Landing in Korea soon and wondering whether to buy a SIM card, an eSIM, pocket Wi-Fi, or just use roaming? This guide is for short-term visitors (up to 90 days). The quick answer: for most tourists, a data-only eSIM from a Korean carrier or a travel eSIM app is the easiest choice, but if you need a Korean 010 phone number for calls, taxis or restaurant bookings, pick a prepaid SIM or eSIM with voice and collect it at an airport roaming center with your passport.
Your 5 options at a glance
Korea has fast LTE and 5G almost everywhere, including the subway. Your real choice is about price, convenience, and whether you need a local number.
| Option | Best for | Local 010 number? | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Korean carrier eSIM (data only) | Most tourists with a newer phone | Yes on some plans (incoming only on data plans) | Phone must support eSIM and be unlocked; one-time install |
| Korean carrier SIM or eSIM with voice | Calling taxis, restaurants, guesthouses | Yes, with outgoing calls/SMS | Must pick up and verify ID at an airport roaming center |
| Global travel eSIM app | Multi-country trips, buying before you fly | Usually no (data only) | Speeds and fair-use limits vary by seller |
| Pocket Wi-Fi (와이파이 에그, "Wi-Fi egg") | Families or groups sharing one connection | No | Battery life; you must return the device |
| Your home carrier's roaming | Very short trips, zero setup | No (your home number) | Often the most expensive per day |
Korean carrier eSIM: real 2026 prices (KT example)
Korea's three big carriers are SK Telecom, KT and LG U+, and all three run visitor products and airport roaming centers. We checked KT's official English visitor site in November 2026 because it publishes a full price table. Prices include VAT.
| Days | Data only | Data + Voice (about 60 min calls) | Data + Travel (free transport card, calls need top-up) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | ₩6,500 | – | – |
| 3 days | ₩18,000 | ₩23,500 | ₩16,200 |
| 5 days | ₩27,500 | ₩33,000 | ₩24,700 |
| 7 days | ₩35,000 | ₩40,500 | ₩31,500 |
| 10 days | ₩38,500 | ₩44,000 | ₩34,600 |
| 15 days | ₩55,000 | ₩60,500 | ₩49,500 |
| 30 days | ₩71,500 | ₩77,000 | ₩64,300 |
Key rules from KT's terms (check the current page before you buy):
- "Unlimited" means speed-controlled. You get 11GB per day at full speed, then unlimited data at 5Mbps. The 11GB resets every midnight. 5Mbps is still enough for maps, messaging and music.
- All numbers start with 010. Incoming calls and texts are free after the entry check. Outgoing calls and texts cost extra and need ID verification at the airport roaming center.
- Install once. Scan the QR code within 90 days of purchase. If you delete the eSIM, you cannot get a new QR code and cannot extend the plan.
- Extensions: add 5, 10, 20 or 30 days, but the total cannot go past 90 days.
- No refunds once an eSIM purchase is complete.
- Purchase limit: 1 voice SIM and 4 data SIMs per person.
The "Data + Travel" plan comes with a free transportation card, which can save you a trip to the convenience store. See our T-money guide for visitors for how to top it up and use it on subways and buses. SK Telecom and LG U+ sell similar products, so compare on their official roaming sites before you buy.
How to get a Korean SIM or eSIM, step by step
- Check your phone. Make sure it is unlocked (ask your home carrier to remove any country/carrier lock) and, for eSIM, that your model supports eSIM.
- Decide if you need a local number. Data-only is enough if you will use messaging apps for calls. Pick a voice plan if you expect to call taxis, hotels or restaurants with a Korean number.
- Book online before you fly. Data eSIMs arrive as a QR code by email. Physical SIMs are reserved and paid for online, then picked up at your arrival airport.
- Install the eSIM at home or on Wi-Fi. Scan the QR code while you still have internet. Set the Korean line as your data line and turn on data roaming for that line if your phone asks.
- Visit the roaming center (로밍센터) on arrival if needed. Bring your physical passport. Voice plans are activated only after an identity check (entry check). Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae (Busan) and Jeju airports all have carrier roaming centers, according to the Korea Tourism Organization.
- Test it before leaving the airport. Open a map app and send a message. Note your 010 number and your contract or order number for extensions and top-ups.
Can't get to the airport counter? Other places to buy
The Korea Tourism Organization (VisitKorea) says physical USIM cards are also sold at select convenience stores, including CU, GS25, 7-Eleven and Emart24, and at other retailers. Stock varies by branch, so check the store's app or website first. Free public Wi-Fi is also common in airports, subway and train stations and some bus stops. The government Wi-Fi portal is wififree.kr.
What a tourist SIM can't do (the part most guides skip)
Many Korean apps and websites ask you to verify your identity by text message or the PASS app (본인인증, "identity verification"). A visitor line usually does not pass this check. KT states plainly that its visitor eSIM "does not support the personal authentication." The Korea Herald reported in September 2026 that passport-based prepaid lines may not work for services that check identity against a Korean resident number, such as some banking, delivery and government sites.
What this means for your trip:
- KakaoTalk works fine, and can even be registered with your home (non-Korean) number.
- Some Korean shopping, delivery and booking sites may refuse to sign you up. Use English-language apps or ask your hotel for help.
- Rules for foreign-name phone lines are getting stricter. