Seoul’s subway and buses almost all run on transit cards. T-money is the most common: buy a card, top up, tap the gates, and pay small amounts at some convenience stores.
Below follows the T-money Foreigner Guide and typical traveler steps. Card product names (standard / tourist) update—use what is sold on the day.
Related links
Buying a card: where and roughly how much
Purchase points listed in the T-money foreigner guide include:
- Convenience stores: GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, emart24, MINISTOP, Story Way, and more
- Subway top-up machines / information desks (some only reload)
- Other spots such as Tmoney Town near Seoul Station
- Incheon Airport is also listed as a channel
In practice the blank card often costs about KRW 3,000–5,000 (deposit / production fee by product); stored value is separate. Say “T-money” or point at the transit cards on the shelf.
Incheon tip: stock varies by terminal and store; if you cannot find one, follow AREX / Transit signs to machines or transit counters.
Topping up (recharge)
- Prepare KRW cash
- Convenience-store counter: hand over the card and say the amount
- Or subway machine: choose language → Recharge / transit-card charge → place card → insert notes
Foreigner guide: top up in KRW 1,000 units; a single load is commonly about 1,000–90,000; card balance cap about KRW 500,000. First load of 10,000–20,000 is enough for many travelers—add more later.
How to ride
- Enter: tap the reader; confirm balance is enough
- Exit: tap again on subway; on buses follow door signs for tap-on / tap-off by route
- Transfers: within the official window between metro / bus for transfer discounts (daily count limits apply)
Low balance blocks entry or exit—top up before you go. Child / youth discounts need age registration; adult misuse can bring heavy fines (see official warnings).
Convenience stores and other payments
At shops showing T-money / transit-card signs, ask staff to charge the transit card. Handy for small amounts; large shopping still uses credit cards or cash.
Refunds and leftover balance
- Before departure, spend balance on metro, buses, and convenience stores
- To refund: follow the T-money guide to designated locations; check fees, partial refunds, and physical-card limits
- Do not assume the airport can instantly refund a large balance—allow time or spend it down
How it relates to other cards
Korea also has Cashbee and other transit cards, with different acceptance and sales channels. For independent travel, master one card; across greater Seoul, T-money acceptance is very high.
The flow is: buy at a convenience store or airport → top up with KRW cash → tap gates → watch transfer windows. Pair it with a subway map app and moving around Seoul gets much easier.
