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How to get a SIM card in Korea for foreigners: Best reliable options
Heading to South Korea for an adventure? Stay connected with a South Korean SIM card, or grab an eSIM with Holafly.
From the breathtaking scenery of Seoraksan National Park to the bustling nightlife of Seoul, there’s no better place to satisfy your wanderlust than South Korea.
To stay connected and show off the highlights of your trip on social media, you’ll need to know how to get a SIM card in Korea for foreigners.
After all, there’s no reason to wrack up costs with expensive roaming services.
In this article, we show you how you can buy a Korean SIM card, some of the best options on offer, as well as the ideal eSIM alternative.
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Where to buy a Korea SIM card?
There are many places where you can get your South Korean SIM card. However, the best way to purchase one is through online stores.
This makes it convenient and easy to browse a wider range of plans, choose the right one, and even take advantage of additional benefits.
Besides going online, you can get your South Korean SIM card from the stores at main airports, such as Jeju airport, Daegu Airport, or Gwangju Airport.
How to buy a tourist SIM card in Korea
To buy a tourist SIM card in Korea, simply follow these steps:
- Determine where you’ll purchase your SIM card. Airport kiosks and convenience stores will hold SIM cards by famous providers.
- Select a plan depending on your data usage habits and the duration of your stay. Tourist SIM cards frequently range from one to 30-day plans.
- If buying at an airport, you’ll need to show your passport to the staff before you can purchase your SIM card.
- After purchase, install your new SIM by placing it in the SIM cards lot and activate it to get connected.
How to get a Korean SIM card at the airport?
You’ll find plenty of provider kiosks and stores selling data plans at major Korean airports. To buy your data plan, follow these steps:
- Find a kiosk or store: Look for major providers like SK Telecom, KT (Olleh) and LG U+ in the arrival hall. Frequently, these stores will be available right outside baggage claim.
- Choose a plan: Providers will have a variety of plans available. When making your choice, be sure to factor in how long you’ll be staying and how much data you’ll need for your stay.
- Show your passport: You’ll need to show the employee your passport in order to buy your SIM card. This is a legal requirement for identification purposes.
- Purchase your SIM card: You can pay for your SIM card with either Korean WON, or using a cash or debit card. Keep in mind that prices will vary depending on the provider.
- Install and activate your SIM card: Once you’ve purchased your plan, you can install your SIM card with the help of an employee and get connected!
When to get your Korea SIM card: Buy before you travel
If you can, get your SIM card before you head off. Sure, buying data after you land gets the job done, but purchasing a South Korean SIM beforehand makes your entire trip easier.
Here are some of the advantages that come with buying a SIM before traveling.
Internet as soon as you land
By buying a SIM card beforehand, you’ll have access to the internet as soon as you land at the airport.
This makes it easy to notify friends and family that you’ve safely arrived at your destination. It also means you won’t have to spend time and effort looking for SIMs or waiting in long lines.
Better data plan options
Buying a SIM card before traveling gives you the opportunity to browse, compare, and purchase plans at your own pace.
This makes it easy to find deals that may not be available at airport kiosks.
With more options available, you can purchase a data plan that suits your needs without the pressure of making a quick decision at a busy airport or store.
Instead of going for a SIM option, you can make your trip even easier by buying an eSIM alternative like Holafly. An eSIM eliminates the need for swapping cards for activation.
You can simply buy a data plan and activate it through your phone’s settings.
Peace of mind
Buying your SIM card before traveling ultimately means you won’t have to worry about staying connected once you enter the country.
Knowing you have your communications and connectivity issues sorted out before you touch down makes your trip less stressful.
It also ensures you never have to connect to risky public WiFi during your travels, meaning you can rest easy knowing your browsing and data is private.
Main SIM card operators in South Korea
Now that we’ve covered when and where to buy a South Korea local SIM card, it’s time to look at some data plan options by their most famous providers.
SK Telecom SIM card
SK Telecom is one of South Korea’s largest and oldest telecommunications providers. Besides providing standard mobile services, they also offer tourist SIM data plans such as:
- A 1-day plan with unlimited data, costing KRW 6,600 ($4.59 USD)
- A 3-day plan with unlimited data, costing KRW 18,000 ($12.51)
- Most of SK Telecom’s plans come with unlimited data along with 4G LTE and 5G internet speeds.
KT (Olleh)
KT (Olleh) is yet another large mobile network provider in South Korea. While they offer less extensive coverage than SK Telecom, they offer a wider variety of SIM plans such as:
- A 1-day plan with unlimited data, costing KRW 6,600 ($4.59)
- A 5-day plan with unlimited data, costing KRW 24,700 ($17.17)
- A 10-day plan with unlimited data, costing KRW 34,600 ($24.05)
- A 20-day plan with unlimited data, costing KRW 54,400 ($27.82)
- A 30-day plan with unlimited data, costing KRW 64,300 ($44.70)
KT (Olleh) mostly provides unlimited data plans with free incoming calls.. They also offer 4G LTE and 5G internet speeds suitable for most online activities like browsing, streaming, and using social media.
