What is T-money
T-money is a transportation card as well as a device used to
pay for taxi fares as well as transactions at convenience stores. The
T-money function is often added onto various payment (credit/debit) and
discount travel cards. It can be used on public buses and subways in several
different metropolitan cities and locations including Seoul, Gyeonggi-do,
Daejeon, Incheon, Daegu and Busan.
T-money can be
used when transferring from one bus to another, one subway line to another, or
from bus to subway or vice versa (within a transfer time limit) at no extra
charge. Also, T-money does away with the hassle of purchasing single journey
subway tickets. When you are finished using your T-money card, the remaining
balance can be refunded after a 500 won service charge.
How to use T-money
1. Bus
- Upon boarding the bus, place your T-money card on the sensor bearing the T-money logo located at the front of the bus until it beeps. The sensor will display the amount charged on the top and the remaining balance at the bottom.
- Before getting off the bus, place the T-money card on the sensor located at the back of the bus until it beeps. It will display any additional charges, which are levied by distance traveled, and can now be used for free transfers within a specific time limit.
2. Subway
- Place your T-money card on the sensor bearing the T-money logo located on top of each of the subway turnstiles until it beeps. The sensor will display the amount charged on the top and the remaining balance at the bottom. If you are transferring, the amount charge may appear as “0” (zero).
- Place the T-money card on the sensor until it beeps when exiting through the turnstiles. It will display any additional charges, which are levied by distance traveled, and can now be used for free transfers within a specific time limit.
3. Taxi
- These days, many taxis accept payment via T-money card. In general, the payment terminal is affixed between the driver’s seat and the passenger seat. Inform the taxi driver that you want to pay with a T-money card, tap your card on the terminal, and your taxi fare will be automatically paid from your T-money card’s balance. However, if the fare is more than your T-money balance, your full T-money balance will be deducted from the taxi fare and you will have to pay the remaining fare via different means.
4. Transfer Discounts
- Transfer discounts are applied on bus/subway fares only when using T-money. For instance, when transferring while traveling within a 10km distance, if you use T-money, the transfer is free. This is a much better deal than using cash, as you would have to pay the basic fare each time you transfer.
T-money vendors or ticket vending
The T-money card is rechargeable at any
of the T-money vendors or ticket vending and card reload devices inside subway
stations.
Recharging T-money Cards Recharging T-money Cards
1. Select your preferred language (Korean, English,
Japanese, Chinese).
2. Touch the “T-money Card” box on the right side of the
screen.
3. Place your T-money card on the recharging pad.
4. Select the amount of money you wish to recharge.
5. Pay the total recharge amount.
6. Wait briefly while the device recharges your T-money
card. Once the card is recharged, confirm its balance.
How To Receive T-money Refund
For a remaining T-money balance of 20,000 won or less, you
may receive a refund following a 500 won service fee at a partner convenience
store (GS 25, CU, 7-Eleven, Mini Stop,
With Me, Buy The Way) bearing the T-money logo.
If the remaining balance
exceeds 20,000 won, you may receive a refund at the T-money Headquarters (1F of
Korea Smart Card Corporation Ltd.*), therefore it is recommended for you to
recharge only as much as you will need.
T-money cards are not returnable,
however they make good souvenirs to remember a trip to Korea. For more
information, please visit the official T-money website and click “Foreigner
Registration.”
M-Pass Card
Metropolitan Pass or M-Pass is a transportation card that
offers 20 rides a day for the duration of the pass in the Seoul Metropolitan
City area and Jeju.
M-Passes come in five different types: 1-day, 2-day, 3-day,
5-day and 7-day passes. They are valid for the designated time period, and expire
at midnight on the last day of validity.
As M-Pass has the T-money function, it can be used on buses,
taxis, and at select convenience stores as long as there is a usable T-money
balance. Once you have used all of the M-pass’ allotted subway rides, it can
still be used as a T-money card after adding to the balance.
References
Official Site of Korea Tourism
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TR/TR_EN_5_4.jsp
