How to Get a T-money Card in Korea (2026): Where to Buy, Top Up, and the Seoul Climate Card

Hi, I'm Kim, a local living in Incheon.

In my last post I talked about taking the airport train into Seoul, and I promised to explain transit cards next.

So today, let's get you a card, put money on it, and figure out whether the Seoul Climate Card is worth it for your trip.

T-money: the card almost every local uses

T-money is a rechargeable transit card.

You put money on it, then tap it on the reader when you get on a subway or bus.

It is not a pass, so each ride simply takes the normal card fare from your balance.

The nice part is that one card works on public transportation all over Korea, not just in Seoul.

I use the same kind of card in Incheon, in Seoul, and when I visit other cities.

According to the official tourism site, many taxis and some shops, vending machines and photo booths with the T-money logo also accept it.

Source: VISITKOREA, Transportation Cards

Where to buy a T-money card

You can buy one at convenience stores across the country. The official guide lists GS25, CU, 7-Eleven and others.

You can also get one at the information centers in Seoul subway stations on Lines 1 to 8.

VISITKOREA lists the card price as about 3,000 to 5,000 won, depending on the design.

Keep in mind that this card price is not part of your balance, and it is not refunded later.

When you first buy it, the balance may be zero, so ask the clerk to add money at the same time.

If you are traveling with kids or teenagers, register their date of birth when you buy the card so they get the child or youth fare. Children are 6 to 12 and youth are 13 to 18.

Please do not use a child or youth card as an adult. T-money warns that the fine is 30 times the base fare.

Source: T-money Foreigner Guide

How to top up (and why you need cash)

To top up a regular T-money card, hand the card and Korean won cash to the convenience store clerk.

You can also use the top-up machines inside subway stations.

T-money says you can add money in units of 1,000 won, from 1,000 won up to 90,000 won at a time.

The total balance on one card cannot go over 500,000 won.

Source: T-money Foreigner Guide

My local tip: keep a few 10,000 won bills in your wallet just for topping up.

The station machines usually have an English button, and you simply place your card on the tray, choose the amount and insert cash.

If the machine screen looks confusing, the convenience store is the easiest option. Just say "charge, please" and show the money.

Tap in, tap out: how the transfer discount works

On the subway, you tap at the gate when you enter and again when you leave.

On the bus, tap when you get on, and also tap the reader near the back door when you get off.

That second tap matters, because it is how the system knows you might transfer.

T-money explains that you can get transfer discounts between subway and bus, or between two different bus routes, if you transfer within 30 minutes.

From 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., the transfer window is up to 1 hour.

T-money also says you can get up to four transfer discounts a day.

Source: T-money Foreigner Guide

My local tip: if you forget to tap off the bus, you can lose the transfer discount on your next ride. Locals tap off out of habit, so just follow the person in front of you.

The Seoul Climate Card: an unlimited pass for busy Seoul days

If you plan to ride a lot inside Seoul, look at the Climate Card short-term pass.

It gives you unlimited rides on Seoul subways and Seoul city and town buses for a set number of days.

The Seoul city website lists these prices: 1-day 5,000 won, 2-day 8,000 won, 3-day 10,000 won, 5-day 15,000 won and 7-day 20,000 won.

The physical card itself costs 3,000 won.

The pass starts on the day you charge it, and you cannot charge it in advance for a later date.

The city says each day runs from the first train (around 4 a.m.) until the last train of the night.

It does not include Seoul Bike or the Hangang Bus.

Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government, Climate Card

Important change since October 1, 2026: Seoul only

From October 1, 2026, the Climate Card covers subways within Seoul and Seoul-licensed buses only.

It does not cover the Sinbundang Line, GTX, express or airport buses, buses licensed in other regions, or subway stations outside Seoul.

If you get on inside Seoul and get off outside the coverage area, you will be asked to pay the fare separately at the exit.

There is one exception that matters for travelers: you may ride from Seoul and get off at Incheon Airport Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 on the Airport Railroad.

But you cannot board at those airport stations with the Climate Card.

Gimpo Airport Station is inside Seoul, so it is covered.

The 30-day Climate Card has also been discontinued, so travelers should look at the 1- to 7-day passes.

Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government, Climate Card

My local tip: as someone living in Incheon, I tell friends this: the Climate Card is great for your Seoul days, but it will not work on the Incheon subway. If you plan a day trip to Incheon, Suwon or other nearby cities, keep a regular T-money card with some balance too.

Paying with a foreign credit card

Good news for visitors: since March 17, 2026, the Seoul city government says you can buy a Climate Card, recharge short-term passes and buy single-journey tickets with internationally issued credit or debit cards such as Visa and Mastercard.

This works at the 440 new transit card vending machines installed at 273 stations on Lines 1 to 8.

The city says an average service fee of about 3.7% applies when you pay with a foreign card.

Older machines and some counters may still ask for cash, so it is wise to carry a little Korean won as a backup.

Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government news (March 2026)

Refunds before you fly home

For a regular T-money card, you can ask for your leftover balance at places that sell and top up the card. T-money charges a 500 won service fee, and the card price itself is not refunded.

VISITKOREA says refunds of over 50,000 won are handled at T-money Town near Seoul Station (Exit 10).

For the Climate Card, the city says a refund must be requested before the pass period ends, and visitors without a Korean bank account may need to visit the T-money headquarters.

Honestly, the easiest move is to spend your last balance on the airport train, a snack or a drink at a convenience store before you leave.

Sources: T-money Foreigner Guide, VISITKOREA, Seoul Climate Card

Quick checklist

1. Buy a T-money card at a convenience store or a subway information center right after you arrive.

2. Keep some Korean won cash for topping up.

3. Tap in and tap out, including when you get off the bus.

4. If you will spend several full days riding around Seoul, compare the cost with a Climate Card short-term pass.

5. Remember the Climate Card is Seoul only and you cannot board with it at Incheon Airport.

6. Use up or refund your balance before you go home.

In my next post I'll explain how tax refunds work when you shop in Korea, both at the store and at the airport.

Which card are you planning to use on your trip? Leave a comment and I'll answer from a local's point of view.

This post summarizes official information in my own words. Details can change, so please check the official source before you travel.
Korea Local Guide by Kim | Practical tips from a local in Incheon.