All about T-money Card in Korea - How & Where To Use It - IVisitKorea (2024)

T-money is a re-loadable system of smart cards and other “smart” devices for payment of transit in and about Seoul and other parts of South Korea. In several retail businesses and other companies, T-money is like a debit card. T-money Co., Ltd, by Seoul Special City Government, LG CNS, and Credit Card Union, operates the T-money System.

T-money covers buses, metro, and cab costs, among other things. All Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, and Gwangju buses, as well as the Seoul, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon, Gyeonggi-do, and Gwangju Metropolitan Subway systems, take T-money.

Everything About T-money Card in Korea

Why You Should Have a T-money Card in Korea?

You may use the T-Money card to pay for a variety of items and activities without bothering to spend cash. This is especially beneficial for visitors who do not want to deal with large amounts of foreign cash.

The T-Money card allows you to simply pass through underground transitgates, take buses, and pay for things swiftly and conveniently throughout Korea.

T-Money cards allow residents of Seoul to use public transportation without having to pay with cash. Since then, the T-Money card’s capabilities have been greatly extended. T-money Cards in Korea can now be used for more than simply travel in Korea. You can now use it to pay for a bottle of water in Busan or a taxi on Jeju Island, among other things.

Where to buy a T-money card?

Most commercial convenient shops, such as GS25, CU, and 7-Eleven, as well as shops near bus stations, sell T-Money cards. They may also be in subways using T-Money Payment terminals. You may buy a T-Money card from any of the newer recharging devices.

How to buy a T-money card at Incheon Airport?

Here’s some information to help you purchase a T-money card for your travels:

GS25 Convenience Store

To buy a T-money card, head to the convenience store at the airport. You can find one called “GS 25” near Gate 1 on the arrival floor (Floor 1).

Once there, proceed to the check-out counter and ask the staff for a T-money card. Request to load it with 10,000 KRW for your initial balance. Keep in mind that the card itself typically costs between 2,000 to 5,000 KRW.

It’s important to note that purchasing and topping up the T-money card can only be done with cash.

CU Convenience Store

There will be a CU grocery shop near Gates 5 and 10 in the Landing area if you wish to get your T-Money card right immediately after landing at Incheon International Airport.

Online Purchase & Pickup at the Airport

You also have the option to buy the T-money & a SIM card online and pick it up at the airport.

For added convenience, consider this option to streamline your travel essentials. With both the T-money card and SIM card in hand, you’ll be ready to explore Seoul with ease.

How do I put money (top-up) on my T-money card?

Your T-money Card may be recharged in three different ways.

1. Top-up from a ticket vending machine available inside all metro and rail stations.

• On the display, choose your desired language (Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese).
• Tap the “Reloading the transit car” option on the 3rd icon with the T-money symbol on the extreme right.
• Insert your card into the reloading station, and then choose the quantity you wish to add.
• Add themoney and stand in line for a few moments for your T-money card to refill.
• Check the balance on your T-money card.

2. Newspaper stands with a T-money sign at a bus stop. They’re frequently at the exits and entrances of subway stations.

3. Go to a convenience shop that sells retail items. This is the simplest method for recharging your card!

Can I recharge a T-money card online?

No, you won’t be able to. The T-Money card must be topped up with only cash (No credit card). As a result, when you want to recharge your T-Money card, ensure you have money on hand. You can buy a T-Money card using a credit card, but you won’t be able to refill it with a payment gateway after that. It seems perplexing, and we’re not sure why T-Money will not permit credit card payments.

How do I get my money back from my T-money card?

You could have some cash left over in the account after your trip to Korea. There are now two alternatives open to you. You may either retain the amount and cards for your future trip to Korea, or one can obtain a refund.

Understand that the T-Money card has no expiration date, so you may use it again. The card’s value, though, will invalidate after 5 years. Refund machines are in convenient shops and train stations.

If your amount exceeds 20,000 won, you must visit the T-Money offices. Recall that you may use your T-Money card to shop at grocery shops and other retailers. As a result, it’s generally preferable to spend the additional cash on some last-minute keepsakes. T-headquarters Money’s are located at 1st Floor. T-money Town, Seoul City Tower Building, Namdaemun-ro 5-Ga, Jung-gu, Seoul.

Please give your T-money to the employees so that you can get a refund.