LG U+
Formerly known as LG Telecom, LG U+ is a telecommunications provider in South Korea that offers extensive coverage and a range of SIM data plans, such as:
- A 5-day plan with 120 hours, costing KRW 25,000 ($17.38)
- A 10-day plan with 240 hours, costing KRW 35,000($24.33)
- A 15-day plan with 360 hours, costing KRW 50,000 ($34.76)
- A 30-day plan with 720 hours, costing KRW 65,000 ($45.19)
LG U+ is different from other SIM providers because it offers data with bundled hours rather than daily limits. They’re similar to other providers in that they offer 4G LTE and 5G internet speeds.
Interested in an alternative eSIM option? Here are the best eSIM providers in South Korea.
How much does a prepaid SIM card in Korea cost?
A SIM card in South Korea can typically cost you between $8 and $45. How much your Korean SIM card costs will depend on the specific provider and data plan you choose. Some data plans for longer stays (40 days and up) will even cost you up to $90
Is a SIM worth it for ten days in Korea?
Getting a physical SIM card for ten days in Korea is ultimately worth it, especially if you’re new to the country.
You’ll likely need a stable internet connection to navigate through new places, translate if you don’t know the language, and stay in touch with family and friends.
Some SIM providers have ten day plans making it a cost effective option.
Can I use my iPhone in South Korea?
You can absolutely use your iPhone in South Korea. Most iPhone models support nano SIMs, which is the standard size you will find in the country.
Make sure your iPhone is unlocked before attempting to activate a new SIM card. If it’s locked to your provider’s network, it won’t work with SIM cards from foreign countries.
Using an eSIM as an alternative to a Korean SIM card
If you’re only staying in Korea, you can use Holafly´s virtual SIM card for South Korea. It’s easy to purchase and activate, and keeps you connected using local networks from Korea’s top mobile network providers.
But if you’re traveling across the continent, then Holafly’s virtual SIM card for Asia is the best option. It not only lets you connect to the internet in South Korea but also lets you stay connected across the Asian continent.
It’s a great choice if you’re planning to travel throughout Asia, as it means you don’t have to constantly stress about how you’ll stay connected in your next destination.
Advantages of the South Korea virtual SIM card
Using a virtual SIM card for South Korea offers several advantages. Ultimately, an eSIM simplifies staying connected and makes planning for your trip much easier—but there are some minor drawbacks to consider.
Stay online at all times
Holafly’s eSIM for Seoul provides a reliable connection from the moment you arrive at Incheon International Airport. All you need to do is select the right plan depending on the duration of your trip, and you’ll stay connected the entire time!
Buy and activate your virtual SIM card immediately
As it’s a virtual product, purchasing an eSIM is easy. You’ll avoid annoying shipment delays and long queues at airports and malls.
All you have to do is to enter the official Holafly eSIM page and complete the purchase process.Your eSIM will arrive in the form of a QR code in less than a minute! To activate your eSIM, all you have to do is scan it.
Top-up option
Holafly has a special feature that we know you’ll love! Once you’ve consumed 90% of your data, you’ll receive an email showing you how you can top up your eSIM card so you can continue browsing online.
This means you can avoid running out of data or buying a new eSIM.
24-hour customer service
We doubt you’ll encounter any issues with your Holafly eSIM. But if you do experience any difficulties, you can always chat with a customer service agent.
We’re available 24/7 to answer any questions or solve any problems.
Disadvantages of the South Korea virtual SIM card
When it comes to purchasing a South Korea virtual SIM card, there’s only one disadvantage to consider.
Not all smartphones can use eSIM
Although most modern phones accept eSIM, make sure you check that your phone is eSIM compatible. If your phone isn’t compatible, you won’t be able to use an eSIM.
How much is a Korean eSIM card?
A Holafly Korean eSIM card costs as little as $5.90 for one day of unlimited data and 61.90$ for twenty days.All you need to do is select the duration of your trip to customize your package.
You can choose from a one day minimum, all the way up to a 90 day maximum. Some of the of your options are:
| Days of use | Price USD |
| 1 | $5.90 |
| 5 | $20.90 |
| 10 | $36.90 |
| 15 | $50.90 |
| 20 | $61.90 |
Holafly is the ultimate eSIM companion for South Korea
There’s nothing quite like taking a trip to the Land of the Morning Calm. Whether you’re traveling for business or just want to sightsee, you’ll need internet access.
One option is to go through popular South Korean SIM providers like SK Telecom, KT, and LG U+.
However, buying an eSIM online with Holafly is the best alternative to connecting to the Internet in South Korea. Besides an easy purchase process, you can enjoy unlimited data wherever you are.
Plus, Holafly’s virtual SIMs are easy to activate. Say goodbye to fumbling around with small cards just to get connected.
All it takes is a visit to the Holafly website and a QR code scan to stay connected.
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Living in Romania's only coastal city, Constanta, Stefania Manea has been in the content marketing space for 9 years. She discovered her passion for writing while studying Maritime Engineering, which led her to switch her career path and join the marketing industry. Since then, she has relentlessly written copy and content for renowned brands in the B2B SaaS landscape, including MarkUp.io, Toggl, MarineTraffic, Route4Me, and Insense. She values creativity, loves horror novels, and occasionally believes in ghosts!
