Best Sim Card in Korea for Tourists [2024] - Pretraveller (2024)

Purchasing a Korean Sim card is a great option. It will give you easy and convenient access to the internet without the hassle of trying to find free WiFi. Free WiFi can often have dubious security, plus finding and logging in to each WiFi hotspot can be painful.

Our recommended Korean Sim Card providers for South Korea are Korea SIM, Get Your Guide, Klook and Trazy. These providers are all reputable online travel agencies, and they offer great services and are very reliable. Many of them also offer a great selection of other travel essentials for South Korea, including transportation, tickets and tours, so make sure you check out your other requirements when you visit their websites.

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you book after clicking on one of these links then we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

For those of you just looking for some quick recommendations for the best Korean sim cards for tourists without reading the whole article below is a summary of our recommended options. An alternative option for the newer generation phones is to purchase an eSim plan.

Korea Voice+Data+SMS Plan Options

Check out the below table to see your Data+Voice+SMS Sim Card options for South Korea.

Korea SIM Blue Plus with unlimited calls, SMS and data (use coupon code pretraveller to get a 5% discount)

  • Get your Korean sim card delivered to your hotel - and have it waiting for you when you check in
  • Korean phone number (010 prefix), unlimited calls & SMS and data
  • 5 days / $US 23, 7 days / $US 28, 10 days / $US 32, 15 days / $US 40
  • 30 days / $US 59, 60 days / $US 110, 90 days / $US 152
  • Order 2 working days ahead of your arrival date

Click Here

Trazy Voice+Data+SMS Sim Card for Korea

  • Get your Korean phone number before you depart
  • Free incoming calls & SMS, paid outgoing calls (Domestic 264 Won per minute)
  • International Delivery. All plans valid for 30 days, then rechargeable
  • Medium 1GB/3000 Won call credits/$US 26, Large 2GB/3000 Won call credits/ $US 32
  • Premium Unlimited Data Plans: Lite / $US 47, Classic / $US 74, Plus / $US 105

Click Here

Best Sim Card in Korea for Tourists [2024] - Pretraveller (3)

Klook 4G Data+Domestic Calls+SMS KT Olleh Sim Card

  • Unlimited data, not rechargeable
  • Free incoming calls & SMS, paid outgoing calls (Domestic 264 Won per minute)
  • Pay 11,000 won ($US 8) on collection to activate, including 42 minutes of outgoing calls
  • Collect on arrival in Incheon Airport T1 or T2
  • 3 days / $US 14, 5 days / $US 19, 10 days / $US 27
  • 20 days / $US 47, 30 days / $US 50

Korea eSim Plan Options

For people with newer generation mobile phones you can alternatively purchase a prepaid Korea eSim plan. You can also see a summary of our recommended Korea eSim options for tourists in the below table. Click here to check out our detailed article about eSim plans for South Korea.

Ubigi 5G eSim for Korea (use Coupon Code PRETRAVELLER to get your 10% discount)

  • 5G connectivity is available in Korea at no additional cost (with a 5G compatible device)
  • Use coupon code PRETRAVELLER to get your 10% discount
  • A great option for high, medium and low data users.
  • Instant confirmation, rechargeable, the Ubigi eSim app can be used in over 190 countries.
  • 30 days 3GB/$US 9, 10GB/$US27
  • Monthly, Annual Plans and Asian region eSim plans also available

Click Here

Best Sim Card in Korea for Tourists [2024] - Pretraveller (5)

KRSIM eSim RED (use coupon code pretraveller to get a 5% discount)

  • Korea only eSim with unlimited 4G data (no high speed data allowance), plus incoming phone number for Korea.
  • Instant confirmation. Can recharge by buying another package.
  • Also get 30% off Everland Theme Park tickets
  • 1 day/$US 5, 3 days/$US 13, 5 days/$US 20, 10 days/$US 27, 20 days/$US 43, 30 days/$US 50

