Are you planning a trip to South Korea? This country will charm you with its traditional culture and hypermodern cities like Seoul and Busan. During the day, you can explore historical landmarks, and in the evening, attend a k-pop concert or enjoy authentic Korean BBQ. However, to buy tickets, translate menus, or find your way on maps, it’s useful to have mobile data. That’s why we’ve prepared an article “eSIM South Korea” to help you choose the best connectivity option for your adventure.
Data eSIM South Korea: How to Choose the Best One?
When choosing a SIM card or eSIM, you should clarify how long you’ll be in Korea and whether you need unlimited data or if you can get by with 5-10 GB.
The advantage is that in Seoul and Busan, Wi-Fi is almost everywhere. In hotels, restaurants, cafes, and public transport. For shorter visits, theoretically, you can get by with just that.
However, if you prefer freedom and want to occasionally check maps, order a ride or hotel, or stay in touch with friends, it’s worth buying at least a small amount of data as a backup.
If you need some advice on choosing, check out our article on how to choose the best eSIM.
The Most Affordable Data eSIM for South Korea
Let’s look at which eSIM to choose to avoid overpaying.
The Cheapest Packages
Do you know you won’t use a lot of data and want an eSIM just as a backup? The cheapest 1 GB eSIM is available from Jetpac for $1. The only drawback is that it is valid for 4 days. But if you need it only for a few days of layover, it will be sufficient.
Take advantage of Gigsky offer and try eSIM with 100 MB of data for 7 days for free.
Another interesting offer is the eSIM from MobiMatter. Here, for $3.99 you get an eSIM valid for 7 days. Additionally, you can use it in several other Asian countries. Unfortunately, Japan is not included.
If 7 days are not enough, Maya Mobile offers up to 30-day eSIM for $5.
Average Data Usage (5 GB)
Need a bit more data? Choose from 5 GB packages. The best deal is from MobiMatter for $9.99, which is also valid in several other Asian countries (excluding Japan). Its validity is 15 days.
For similar prices slightly above $10, you can get eSIMs with 30 days validity from Airhub or eTravelSIM.
An interesting offer is also from Jetpac, where 5 GB of data costs $15, but it will be valid in other Asian countries, including Japan. It’s ideal if you plan to visit both countries.
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High Data Usage (10 GB)
Need even more data? No problem, we’ll show you 10 GB eSIMs.
At Airhub, you can find one for $15 (or $15.96 with tax). At MobiMatter for $18.99, which is also valid in other Asian countries.
You can get an even lower price at Global YO with collected YOYO$ points. Then such an eSIM will cost you as low as $10. Additionally, you can add the option for calling for $1, but without a local phone number.
Unlimited Data in South Korea
The cheapest option is available from eTravelSIM, but it doesn’t support data sharing via hotspot. Prices range from $20 for 7 days to $60 for 30 days of unlimited data.
Good offers are also available from Airhub, offering eSIMs for 5 and 10 days for $19 and $27, respectively, and Airalo, where you can choose between a $32 eSIM for 10 days and a $62 eSIM for 30 days. Both also allow data sharing via hotspot.
Are you going to South Korea for a longer period or want to choose a specific number of days and save money? Check out Holafly, which offers up to 90-day eSIM with unlimited data for just $129. The downside is that you can only share 0.5 GB of data per day.
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Overview of the Best eSIM South Korea Packages
| Provider | GB | Price | Validity |
| Jetpac | 1 GB | $1 | 4 days |
| MobiMatter | 5 GB | $9.99 | 15 days |
| Airhub | 10 GB | $15 | 30 days |
| Airhub | unlimited | $27 | 10 days |
Traditional Tourist SIM Card in South Korea
In South Korea, you can find 3 main mobile operators – SK Telecom, KT, and LG U+. Their services are comparable for the average user, so you can choose based on their offers. Cheaper options are operators Chingu and Woori Mobile.
You can buy a SIM card at airports. Specifically, at Incheon, stalls of all three main operators are open 24 hours a day. Once at the stall of your chosen operator, take a ticket from the machine and wait for your turn. To buy a SIM card, prepare your passport so the staff can register the SIM card to you. You can pay by card or in cash in the local currency.
