Transport & Payment: T-money, Subway, Map Apps & Cards

Korea is easy to get around once you have one card and the right apps. Set these up on day one and the rest of your trip gets simpler.

The T-money card: one tap for everything

A T-money card is a rechargeable transit card you tap on subway gates and buses. Buy one for a small fee at any convenience store (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, emart24) or station machine, then top it up with cash at the same places.

The same card works on subways and buses nationwide, in taxis, and even to pay at convenience stores and many vending machines. Transfers between bus and subway within a time window are discounted automatically when you tap out.

If you are staying in Seoul and using transit heavily, look at the Climate Card (Gihu-donghaeng Card), an unlimited-ride monthly pass for Seoul subway and buses.

  • Tap in and tap out - tapping out gives you transfer discounts and correct fares.
  • Keep a small cash balance topped up; refunds of remaining balance are possible at convenience stores.

Use Naver Map or Kakao Map, not Google

Google Maps has limited walking and driving directions inside Korea for legal mapping reasons, so locals rely on Naver Map and Kakao Map. Both have English interfaces and give accurate subway, bus, walking, and driving routes, plus real-time arrivals - see Essential Apps for direct download links and QR codes.

For taxis, Kakao T is the standard hailing app. You can call a regular metered taxi to your pin; paying in the app needs a registered card, but you can also pay the driver directly by card or T-money.

  • Download Naver Map or Kakao Map before you arrive.
  • Search place names in Korean inside the apps for best results - copy-paste from listings.

Paying: cards, cash, and mobile wallets

Korea is heavily card-based. Foreign Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards work at hotels, chain stores, department stores, and larger restaurants. Contactless is common.

Keep some cash and a topped-up T-money card for traditional markets, small family restaurants, and street food, where cards are less reliable. ATMs marked "Global" or "Foreign Card" accept overseas cards.

Local mobile wallets like Naver Pay and Kakao Pay are everywhere, but registering usually needs a Korean bank account and phone number, so they suit residents more than short-term visitors.

  • Carry a backup of cash for markets and street vendors.
  • Tell your bank you are travelling so foreign-card payments are not blocked.

Currency exchange

You get reasonable rates at banks and licensed exchange booths in areas like Myeongdong in Seoul; airport exchange counters are convenient but usually give weaker rates. Withdrawing won from a Global ATM with your home card is often competitive - check your card’s foreign fees first.

Carry your passport for larger exchanges. Keep receipts if you plan to convert leftover won back before you leave.

  • City exchange booths often beat airport counters.
  • Compare your card’s ATM fees against cash exchange rates.

Quick answers

Can I use one T-money card for two people?
On buses and taxis you can usually tap for multiple passengers by telling the driver the number; on the subway each person needs their own tap through the gate, so each traveller should carry a card.
Is the subway hard to use in English?
No. Stations and trains are numbered and signposted in English, with announcements in multiple languages on major lines. Naver Map and Kakao Map guide you station by station.
Should I rent a car?
For cities, no - transit is faster and parking is hard. For rural regions like parts of Jeju or the coast, a car helps. You will need an International Driving Permit alongside your home licence.

Last updated: 2026-07-08