How Do Tourists Buy a Single-Journey Subway Ticket in Seoul?
Quick answer: Use a subway ticket vending machine, change the language to English, choose your destination, pay the fare plus a KRW 500 deposit, and collect the single-journey card. Tap it at the entrance and exit gates. After arrival, insert the card into a deposit refund machine to recover KRW 500.
For reloadable cards and overseas card payments, use the separate guides linked below.
Before using the machine
- Prepare the exact destination station name.
- One passenger needs one card.
- The card is for one subway journey and cannot be reused for a bus.
- The fare depends on the destination and distance.
If English search fails, copy the Korean station name from our Seoul Korean-name guide.
1. Find the ticket vending machine
Look near the station entrance for a machine marked:
1회용 교통카드 발매 · 교통카드 충전
Do not use the deposit refund machine yet. That is used only after the journey.
2. Change the language to English
Touch the language button and select English. The layout varies slightly, but the purchase sequence is similar.
3. Select Single-Journey Ticket
Choose Single-Journey Ticket. Do not select Recharge unless you already have a reloadable transportation card.
4. Choose your destination
Search for the station in English or select it from the list. Confirm both the line and station name.
Seoul Station:
서울역Myeongdong Station:
명동역Hongik University Station:
홍대입구역Gangnam Station:
강남역5. Select the passengers
Select the correct passenger category and quantity. Each traveler must use a separate card.
6. Pay the fare and KRW 500 deposit
The screen shows the fare plus a refundable KRW 500 card deposit. A single-journey ticket costs KRW 100 more than the equivalent regular transportation-card fare.
Since March 17, 2026, new machines at many stations on Seoul Subway Lines 1–8 accept internationally issued Visa and Mastercard cards and supported mobile payments. Availability still depends on the station and machine. If payment fails, try another new machine or use Korean won cash.
7. Collect the card
Take the card from the slot. Keep it away from other contactless cards so the gate reads the correct one.
8. Enter through the gate
Place the card flat on the reader until the gate opens. Check the direction and terminal station on the platform signs before boarding.
If you enter in the wrong direction, do not immediately exit. Ask station staff because exiting can end the journey.
9. Transfer inside the paid area
Follow the colored transfer signs without leaving the paid area. Once you exit through a final gate, the single journey is finished.
10. Recover the KRW 500 deposit
After tapping out, find:
보증금 환급기
Deposit Refund Device
- Insert the used card.
- Wait for processing.
- Collect the KRW 500 coin.
The refund is for the card deposit, not the subway fare.
Common mistakes
- Wrong station: Check the line and Korean name.
- Wrong machine: Buy first; refund only after arrival.
- Discarding the card: Keep it until you exit.
- Trying to board a bus: The card is not reusable.
- Stacking cards: Remove it from your wallet before tapping.
When is T-money better?
Choose a single-journey card for one subway trip. For repeated subway rides, buses or transfers between transport modes, a reloadable card is usually more convenient.
Foreign Credit Cards at Seoul Subway Machines
Final checklist
- Correct destination and line
- One card per passenger
- Fare plus KRW 500 deposit paid
- Card tapped at entrance and exit
- KRW 500 recovered after arrival
Machine availability, payment methods and fares can change. Check the station display on your travel day.
Official reference: Seoul Metropolitan Government public transportation guide.
Quick answer: Use a subway ticket vending machine, change the language to English, choose your destination, pay the fare plus a KRW 500 deposit, and collect the single-journey card. Tap it at the entrance and exit gates. After arrival, insert the card into a deposit refund machine to recover KRW 500.
For reloadable cards and overseas card payments, use the separate guides linked below.
Before using the machine
- Prepare the exact destination station name and, if possible, its station number. The number helps when pronunciation or spelling is difficult.
- One passenger needs one card.
- The card is for one subway journey and cannot be reused for a bus.
- The fare depends on the destination and distance.
If English search fails, copy the Korean station name from our Seoul Korean-name guide.
1. Find the ticket vending machine
Look near the station entrance for a machine marked:
1회용 교통카드 발매 · 교통카드 충전
Do not use the deposit refund machine yet. That is used only after the journey.
2. Change the language to English
Touch the language button and select English. The layout varies slightly, but the purchase sequence is similar.
3. Select Single-Journey Ticket
Choose Single-Journey Ticket. Do not select Recharge unless you already have a reloadable transportation card.
4. Choose your destination
Search for the station in English or select it from the list. Confirm the line, station name and station number. Also check whether an Express train stops at your destination; some trains on Line 9 and the Airport Railroad skip local stations.
Seoul Station:
서울역Myeongdong Station:
명동역Hongik University Station:
홍대입구역Gangnam Station:
강남역5. Select the passengers
Select the correct passenger category and quantity. Each traveler must use a separate card.
6. Pay the fare and KRW 500 deposit
The screen shows the fare plus a refundable KRW 500 card deposit. A single-journey ticket costs KRW 100 more than the equivalent regular transportation-card fare.
Since March 17, 2026, new machines at many stations on Seoul Subway Lines 1–8 accept internationally issued Visa and Mastercard cards and supported mobile payments. Availability still depends on the station and machine. If payment fails, try another new machine or use Korean won cash.
7. Collect the card
Take the card from the slot. Keep it away from other contactless cards so the gate reads the correct one.
8. Enter through the gate
Place the card flat on the reader for about one second until you hear a beep and the gate opens. If it does not open, step aside, remove the card from your wallet and try once more. Use the gate intercom or ask station staff if the problem continues. Check the direction and terminal station on the platform signs before boarding.
If you enter in the wrong direction, do not immediately exit. Ask station staff because exiting can end the journey.
9. Transfer inside the paid area
Follow the colored transfer signs without leaving the paid area. Once you exit through a final gate, the single journey is finished.
10. Recover the KRW 500 deposit
After tapping out, look outside the fare gates for:
보증금 환급기
Deposit Refund Device
- Insert the used card.
- Wait for processing.
- Collect the KRW 500 coin.
The refund is for the card deposit, not the subway fare.
What if you selected the wrong destination?
If you travel farther than the station selected on the machine, the exit gate may not open. Use a Fare Adjustment Machine (정산기) or ask at the station office to pay the difference. After exiting, you can still return the card at the deposit refund machine.
Find the correct exit
Large stations can have more than ten exits. Check the exit number in NAVER Map before leaving the paid area, then follow the yellow overhead signs. Travelers with luggage should also check which exit has an elevator.
Common mistakes
- Wrong station: Check the line and Korean name.
- Wrong machine: Buy first; refund only after arrival.
- Discarding the card: Keep it until you exit.
- Trying to board a bus: The card is not reusable.
- Stacking cards: Remove it from your wallet before tapping.
When is T-money better?
Choose a single-journey card for one subway trip. For repeated subway rides, buses or transfers between transport modes, a reloadable card is usually more convenient.
Foreign Credit Cards at Seoul Subway Machines
Final checklist
- Correct destination and line
- One card per passenger
- Fare plus KRW 500 deposit paid
- Card tapped at entrance and exit
- KRW 500 recovered after arrival
Machine availability, payment methods and fares can change. Check the station display on your travel day.
Official reference: Seoul Metropolitan Government public transportation guide.
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