Best Sim Card in Korea for Tourists [2024] - Pretraveller (6)

Klook Unlimited Data eSim

  • Unlimited data only. Next day confirmation. Rechargeable.
  • Can be used in over 100 countries.
  • 6 days - first 6GB at high speed / $US 17
  • 8 days - first 10GB at high speed / $US 24
  • 14 days - first 15GB at high speed / $US 31, first 30GB at high speed / $US 41
  • 30 days - first 15GB at high speed / $US 35, first 30GB at high speed / $US 45

Best Sim Card in Korea for Tourists [2024] - Pretraveller (7)

Get Your Guide Data eSim

  • Unlimited data. Instant confirmation. Rechargeable.
  • 1 or 10 countries, no talk or text. Click through for multi country pricing information.
  • Korea only, low data usage: 3 days/1GB/$US 5, 5 days/3GB/$US 7, 14 days/3GB/$US 10, 30 days/3GB/$US11
  • Korea only, 30 days: 5GB/$US 17, 10GB/$US 30, 15GB/$US 40, 20GB/$YS 54, 30GB/$US 72
  • Korea only, daily 500MB high speed data allowance: 7 days/$US 12, 14 days/$US 23, 30 days/$US 36

Best Sim Card in Korea for Tourists [2024] - Pretraveller (8)

Airalo Data eSim

  • Korea only eSim with unlimited 4G data, plus incoming phone number for Korea.
  • 3GB per day high speed data allowance
  • Instant confirmation. Rechargeable.
  • Can be used in over 190 countries
  • 10 days/$US 32, 30 days/$US 62

Korean Prepaid Sim Card Options

Prepaid Korean sim cards are still a great option for most people who only want easy and affordable access to data. You can see a summary of our recommended Korea prepaid Sim Card options for tourists in the below table.

Korea SIM Blue Plus with unlimited calls, SMS and data (use coupon code pretraveller to get a 5% discount)

  • Get your Korean sim card delivered to your hotel - and have it waiting for you when you check in
  • Unlimited data
  • 1 day / $US 5, 3 days / $US $13, 5 days / $US 19
  • 10 days / $US 27, 20 days / $US 43, 30 days / $US 50
  • Order 2 working days ahead of your arrival date

Click Here

Best Sim Card in Korea for Tourists [2024] - Pretraveller (10)

Get Your Guide Data Only Sim + Transportation Card Combo

  • Unlimited 4G data, first 3GB per day at high speed
  • Collect on arrival in Incheon Airport T1 or T2.
  • Includes Tmoney local transportation card. Add credit to this card before use.
  • 5 days / $US 20, 7 days / $US 25, 10 days / $US 28, 15 days / $US 40
  • 20 days / $US 44, 30 days / $US 52, 40 days / $US 71, 60 days / $US 103

Best Sim Card in Korea for Tourists [2024] - Pretraveller (11)

Klook 4G Data Only Sim Card

  • Unlimited 4G data, rechargeable
  • Collect on arrival in Incheon Airport T1 or T2, Gimpo Airport or Busan Airport
  • 3 days / $US 14, 5 days / $US 19, 10 days / $US 27
  • 20 days / $US 47, 30 days / $US 50

Why Purchase a Korean Sim Card?

Many accommodation options have guest WiFi, but when you walk out the door you will not have cost effective access to data – and you really need it for a whole range of reasons including using public transport timetables, platforms and stations; as well as for using map apps likeNaver Map and KakaoMap to get around. Google Maps has pretty limited usefulness in South Korea.Check out our article on the best apps to load onto your phone for your trip to South Korea.

We have done the research to help you find the South Korea Sim Card for your visit with options to pick up your Sim card from various locations throughout South Korea or have it delivered to your home prior to departure. This article will help you quickly decide which Sim card for Korea option will suit you best.

