With eSIM, you can keep the same phone number while traveling in South Korea, and you don’t have to visit local stores to buy it - it's available online. Check out our top rated eSIM providers
Our Top Picks eSIM in South Korea
#1. airalo - Provides high quality International eSIM cards with cheapest data plans in South Korea
#2. knowroaming - Provides Regional eSIMs and Regional eSIMs, best for South Korea. Trusted Mobile Operators only
#3. airhubapp - Worldwide Data Plans, excellent solution for people who travel regularly in South Korea
#4. holafly - Saves up to 90% on Roaming in South Korea. Immediate delivery, cancel Anytime
#5. ubigi - Competitive prices in South Korea, No contract, cancel anytime
#6. keepgo - Stay Connected in South Korea, try esim it's safer than public Wi-Fi
Where To Buy a SIM in South Korea?
There are various places where you can purchase SIMs and eSIMs. While SIMs are available, eSIMs are recommended for a hassle-free connection. Here are some places to buy SIMs and eSIMs:
- Incheon International Airport: You can buy SIMs in the arrival hall of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
- Seoul Station: There are many shops and kiosks selling SIMs and eSIMs in Seoul Station.
- Myeong-dong: This popular shopping district in Seoul has many shops and kiosks selling SIMs and eSIMs.
- Gangnam Station: Like Myeong-dong, Gangnam Station has many shops and kiosks selling SIMs.
- COEX Mall: This shopping mall in Seoul has many electronic stores that sell SIMs.
- Gwanghwamun Square: Several mobile network providers in this area sell SIMs.
- Lotte Department Store: This department store has tech sections which sell SIMs.
Remember to bring your passport when purchasing a SIM since it is legally required to register the SIM with the government.
Difficulties You May Meet Buying Prepaid eSIM
Sure, here are some difficulties you might encounter when buying a SIM card in South Korea:
- Language Barrier: Buying a travel SIM Korea may be difficult if you don't speak Korean. Most of the documentation and communication with the providers is done in Korean, and many kiosks may not have staff who speak English.
- ID Verification: You must have a valid passport and a local phone number to buy a SIM card. The process may be even harder if you do not have a local phone number or address.
- Limited availability: There are few places to buy SIM cards, particularly in rural areas. This means you may have to travel further to find a kiosk or wait until you reach a major city to buy your SIM card.
- Activation Time: Activating a prepaid SIM card can take several hours. This means you may have to wait a while before using your new SIM card.
- Confusing plans and packages: Many different packages and plans are available from various providers, and it can be challenging to figure out which one is best for your needs.
- High prices: Compared to other countries in Asia, including neighboring Japan and China, SIM cards can be more expensive, so you should consider this when budgeting for your trip.
How Much Does It Cost to Buy eSIMs in South Korea?
The cost of buying an eSIM South Korea varies depending on the mobile carrier you choose. However, buying an eSIM is generally less expensive than buying a physical SIM card. This is because no production or shipping costs are associated with the eSIM.
See the table below for more details:
| Provider | Data Plan | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | 10GB | 30 days | €37 |
| KnowRoaming | 5GB | 30 days | €22 |
| AirHubApp | 8GB | 14 days | €25 |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 5 days | €19 |
| KeepGo | 100MB | 365 days | €3 |
When comparing the prices of SIM cards with international eSIMs, it is important to consider the cost of production, shipping, and handling.
The best data plan Korea is found in Keepgo — 100 MB. But it doesn’t mean the other alternatives are less attractive. Holafly unlocks unlimited data when you travel all around the land of the morning calm.
Our Top Product Picks
- Traveller Plan
- Instant Connectivity
- Local Rates
- International eSIM cards
- Review
| Data Plan | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited | 10 days | $32 |
| Unlimited | 30 days | $62 |
- Avoid expensive bills
- Instant connectivity
- Affordable Rates
- Worldwide Data Plans
- Review
| Data Plan | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1GB | 7 days | $8 |
| 5GB | 15 days | $30 |
| 5GB | 30 days | $50 |
| 20GB | 90 days | $90 |
- Best Customer Support
- Immediate delivery
- High Quality Internet
- Safer than public Wi-Fi
- Review
| Data Plan | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 6GB | 10 days | $18 |
| 15GB | 30 days | $22 |
| 30GB | 30 days | $37 |
| 10GB | 10 days | $40 |
- Cheapest data plans
- eSIM setup is extremely easy
- Seamless activation
- Video guide available
- Save up to 90% on Roaming
- Affordable prices
- 24/7/365 Support
- Live chat support
- Review
| Data Plan | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 500MB | 1 day | $6 |
| 3GB | 30 days | $12 |
| 10GB | 30 days | $29 |
| 5GB / month | Unlimited | $24 / month |
- Prepaid Data Plans
- Near-local price
- Convenient & Flexible
- Connect Instantly
- Review
| Data Plan | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 100MB | 1 year | $3 |
| 5GB | 1 year | $27 |
| 10GB | 1 year | $43 |
| 25GB | 1 year | $93 |
eSIMs vs South Korea Prepaid SIM Cards
Well, let us tell you that eSIMs are gaining popularity and have several advantages compared to traditional physical SIM cards, especially for travelers.
