Checked against public Korean sources · Updated Nov 6, 2026

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Short answer: Buy a T-money card at any convenience store (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven) for about 2,500 to 5,000 won, top it up with cash, and tap it on every subway gate and bus. A basic Seoul subway ride costs 1,550 won and a city bus 1,500 won. Transfers within 30 minutes are almost free. If you will ride a lot inside Seoul for a few days, a short-term Climate Card pass (1 day from 5,000 won) can be cheaper.

Do visitors need a Korean bank account or ID? No. T-money needs no registration, and anyone can buy and use it, including tourists on short visits.

Seoul transit fares at a glance (2026)

How to buy and top up a T-money card

1. Buy the card. Any convenience store near a subway station sells T-money cards, usually 2,500 to 5,000 won depending on the design. The card price does not include any balance.
2. Top up. Ask the convenience store clerk to charge it (say "충전해 주세요," chungjeon-hae juseyo), or use the top-up machines in subway stations. Top-ups are mostly cash only, so keep some 10,000-won notes.
3. Tap in and tap out. Tap the card on the gate when you enter and leave the subway, and on the reader when you get on and off the bus.
4. Check your balance. The gate or bus reader shows the remaining balance each time you tap.

The transfer rule that saves you money

Korea counts a whole trip, not each ride. If you tap off and get on the next subway or bus within 30 minutes (60 minutes between 9 pm and 7 am), the transfer is free or costs only a small distance surcharge. You can make up to four transfers (five rides) on one fare.

The catch: you must tap off every bus. If you skip it, the transfer window never starts and your next ride costs a full fare. Transfers to the same bus route do not count.

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T-money or Climate Card?

• Choose T-money if you are traveling outside Seoul, using the Shinbundang Line, taking airport buses or intercity buses, or riding only a few times a day. T-money works almost everywhere in Korea, including taxis and convenience store payments.
• Consider a Climate Card short-term pass if you will ride many times a day inside Seoul. It gives unlimited rides on covered subway lines and Seoul buses for the pass period. It does not cover the Shinbundang Line, GTX, intercity or airport buses, and some lines outside Seoul.
• Paying with a foreign card: since March 2026, station machines accept Visa and Mastercard for Climate Card short-term passes and single tickets, with a service fee of about 3.7% on average. T-money top-ups are still mostly cash.

Your quick checklist

1. Get cash (10,000-won notes) at the airport or a bank ATM.
2. Buy a T-money card at the first convenience store you see.
3. Top up 20,000 to 30,000 won for a few days in Seoul.
4. Always tap off when leaving the bus.
5. Riding a lot in Seoul? Compare with a Climate Card short-term pass.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get my leftover T-money balance back?

Small balances can usually be refunded at convenience stores, and larger ones through T-money. Rules and fees change, so check t-money.co.kr before you leave. Many travelers simply spend the rest at convenience stores.

Can I use one card for my whole family?

No. Each person needs their own card when riding together, because each tap pays one fare.

Does T-money work in Busan and other cities?

Yes. T-money works on subways and buses in most Korean cities.

Shopping while you ride around? See our guides to tax refunds for tourists and the Korea Grand Sale.

Last checked: November 6, 2026, against Seoul transit fare information and public guides. Fares and pass rules can change; check the Seoul transit portal before you travel.