Getting Around
Transit Cards
Which card to get, where to buy it, how to top it up, and what it covers.
The short answer
Buy a T-money card at any convenience store, load about ₩30,000 in cash, and tap it on every bus and subway. That covers the vast majority of trips, and you can stop reading here if you want.
Which card?
| Card | Get it if |
|---|---|
| T-money | You want the default. Works nationwide on subway, bus, and taxis, and as small change in convenience stores. |
| Cashbee | T-money is out of stock. Practically interchangeable for a visitor. |
| Foreign credit card (contactless) | Do not count on it. Acceptance at gates is inconsistent — bring a transit card. |
| Climate Card / tourist passes | Only if you'll ride a lot in a short window in Seoul. Do the maths first; ordinary T-money is usually cheaper for normal sightseeing. |
Where to buy
- Convenience stores — CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, Emart24. Open late, everywhere, and staff are used to the request. Say 'T-money card, please'.
- Subway station vending machines.
- Airport convenience stores, if you want it done the moment you land.
The card itself costs a few thousand won and is not refundable. The balance you load is separate.
Topping up
- Go to a convenience store counter or a station top-up machine.
- Hand over the card and say the amount, or place it on the machine's pad.
- Pay in cash. Most top-up machines do not take foreign cards.
- Check the balance shown after loading.
Keep a little cash for this reason alone: an empty transit card and a card-only wallet is an annoying place to be at a subway gate.
How to use it
- Subway: tap in at the gate, tap out at the gate. You must tap out or the next trip charges you a penalty.
- Bus: tap when boarding, and tap again on the reader when getting off. Tapping off is what enables free transfers.
- Taxis: most accept it — look for the reader near the passenger seat.
Transfers
Seoul charges by distance across a whole journey, not per vehicle. If you tap off and then tap on to another bus or the subway within about 30 minutes, the transfer is free or nearly free. This only works if you tapped off, which is the single most common mistake visitors make.
Refunds when you leave
You can refund a remaining balance at convenience stores (usually up to ₩20,000, minus a small fee). The card deposit is not returned. If you'll be back within a few years, keeping the card is simpler — they don't expire.