Seoul's subway is the best in the world for visitors — cheap, clean, and signed in English everywhere. The only decision you need to make is what to tap with. Here is the honest breakdown.
T-Money: The Default
The T-money card costs 4,000 KRW at any convenience store or subway station vending machine, then you load it with cash. Base subway fare is 1,500 KRW with a card (1,600 cash), and transfers between subway and bus within 30 minutes are free or heavily discounted — that transfer discount alone makes the card worth it. It also works on buses, taxis, and at convenience stores nationwide, including Busan and Jeju. Keep it for your whole Korea trip.
Climate Card: The Unlimited Option
Seoul's Climate Card (Gihoo Donghaeng Card) is the unlimited-ride option: around 62,000–65,000 KRW for 30 days of unlimited Seoul subway and city bus rides, plus Ttareungyi bike share. The catch: it only works within Seoul — it does not cover Shinbundang line segments outside the city, some red buses, or anything in Busan or Jeju. Do the math: you need roughly 45+ rides in a month to break even. For a typical 4–5 day tourist visit, T-money wins. For a two-week stay heavy on subway use, the Climate Card pays for itself.
Charging and Refunds
Charge T-money at any station machine or convenience store — cash only at the machines, and they take 1,000/5,000/10,000 won notes. Machines have an English button. Leftover balance under 20,000 KRW can be refunded at convenience stores for a 500 KRW fee; the 4,000 card cost itself is not refundable, so treat it as a souvenir.
Practical Notes
- Tap in AND out on buses, or you lose the transfer discount and get charged the max fare.
- The subway runs roughly 5:30 to midnight. After that it is night buses (N-prefixed) or Kakao T taxis.
- Naver Map or KakaoMap — not Google Maps — for accurate transit routing. Google still cannot do walking directions in Korea.