Before we get into the details, a key tip is to plan to pre-order your South Korea prepaid Sim card with many providers allowing you to pre-order up to 1-3 days in advance. Also, if you are arriving or departing early or late, ensure you check the opening hours for your pick up and return options which are further down in the article, or on the supplier’s page after you click through below.

For prepaid eSim plans you should receive your eSim details either instantly, or within 24 hours of placing your order, so this is a much faster option if your phone is a newer phone. Make sure you check before booking whether your cell phone can be used with an eSim, as only newer phones have this feature.

What is the best prepaid Sim card in Korea for your visit? This question has different answers for different people. This article details the features and costs of various Sim card options from several reputable providers – Klook, Get Your Guide and Trazy.

Read further below for further information about each of our recommended providers and to see the available options.

Costs are accurate as of May 2023, but are subject to fluctuation due to product pricing and exchange rate changes. This article will be periodically updated to reflect the latest prices.

Best Sim Card in Korea for Tourists [2024] - Pretraveller (12)

South Korea Sim Card – Data + Voice + SMS

Below is a comparison table of the data plus voice plus SMS Sim card options for Korea. There are options from 5-30 days, with time extensions available.

Click on the links below to check out further information and to make your purchase.

Korea Sim Blue Plus Data+Voice+SMS Sim Card (use coupon code pretraveller to get your 5% discount)

The Korea Sim Blue Plus Data+Voice+SMS Sim Card is a great option to have unlimited data and a South Korean phone number which you can use to make and receive unlimited calls and SMS messages in South Korea. Free shipping to your hotel means it will be waiting for you when you arrive, you can quickly activate it, and you are good to go!

I used the Korea Sim Card Blue Plus during our recent trip to South Korea, and it was waiting for us when we checked into our Seoul hotel and was very easy to set up. Once it had been activated, it was set and forget and worked well for our three-week visit.

You are allocated a Korean phone number with an 010 prefix, and can use an unlimited amount of calls, SMS messages and data, making it very easy to use. Ensure you order it at least 2 working days prior to your arrival date to enable time for it to be shipped to your hotel.

  • 5 days / $US 23, 7 days / $US 28, 10 days / $US 32, 15 days / $US 40
  • 30 days / $US 59, 60 days / $US 110, 90 days / $US 152
Click Here to check out and purchase your Korea Sim Blue Plus Unlimited Data+Voice+SMS Sim Card for South Korea (use coupon code pretraveller to get your 5% discount)

Trazy Data+Voice+SMS Sim Card

The Trazy Data+Voice+SMS Sim Card is a great option to have unlimited data and a South Korean phone number which you can use to make and receive calls and SMS messages in South Korea. Free worldwide shipping means that you can order and receive your sim card before you depart, and also makes it easy to activate it prior to your arrival in South Korea.

There are five plan levels available which are detailed below:

  • Medium Plan for $US 26. Valid for 30 days and includes 1GB of data and 3000 Won of call credits.
  • Large Plan for $US 32. Valid for 30 days and includes 2GB of data and 3000 Won of call credits
  • Premium Lite Plan for $US 47. Valid for 30 days and includes unlimited data, with the first 15GB of data at high speed and 100 minutes of voice calls and 100 text messages.
  • Premium Classic Plan for $US 74. Valid for 30 days and includes unlimited data, with the first 12GB of data at high speed plus 2GB of additional data per day at high speed, and unlimited voice calls and text messages.
  • Premium Plus Plan for $US 105. Valid for 30 days and includes unlimited data, with the first 100GB of data at high speed, and unlimited calls and text messages.

Incoming calls and SMS messages are free, and you will pay additional fees (depending on your plan) for outgoing calls and SMS messages as detailed below:

  • Outgoing domestic calls 264 Won per minute
  • Outgoing domestic SMS messages 22 Won per message
Click Here to check out and purchase your Trazy Data+Voice+SMS Sim Card for South Korea

Klook Data+Voice+SMS Sim Card

The Klook Data+Voice+SMS Sim Card is a great option to have unlimited data and a South Korean phone number which you can use to make and receive calls and SMS messages in South Korea. You can collect your sim card on arrival at Incheon Airport Terminals T1 or T2.

