T-money

This article is about the rechargeable smart devices. For other uses, see T-money (disambiguation).

T-money (Korean: 티머니) is a rechargeable series of smart cards and other "smart" devices used for paying transportation fares in South Korea. T-money can also be used in lieu of cash or credit cards in some convenience stores and other businesses. The T-money System has been implemented and is being operated by T-money Co., Ltd of which 34.4% owned by Seoul Special City Government, 31.85% owned by LG CNS, and 15.73% owned by Credit Card Union.

T-money (One Dream-I Card)
티머니(한꿈이카드)

Location	South Korea
Launched	April 22 2004
Technology	ISO/IEC 14443 Type A/B KS X 6923/6924
Operator	T-money Corporation
Manager	T-money Corporation
Currency	KRW (500,000 KRW maximum load)
Credit expiry	None
Auto recharge	available
Validity	Rapid transit systems in Seoul Capital Area, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon Public transport bus systems in Seoul Capital Area (excluding Baengnyeong Island), Daejeon, Sejong, South Chungcheong, Daegu, Busan, Ulsan, Jeju etc. Taxis that have a card reader (Seoul Capital Area, Daejeon, Busan, Daegu, Ulsan, Gwangju, Jeju etc.) many Convenience stores
Retailed	Subway stations convenience store and kiosk Korea Post, Credit union, Hana Bank, Shinhan Bank(Jeju Bank), and Woori Bank, KB Financial Group Inc, Nonghyup Bank
Variants	T-money Mpass POP card
Website	eng.tmoney.co.kr/en/aeb/main/main/readMain.dev

Usage

Similar to its predecessor, the "Seoul Bus Card", T-money can be used to pay for bus, subway and some taxi fares. As of June 2024, T-money is accepted by:

• All public transport buses nationwide
• All six Metropolitan Subway networks (Seoul, Incheon, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, and Gwangju)
• AREX, U Line, EverLine, Shinbundang Line, Donghae Line (Metro) and Busan–Gimhae Light Rail Transit
• Korail ticket offices
• Toll booths operated by Korea Expressway Corporation

Additionally, shops and attractions including Seoul's four palaces (except Gyeonghuigung), Lotte World amusement park, Kyobo Book Centre, GS 25, CU/FamilyMart and other selected convenience stores accept T-money as payment method.

Card types

Standard

T-money cards cost 3,000 - 5,000 Won and can be purchased and recharged at metro stations, bank ATMs, convenience stores and kiosks located adjacent to bus stops. Self-service recharge machines are also available at Seoul and Busan metro stations.

In 2014, "One Card All Pass"-enabled T-money was introduced. It holds "One Card All Pass" logo, and bears slightly different card number system compared to generic T-money. As of March 2016, "One Card All Pass" T-money is accepted at major retailers, most express bus and some intercity bus routes, express road toll booths, Korail stations, all metro systems, and all bus systems except Gimhae.

Discount cards

There are two types of discount cards available for sale, one for teenagers (age 13-18) and the other for children (age 7-12). One needs a proper ID such as a Youth Card or Student ID in order to purchase these cards. Discount cards must be registered via the Internet within 10 days after first use. Registration requires the number on the card, and a National ID number or Foreigner Registration Number. Senior citizens are entitled to free transportation and can pick up free tickets at ticket machine in Seoul metropolitan subway stations with proper ID.

T-money accessories

Smaller, more durable T-money cards with a lanyard for easy attachment to cell phones are also available, for about 6,000~8,000 won.

Related cards

• Metro Pass (정기권), a monthly pass for the Seoul and Incheon subway systems available at stations.
• T-money Mpass, a one-day transportation card incorporating the Seoul City Tour Bus ticket and limited use of the metropolitan transportation system.
• Seoul Citypass Plus is a T-money with extra benefits at tourist spots.
• Mobile T-money is a RF-/NFC-Subscriber Identity Module based T-money service. Mobile T-money application is available on Google Play and each mobile service provider's ESD.

Other cards

• eB Card (eBest Card, used in Gyeonggi & Incheon province), now discontinued. → See cashBee.
• Sensepass T-money, previously Topcash T-money, sold in the Gyeongsangnam and Gyeongsangbuk Provinces except Andong. Not wholly compatible with Smart T-money.
• Hankkumi card, sold in Daejeon. This is a rebranded version of Smart T-money.
• POP card, sold in GS25. This is a rebranded Smart T-money with GS&Point and Happy Point loyalty card.
• Narasarang Card, issued by Shinhan Card·Shinhan Bank and NMD/MMA. This is a K-Cash enabled debit card with POP card functionality. This card is only issued to ROTC officers and ROK Armed Forces enlisted person including KATUSA.

See also

• RFID

External links

• Official site in Korean and in English
• Seoul Citypass
• T-Money: Seoul Official Tourism Archived 7 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine
• Official site Hankkumi card