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
  • In the Incheon International Airport
  • At a Convenience Store
  • At a Namane Kiosk
• Pre-purchase T-Money Cards With Extra Tourist Benefits
  • Buy a Combo T-Money + SIM Card To Pick Up At The Airport
  • Get the WowPass and Top Up with 16 Different Currencies
  • Purchase a Discover Seoul Pass
  • Get a Visit Busan Pass
  • Buy a Custom T-Money Card aka the Namane Card

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.)

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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.

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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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

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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.

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.

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!

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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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