How to Use a Transportation Card in Korea

One small card pays for almost all public transport in Korea. It is the single most useful thing to buy on day one.

What is T-money?

T-money is a rechargeable transit card. Tap it to pay on subways, city buses, and even in most taxis. A few other brands exist — like Ezl (formerly known as Cashbee) — and they work almost identically.

Where to buy and top up

Buy at any convenience store or station machine.
Top up with cash at convenience stores or the recharge machines in stations.

Cash for top-ups

Recharge machines usually take cash only. Keep some small bills handy, especially outside big cities.

A 2026 Seoul exception

Since March 2026, new machines at 273 stations on Seoul Subway Lines 1–8 accept international cards and mobile payments for short-term Climate Card passes and single-journey tickets. This does not mean ordinary T-money balances can be topped up by foreign card at every station.

How to pay

Subway: tap in at the gate, tap out when you leave (fares are distance-based).
Bus: tap the reader when boarding, and tap again when getting off to enable free or discounted transfers.
Taxi: tap at the end of the ride if the taxi supports it.

Transfers save money

Korea has a generous transfer discount. If you tap on and off correctly, moving between bus and subway within a time window is often free or nearly free. Always tap when exiting a bus, or you may lose the discount.

Traveling as a family? Buy one card per person — a single card can't pay multiple fares at the same gate.

Leftover balance

You can spend the remaining balance at convenience stores, or get small amounts refunded at certain machines and counters. Many visitors just keep the card for their next trip.