Anyway, since most of my friends are not even aware that there is such a thing called "T-money", well it's time for a quick lesson! =)
In simple, T-money is a transportation card used in a certain places in Korea. It acts like a Touch n Go for Malaysians. T-money is one of the best little things I've stumble upon before my trip to Seoul, maybe & possibly is also the greatest invention to ever step in a big city like Seoul & some of the surroundings districts.
So, Why Bother Using T-Money
It save you some $$. Eventhou its not much, but T-money gives you 100W basic cash fare, which is 1,050won for every 10km. Since transportation cost in Seoul is figured by distance, the T-money card will gives you a discount on up to 4 transfers in the subways and buses when you need to (but within the 10km distance of course). Compare to the normal one-way subway ticket which cost 1,150won, you can save 100won..Not much but~~Let's just say every penny counts!
Can be used in metro buses as well.
Areas accepting T-Money
Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi-do, Cheonan, Asan, Pohang, Jeju, Andong, Tongyeong, and Geoje
And where can you purchase these T-money card: All Convenience stores bearing the T-Money logo, and Ticket Vending and Card Reload Devices inside subway stations
T-Money Price
Regular T-money cost you 2,500won, but T-money comes in all shape & sizes. Such as key chains, phone charms, etc..which range from 2,500won till 25,000won. Different cards are sold at different locations. You may even find your favourite k-pop idols T-Money at the k-pop stores. Check out the link below for all available T-money sold in Korea & where it's sold. *You have to be able to read Hanguk thou (>^.^<)*
Website: http://www.t-money.co.kr/jsp/tpub/tint/buy_guide.jsp
I got mine! But just a regular phone-charm type. I want 2PM or Big Bang's one thou~~ Maybe I will get it the next time I'm there! hehe... =D
♫♪♫~~Tips~~♫♪♫
Tip 1: T-Money is refundable, but you have to pay a 500won fee. If your balance is under 20,000W, just take your T-money to a convenience store to receive the refund on the balance only; however, some convenience stores are unable to refund the money. If your balance is more than 20,000W, you have to take it to the T-money headquarters right outside of Seoul Station, Exit #8 to get your money back.
Tip 2: T-Money NEVER Expires! Period. You could use it next time you are in Seoul! =)
How to Use T-Money
Bus
1. Upon boarding the bus, place a 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.
2. Before getting off the bus, place the T-money card on the sensor located at the back of the bus until it beeps in order to receive a discount at the next use (within a transfer time limit).
Subway
1. Place a 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).
2. Place the T-money card on the sensor until it beeps when leaving the subway platform in order to receive a discount at the next use (within a transfer time limit).
Pics credits to TTMIK |
Transfer discounts are imposed on bus/subway fares only when using T-money. For instance, when transferring five times while traveling a total distance of 10km, you can either use T-money to pay the base rate of 1,050 won at the departure point and no additional charges at subsequent transfers, or use cash to pay the base cash rate of 1,150 won at each transfer, which would incur a total of 5,750 won (1,150 won x 5 transfers).
Rule of thumb: In order to receive transfer discounts using T-money, you must place the card on the sensor when boarding and getting off a bus/subway.
Seoul Transportation Fare Information / Transportation Card vs. Cash
Transportation | Age group | T-money | Cash | Note |
Subway | Adults | 1,050 won | 1,150 won | Base fare (first 10㎞): 1,050 won 10-40㎞: 100 won per 5㎞ +40㎞: 100 won per 10㎞ |
Youth | 720 won | 1,000 won | ||
Children | 450 won | 450 won | ||
Blue Bus / Green Bus (4-digit number) | Adults | 1,050 won | 1,150 won | Up to three children (age 6 and under) accompanied by an adult may ride the bus for free |
Youth | 720 won | 1,000 won | ||
Children | 450 won | 450 won | ||
Green Village Bus (2-digit number) | Adults | 750 won | 850 won | |
Youth | 480 won | 550 won | ||
Children | 300 won | 300 won | ||
Yellow Bus | Adults | 850 won | 950 won | |
Youth | 560 won | 800 won | ||
Children | 350 won | 350 won | ||
Red Bus | Adults | 1,850 won | 1,950 won | |
Youth | 1,360 won | 1,800 won | ||
Children | 1,200 won | 1,200 won |
How to Recharge / Reload your T-Money card
T-money is rechargeable in the amounts ranging from 1,000 won to 90,000 won at any of the T-money vendors or Ticket Vending and Card Reload Devices inside subway stations. But that depends on which interface you are using. Some interface can only reload from 2,000, 5,000 & 10,000won.
Pics credits to TTMIK |
Pics credits to KTO |
1. Select your preferred language
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. The Device takes 1,000 / 5,000 / 10,000-won bills and 50 / 100 / 500-won coins.
6. Wait until the recharging process is completed, and don’t forget to check the balance of your card before and after recharging. Take the card with you.
It's just that easy. Wish I saw this post before my trip, but well I just copy exactly what the locals did...& BANG I reload mine! Hahaha...as easy as that..어렵지도 않아..ㅋㅋㅋ
So...hmmm..Yup! That's about it. Hope it helps makes your trip an breeze-free trip! =)
Source: KTO, TTMIK (Thanks to both)
1 comments:
Hi, Here is a tip for using transportation in Korea. If you are travelling to Korea, you need to go to the Seoul area for sightseeing and also buy T-money card for transportation. So I recommend to buy express train ticket and T-money card combined package. You can buy both of them with 8,900won(original price ; express train 8,000won / T-money card 4,000won and you need to charge the money by yourself) and price is so reasonable compared to buy tickets seperately. Check this out when you are coming to Korea next time. You can buy this reasonable package from travel center in ICN. Thank you!
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