Where To Buy A TMoney Card For Korea
When planning your visit to South Korea, one indispensable item to acquire is a T-Money card. This versatile transportation card is your key to convenient travel on public transportation networks throughout South Korea, including subways, buses and even taxis. After purchasing and loading credit onto your T-Money card, you can begin to hop from transport option to transport option. You can even use Korean T-money cards for shopping at some traditional Korean markets, in convenience stores, and more.
But first, you need to get one. If you’re already in Korea, there area few places you can buy a T-money card, even custom T-money cards. If you’re abroad, you’ve got some great options too. Keep reading to find out more.
Whether you’re in Korea and need a basic T-Money card or are a tourist looking for a combination transportation and debit card, here’s the information you need to know for traveling in Korea:
- What is the T-Money Card
- Benefits of Using a T-Money Card
- Where to Buy a T-Money Card IN Korea
- Pre-purchase T-Money Cards With Extra Tourist Benefits
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What is the T-Money Card
The T-Money card is Korea’s prepaid transportation card that can be used to pay for public transportation including the Seoul Subway System, buses, and even taxis. It makes it easier to travel, but it also provides a slight discount on travel that purchasing tickets for travel in Seoul, doesn’t. The T-Money card can also be used to make purchases in convenience stores, pay at vending machines, and even buy food at traditional markets.
Benefits of Using a T-Money Card
The T-Money card offers numerous benefits that make it easier to travel around Seoul and beyond in South Korea:
- Convenience: With a T-Money card in your pocket, you’ll navigate South Korea’s public transportation system with ease. No need to fumble for cash or worry about purchasing tickets for each ride. The card works on buses, subways, taxis, and can even pay for tolls on the highway. It can even be used to make purchases in convenience stores and some traditional markets.
- Versatility: Beyond its primary use on trains and buses, your T-Money Korea card doubles as a stored value card. This means you can use it in vending machines, for payments at select stores. Participating establishments include most convenience stores, certain larger stores, and numerous food and beverage outlets, as well as even some traditional Korean markets. Just look for the T-Money logo and pad to pay.
- Savings: The T-Money card not only saves you time but also money. You can benefit from discounted fares, especially if you’re traveling with children. By registering your child’s card as a child (ages 6-12) or youth (ages 13-18) card, you unlock discounted fares. Note that if you misuse this feature and use a child’s card as an adult, there are large fines.
Where to Buy a T-Money Card IN Korea
Now, let’s explore the various options to purchase your T-Money card which vary depending on if you’re currently in Korea or currently outside of Korea and are coming as a tourist and perhaps want to get a card that offers a combination of benefits on top of just acting as a transportation card. I’ve separated the info as necessary so if you’re a tourist, skip down below to learn about other cards which offer different benefits beyond just the basic T-Money cards.
In the Incheon International Airport
If you’ve landed and didn’t pre-purchase, no worries, there are vending machines near the Airport Railroad that has T-Money cards for purchase. This is the most convenient place to buy the card if you don’t yet have one and you can find the vending machines right at the entrance to the Airport Railroad so just follow the signs there. The vending machines are at the Transit Center on floor B1 of both terminal 1 and terminal 2.
Inside the machine you’ll see the basic T-Money cards as well as the Korea Tour Card which is a card that acts as a T-Money card and provides other benefits for tourists visiting Korea.
What to know about the Korea Tour Card:
- Cost: W4,000
- How To Buy: The vending machines only work with cash and to top up the cards, you also need cash so make sure you’ve already prepared some Korean Won. Insert money into the vending machine (change is available son don’t worry if you only have a W5,000 or a W10,000 bill). Press the letter and number combination for the card you wish to buy and press the green “Select” button. The vending machine will dispense your card. Collect the change and then go around to the ticketing machines where you can top up the card.
- Up to W500,000 can be loaded onto the card. For refunds, just visit any major convenience store branch nationwide.
- Benefits: There are various benefits specifically geared toward tourists like 20% off at the Korean Temple Food Center, discount on admission to the Paju Imjingak Peace Gondola, 30% discount to the N Seoul Tower, etc. The benefits include places all around the country. Check their website for more information.
- Website: Korea Tour Card
At a Convenience Store
When in South Korea, you can easily acquire a T-Money card at just about any convenience store. I say just about any because from time to time they might run out. Simply request a T-Money card from the store attendant. If you can’t speak Korean, say “T Money” and they’ll know exactly what you need. It’s the same in Korean.
Typically, the cards are kept behind the counter so you won’t be able to spot them in the aisles. The attendant will present you with available design options, and you can select your preferred one. You should note that different designs may cost a bit more. The basic fee for a plain card is 3,000 won, while more elaborate designs, like the Kakao Friends T-Money Card, may cost 4,000 to 5,000 won.
What to know when buying a T-Money card at a convenience store:
- Cost: W3,000 – W5,000
- How To Buy: Simply ask the staff behind the counter for a T-Money Card and they’ll show you the options available. Choose and you can pay with cash. After purchasing the card, hand it back to the staff and ask them to top up. Hand the amount of cash you want to put on the card and they will add it for you.
