How to Get a T-Money Balance Refund in Cash (2026 Convenience Store vs Station Rules)

Before you go

Before leaving Korea, check your balance at a reload machine or retailer. Seoul’s official guide lists different payout limits by chain: some participating stores handle up to ₩20,000, others up to ₩30,000, while eligible station information centers may handle up to ₩50,000. Availability can differ by location and card type.

Compare the options

Convenience stores are widespread and useful for smaller balances, but not every franchise counter or card is eligible. Subway information centers can handle a larger published range on supported lines. Higher balances or special/mobile cards may require T-money Town, an ATM, the mobile service or another designated process.

• Balance: distinguish stored value from the non-refundable card purchase price.
• Fee: ask whether a processing fee will be deducted.
• Card: keep the physical card until cash and receipt are confirmed.

A practical step-by-step plan

1. Check the exact balance and identify the card product.
2. Choose a participating counter whose current cap covers the balance.
3. Ask for a balance refund, not a purchase cancellation.
4. Count the payout and keep the card if the clerk says only part of the service is available.

Protect your time, money and health

Do not spend down to zero before an airport or bus transfer that still needs fare. Refund policies for tourist passes, mobile T-money and damaged cards differ from ordinary stored-value cards. Official limits can change, so treat the published range as a routing guide rather than a guarantee at every counter.