How to Use a T-money Card in Korea: 7 Easy Things Foreigners Should Know

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Why Foreigners Need a T-money Card in Korea

If you’re traveling or living in Korea, How to Use a T-money Card in Korea is something you’ll want to understand as soon as possible.

Public transportation in Korea is fast, reliable, and affordable—but it mostly relies on a small prepaid card called T-money.
Once you have it, you can use buses, subways, taxis, and even convenience stores without carrying cash.

This guide explains everything in simple terms, especially for foreigners who are new to Korea and unfamiliar with local systems.

What Is a T-money Card in Korea?

A T-money card is a rechargeable transportation card used across Korea.

You can tap it instead of paying cash when you:

Ride the subway
Take a city bus
Use a taxi
Buy small items at convenience stores

It works nationwide and doesn’t require a Korean ID, phone number, or bank account.

Where Foreigners Can Buy a T-money Card

Where to buy a T-money card in Korea as a foreigner

You can buy a T-money card almost immediately after arriving in Korea.

Common places include:

Convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, Emart24)
Subway station kiosks
Airport convenience stores

You usually pay a small one-time card cost, then add balance separately.

No registration is required.

For most foreigners, the easiest place to buy a T-money card is a convenience store. You can simply ask for a T-money card at the counter, and no registration or ID is required.

If you arrive in Korea through the airport, you can also buy a T-money card at convenience stores inside the arrival area before leaving the terminal.

How to Add Money to a T-money Card

Adding money is simple, but there’s one important thing to know.

Cash is required

Most top-ups require cash, not foreign credit cards.

You can recharge at:

Subway station machines
Convenience store counters

Just hand the card to the cashier and say how much you want to add.

How to Use T-money on Buses and Subways

Subway

Tap your card at the gate to enter
Tap again when exiting

Bus

Tap when boarding
Tap again when getting off

Tapping when you exit helps calculate the correct fare, especially when transferring.

Using T-money for Taxis and Small Purchases

T-money isn’t only for public transportation.

You can also:

Pay for regular taxis
Use it at convenience stores
Pay at vending machines and lockers

If you’re planning to take taxis often, pairing T-money with ride-hailing apps is helpful. You can read our full guide on how foreigners use Kakao Taxi in Korea to understand how taxis work without speaking Korean.

As you start using services like taxis, convenience stores, and local apps more often, having a Korean bank account becomes increasingly important for daily life in Korea.

How Much Money Should You Keep on Your T-money Card?

There’s no fixed rule, but a good habit is:

Keep enough balance for at least one day of travel
Check your balance often at subway gates or convenience stores

Running out of balance mid-trip means you’ll need to recharge before exiting.

Can Foreigners Get a Refund?

Yes, but with limits.

You can:

Get a refund for remaining balance at convenience stores
Receive cash back minus a small handling fee

The card itself is usually non-refundable.

Common Mistakes Foreigners Make with T-money

Here are a few things to avoid:

Forgetting to tap when exiting a bus
Expecting credit cards to work for top-ups
Throwing away the card before refunding balance
Confusing T-money with regional cards

Keeping your receipt when buying or topping up can help if there’s an issue.

Do You Need Internet to Use T-money?

No internet is required for T-money itself.

However, having mobile data makes everything around transportation easier:

Checking routes
Using map apps
Booking taxis

If you don’t have mobile data yet, setting it up early helps.
You may want to read our Korea eSIM Guide for Foreign Travelers if you plan to use navigation and transportation apps.

Is T-money Worth It for Short Trips?

Absolutely.

Even for short stays:

It saves time
You avoid language barriers
You don’t need exact cash
Transfers are smoother

Many foreigners keep their T-money card as a travel essential whenever they return to Korea.

Final Tips for Using a T-money Card in Korea

Buy it as soon as possible after arrival
Always tap in and out
Carry some cash for recharging
Keep it separate from other cards to avoid mis-taps

Once you get used to it, T-money becomes one of the easiest parts of traveling in Korea.