All operators provide a local phone number, but not every operator offers free minutes for calls, which can be useful, for example, if you want to book a table at a restaurant. With some operators, minutes can be purchased, but some SIM cards are data-only.
Data SIM Card from LG U+
LG U+ offers SIM cards from 3 to 60 days. All can be topped up with credit for calls and SMS. All SIM cards have unlimited data (or 3 GB per day at full speed, after which you go at 5 Mbps, which is sufficient for typical vacation usage). You can pick up the SIM card at Incheon Airport (at both terminals on the 1st floor), Gimpo, or Gimhae. If you buy the SIM card in advance and just pick it up at the airport, you get a 10% discount.
Data SIM Card from SK Telecom
SK Telecom offers SIM cards from 3 to 90 days. All can be topped up with credit for calls and SMS. All SIM cards have unlimited data (or after using 15 GB, you go at 20 Mbps, which is a sufficient speed). You can pick up the SIM card at Incheon Airport (at both terminals on the 1st floor), Gimpo, Gimhae, Jeju, Daegu, and Busan Port. Prices are the same when purchased online or on-site.
Data SIM Card from KT
KT offers SIM cards from 3 to 90 days. All can be topped up with credit for calls and SMS, but be careful to choose “Prepaid SIM” and not “Prepaid Data SIM”. All SIM cards have unlimited data (or after using 3 GB per day, you go at 5 Mbps, the same as LG U+). You can pick up the SIM card at Incheon Airport (at both terminals on the 1st floor), Gimpo, Gimhae, and Busan Port. If you buy the SIM card in advance and just pick it up at the airport, you get a 10% discount.
Data SIM Card from Woori
The advantage of Woori is better prices than traditional operators. For example, a 15-day SIM costs $19, compared to $36-40 that you would pay with a regular operator. The drawback is that picking up the SIM card is a bit more complicated.
You must buy the SIM card in advance, upload your passport to the system at least 2 days before arrival, and pick up the SIM card only at the airport (at both terminals on the 3rd floor) or in central Seoul. You won’t have any on-site help if something doesn’t work, and you have to rely on the call center. You also won’t get any call minutes (they can’t be topped up either) and the internet speed will be slower (after 300 MB per day, it slows down to 3 Mbps, which is still sufficient for a typical tourist).
| 5 days | $12 = 16700 KRW |
| 7 days | $14 = 19,500 KRW |
| 10 days | $18 = 25,000 KRW |
| 15 days | $19 = 26,400 KRW |
| 30 days | $27 = 37,500 KRW |
Data SIM Card from Chengu
Similar to the previous case, Chengu offers great prices. But… Chengu offers a traditional SIM card only in the 30-day version, everything else is eSIM. You must buy the SIM in advance and, like with Woori, upload your passport online at least 2 days in advance. Pick up is only possible at the airport or in central Seoul, during opening hours, not 24/7. Since most options are eSIMs, you get a local phone number but can’t make calls or send SMS. Data speed is limited to 20 Mbps (which is still sufficient for a typical tourist).
The 30-day SIM card costs 34,000 KRW (about $25).
| 3 days | 17,000 KRW = $12 |
| 5 days | 22,000 KRW = $16 |
| 10 days | 28,000 KRW = $20 |
| 20 days | 42,000 KRW = $30 |
| 30 days | 50,000 KRW = $36 |
Offers from Klook or Trazy are also popular, where you can also order a SIM card in advance, and in some cases, they will even deliver it to your home.
Most operators, as well as Klook, offer portable Wi-Fi, which can be useful if you’re traveling in a group. However, keep in mind that you’ll have to carry the box with you, which you must return upon departure.
Summary of eSIM South Korea
If you don’t need unlimited data, eSIM is your best option.
In the unlimited data offerings, eSIM providers and local phone operators are similar in price. The advantage of eSIM is that you can set it up in advance and don’t have to wait in line at the booth upon arrival in South Korea. The disadvantage is that you won’t have a Korean phone number and won’t be able to make or receive calls.
For the cheapest unlimited data, consider operators Woori and Chingu Mobile. They offer SIM cards at great prices, but picking them up can be quite challenging.
