Korea eSIM, SIM or pocket Wi-Fithe 3 carriers compared
Visitor plans from SK Telecom, KT and LG U+, compared from their official sites. Choose based on whether you want to buy online before you fly, pick up at the airport, or need a Korean number.
Which one should I get?
- Phone supports eSIM and is unlockedA data eSIMBuy online before you fly, install from the QR code, and you're connected on landing.
- Need a Korean number (010)?An eSIM/SIM with a numberHandy for SMS codes from restaurant or taxi booking apps. Calls and texts start after passport verification.
- Phone doesn't do eSIMPick up a physical SIM at an airport roaming center
- Travelling as a group or with several devicesPocket Wi-FiRent it at the airport and return it when you leave. You'll need a credit card for the deposit.
The 3 carriers' visitor plans
SK Telecom
- Buy online
- Data-only and number eSIMs both sold online — QR by email
- Number & passport check
- Number plans: calls/texts work after passport verification (at an airport roaming center or via the email voucher)
- Data
- Unlimited (stated: LTE speed, up to 100 Mbps)
- Airport pickup
- Incheon T1 1F (opposite Exit 13, 24h; opposite Exit 2, 06:00–22:00), T2 1F (opposite Exit 7, 24h)
- Price examples
- Data eSIM 1 day ₩6,500 · LTE eSIM with number 5 days ₩27,500 · 10 days ₩38,500 · 30 days ₩71,500
KT- Buy online
- Data eSIM online or on site; eSIM with a number only at airport roaming centers
- Number & passport check
- Calls/texts only after passport verification, which is possible after you pass Korean immigration. Data works without it
- Data
- Unlimited (with speed control)
- Airport pickup
- Incheon T1 1F (opposite Exit 2, 06:00–22:00; opposite Exit 13, 24h), T2 1F (opposite Exit 4, 24h), Gimpo 1F (next to Exit 1, 06:30–23:00)
LG U+- Buy online
- Data eSIM online (QR by email); number eSIM/SIM at the airport only
- Number & passport check
- Passport verification required. With a number, SMS codes for restaurant/taxi booking apps work, but bank or government ID verification doesn't
- Data
- Unlimited (stated: no speed cap)
- Airport pickup
- Incheon T1 1F (Gate F, 24h; Gate A, 06:00–22:00), T2 1F (around Gates 3 & 8), Gimpo (Gate 1, 06:30–23:00)
- Price examples
- Data eSIM 1 day ₩6,500 · 3 days ₩18,000 · 5 days ₩27,500
All three: incoming calls/texts are free; outgoing calls/texts need a top-up. Data-only plans have no Korean number, so you can't receive SMS verification codes.
Pocket Wi-Fi rental
- SK TelecomUnlimited, up to 20 Mbps · ₩4,400/day (₩3,300 booked online) · credit card in your name required (no debit cards)
- KTUnlimited, 20 Mbps · ₩4,400/day · passport and a credit card in your name (deposit)
- LG U+4 GB/day at full speed, then unlimited at up to 5 Mbps · up to 10 devices
Pick up at an airport roaming center and return it on departure. Bring your passport.
Going free: public Wi-Fi
Seoul's free city Wi-Fi "SEOUL_Secure" (ID and password: seoul) covers main streets, tourist spots, buses and bus stops, and many stations and cafés have free Wi-Fi too. For maps and translation on the move, though, mobile data is much easier.
Find free Wi-FiSEOUL_SecureSources
- SK Telecom · eSIM
- SK Telecom · Data eSIM
- SK Telecom · SIM
- SK Telecom · Roaming centers
- SK Telecom · Wi-Fi router
- KT · eSIM
- KT · SIM guide
- LG U+ · eSIM
- LG U+ · Pocket Wi-Fi
- LG U+ · FAQ
- Seoul Metropolitan Government · Free Wi-Fi
Checked: 2026-10-01 · Prices, pickup points and hours change often — check the official site before you buy.