South Korea SIM card for tourists: local SIM or eSIM?

For a week of everyday use (6 GB), the cheapest prepaid SIM in South Korea costs ₩31,500 (KT, unlimited data, 7 days), sold at the airport. A travel eSIM for the same week costs from $12.99 (GoMoWorld) and is installed before you leave.

Offers checked on October 21, 2026 on the carriers’ websites

The best travel eSIMs in South Korea for a week

For 7 days and 6 GB

1Best unlimited
Ubigi
Unlimited · 7 days
$25.00$3.57 per day
- 25 GB at full speed, then reduced speed
- Networks: LG U+ and SK Telecom
- Hotspot allowed
See the plan
2Cheapest
GoMoWorld
9 GB · 30 days
$12.99$1.44 per GB
- Lowest total price for 7 days
- Hotspot allowed
See the plan
3Best price per GB
Jetpac
15 GB · 7 days
$17.00$1.13 per GB
- Lowest price per GB for this trip
- Networks: SK Telecom and KT
- Hotspot allowed
See the plan

Three steps, three questions: the best unlimited plan, the cheapest and the best price per GB, from three different providers. How we pick the podium · Affiliate links

Local SIM or travel eSIM?

For a week of everyday use (6 GB), at the prices on the carriers’ and providers’ websites.

Local SIM, 7 days

₩31,500

KT · unlimited data · 7 days

Sold at the airport counter (ICN), or online for some offers.
It also comes as an eSIM: your SIM then stays on for calls and texts.
Passport required for some offers.

Travel eSIM, 7 days

$12.99

with GoMoWorld

Installed at home before you leave, it works as soon as you land.
Your SIM stays on for calls and texts.
ID: our provider pages say who asks for one.

See the plan

The currencies differ: we convert nothing. · Affiliate links

South Korea SIM card: our analysis

From the carriers’ websites, checked on October 21, 2026.

The carriers

KTKorea eSIM Data & Travel - 7 days · as an eSIM · at the airport₩31,500
LG U+Korea eSIM - 07 Days Data eSIM · as an eSIM · at the airport · online · in stores₩35,000
SK TelecomLTE eSIM Royal Palace Pass + Voice ∙ Text - 7 days (168 hours) · as an eSIM · at the airport · online₩35,000

Unlimited, phone number, eSIM

The cheapest unlimited SIM: Korea eSIM Data & Travel - 7 days (KT), ₩31,500 for 7 days.
67 of 194 offers come with a number for calls (LG U+ and KT).
97 of 194 offers also come as an eSIM (LG U+, KT, and SK Telecom): no counter to find.

Where to buy it

At the airport: Incheon International Airport (KT, LG U+, SK Telecom).
Online before you leave: 172 of 194 offers (LG U+, KT, and SK Telecom).
In stores in town: LG U+.

eSIMs in South Korea at a glance

In South Korea, we compare plans from 7 eSIM providers: GigSky, GoMoWorld, Jetpac, Nomad, Orange Travel, Ubigi, and Yesim.
The cheapest unlimited plan for a week is from Ubigi: $25.00 (Unlimited · 7 days).
A pocket WiFi rents from ₩19,100 a week (WiFi Dosirak); see pocket WiFi rental in South Korea.

The carriers’ prepaid offers

For each carrier, the cheapest offers that cover everyday use (maps, messaging, social media) for a week, two weeks or a month.

We found 194 prepaid offers from 3 carriers in South Korea: LG U+, KT, and SK Telecom. Prices are those on their websites, in their currency (KRW), not converted.

Offer	Carrier	Data	Validity	Price	As eSIM
Korea eSIM Data & Travel - 7 days	KT	unlimited data	7 days	₩31,500	Yes
Korea eSIM - 07 Days Data eSIM	LG U+	unlimited data	7 days	₩35,000	Yes
LTE eSIM Royal Palace Pass + Voice ∙ Text - 7 days (168 hours)	SK Telecom	unlimited data	7 days	₩35,000	Yes
Korea eSIM Data & Travel - 15 days	KT	unlimited data	15 days	₩49,500	Yes
Korea eSIM - 15 Days Data eSIM	LG U+	unlimited data	15 days	₩55,000	Yes
LTE eSIM Royal Palace Pass + Voice ∙ Text - 15 days (360 hours)	SK Telecom	unlimited data	15 days	₩55,000	Yes
Korea eSIM Data & Travel - 30 days	KT	unlimited data	30 days	₩64,300	Yes
Korea eSIM - 30 Days Data eSIM	LG U+	unlimited data	30 days	₩71,500	Yes
LTE eSIM Royal Palace Pass + Voice ∙ Text - 30 days (720 hours)	SK Telecom	unlimited data	30 days	₩71,500	Yes

Sources: roaming.kt.com, lguplus.com, skroaming.com

Compare eSIMs in South Korea →

What your trip costs, SIM or eSIM

For each trip length, the cheapest offer that covers everyday use.

Trip	Local SIM	Travel eSIM	Offer
1 week · 6 GB	₩31,500 KT	$12.99 GoMoWorld	See the plan
2 weeks · 12 GB	₩49,500 KT	$22.50 Jetpac	See the plan
1 month · 24 GB	₩64,300 KT	$25.00 Ubigi	See the plan

The currencies differ: we convert nothing. · Affiliate links

Where to buy it when you land

Carriers and SIM resellers named by the airports’ and carriers’ websites.

Airport	Where to buy a SIM
Incheon International Airport (ICN)	KT, LG U+, SK Telecom

South Korea SIM card: your questions

Answered from the carriers’ websites and today’s prices.

How much is a SIM card in South Korea?

For a week of everyday use, from ₩31,500 with KT (unlimited data, 7 days), checked on October 21, 2026.

Where can I buy a SIM card in South Korea?

At the airport: Incheon International Airport (KT, LG U+, SK Telecom). Carriers also sell their offers in shops or online, depending on the offer.

Do I need a passport for a SIM card in South Korea?

It depends on the offer: some ask for your passport, others do not.

Local SIM or eSIM in South Korea?

A travel eSIM is installed before you leave and keeps your SIM on for calls and texts; for a week, it costs from $12.99 (GoMoWorld). The cheapest local SIM costs ₩31,500 (KT).

How much is a SIM card in South Korea for two weeks or a month?

For two weeks, from ₩49,500 (Korea eSIM Data & Travel - 15 days, KT); for a month, from ₩64,300 (Korea eSIM Data & Travel - 30 days, KT).

Is there an unlimited SIM card in South Korea?

The cheapest unlimited SIM: Korea eSIM Data & Travel - 7 days (KT), ₩31,500 for 7 days.

Does a tourist SIM card in South Korea come with a phone number?

67 of 194 offers come with a number for calls (LG U+ and KT).

Can I buy the SIM card before I leave?

Online before you leave: 172 of 194 offers (LG U+, KT, and SK Telecom). 97 of 194 offers also come as an eSIM (LG U+, KT, and SK Telecom): no counter to find.

Which carrier should I pick in South Korea?

For a week of everyday use: KT from ₩31,500, LG U+ from ₩35,000, and SK Telecom from ₩35,000.