iPhone Users Can Now Use Korea’s T-money Without a Physical Card – Tap to Enter Subway from July 22
With the widespread adoption of smartphones, many people are already accustomed to using Apple Pay for public transportation. Recently, South Korea’s T-money has integrated with Apple Pay, allowing iPhone and Apple Watch users to travel more conveniently. This article explores the iPhone T-money card in Korea, including its features, usage, and comparison with other local transport cards.
What is T-money?
T-money is the most widely used electronic transit card in South Korea. Launched gradually in Seoul in 2004, it is now accepted nationwide for subway, bus, taxi, and more. Similar to Taiwan’s EasyCard, T-money can also be used at convenience stores, restaurants, and vending machines. The physical card costs approximately 2,500–4,000 KRW, requires top-ups, and offers a 100 KRW discount per ride.
iPhone and Apple Watch Support
On June 16, 2025, T-money announced Apple Pay integration, which officially launched on July 22. After this, iPhone and Apple Watch users can tap to pay directly for transportation without purchasing a physical card. (Currently, only Korean-issued credit cards are supported; foreign credit cards are not yet compatible.)
Comparison with Other Korean Transit Cards
Besides T-money, there are several other common options in South Korea:
- Cashbee: Similar to T-money, but T-money has wider coverage.
- Climate Companion Card: Short-term pass (1–7 days) with unlimited subway/bus rides in Seoul, limited to specific areas.
- WOWPASS: Designed for foreign travelers, combining currency exchange, payment, and transit functions, with additional cash-back rewards.
Physical Card vs. Apple Pay
The main improvement with the iPhone T-money card is eliminating the physical card. By binding T-money to Apple Wallet via Apple Pay, users can:
- Pay and ride with convenience
- Avoid carrying a physical card
- Top up anytime, anywhere
- Easily check balance and transaction history
Tap Directly Into the Subway
The iPhone T-money card officially launched on July 22. Although foreign credit cards are not yet supported, once available, Apple device users will enjoy significantly easier transit access while traveling or living in Korea.
Article Source：https://www.funliday.com/posts/korea-tmoney-iphone/