Transit card — one T-money card covers almost everything
Verified 21 September 2026
A single T-money card gets you on buses and subways across most of the country. It also works in taxis and convenience stores.
Where to buy one
- Convenience stores — GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, Emart24. Ask at the counter for a "T-money card"
- Subway station machines — every Seoul Metro station has them. The same machine sells and recharges
- The airport — buy at a convenience store in the arrivals area and load it immediately for the ride into the city
What it costs
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Basic card | 2,500 ~ 4,000 KRW |
| Character editions (Kakao Friends, BT21, Sanrio) | 5,000 ~ 10,000 KRW |
| Credit loaded on top | As much as you like (separate from the card price) |
Important — the price of the card itself is not refundable. You can get unused credit back, but the 2,500~4,000 KRW you paid for the card is gone. Treat it as a souvenir.
Recharging — as of 2026 most subway recharge machines accept foreign-issued Visa, Mastercard, JCB, UnionPay and AmEx. It used to be cash only; that is no longer the case.
There is a tourist-only card too — the old "Korea Tour Card" has been discontinued and replaced by the T-Money Travel Card (4,000 KRW, with partner discounts). The 6,000 KRW Premium version adds WOWPASS-style features: IC payment where foreign cards get declined, and won withdrawal. Buy it at a convenience store or the bus ticket counter at Incheon Airport.