T-money top-up strategy
The T-money card is the easiest way to use Seoul's subway, bus and convenience store POS. But the top-up mechanics trip up almost every first-time visitor: cash-only at convenience stores, T-money-only at subway machines, a ₩30,000 minimum for refund, and the ₩500 fee to get your remaining balance back when you leave. This tool calculates the right top-up amount per top-up so you don't lose value, and warns about the common "I left ₩47,000 in my card" mistake.
Top-up calculator
What this solves
Most guides say "T-money is convenient" and stop there. They don't tell you that the subway station machines only top up the bare T-money, not the M-Pass tourist card. They don't tell you that ₩30,000 is the minimum to claim a refund. They don't tell you that the ₩500 fee on a ₩4,700 leftover is a 10% loss. This tool sizes each top-up correctly and tells you when to use the convenience store vs the subway machine.
Top-up at convenience store
Go to CU, GS25 or 7-Eleven, hand the card and ₩10,000–₩50,000 cash to the cashier. They tap the card on a reader, key in the amount, and you're topped up. Cash only at convenience stores. No card top-up at the counter. Available 24/7.
Top-up at subway machine
Most subway stations have a dedicated T-money balance top-up machine (separate from the ticket machine). It accepts ₩1,000, ₩5,000, ₩10,000, ₩50,000 notes and ₩500 coins. Card top-up via credit/debit is not standard. English menu available.
Refund fee & minimum
To refund your balance at ICN T1/T2 or other refundable location: minimum ₩30,000 balance, plus ₩500 processing fee. Refund below ₩20,000 — usually not worth the queue. Refund available to Korean bank or in cash (USD/EUR).
Tourist combo cards
M-Pass (₩15,000, includes 20 subway trips, valid 1 day). Seoul City Pass Plus (₩55,000, includes 30 attractions). Discover Seoul Pass (₩49,900/24h, includes attractions). Most have English menus at airport or major stations. Not all are T-money — check.
How to read the result
- Per-top-up size = round up daily spend to the nearest ₩10,000.
- Total spend over trip = daily × days, rounded.
- Refund loss = the ₩500 fee + any leftover under ₩30,000 you abandon.
- The "Best strategy" line tells you where to top up and how often.
Limitations
- Subway fare varies by distance, not flat 3 km — daily ₩8,000 is an average, not a quote.
- If you also use the card at convenience stores for snacks (yes, you can), daily spend will be higher.
- The refund location list varies — some Busan/CJU stations don't refund T-money.
- The ₩500 fee is paid in cash at the refund counter, not from the balance.
- Lost cards = unviable, no replacement for tourists.
FAQ
What if I keep losing the card?
Each T-money card is anonymous; once lost, the balance is gone. Buy a ₩2,500 card and add another on top-up, don't keep your full trip's budget on one.
Can I use T-money outside Seoul?
Yes — Busan, Daegu, Incheon subway all accept it. Jeju city bus accepts it. Some rural buses do not.
Is M-Pass worth it?
For a 1-day heavy-subway day in Seoul, M-Pass (20 trips, ₩15,000) beats per-ride if you'd ride 8+ times. For multi-day, plain T-money with day pass wins.
Can I top up with credit card?
At most subway machines, no. At convenience store, no. Only some KB/신한 ATM top-up machines accept cards; not common.