Garmin owners in South Korea can now tap their watch to ride the bus, subway and taxis, because Garmin Pay now works with T-money, the country’s prepaid transit card. The same card also works at convenience stores, cafes, and other shops that accept T-money.
- Garmin launched the service in South Korea on 11 November 2026.
- Owners add a T-money card in the Garmin Connect app, under the “Wallet & Garmin Pay” menu for their watch.
- With Rapid Pass switched on, the watch pays when held near a reader, without a passcode, as long as it is powered on.
- T-money is prepaid and can be topped up with a credit card in Garmin Connect or at convenience stores, subway stations, and ATMs that support T-money.
- Garmin says the first supported watches are the Forerunner 170, Forerunner 570, Forerunner 970, and Venu 4, once both the watch and Garmin Connect are updated.
- Forerunner 70 does not support Garmin Pay, and Garmin lists Venu X1 among the models due to get T-money support later in 2026.
What it means for Garmin owners in Korea
A runner can now leave the phone and wallet at home, finish a run across town and take the subway or bus back with only the watch. A rider can stop for food at a convenience store mid-ride and pay from the wrist.
Garmin Pay in Korea runs through T-money rather than bank cards, so it only works where T-money is accepted. Owners of the four Garmin models need the latest watch firmware and app before the card can be added. The Forerunner 170 brings it to Garmin’s cheapest running watch, while the Forerunner 570, Forerunner 970 and Venu 4 cover the rest of the current range. Venu X1 owners have to wait.
Quick answers
Which Garmin watches work with T-money in South Korea?
Garmin lists Forerunner 170, Forerunner 570, Forerunner 970 and Venu 4 as the first supported watches. Forerunner 70 does not support Garmin Pay, and Venu X1 is due to follow.
Do you need a passcode to pay with T-money on a Garmin watch?
No passcode is needed when Rapid Pass is switched on. The watch pays when held near the reader as long as it is powered on.
Garmin Pay has spread to more banks and countries over the years, as covered in Garmin Pay scope and coverage is expanded and the tap-to-pay watches timeline. For a wider choice, see the best running watch guide.
Last Updated on 11 November 2026 by tfk the5krunner
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- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
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- Beet It Sport nitrate shots: Beetroot shots I take in the days before a race. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
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- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
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- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Ravemen FR1000: The light and the computer mount in one unit, so nothing else goes on the bars. Better than mine.
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- Ravemen FR500: A brighter FR300 with the same mount.
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Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Kineon MOVE+: Red and infrared light for sore knees, Achilles and other joints after hard training. I use it.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. See the gear tfk uses. ID
