🇰🇷 Korea Travel Survival Guide for First-Time Visitors
How to Use T-money, Exchange Money, and Travel Smart in Seoul
Visiting South Korea for the first time? 🇰🇷 Get ready for an unforgettable adventure — but before you dive into delicious street food, high-tech cities, and scenic temples, make sure you're prepared with the right tools. This guide covers two of the most important things for a smooth trip: the T-money card and currency exchange tips. Let’s go! ✨
🎫 What is a T-money Card?
The T-money card is Korea’s rechargeable transportation card. It’s your key to riding subways, buses, taxis — and even paying at convenience stores!
✅ Why You Need It:
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No need to buy individual tickets for every subway ride
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Faster entry and exit from stations
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Small discount per ride compared to cash fares
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Works nationwide (not just in Seoul!)
🛒 Where to Buy a T-money Card
You can purchase a T-money card easily at:
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Convenience stores: GS25, CU, 7-Eleven (found everywhere!)
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Subway stations: Look for T-money vending machines
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Airport kiosks: Available at Incheon or Gimpo arrivals
💰 Price: Around 2,500–4,000 KRW (card only — no balance)
🎨 Fun Tip: Some cards feature cute K-pop, Kakao Friends, or Line Friends designs!
💳 How to Use T-money
🚇 On Subways & Buses
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Tap the card on the reader at the gate or bus entrance.
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You'll hear a beep and see your balance on the screen.
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Tap again when exiting (especially on buses for distance-based fare).
🚕 In Taxis
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Ask the driver: “T-money, okay?”
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Simply tap the card on the reader at the end of the ride.
🛍️ In Stores
You can use T-money at most:
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Convenience stores
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Vending machines
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Some cafés or bakeries
🔁 How to Recharge Your T-money Card
💡 You cannot charge it with a foreign credit card — cash only (KRW).
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Use T-money machines in subway stations
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Or ask a convenience store cashier to reload it for you
🪙 Recharge in units of 1,000 KRW to 90,000 KRW
Make sure you keep at least 1,000 KRW balance for a ride.
💵 Currency Exchange Tips for Korea
1. 💱 Best Currency to Bring
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Bring US dollars, Euros, or Japanese yen — widely accepted at exchange booths
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Avoid smaller currencies, which may have poor exchange rates
2. 📍 Where to Exchange Money
🏦 At the Airport:
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Convenient, but not the best rate
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Okay for small amounts like transport fare
💰 In the City:
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Myeongdong is famous for great exchange booths
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“대환전소 (Daehwanjeonso)” = Major exchange center
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Try booths near Myeongdong Cathedral or Exit 5
🟡 Tip: Compare a few places before exchanging large amounts
3. 🏧 ATM Withdrawals
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ATMs marked “Global ATM” or “Foreign Card OK” support Visa, Mastercard, etc.
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Found in banks, airports, and 24/7 convenience stores
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May charge a fee (3,000–5,000 KRW), check with your bank first!
4. 🛡️ Avoid DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion)
When offered to pay in your home currency (e.g. USD) at shops or ATMs — always choose KRW.
DCC often gives worse exchange rates than your bank.
🧠 Quick Korean Phrases to Help You Out
| English | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| T-money, please | 티머니 주세요 | tee-muh-nee ju-se-yo |
| How much? | 얼마에요? | eol-ma-ye-yo? |
| Thank you | 감사합니다 | gam-sa-ham-ni-da |
| I don’t speak Korean | 한국어 못해요 | han-guk-eo mot-hae-yo |
🧳 Final Travel Tips
✔️ Always carry some cash — not all places accept cards
✔️ Use KakaoMap or Naver Map (Google Maps doesn’t work well in Korea)
✔️ T-money card works in Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, and more
✔️ You can refund unused T-money balance at airports before departure (some fee may apply)
✨ Conclusion: Travel Smart, Not Stressful!
With a T-money card in your pocket and some cash at the ready, navigating Korea becomes much easier. It’s one of the safest and most tourist-friendly countries — so just take a breath, smile, and enjoy every step of your journey.
Have fun exploring Korea! 🇰🇷🧡
If you found this guide helpful, share it with a fellow traveler!
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