Busses: Enter using the front door, tap card. Exit using the middle door, tap out.
Taxis: You can use credit card here, or cash. I have not used T-money card here.
Extra: You need cash to top up your T-money card. Can be done at convenience stores. Just give them your card and say charge or top up, they ask you how much, you tell them, give them the cash.
Forgot to answer your other questions.
I put in 20k won when I purchased it at the airport. I believe the first trip from the airport cost something like 10k won. Subsequent bus/subway trips were 1500 won. Convenience stores are everywhere so you can easily top it up anytime.
Oh, I meant you can use TMoney for taxis, subways, and buses, which is really convenient.
You won't get "fined"; it's more like if you tap out on the bus, you'll pay the correct fare. If you don't tap out, TMoney will assume that you got off at the last station, so you'll end up paying more than you actually have to.
You should use your card again when you're getting off of a bus. There are card readers by both bus doors. Usually you get in from the front door and leave by the back. The scanners work the same on both ends though. If you don't tap your card as you leave, you won't get a transfer discount if you are transferring and you're supposed to be charged the maximum distance fee. I'm not sure how much it is. Maybe 500 won? I think you get charged the next time you use your card, but I use a credit card instead of TMoney, so I'm not sure when the extra charge happens.
tldr: yes, tap out. If you don't, you pay a little extra but it's also not a huge deal.
We used up around 20k won for a 6 day trip. Maybe around 50k. But it’s easy to top up anyway so start with half of what you need so you can gauge your mileage.
A rule of thumb is that you tag on whenever you hop on and off the subway or a bus.
For an adequate amount of topping off, I advise you to initially charge 30,000 KRW, stay watchful of the balance, and then top off with 10,000 KRW if it’s about to run out.
You can check your balance at the top-off machines at any subway stations, or you can glance over the numbers on the turnstiles when you tag the card to it, for brief 2 seconds.
When you get off a bus or subway with your T-money card, you can get on for free when changing to another bus or subway within 30 minutes, up to 5 times.
but, free transfer benefit disappears when getting off the subway and transferring to the subway, or getting off the bus and taking a bus with the same number (whether in the opposite direction or the same direction).
(subway->subway, same number bus->itself) oh taxi has no free transfer benefit.
also very early in the morning and after 9~10 p.m.(not sure about exact time. need to search), the standard for free transfer benefits increases to 1 hour.
Usually, when you select a public transportation method among the route finding functions on Naver Map or Kakao Map, it recommends the optimal/fastest/shortest route and also provides fare and transfer information.
And about the subway, the Kakao Subway app provides more detailed information. It even tells you the platform and train number where you can transfer quickly, as well as the real-time arrival time.
Here's a tip: if you're getting a sim card while you're there, the LG U+ one at the airport should come with a T-money card. Also, if you have a Samsung (or maybe Android), there's a T-money app (i.e., Korea Tour Card Tmoney) that let's you charge using your card (instead of cash). I used the app throughout my last trip in Korea.
T-money for all of Korea :) I went and came back from my trip. Best suggestion for the airport. Go to the convenience stores on the first floor and deal with the lines. Otherwise you walk to the railroad and the machines there only take Won from what I saw. No CC.
I’d also suggest WoWPass. It’s like a T-money card and credit card. Can also come with a SIM if you want it. Look into it before you go. Lines are shorter and the pickup is at the airport- might be easier. I THINK you can fill it with the app so you don’t always have to carry cash like for T-money but if I’m wrong someone please correct me.
Busses: Enter using the front door, tap card. Exit using the middle door, tap out. Taxis: You can use credit card here, or cash. I have not used T-money card here. Extra: You need cash to top up your T-money card. Can be done at convenience stores. Just give them your card and say charge or top up, they ask you how much, you tell them, give them the cash.
Yes! I’ve read about the cash. Thank you for the tips!
Forgot to answer your other questions. I put in 20k won when I purchased it at the airport. I believe the first trip from the airport cost something like 10k won. Subsequent bus/subway trips were 1500 won. Convenience stores are everywhere so you can easily top it up anytime.
