In Seoul and the wider metropolitan area, buses and subways share one fare system. With a single transit card, transferring between them is free or discounted — you don’t pay the base fare again. This “transfer discount” is one of the easiest ways for travelers to save on getting around Korea.
Here’s how it works, and the few simple rules to remember.
1. What is the transfer discount?
Korea calculates your fare by total distance travelled, not per vehicle. So when you get off a bus and onto a subway (or bus to bus), you’re not charged a new base fare — you only pay a small extra amount if you travel a longer distance.
- Works across the metro-area subway and city, town, and wide-area (red) buses
- Requires a transit card — a physical T-money card, or T-money in Apple Pay / a mobile wallet
- Cash fares do not qualify for the transfer discount
2. The 3 rules to remember
- Tap on AND off — scan your card when you board and when you get off
- Transfer within 30 minutes — tap on your next ride within 30 min of tapping off (60 minutes late at night, 9 p.m.–7 a.m.)
- Up to 4 transfers — the discount covers up to 4 transfers (5 rides total) on the same card
Use the same card for every leg of the trip — that’s how the system links your rides.
3. On buses, always tap off
This is the step travelers forget most. On the subway you always tap at both gates, but on buses you have to remember to tap off at the reader before you step out.
If you skip the bus tap-off, you may lose the transfer discount and be charged an extra fare on your next ride. When in doubt, tap.
4. What counts — and what doesn’t
Counts as a transfer (discounted):
- Subway → Bus
- Bus → Subway
- Bus → Bus (different route)
- Subway line → line (through in-station transfer passages — this isn’t even counted as a transfer)
Does NOT count:
- Airport buses, express (intercity) buses, and taxis
- Paying with cash
- Re-boarding the same bus route right away
5. Does it work with ‘Mobile Tmony’ or Apple Pay?
Yes. added to Apple Pay or a ‘Mobile Tmoney’ follows the exact same rules as a physical card — just tap your phone instead. Keep enough balance loaded, since a failed payment can break the transfer chain.
(Note: “Tagless” walk-through payment is available only on the Android ‘Mobile Tmoney’ app on select lines, so most visitors will simply tap as usual.)
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Do I need a special card for the transfer discount?
No — any Tmoney transit card works, including ‘Mobile Tmoney’ in Apple Pay. Just tap on and off. Cash doesn’t qualify.
Q2. How long do I have to transfer?
Within 30 minutes of tapping off (60 minutes between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.), on the same card.
Q3. Why was I charged twice?
Usually because you didn’t tap off the bus, went over the time limit, or paid with cash. Check that you tap both on and off every time.
Q4. Does it work between subway and bus?
Yes — subway↔bus and bus↔bus all qualify, up to 4 transfers. Airport buses, express/intercity buses, and taxis do not.
Pay with ‘Mobile Tmoney’ and travel more conveniently!
