Where to Buy a T-money Card in Korea (2026): Price & Refunds
Short version: buy a T-money card at any convenience store — including the ones inside Incheon Airport — for about ₩3,000–5,000, load ₩20,000–30,000 in cash, and tap it on every subway, bus and taxi in the country. Refund whatever is left at a convenience store or the airport before you fly home.
T-money is Korea's universal prepaid transit card. One tap covers subways, city buses, intercity buses, most taxis and even convenience-store purchases, nationwide — Seoul, Busan, Jeju, everywhere. It is the first thing you should buy after landing, and it takes about 90 seconds.
This guide is specifically about buying, topping up and refunding the card. For how to use it day to day — transfers, fares, tapping out on buses — see our full T-money card guide.
🏪 Where to buy it
1. Incheon Airport (the usual answer)
Every convenience store in the arrivals area sells them, as do the travel information desks. Buy the card, ask them to load ₩20,000–30,000, and you can tap straight onto the AREX airport train or an airport bus. Bring cash — top-ups are cash-first almost everywhere.
2. Any convenience store, anywhere
GS25, CU, 7-Eleven and Emart24 all stock T-money at the counter. Say "T-money card, juseyo" and point — this is a transaction they do fifty times a day. If a store is out of stock, the next one is a two-minute walk away.
3. Subway station vending machines
Every station has machines near the gates that sell and recharge cards, with an English menu. They are cash-only in most cases (₩1,000, ₩5,000 and ₩10,000 notes), and they do not give change on card purchases in some models — read the screen.
4. Character and collector cards
Convenience stores and station shops sell T-money in K-pop, cartoon and keyring form for around ₩7,000–15,000. They work identically. If you want a souvenir that is also useful, this is the one.
💰 What it costs
| Item | Typical 2026 price | Refundable? |
|---|---|---|
| Standard T-money card | ₩3,000–5,000 | ❌ No |
| Character / designer card | ₩7,000–15,000 | ❌ No |
| Balance you load | Your choice | ✅ Yes (minus fee) |
| Subway base fare | ~₩1,550 by card | — |
| Single-journey paper ticket | ~₩1,650 + ₩500 deposit | Deposit refunded at the machine |
The card itself is a one-off purchase and the fee is never returned — but a card-paid fare is cheaper than a single-journey ticket, and you avoid buying a ticket for every ride. It pays for itself within a few journeys.
🔄 How to top up
- At a convenience store: hand the card to the cashier with cash and say the amount. Some chains accept card payment for top-ups; many do not.
- At a station kiosk: place the card on the reader, choose "Charge", insert notes. Machines take cash only and give no change beyond what you insert.
- How much: ₩20,000–30,000 covers roughly a week of normal Seoul sightseeing at ₩1,550–2,000 a ride. Top up as you go rather than loading ₩100,000 you will have to refund.
⚠️ You cannot tap through the gate with a negative or empty balance — but if you run out mid-journey, you can settle at the fare-adjustment machine before the exit gate. Every station has one.
🚄 Getting into the city from the airport? Sort the ride out in advance:
🚄 Airport Train (AREX) Tickets →🚕 Private Airport Pickup with Luggage Help →💸 How to get your balance refunded
Unused balance is refundable, with a small service fee:
- Convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven): the standard route. Balances up to roughly ₩20,000, minus a ₩500 handling fee, paid to you in cash on the spot.
- Airport refund kiosks: in the Incheon departures area — do this before you check in and disappear through security.
- T-money service centres (Seoul Station, Myeongdong and other major hubs): for larger balances the convenience store cannot handle.
Honestly? Most travellers keep the card. It stays valid for years, has no expiry to worry about, and means the next trip starts with a tap instead of a queue.
🆚 T-money vs the alternatives
| Option | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| T-money | Everyone, nationwide, all transport | Cash top-ups |
| WOWPASS | Tourists who want a prepaid card + transit in one | Exchange rates on loading |
| Climate Card | Unlimited Seoul travel over several days | Seoul-area only; check current status before relying on it |
| Contactless credit card | Quick single rides on some lines | Not universally accepted; no transfer discounts |
For a first trip, T-money is the safe default. If you are staying longer or want unlimited rides, compare the passes in our Korea transport cards guide.
💡 Tips that save real money
- Always tap out, including on buses. Forgetting costs you the maximum fare and breaks your transfer discount.
- Transfers within 30 minutes are free or discounted — up to four of them between subway and bus. This is the biggest saving in the system.
- One card per person. You cannot tap two people through on one card in the subway.
- Taxis take T-money too, which saves fumbling for cash late at night.
- Buy it on arrival, not in advance online — it is cheaper at the counter than in most pre-order bundles.
❓ T-money FAQ
Can I use one T-money card in Busan and Jeju?
Yes. It works on public transport nationwide, including Busan's subway and Jeju's buses.
Does it expire?
The card does not expire in any practical sense, and balances remain valid for years — keep it for your next trip.
Can I buy one with a credit card?
Buying the card, usually yes. Loading value, often cash only. Carry ₩50,000 in notes on arrival for exactly this reason.
What if I lose it?
It is a bearer card — an anonymous T-money cannot be blocked or restored. Do not load huge amounts.
Do children need their own card?
Yes, and youth/child cards get discounted fares once registered — ask at the convenience store counter.
Fares, card prices and refund limits were checked in July 2026 and are set by transport authorities that adjust them periodically. Confirm current fares at the station or on the official T-money site.