🚌 How to Use Public Transportation Cards in Korea – Travel to Korea
.jpg "How to Use Public Transportation Cards in Korea – Travel to Korea")
Learn how to buy and use Korea’s transportation cards like T-money and Cashbee, understand the transfer system, and save money on buses and subways while traveling in Korea.
🎯 Learning Goal
- Know how to purchase and recharge transportation cards at airports and convenience stores
- Understand Korea’s transfer system and save money while traveling
- Learn average transportation costs for subways and buses
- Gain useful phrases to use while buying and using transportation cards
Planning to explore Korea and worried about transportation? A single transportation card can be used on buses, subways, and even some taxis across the country. Let’s find out how to get one, recharge it, and use Korea’s convenient transfer system to save money during your trip.
Table of Contents
- 1. Key Expressions
- 2. Reading Passage & Vocabulary
- 3. Grammar Tip
- 4. Say What?
- 5. Teacher’s Tip
- 6. Practical Info: Cards, Transfers & Costs
- 7. One-Time Transportation Card
- 8. Practice Dialogue
- 9. Pop Quiz
- 10. Did You Know?
- 11. It’s Your Turn
✨ Key Expressions
- 교통카드 (gyo-tong-ka-deu) – transportation card
- 환승 (hwan-seung) – transfer
- 충전하다 (chung-jeon-ha-da) – to recharge
- 편의점 (pyeon-ui-jeom) – convenience store
- 지하철 (ji-ha-cheol) – subway
📖 Reading Passage & Vocabulary
한국에서 여행할 때 교통카드는 필수입니다. 공항, 편의점, 지하철 역에서 쉽게 살 수 있고 충전도 편리합니다. 환승 시스템을 이용하면 버스와 지하철을 갈아탈 때 추가 요금을 내지 않아도 됩니다.
When traveling in Korea, a transportation card is essential. You can buy it easily at airports, convenience stores, or subway stations and recharge it conveniently. With the transfer system, you won’t pay extra when switching between buses and subways.
📘 Grammar Tip
~(으)면 is used to express “if/when.”
Example: 환승하면 돈을 아낄 수 있어요. (If you transfer, you can save money.)
💬 Say What?
한국에서 “환승 할인”은 교통카드를 사용할 때만 적용되는 혜택이에요. 버스와 지하철을 갈아탈 때 추가 비용이 없거나 적게 나옵니다.
In Korea, “환승 할인” (transfer discount) applies only when you use a transportation card. You pay little or no extra fee when transferring between buses and subways.
👩🏫 Teacher’s Tip
여행자들이 자주 잊는 것 중 하나는 카드 잔액 확인이에요. 공항에서 산 카드라도 충전이 안 되어 있으면 사용할 수 없습니다. 항상 충전 금액을 확인하세요.
One thing travelers often forget is checking the card balance. Even if you buy a card at the airport, you cannot use it unless it’s charged. Always check and recharge before using.
🚌 Practical Info: Cards, Transfers & Costs
-
Types of Cards (카드 종류): T-money, Cashbee
한국어: 티머니, 캐시비 카드는 버스·지하철·일부 택시 및 편의점에서 사용 가능합니다.
Official T-money Guide | Cashbee Official Site -
Where to Buy (구매처): Convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven), subway stations, airports
한국어: 편의점, 지하철 역, 공항 인포메이션에서 쉽게 구매할 수 있습니다.
Visit Korea – Transportation Card Info -
Price (가격): Card: 2,500–4,000 KRW; Recharge in 1,000 KRW units
한국어: 카드 가격은 2,500원~4,000원이며 1,000원 단위로 충전할 수 있습니다.
Seoul Subway Fare Info -
Average Fare (평균 교통비): Subway: 1,400–1,500 KRW / Bus: 1,200–1,400 KRW
한국어: 지하철 기본요금은 1,400원~1,500원, 버스는 1,200원~1,400원입니다.
Seoul City – Transportation Overview -
Transfer Discount (환승 할인): Free transfer within 30 minutes (1 hour at night)
한국어: 30분 이내(야간 1시간) 환승 시 추가 요금이 없습니다.
Visit Korea – Transfer System Info
🚉 One-Time Transportation Card (Single-Use)
- Use the one-time card vending machine at subway stations.
- Select your destination station alphabetically or by subway map on the screen.
- Insert the fare plus a refundable deposit of 500 KRW to issue the card.
- Tap the card at the T-money gate reader when entering and exiting.
- After your trip, insert the card into the deposit refund machine at your destination to get the 500 KRW back.
Important Notes:
- Valid only for subways, commuter trains, and the Airport Railroad (AREX) — not usable on buses.
- No deposit refund for lost or damaged cards.
- Unused cards can be refunded within 45 days (if the card is readable).
- Discount/free-ride cards require ID verification at the issuing station on the day of purchase.
- Unauthorized use of discount cards may result in a fine equal to the standard fare plus 30 times the fare.
For more details and updates, visit the official site: https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/main/index.do
🗣 Practice Dialogue
A: 교통카드를 어디에서 살 수 있어요?
A (EN): Where can I buy a transportation card?
B: 공항 편의점이나 지하철 역에서 살 수 있어요.
B (EN): You can buy it at an airport convenience store or subway station.
A: 환승은 어떻게 해요?
A (EN): How do I transfer?
B: 교통카드를 찍으면 돼요. 30분 안에 갈아타면 추가 요금이 없어요.
B (EN): Just tap the card. If you transfer within 30 minutes, there’s no extra charge.
📝 Pop Quiz
Answer
교통카드를 충전해야 해요.2. Translate: “You can buy it at the convenience store.”
Answer
편의점에서 살 수 있어요.3. True or False: You can get a transfer discount only when using cash.
Answer
False. (Only with transportation cards)💡 Did You Know?
According to surveys, over 90% of foreign travelers in Seoul purchase a transportation card within their first 24 hours in Korea. It’s considered one of the easiest and most cost-effective travel hacks in the country.
✍️ It’s Your Turn
Find out where you can buy a transportation card at the airport or near your accommodation. Write 2 Korean sentences about how to buy and recharge it. Share them in the comments!
🧾 Final Thoughts
Using a transportation card in Korea will make your travel smooth and affordable. Get one at the airport, recharge easily, and enjoy exploring Korea with fewer worries about fares.
Practice on italki: Book a lesson to practice travel Korean and transportation phrases with a native teacher.
💬 Stay connected for new updates: Save this post, share with friends, and comment what topic you want next!
