The T-money card is a RF prepaid card. It can be used to pay for buses and subways all over South Korea. It can be used on some (not all) taxis, and in some stores.
Previously, the T-money card was limited to usage and reloading in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, and Incheon. As of 2015, the T-money card can be used and reloaded all over South Korea.
Cashbee
A similar prepaid card is the Cashbee card. There used to be differences between where you could use and reload Cashbee and T-money, but they can now be used and reloaded in the same areas. The Cashbee card can be bought at 7-11, and comes in various sizes and designs: keychains, wristbands, cell phone straps. These keychains etc will cost between 3,000 to 8,000원, while the standard card costs 2,500원.
Where to Buy
The T-money card can be bought at certain ticket vending/reload machines at subway stations. You can also buy and reload the card at a convenience stores (7-11, GS25, CU, Ministop)with a T-money sign displayed in the window.
The T-money card itself costs 2,500 won. You can pay for the card by cash or by card, but it can only be reloaded by cash.
How to use
Touch the card to the card reader. It will make a sound to tell you that it has read your card successfully. If it has not managed to read your card, the card reader will also make a sound, and will play a recorded message that tells you to tap your card again.
You do not have to take your card out of your wallet to use. The card reader should be able to read through your wallet, as long as your wallet isn't too thick, and there aren't any other RF cards nearby. Some like to keep their card inside their phone case.
Reloading
The card can be reloaded at convenience stores, or at the machines in subway stations.
The machines in subway stations accept all Korean coins except for 5원 and 1원.
Checking Your Balance
Postpaid
An easier, hassle-free way of managing T-money is to NOT use T-money cards. Instead, use a bank card with the postpaid public transit (후불교통) feature. Your accumulated total will be debited from your account once a month or twice a month, depending on your bank. Most cards do not include this by default - you must ask the bank teller for a card with postpaid public transit. A benefit of doing this is that some cards will give you a discount (5%-10%) on your public transit fares, and your spending gets automatically reported to the tax board and may help lower your year-end tax bill.
- Kookmin Bank (KB) requires a 30,000원 cash deposit from all foreigners.
- KEB Hana Bank does not require a deposit.