First, with the best eSIM for South Korea, you don't have to worry about losing or damaging a SIM card, as it's embedded into the device.
Secondly, setting up an eSIM is a breeze — you can activate it remotely without visiting a provider in person.
Another big advantage of an eSIM is that it allows you to easily switch between carriers and plans without the hassle of physically swapping out SIM cards. This can save you time and money, especially if you frequently travel to different countries.
Plus, with a prepaid eSIM Korea, you can easily add multiple phone numbers to your device — great for business visitors or people with multiple phone lines.
Best Prepaid SIM Cards in South Korea
The top list of prepaid cards comprises:
- KT, SK Telecom, and LG U+.
In the country, prepaid SIM cards are more traditional and require physical installation on your device. They may be useful for those who prefer a more hands-on approach, but they lack the convenience and flexibility of an eSIM.
Additionally, if traveling frequently, you must buy a new SIM card whenever you enter a new country.
Overall, the convenience and flexibility of an eSIM far outweigh the benefits of a traditional SIM card. So, if you're a frequent sightseer looking for a fuss-free mobile experience, an eSIM would definitely be the way to go!
1. airalo
Price Range: $3 - $62
|
Validity (day): 5, 7, 8, 10, 15, 30, 60, 90, 180 |
Mobile App: iOS, Android |
|
Regions: Europe, America, Middle East, Africa, Asia, Oceania |
Coverage: over 190 countries |
Offers multiple data plans that are specifically designed for use in South Korea. cheapest local data plans, 5G network. Instant activation
Try AirAlo now! Validity: 7 to 30 days, starts from $1.66/GB
2. knowroaming
Price Range: $4 - $55.93
|
Validity (day): 1, 3, 7, 15, 30, 90, 180 |
Mobile App: iOS, Android |
|
Regions: Europe, North America, Middle East, Africa, Asia, Oceania |
Coverage: 97 countries |
Sometimes it is realy hard to buy a local sim. Try Knowroaming it provides eSIM with a local (South Korea) data plan from 1GB- 20GB. Starts at $3.96/GB
Knowroaming offers local eSIM for a low price
3. airhubapp
Price Range: $1 - $58
|
Validity (day): 3, 7, 8, 10, 14, 15, 30, 90, 180, 365 |
Mobile App: iOS, Android |
|
Regions: Europe, North America, Middle East, South Africa, Asia Oceania |
Coverage: 98 countries |
AirhubApp is so simple and a great option for anyone who wants to continue using their phone while they travel and avoid any data roaming issues. Use local data plans, save aup to 90% on roaming in South Korea
4. holafly
Price Range: $19 - $99
|
Validity (day): 3, 7, 8, 10, 14, 15, 30, 90, 180, 365 |
Mobile App: iOS, Android |
|
Regions: Europe, North America, South Africa, Asia, Oceania |
Coverage: over 130 counties |
Take advantage of this offer now and save on roaming
5. ubigi
Price Range: $3 - $99
|
Validity (day): 1, 30, 365 |
Mobile App: iOS, Android |
|
Regions: Europe, North America, South Africa, Asia, Oceania |
Coverage: 178 countries |
Ubigi eSIMs provides high-speed data plans, great connectivity and local rates, however it doesn't give you local phone number. Use VoIP to make calls
6. keepgo
Price Range: $3 - $740. Special offer: 2GB free
|
Validity (day): 365 |
Mobile App: iOS, Android |
|
Regions: Europe, North America, South Africa, Asia, Oceania |
Coverage: 110 counties |
Instead of buying a local sim in South Korea, Keepgo's eSIM has become an excellent option for to stay connected without wifi or roaming while you'are abroad
FAQ
- Among the listed eSIM providers, which one offers an unlimited data plan?
Holafly offers an unlimited data plan, although it has a shorter validity period of 5 days.
- What are the advantages of using an eSIM?
eSIMs offer several advantages, such as easy activation and setup remotely, multi-number support and the ability to switch between carriers and plans without physically swapping SIM cards.
- How do eSIMs compare to South Korea prepaid SIM cards?
eSIMs are more convenient and flexible than traditional prepaid SIM cards, which can be challenging to purchase due to the language barrier and limited availability.
- Can you use eSIMs in South Korea?
Many mobile providers now offer eSIM support, which can be activated remotely.
- Are eSIMs more expensive than Korean prepaid SIM cards?
eSIMs may be slightly more expensive than Korean prepaid SIM cards, but the convenience and flexibility they offer may outweigh the slight increase in cost.
- Can you use eSIMs in other countries besides South Korea?
The advantage of using an eSIM is that you can easily switch between carriers and plans in different countries, allowing you to stay connected when traveling abroad.
- Which eSIM provider offers the best combination of data allowance and price?
Knowroaming offers a 5GB data plan for 30 days at a competitive price of €22, making it a good option for users looking for a balance between data allowance and price.
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Written by: Eric Costilia
Eric Costilia is an experienced writer, editor and researcher. His writing focuses mostly on tech, gaming. He wrote dozens of eSIM carriers reviews, which makes him an expert of this technology.