
- Incheon International Airport Terminal 2
- Gimpo International Airport
- Myeongdong Tourist Information Center
- BEST REVIEW: “Great value for money… gave us the opportunity to try so many things.. The app is super [user-friendly], very easy to show staff on our travels in exchange for entry tickets. This pass is a must-have for anyone wanting to visit Seoul.”
5. Discover Seoul Pass with T-Money
For tourists who plan to visit various attractions and theme parks, get the Discover Seoul Pass with T-Money. This comes in a physical card that you can use to enter attractions of your choice and take public transportation. The attraction pass function can be used for 24-72 hours, but the T-Money will have no expiration as long as there are credits. (Unlike the Climate Card, the T-money card can be used to ride public transportation nationwide where T-Money is accepted).
- PRICE: Book here starting at $34.5
- WHAT YOU’LL GET: Discover Seoul Pass (card type) for 24, 48, or 72 hours & T-Money card
- PICK-UP LOCATIONS:
- Incheon International Airport Terminal 1
- Incheon International Airport Terminal 2
- Gimpo International Airport
- Myeongdong Tourist Information Center
- BEST REVIEW: “The Discover Seoul Pass was amazing… It gave me access to…palaces, museums, and theme parks… I loved the convenience of just tapping the pass…and it even worked as a T-money card… It saved me a lot of time and money, especially for a short trip,” reads a review on Klook for the Discover Seoul Pass with transportation function.
- 5G South Korea eSIM by BNESIM (30% off with coupon code TRAVLISTS)
- 4G/5G South Korea Pocket WiFi (700k+ booked)
- 4G/5G South Korea SIM Card with Free T-Money (60k+ booked)
- Airport Railroad Express Ticket (1M+ booked)
- Korail Pass (100k+ booked)
- Everland Ticket (500k+ booked)
- Discover Seoul Pass (100k+ booked)
- Klook Pass Seoul (40k+ booked)
- DMZ Tour from Seoul (30k+ booked)
- Gyeongju UNESCO World Heritage Day Tour from Busan (20k+ booked)
- Jeju Top Attractions Day Tour (10k+ booked)
How to Top Up & Check the Balance of Your T-Money Card
When your T-Money balance runs low, you can easily top up using the Transportation Card Reloading Machines found in subway stations.
- Simply place your T-Money card on the sensor (it’s the middle box below the screen).
- Choose English as your preferred language. The machine will display the top-up amount options available.
- Insert your cash or coins to reload.
To check the balance, just place your card on any reloading machines.
If you plan to use the Korea Tour Card app, you’ll be able to top up your mobile T-Money card using a debit or credit card straight from the app. Of course, you can also go to a nearby convenience store and request the cute staff to reload your T-Money card.
How to Use T-Money on the Subway, Bus, and Taxi
When riding the bus, place your T-Money card on the sensor until you hear it beep. You’ll then see the charged amount as well as the remaining balance of your card. Before getting off, make sure to tap your T-Money card on the sensor by the rear doors to get the discounted fare or free transfer.
The process is basically the same when using the T-Money in the metro subway, except you’d have to tap your card on the sensor found at the turnstiles.
If you plan to use your Korea T-Money card in a taxi, inform the driver that you want to pay with it before getting in. If their vehicle is equipped with the function (most do), you can then tap your T-Money on the sensor, which is usually located between the two front seats. If your balance isn’t enough to cover the expense, you can pay for the amount you’re short using cash.
How to Get a Refund for Your Card Balance
If you have a remaining balance of ₩20,000 or less on your T-Money card, you can go to a convenience store and get a refund instantly. The amount that you will get back will be your balance less the service fee of around ₩500. If you have more than ₩20,000 left in your T-Money and want a refund, you’d have to drop by T-Money’s headquarters to request a refund.
Where to Use T-Money
You can use your T-Money card in the following subway lines, retail stores, and restaurants:
Transportation (Subway & Train)
- Subway and train
- Seoul & Gyeonggi
- Airport Railroad (to go from Incheon to Seoul and vice-versa)
- Lines 1-9
- Shinbundang Line
- U Line
- Suin Line
- Gyeongchun Line
- Gyeongui-Jungang Line
- Jungang Line
- Bundang Line
- Yongin Ever Line
- Ui Sinseol Line
- Bundang Line and more!
- Incheon (Lines 1-2)
- Daejeon (Line 1)
- Daegu (Line 1)
- Gwangju (Line 1)
- Busan (Lines 1-4)
- Seoul & Gyeonggi
- Buses
- Seoul & Gyeonggi
- Incheon
- Daejeon
- Daegu
- Ulsan
- Gwangju
- Busan
- Sejong
- Gangwon
- Chungbuk
- Chungnam
- Gyeongbu
- Gyeongnam
- Jeonbuk
- Jeonnam
- Jeju
- Shops & Convenience Stores
- 7-Eleven
- CU
- GS25
- Ministop
- 365 Plus
- StoryWay
- IGA Mart
- C Space
- With Me
- Best All
- Home Plus
- lalavla
- Hyundai U-Plex
- GS Supermarket
- Home Plus Express
- Red Bucket
- Paris Baguette
- Dunkin’ Donuts
- Starbucks
- Caffe Pascucci
- Baskin Robbins
- Jamba Juice
- Angel in Us Coffee
- Caffe TIAMO
- Gong Cha
- Lotteria
- McDonald’s
- Holika Holika
- The Face Shop
- TONYMOLY
- Innisfree
- Everland Resort
- Wyverns Baseball Club
Can you use T-Money in Busan or Jeju, South Korea?
Yes. Apart from Seoul, you can also use your T-Money card in Busan, Gyeonggi-do, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon, Jeju, and Gwangju.
Do T-Money cards expire?
No, they don’t. When you purchase one on your first trip, you can use the same card on your succeeding visits. It makes for a good souvenir, too!
Is it true that T-Money cards have other designs and forms like keychains, necklaces, etc.?
Yes. Once in a while, the company behind T-Money releases special edition T-Money cards. Previous designs featured Kakao Friends, Pokemon, and BTS.
There are also some limited-edition T-Money that come in the form of keychains, phone accessories, bag tags, and more.
Other Transportation Cards in Korea
Aside from T-Money, you can also consider getting other transportation cards, such as the NAMANE Card. This is a prepaid card that you can customize according to the design you like. What we like about it is that the card can be used not only for transportation but also for payments in stores that accept debit cards. Find out more about how you can buy, design, and use your own travel card in Korea here.
