Complete Guide to Buying and Using T-money in Korea

Complete Guide to Buying and Using T-money & Cashbee Transportation Cards in Korea

If you're planning a trip to South Korea, getting a transportation card like T-money or Cashbee is essential for convenient travel. These cards allow seamless access to subways, buses, taxis, and even some convenience stores and cafes. In this guide, we will cover where to buy them, how to recharge them, how to use them, and how to get a refund before leaving Korea.

---

 

1. What is a Transportation Card?

A transportation card is a prepaid card used for public transportation (subway, bus, taxi) and some retail purchases. The two most popular cards are T-money and Cashbee, which function similarly but have slight differences in coverage and usability.

 

Comparison: T-money vs. Cashbee

Feature	T-money	Cashbee
image
Coverage	Nationwide	Limited to certain regions
Usable Transport	Subway, Bus, Taxi	Subway, Bus
Usable Stores	Convenience Stores, Cafes, Supermarkets	Convenience Stores, Some Cafes
Refundable	Yes	Yes

---

 

2. Where to Buy a T-money or Cashbee Card?

Purchasing a transportation card in Korea is simple and can be done at various locations.

(1) At the Airport

• Available at convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) inside Incheon International Airport and Gimpo Airport
• Airport Railroad (AREX) ticket vending machines
• Tourist information centers

Copyright Today Newspaper

 

(2) At Subway Stations

• Subway station vending machines
• Subway station convenience stores

Copyright Dailian Newspaper

(3) At Convenience Stores & Supermarkets

• Available at all CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, Ministop convenience stores
• Some large supermarkets like E-mart, Lotte Mart also sell them

💡 Price: The card itself costs around KRW 2,500 to 4,000, and you need to add balance separately.

---

3. How to Recharge a Transportation Card?

Before using your T-money or Cashbee card, you must load money onto it. Here’s how:

(1) At Convenience Stores

• Go to CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, and ask the cashier to add money to your card
• Some stores only accept cash for recharging

(2) At Subway Stations

• Use the automated recharge machines inside subway stations
• Payment can be made via cash or credit/debit card

(3) Mobile App Recharge (T-money only)

• Download the T-money app and link your bank account or credit card
• If your smartphone has NFC, you can directly recharge through the app

💡 Minimum Recharge Amount: KRW 1,000, with a maximum limit of KRW 500,000.

---

 

4. How to Use a Transportation Card?

(1) Using on Public Transport

• Subway: Tap the card at the gate, and the fare will be automatically deducted.

Copyright Newsian

• Bus: Tap the card upon boarding and also when getting off for transfer discounts.

Copyright Segye Ilbo

• Taxi: If the taxi supports T-money or Cashbee, you can tap your card for payment.

Copyright SBS

 

💡 Transfer Discount: When transferring between subway and bus within 30 minutes, the next ride is free or discounted.

 

(2) Using at Stores & Cafes

• Simply tap the card at the cashier’s payment terminal.
• Usable at some cafes, supermarkets, and vending machines.

---

5. How to Get a Refund for Unused Balance?

Before leaving Korea, you can get a refund for any remaining balance on your card.

(1) Convenience Store Refund

• Visit CU, GS25, 7-Eleven for a refund.
• A small processing fee (around KRW 500) may apply.

(2) Subway Station Refund

• Go to a subway customer service center for a refund.
• Some fees may apply, and refunds are given in cash.

💡 T-money app users can request refunds online, even from outside Korea.

---

 

6. Useful Tips & Precautions

✅ Which card to choose? If traveling nationwide, T-money is the better option.

✅ Avoid insufficient balance issues: You cannot exit a subway station or bus if your balance is too low.

✅ Lost card solutions: If registered via the T-money app, you can recover your balance.

✅ Alternative transport passes: Consider a Korea Tour Card for unlimited travel options.

---

 

7. Conclusion

T-money and Cashbee cards are essential for seamless travel in Korea. They offer convenience, discounts on public transport, and even payment options at retail stores. Make sure to get your card upon arrival, keep it charged, and enjoy a hassle-free trip around South Korea!

 

 

https://pay.tmoney.co.kr/ncs/pct/ugd/ReadFrgnGd.dev

Foreigner Guide - 이용안내 - 티머니