There are four options which are detailed below. Note that all options are extendable, and you can also pay for additional call credits. You pay 11,000 won ($US 8) at pickup to receive 42 minutes of outgoing domestic calls.

  • 3 days / $US 14, 5 days / $US 19, 10 days / $US 27
  • 20 days / $US 47, 30 days / $US 50

Incoming calls and SMS messages are free, and you will pay additional fees (depending on your plan) for outgoing calls and SMS messages as detailed below:

  • Outgoing domestic calls 264 Won per minute
  • Outgoing domestic SMS messages 22 Won per message
Best Sim Card in Korea for Tourists [2024] - Pretraveller (15)

Data Sim Card Korea

Below are details of the Korean Sim Card for Tourists for travel for 30 days or less. These data only sim cards are the most popular types available for tourists. Click on the links to check out further information and to make your booking.

Korea Sim Gold Plus Data Only Sim Card (use coupon code pretraveller to get your 5% discount)

The Korea Sim Gold Data Only Sim Card is a great option to have unlimited data in South Korea. Free shipping to your hotel means it will be waiting for you when you arrive, you can quickly activate it, and you are good to go!

Our son used the Korea Sim Gold card during our recent trip to South Korea, and it was waiting for us when we checked into our Seoul hotel and was very easy to set up. Once it had been activated, it was set and forget and worked well for our three-week visit.

You can use an unlimited amount of data, making it very easy to use. Ensure you order it at least 2 working days prior to your arrival date to enable time for it to be shipped to your hotel.

  • 1 day / $US 5, 3 days / $US $13, 5 days / $US 19
  • 10 days / $US 27, 20 days / $US 43, 30 days / $US 50
Click Here to check out and purchase your Korea Sim Gold Unlimited Data Only Sim Card for South Korea (use coupon code pretraveller to get your 5% discount)

Get Your Guide Data Only Sim Card plus Tmoney Transportation Card Combo

The Get Your Guide Korea Unlimited Data Sim Card is a great option to have access to unlimited data in South Korea, and even better when it includes a local T-Money local transportation card! You can collect your sim card combo on arrival at Incheon Airport Terminals T1 or T2.

Note that the Tmoney card will need to have credit added before you can use it. You can easily add credit at any train station or convenience store.

There are four options which are detailed below, which all include unlimited data.

  • 5 days / $US 20, 7 days / $US 25, 10 days / $US 28, 15 days / $US 40
  • 20 days / $US 44, 30 days / $US 52, 40 days / $US 71, 60 days / $US 103
Best Sim Card in Korea for Tourists [2024] - Pretraveller (17)

Klook Prepaid Sim Card Korea

The Klook KT Olleh Sim Card is a great option to have unlimited data in South Korea. You can collect your Klook sim card on arrival at Incheon Airport Terminals T1 or T2, Gimpo Airport or Busan Airport. Click here to check out our detailed review of the KT Olleh Sim Card.

There are four options which are detailed below, which all include unlimited data. Note that all options are extendable.

  • 3 days / $US 14, 5 days / $US 19, 10 days / $US 27
  • 20 days / $US 47, 30 days / $US 50
Best Sim Card in Korea for Tourists [2024] - Pretraveller (18)

You may also like to check out the following articles:

Best Sim Card in Korea for Tourists [2024]

Best Korea eSim Plan for Tourists [2024]

Best Tourist Pocket Wifi for Korea [2024]

You may also like to check out the following articles:

Join the South Korea Travel Planning Facebook Group

Check out our South Korea Travel Planning Facebook Group – you are welcome to join and it is a great resources to enable you to ask questions about your upcoming trip to South Korea!

