How to use the Tmoney card in Korea: Guide for Malaysians

If you’re planning to travel to Korea soon, you might be wondering how to get around. The Korean public transport system is efficient and easy to use, as long as you're in a major city like Seoul and Busan. While you can buy a ticket using cash, the Tmoney card allows you to get on trains and buses with just a tap.

In this piece, we’ll delve deeper into the Tmoney card, which you can use for fare payments, taxi fares, at convenience stores and more. We'll also touch on how the Wise card can help you save money when converting ringgit to Korean won.

What is the Tmoney card in Korea?

The Tmoney card¹ is a contactless stored-value smart card that can be used to pay for public transport, taxi fares, meals and more. Whether at retail shops, restaurants, convenience stores or attractions, you’ll be able to use the Tmoney card for payment as long as you see the Tmoney logo there.

Korea Tmoney card price

Tmoney card prices start from just 3,000 KRW for basic cards, and can go up to as high as 12,900 KRW for sticker cards² that can be attached to the back of a phone for convenience. Train rides cost 1,500 KRW if you get a single-use ticket, and bus rides vary, but can cost anywhere from 400 KRW for children to 3,000 KRW for adults, depending on which buses are taken³.

If you use a Tmoney card, you’ll be able to save 100 KRW per ride for adults. While it may not seem like a lot, it can certainly add up if you’re taking a lot of short rides around the city.

Where to buy Tmoney card in Seoul?

Not sure where to buy a Tmoney card in Seoul? It’s super convenient, with cards being available at convenience stores like 7-Eleven, CU, Mini Stop, E-Mart 24 and more⁴. There are plenty of different designs to choose from, and some cards can even be customised. If you’re a K-Pop fan, you might even be lucky enough to find charms of your favourite members.

Tmoney cards can also be purchased at Tmoney Service Centers and Tmoney vending machines.

If you’re wondering where to buy a Tmoney card in Incheon Airport right after landing, you have a few options. There are normal Tmoney cards at the convenience stores in the airport, but you can also get a Korea Tour Card from the AREX vending machine at B1 of Incheon Airport Terminal 1⁵. The Korea Tour Card comes with numerous discounts for attraction entry tickets, F&B outlets, museums and more, which can be handy to save some money.

Where can I use the Tmoney card?

The Tmoney card can be used to pay for public transport fares, taxi rides, purchases at convenience stores, payments for meals in restaurants and more. All you have to do is look out for the Tmoney logo and make sure that Tmoney is accepted as a form of payment.

How to use the Tmoney card in Korea?

The Tmoney card doesn’t come with pre-loaded value, so you will need to top up the card before using it. To use the card for public transport, just tap in at a reader or gantry when starting your journey, and tap out when exiting the bus or train station.

For taxi payments or paying for purchases, there should be a grey reader available for you to place your card on to pay.

How to top up Tmoney card

If you’re trying to figure out how to top up your Tmoney card, it’s quite simple. The card can be topped up at Ticket Vending and Card Reload Devices at subway stations, and you can also recharge your Tmoney card at convenience stores.

Unfortunately, you can only top up Tmoney cards with cash, so no credit cards or debit cards will be accepted.

Can I use Tmoney card in Busan

Tmoney cards can be used across Korea, so you don’t have to worry about getting a new card specifically for different cities like Busan or Jeju. Even if the city you’re in doesn’t have a subway (like Jeju), you can still top up your Tmoney card in convenience stores there.

Does the Tmoney card expire?

The Tmoney card does not expire, and any unused balance on the card will remain there until used. However, if you’re not planning to visit Korea in the future, you can return the Tmoney card and get a refund. The cost of the card will not be refunded, however, and there will be a 500 KRW service charge levied.

Namane card vs Tmoney vs Climate card

There are more contactless smart cards than just the Tmoney card, however, and we’ll be pitting some other transport cards together to see which one might be right for you.

Pay for shopping, food and more in Korea with the Wise card

Before your get on your flight to South Korea, make sure you get a Wise account set up before you go. With the ability to hold 40+ currencies and convert between them at the mid-market rate with low fees⁸, it’s perfect for getting your money converted to KRW in advance. Unlike some providers which factor these fees into your exchange rates, you’ll be able to see exactly what you’re paying for with Wise.

If you order a linked Wise card, you’ll be able to make purchases in 150+ countries and make contactless payments in Korea without having to worry about extra conversion fees if you have KRW in your Wise account. And at times where you need cash, you’ll be able to make a few free withdrawals from local ATMs of up to 1,000 MYR.

Worried about carrying too many physical cards with you? Wise offers up to 3 free virtual cards which you can add to Apple Pay or Google Pay for even more convenience. You can freeze and unfreeze your cards any time from the Wise app so you can rest assured that your money is safe.

Whether it’s on meals, clothes or more, bring along your Wise card on your next Korean adventure to enjoy even more savings and a whole lot of convenience.

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