T-money
Best for youpay-as-you-go
Getting around Korea, made simple.
Answer a few questions, get the right transit card and route — with sources you can trust.
Something went wrong? Fix a transport problemField guides
Fares & rules checked Jul 2026 · Seoul Metro, AREX, Korea Tourism Org.
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Transit card
Where will you spend most time?
The Climate Card only works inside Seoul, so this comes first.
Our recommendation
Also considered
Incheon → Seoul
Tell us your trip and we’ll rank the ways in.
Where to?
Luggage
What matters most?
Ranked for Myeongdong
Times are typical off-peak. Fares checked Jul 2026.
Field guides
HELP NOW Bus, subway or KTX problem?GUIDE 01
Read Korean subway signs
2 Euljiro 3-ga 을지로3가 · 203
← City HallEuljiro 4-ga →
- 1 Match the line colour and number to your route map — Line 2 is always green, Line 1 dark blue, and so on.
- 2 Read the next station name to confirm you’re heading the right way before boarding.
- 3 Follow the yellow exit signs; each exit number lands you on a different street corner.
GUIDE 02
Ride a city bus
- 1 Bus colour tells you the type: blue = main routes, green = local, red = express to suburbs.
- 2 Board at the front and tap your T-money card on the reader.
- 3 Press the red button before your stop, then tap out at the rear door as you leave.
GUIDE 03
Book a KTX train
- 1 Search your route on the Korail app or at a station kiosk (English available).
- 2 Choose a standard seat; first class rarely justifies the extra fare on short hops.
- 3 Show the mobile ticket QR — no printing, no gates in most stations.
GUIDE 04
Top up a T-money card
- 1 Buy the card at any convenience store (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) for ₩2,500.
- 2 Reload cash at the store counter or a station machine — cards only at machines.
- 3 Keep ₩5,000–10,000 loaded per day of city travel to avoid frequent top-ups.