Best Sim Card in Korea for Tourists [2024] - Pretraveller (22)

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you book after clicking on one of these links then we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Tony Sutherland-Smith

Tony Sutherland-Smith is the co-founder and key contributor to Pretraveller.com, where his extensive knowledge and passion for travel shine brightly. With a special focus on Japan and South Korea, Tony brings a wealth of practical information and insights to the table, especially regarding staying connected while abroad. His expertise in navigating the complexities of SIM cards, pocket WiFi, and eSIMs has made him an invaluable resource for travellers seeking seamless digital connectivity on their journeys.

Tony’s approach to travel writing is deeply rooted in offering reliable, detailed, and up-to-date information, making him a trusted figure in the travel community. Whether discussing Tokyo’s neon-lit streets, Seoul’s cultural richness, or the technicalities of staying connected in these fast-paced destinations, his articles reflect a combination of thorough research and personal experience.

At Pretraveller.com, Tony’s contributions go beyond just sharing travel tips; they are about enriching the travel experience of his readers. His guidance is tailored to empower travellers, helping them navigate foreign lands confidently and stay connected with the world, no matter where their adventures take them. Join Tony on Pretraveller.com as he continues to explore the nuances of travel in Japan and South Korea and offers valuable insights for the modern, connected traveller.

pretraveller.com/

Best Sim Card in Korea for Tourists [2024] - Pretraveller (2024)

FAQs

Best Sim Card in Korea for Tourists [2024] - Pretraveller? ›

The Klook KT Olleh Sim Card is a great option to have unlimited data in South Korea. You can collect your Klook sim card on arrival at Incheon Airport Terminals T1 or T2, Gimpo Airport or Busan Airport.

Which SIM card plan is best in Korea? ›

3. Best South Korea LG U+ SIM Card Plans and Price
  • 120 hours used, 5-day validity = KRW 25,000 ~ $17.38.
  • 168 hours used, 7-day validity = KRW 32,000 ~ $22.25.
  • 240 hours used, 10-day validity = KRW 35,000 ~ $24.33.
  • 360 hours used, 15-day validity = KRW 50,000 ~ $34.76.
  • 480 hours used, 20-day validity = KRW 55,000 ~ $38.24.

What is the best SIM card in South Korea? ›

We recommend KT's Korea SIM card, which offers ultra-fast internet connection for up to 30 days. Book here starting at $12.99. Which is the cheapest Korea SIM card? If you want to enjoy unlimited data at a slightly cheaper price than other options, book this option starting at $4.3!

Which is the best eSIM card in Korea for tourist? ›

Recap: All About eSIMs in South Korea
  • Airalo: Best eSIM for South Korea overall.
  • Holafly: Best eSIM for unlimited data.
  • Yesim: Good alternative to Airalo,
  • GigSky: Best free eSIM to test,
  • Rebtel: Best calling service for international calls.

How much is a prepaid SIM card in Seoul? ›

Prepaid SIM and eSIM Costs

While almost certainly much cheaper than roaming with your carrier from home, local prepaid SIMs are noticeably more expensive in South Korea than many other parts of Asia. For 10 days of unlimited* data and free incoming calls and texts, you'll pay 35,000 KRW (~$26 USD).

Which cellular is best in Korea? ›

All three operators rated as Very Good (65-75) for overall mobile video streaming but SK telecom wins the award with 71.2 points ahead of KT's 69.1 and LG U+ score of 67.5. Using 5G, all three operators rated as Excellent (75 or above) with scores of 79.5 for winner SK telecom, 78 for KT and 77.4 for LG U+.

