Using transit cards

The best-known transit cards are T-money and Cashbee (now rebranded as EZL), which work on subways, buses and some taxis. A card bought in Seoul works in many other cities such as Busan and Daegu, but there are exceptions by card, region and route, so check where it is accepted. Some prepaid and tourist cards for foreigners also include a transit function.

You can buy transit cards at convenience stores and at machines in subway stations. Top up at a store counter or a station recharge machine; cash is the most common method, though some newer machines in Seoul accept foreign-issued cards. The card itself costs money separately from the stored value, so budget for both when you first buy one.

Yes. Tap your card on the reader by the rear door when you get off. If you skip it, you lose the transfer discount on your next ride, and you may be charged the base fare again when you board next time. When you tap, you will hear a short beep or message confirming it.

If you tap on and off with a transit card and board another bus or subway within the allowed time, you get a transfer discount. In Seoul and the capital area you generally need to transfer within 30 minutes of getting off, with a longer window at night, and there is a limit on the number of transfers. Reboarding the same bus route does not count.

On the subway, one card lets only one person through the gate, so each traveler needs their own. On buses, you can tell the driver how many people are riding before tapping and pay for everyone with one card. Bus transfer discounts then require the same number of people boarding, alighting and transferring, and subway transfers are not discounted, so separate cards are easier.

You can get the remaining balance refunded at convenience stores or subway service centers in the capital area, usually minus a small fee, and stores have a balance limit. The card price itself is not refunded except for some defective cards. Before you leave, you can also spend the balance at convenience stores, so check the refund rules for your card type.

As of November 2026, tapping a foreign-issued contactless credit card directly on subway gates or bus readers is still being rolled out in stages. A separate option is a mobile transit card, such as adding prepaid T-money to an iPhone wallet. Coverage keeps changing, so check official guidance; the most reliable choice is still a physical transit card.

The Climate Card is Seoul's unlimited public transport pass, with short-term versions sold for visitors. As of November 2026, 30-day top-ups have ended, while short-term passes remain available. It covers Seoul subway sections and Seoul-licensed buses, but excludes lines such as the Shinbundang Line, GTX and buses licensed in other regions. Check the Seoul city government's guidance for sales points and coverage.

If the balance is too low, the gate or bus reader will reject the card and tell you to recharge. Subway stations have recharge machines near the gates, but you cannot top up on a bus. Keep a comfortable balance on your card while traveling to avoid getting stuck.

Children and teenagers get discounted fares, but only after a date of birth is registered on the transit card. Some sellers register it at purchase, and discount rules can differ by region. In Seoul, children under six riding with a paying adult travel free, up to a set number per adult, so check the local rules where you travel.

Whether you can use a mobile transit card depends on your device, app and payment method. On iPhone, you can add prepaid T-money to Apple Wallet, and foreigners can now top it up with overseas cards through a separate route in the mobile T-money app. Not every phone or card is supported, though, so for short trips a physical transit card is simplest.

Standard prepaid transit cards are anonymous, so recovering the balance after loss is usually difficult. Simply registering a card does not mean the balance will be transferred automatically; some separate products offer loss reporting and balance protection, but they require their own sign-up. It is safest not to load large amounts at once.

Options include unlimited-ride passes for a set number of days, such as the short-term Climate Card in Seoul, and tourist cards that combine a transit card with discounts at attractions. Each product covers different areas and modes of transport, so compare them with your itinerary. If you will not ride often, a regular transit card may be better value.

Nationally compatible cards such as T-money and EZL work on buses and subways in many cities, including Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Daejeon and Jeju. There are exceptions by card issuer and route, so check where yours is accepted, and transfer rules and discounts differ by region. Some older or region-only cards may not work outside their home area.

Yes. Most transit cards, including T-money, can also be used for payment at convenience stores and some other shops. They are handy for small purchases and for using up your remaining balance before you leave. Stores that accept them often display the card logo at the counter.

At the machines in subway stations, choose your destination and buy a single-journey card, which includes a deposit. When you arrive, put the card into the deposit refund machine to get the deposit back. If you plan to ride often, a rechargeable transit card is more convenient.

If your wallet holds two or more cards with a transit function, the reader cannot tell which to use and shows this message. Take out the one card you want to use and tap it alone. To avoid being charged on the wrong card, keep your transit card separate from other cards.

Many taxis accept transit cards such as T-money for payment. When you arrive, tell the driver you will pay by transit card and tap it on the reader. If your balance is not enough, the payment will fail, so keep a credit card or some cash as a backup.

When you tap the card, the reader briefly displays the remaining balance. You can also place the card on a recharge machine in a subway station to see the balance, or ask at a convenience store. Your top-up receipt also shows the balance after charging.

If your card is not recognized or you think you were charged incorrectly, contact the issuer's customer center listed on the back of the card or ask at a subway station's customer service center. The Korea Travel Hotline at 1330 can also help in several languages. Some card companies let you look up usage history online.