The compensation (minus the service charge) will be given to you in cash (Korean currency) and the cards will be returned to you.

• If the amount on your T-money card is less than 20,000 KRW, you can get a refund.
• A 500 KRW processing fee will be charged. It is not feasible to receive a partial refund. (Only full refunds are offered.)
• The amount refunded is equal to the remaining deposit, excluding the cost of the card.
• If your T-money stops working for any purpose other than damage, distortion, or breaking, the card’s purchase and any remaining deposits will be reimbursed in full.

How to use a T-money Card in Korea?

1. Public Transportation

To begin, remember that you must touch your card while boarding and departing buses, as well as accessing and leaving metro stations. Trip savings are possible, but only four times each day and for a maximum of 30 minutes per travel. The transfer savings will not be given if you switch to a vehicle with the exact lines or re-enter the same metro station after departing, even if you change within half an hour. In Korea, the T-Money card can be used for a variety of purposes. Here’s a quick rundown of each one:

On Buses

The T-Money card may be used to pay for buses in Seoul and other significant Korean cities. When you enter, place your T-Money cards on the card machine next to the driver’s. As you exit the bus, make contact with another card scanner. This card scanner can tell you exactly the credit is available on your T-Money card as well as the ticket. If you change from one vehicle to another in half an hour, you will receive a transition price, so be sure you tap out as you exit the bus.

In most Korean buses, you will board at the front entrance and exit by the center door, which is located farther from the bus. If the bus does not have a central door, engage the card machine at the entrance and exit through the front door.

Subway

Lay the card onto the detector in the subway platform before it rings. On the front, it will indicate the money paid, and on the bottom end, it will display the current credit. You won’t be billed if you’re transferring, and the amount displayed on the scanner will be zero. When you arrive at your location, tap your card once, and you’ll be able to depart the gate. If a mistake happens, use the red “help” button, and someone from the staff will assist you.

2. Taxis

Since your arrival in Korea, you will use a lot more cabs. The rationale for this is that they are reasonably inexpensive, easy to locate, and can be summoned via the Kakao Taxi app. Taxis are also simple to pay for since you may use your T-Money card. There’s no need to sift through your pockets for stray change or double-check that you have the proper cash with you. You may pay with your T-Money card as long as the cab has the T-Money logo visible (which is nearly always the case).

If you’re unsure, ask the driver when you get in by displaying your T-Money card. Another tip for taxis in Korea: make sure the meter is always turned on. However, make sure you have sufficient money on your card; else, you won’t be able to pay! A 10-minute cab journey normally costs less than 10,000 won (around $10).

3. Restaurants and Café

When you need to buy minor products in Korea, such as cold drinksor even some snacks, the T-Money card comes in handy. You can also utilize your card to spend on products and activities as long as the T-Money sign is visible. They’re really simple to come by in Korea. Inside a minute’s walk of my flat, you may visit 4 of them. Once you pay, show your T-Money card to the operator. The T-money Card in Korea will be accepted at a variety of restaurants and bars around Korea, including:

• Starbucks
• McDonald’s
• Coffee from Angel-in-Us
• Ediya Coffee.
• Gong Cha Tea.
• Baguette de Paris
• plus a whole lot more…

To avoid having to reload the card, it’s best to use it for little sums.

T-Money Card’s Pros & Cons

The T-money Card in Korea is the most common mode of commuting in Seoul and Korea, and practically everyone takes it every day. So, if you’ve reviewed all of this and are still undecided about getting a T-Money card in Korea, here’s a quick overview of why you must get one.

Pros:

• There is no need to line for tickets, which saves time when traveling.
• This eliminates the need to carry cash.
• It makes traveling a whole lot easier.
• It can be utilized in a variety of locations in Korea.

Cons:

• The card must be recharged.

Use Discover Seoul Pass as a transportation card

The Discover Seoul Pass is a tourist pass that allows visitors to explore and experience various attractions in Seoul, South Korea. It provides free entry to a wide range of popular tourist sites, cultural activities, and public transportation options.

The pass provides users with unlimited access to Seoul’s public transportation system, including buses, subways, and even the Airport Express Train. This makes it convenient for travelers to navigate the city and visit different attractions easily.

The Discover Seoul Pass is available in different durations, such as 24 hours, 48 hours, or 72 hours, allowing visitors to choose the option that best suits their itinerary. It can be purchased online.

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