Which SIM card has best coverage? ›

Leading SIM Card Providers in the USA
ProviderAdvantages
AT&TWide coverage, 5G access, rollover data
T-Mobile5G network, Unlimited domestic talk and text
VerizonReliable network, Mobile hotspot sharing
TelloFree international calling, T-Mobile network
3 more rows
Jan 30, 2024

Which card is best to use in Korea? ›

3 best travel money cards for South Korea:
CardCard schemeTrustpilot score
WiseVisa / Mastercard4.2 / 5 (200,000+)
RevolutVisa4.2 / 5 (147,000+)
BigPayVisa / MastercardNot active on Trustpilot

Whose SIM card is best? ›

Best Network SIM Card Provider in India 2023
  • BSNL: Affordable plans, wide coverage.
  • Airtel: Fast data speeds, excellent customer service.
  • Jio: Cheap data plans, bundled services like JioTV and JioSaavn.
  • Vi (Vodafone Idea): Strong network coverage, competitive pricing.
Mar 25, 2023

Which is the best network in South Korea? ›

SK Telecom

SKT is the fastest internet and main provider in Korea. For foreigners though, we find their plans to be quite expensive (₩71.000) compared to te others.

Does eSIM give you a Korean number? ›

: An email containing the eSIM QR code will be sent within a few minutes (No phone number is provided). : A Korean phone number (010) will be provided (Pick-up at international airports in Korea).

Should I get eSIM for Korea? ›

Stay connected 24/7 in Korea with eSIMs, without the hassle.

You may have heard a lot about SIM cards, but have you ever used an eSIM before? Well, before we tell you more about them in detail, just know that you should get one for your next trip to Korea! They're a much simpler alternative to your SIM cards.

How to purchase eSIM in Korea? ›

Korea eSIM
  1. eSIM with voice can only be purchased by visiting LG U + airport counters.
  2. Data-only eSIM can be purchased online immediately and you can use it anytime, anywhere in Korea.
  3. Data-based voice calls such as Voice Talk, FaceTime, We Chat, etc. ...
  4. Incoming calls and texts can be received free of charge.

How to get a SIM card in Korea as a foreigner? ›

Buy and present the same foreign sim card products at 7-Eleven (7-11) convenience stores such as Seoul and Busan, and SK Telecom's airport roaming desk at discounted prices with a sim card. The Korea SIM Card is the most welcome gift for foreign guests, friends, relatives, and tourists who visit Korea for a short time.

How to buy SIM card in Incheon? ›

However, you need to queue to get the SIM at stores in the airports. At Incheon airport, you can buy SIM cards from: one of Korean mobile network operators' stores (KT Olleh, SK telecom, LG U+), or. convenience stores like CU 1, 2, 3 in 1F Arrival Floor.

Does a Korean SIM card give you a Korean number? ›

Korea SIM Card — 4G LTE Unlimited Data Prepaid SIM — is ready for pick up at Incheon International Airport, promising whole coverage throughout South Korea. Once you charge credit for calls and texts at the pick-up booth, you will receive a Korean phone number starting with 010.

What is the fastest mobile network in Korea? ›

The fastest overall experience in South Korea is with SK telecom. In addition to remaining the only operator in the country to ever win the Download Speed Experience award, SK telecom is the new outright winner of the Upload Speed Experience award — a change from the last report when LG U+ was the sole winner.

Which SIM card service is best? ›

Best Network SIM Card Provider in India 2023
  • BSNL: Affordable plans, wide coverage.
  • Airtel: Fast data speeds, excellent customer service.
  • Jio: Cheap data plans, bundled services like JioTV and JioSaavn.
  • Vi (Vodafone Idea): Strong network coverage, competitive pricing.
Mar 25, 2023

Do I need a new SIM card for South Korea? ›

Roaming charges for international visitors in South Korea can be expensive. To avoid these charges, it's recommended to purchase a local SIM card upon arrival. This way, you can enjoy affordable local rates for calls, texts, and data usage.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Carlyn Walter

Last Updated:

Views: 6055

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carlyn Walter

Birthday: 1996-01-03

Address: Suite 452 40815 Denyse Extensions, Sengermouth, OR 42374

Phone: +8501809515404

Job: Manufacturing Technician

Hobby: Table tennis, Archery, Vacation, Metal detecting, Yo-yoing, Crocheting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.