- If you have children aged 6 to 18: It’s important to note that there are different children’s fares for transportation in Korea and the birthdate of the child must be added to the card to get the fares and this can only be done at a convenience store or at an information center in a subway station. After purchasing a card, any of them will do, hand the card to the attendant and let them know it’s for a child. If you can’t speak Korean, take something with the proof of age/date of birth of your child to show and they can update the card with the info making it a child card. Then you can top it up and you’re good to go.
At a Namane Kiosk
If you’re looking to get a custom card, and this is great if you perhaps have kids that want their favorite cartoon characters on the front, or if you want your favorite K-pop idol but couldn’t find a T-Money card with the picture you liked, then look out for the Namane Kiosks. The Namane card is a combination T-Money Card and debit card with a complimentary app for keeping track of usage and money and you can design it however you like!
Where to buy the Namane custom card:
- There are kiosks throughout the country everywhere from Seoul to Gangwon-do, Busan, Jeollanam-do and beyond. You can find them in the airports, convenience stores and more. To find the nearest kiosk to you, check the list of Namane kiosk locations here.
Pre-purchase T-Money Cards With Extra Tourist Benefits
Now, if you’re outside of Korea looking to visit as a tourist, there are some great combination cards that provide transportation services but also provide discounts and other benefits. One of these cards may provide the benefits beyond the basic transportation card that you can use. These cards can all be picked up right at the airport when you arrive.
Buy a Combo T-Money + SIM Card To Pick Up At The Airport
In a recent innovative offering, you can obtain a T-Money Card combined with a SIM Card that works in Korea. After removing your sim card, the remaining card functions as your T-Money card. If you’re considering purchasing a SIM Card anyway, which I recommend for traveling in Korea, this could be a good option for you.
Where to get the T-Money + SIM Card combo:
- Klook offers a T-Money Card + 5 Day SIM Card or a T-Money Card + 10 Day SIM Card
- The cards can be picked up conveniently in Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 as well as Gimpo International Airport.
- Klook also offers longer SIM cards with unlimited data + FREE T-Money Card if you think you’ll need more data or need the card for a lengthier time period (up to 60 days!).
- The cards can be picked up conveniently in Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 as well as Gimpo International Airport.
- kkday offers a combination LG U+ SIM Card and T-Money Card valid for anywhere from 5 days to 60 days.
Get the WowPass and Top Up with 16 Different Currencies
The WowPass is a pre-paid card for cashless payments in Korea, which is becoming more and more popular, and the card can be used as a T-Money card. You can conveniently pre-purchase it through Klook and set it up upon your arrival in South Korea.
Benefits: The card can be topped up with 16 different currencies at over 90 machines in major subways, hotels, and airports in Korea and then the card can be used similarly to a debit card. The card also has a complimentary mobile app so you can keep track of balance and usage history. This card also offers discounts at major vendors like 10% cashback on purchases at Lotte Duty Free, 20% cashback at CU convenience stores, and more.
Where to get the WowPass:
- Klook offers a discounted rate on the WowPass card
- You can also find a great rate on the WowPass card on kkday.
Purchase a Discover Seoul Pass
The Discover Seoul Pass, available for 24, 48, or 72 hours, provides free access to over 50 major attractions in Seoul and discounted access to over 100 other tourist attractions. This pass can also be used as a T-Money Card, and provides a free trip on the Airport Railroad. For a full list of benefits, discover more about the Discover Seoul Pass with itineraries.
Where to buy the Discover Seoul Pass:
- You can pre-purchase the Discover Seoul Pass on Klook or find the Discover Seoul Pass on kkday.
Get a Visit Busan Pass
You might look at the name and think, “Hey, what’s all this about? I need a transportation card for Seoul!” and I would get that. But, if you’re heading to Busan on your trip to Korea, the Visit Busan Pass might be a great value option.
Available for 24 or 48 hours, offering free access to over 30 major attractions in Busan and discounted access to other tourist attractions, the card is also a T-Money card. It’s great value if you’ll be spending a weekend in Busan on your trip to Korea.
Where to get the Visit Busan Pass:
- You can pre-purchase the Visit Busan Pass on Klook or find the Visit Busan Pass on kkday.
Buy a Custom T-Money Card aka the Namane Card
For a unique and personalized touch, consider the Namane Card. This card can be customized with your photos or from their library of images and is available for W7,000 upfront, with no credit loaded. Want a card with your face? Your favorite K-pop idol? Or perhaps just a picture of your favorite Hallyu character, you have all of the options in the world. This is also great if you have kids that are super specific and really want that card with Tayo on it or perhaps Pororo, the little Penguin, or their favorite cartoon character. Whatever it is, it’s your choice!
Benefits: The card has an complimentary app so you can keep track of usage and amount on the card. The card acts as a transportation card as well as a debit card and offers various discounts at Korean restaurants and shops.
Where to buy the Namane Card:
- Pre-purchase a Namane Card on Klook or you can find the Namane Card on kkday as well.
Whether you want to visit your local convenience store, or create a custom T-Money card with Namane, or get a combo card with added benefits, these are all of the T-Money card options for you as a resident or a tourist. Good luck out there!
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