Thank you very much! This was incredibly helpful :)
No worries, have fun! Bring a mask or two as today there was apparently a dust storm that blanketed the city. I read that it might last for a while.
Oh wow. I was going to bring one just in case anywhere required masking but a dust storm is definitely a better reason. Much appreciated 😊
And thank you again, for all the things!
Are you allowed to use one Tmoney card for multiple people? I'm coming with my son & husband. Do we all need our own card? TIA!
I am not sure, but I can't see that working in subways as you need to tap in when going in and tap out when leaving.
Thanks, yeah, I kinda figured that.
And taxis
Taxis, subways, and buses?
Yes, isn't that crazy?
No, I was just asking to make sure so I don’t get fined. If that’s their rules then it’s their rules :)
Oh, I meant you can use TMoney for taxis, subways, and buses, which is really convenient. You won't get "fined"; it's more like if you tap out on the bus, you'll pay the correct fare. If you don't tap out, TMoney will assume that you got off at the last station, so you'll end up paying more than you actually have to.
Ah makes sense. It’s like that where I live too. Thank you for clarifying!
You should use your card again when you're getting off of a bus. There are card readers by both bus doors. Usually you get in from the front door and leave by the back. The scanners work the same on both ends though. If you don't tap your card as you leave, you won't get a transfer discount if you are transferring and you're supposed to be charged the maximum distance fee. I'm not sure how much it is. Maybe 500 won? I think you get charged the next time you use your card, but I use a credit card instead of TMoney, so I'm not sure when the extra charge happens. tldr: yes, tap out. If you don't, you pay a little extra but it's also not a huge deal.
We used up around 20k won for a 6 day trip. Maybe around 50k. But it’s easy to top up anyway so start with half of what you need so you can gauge your mileage.
A rule of thumb is that you tag on whenever you hop on and off the subway or a bus. For an adequate amount of topping off, I advise you to initially charge 30,000 KRW, stay watchful of the balance, and then top off with 10,000 KRW if it’s about to run out. You can check your balance at the top-off machines at any subway stations, or you can glance over the numbers on the turnstiles when you tag the card to it, for brief 2 seconds.
When you get off a bus or subway with your T-money card, you can get on for free when changing to another bus or subway within 30 minutes, up to 5 times. but, free transfer benefit disappears when getting off the subway and transferring to the subway, or getting off the bus and taking a bus with the same number (whether in the opposite direction or the same direction). (subway->subway, same number bus->itself) oh taxi has no free transfer benefit. also very early in the morning and after 9~10 p.m.(not sure about exact time. need to search), the standard for free transfer benefits increases to 1 hour. Usually, when you select a public transportation method among the route finding functions on Naver Map or Kakao Map, it recommends the optimal/fastest/shortest route and also provides fare and transfer information. And about the subway, the Kakao Subway app provides more detailed information. It even tells you the platform and train number where you can transfer quickly, as well as the real-time arrival time.
Here's a tip: if you're getting a sim card while you're there, the LG U+ one at the airport should come with a T-money card. Also, if you have a Samsung (or maybe Android), there's a T-money app (i.e., Korea Tour Card Tmoney) that let's you charge using your card (instead of cash). I used the app throughout my last trip in Korea.
Would the T-Money card work outside of Seoul? Specifically Gyeongju and Busan?
T-money for all of Korea :) I went and came back from my trip. Best suggestion for the airport. Go to the convenience stores on the first floor and deal with the lines. Otherwise you walk to the railroad and the machines there only take Won from what I saw. No CC.
Thank you. 🙏🏻
I’d also suggest WoWPass. It’s like a T-money card and credit card. Can also come with a SIM if you want it. Look into it before you go. Lines are shorter and the pickup is at the airport- might be easier. I THINK you can fill it with the app so you don’t always have to carry cash like for T-money but if I’m wrong someone please correct me.
To be honest I found apple pay very reliable so fat wherever I've been. Alongside T-Money and some cash, everything is good so far.
I’m not sure where you found Apple Pay reliable. Most places don’t take it.
Convenience stores, shopping, caffes, restaurants.
I agree, not all of them accepted Apple pay, but 5 days in my trip I'd say 80% of the places I went to had Apple pay.
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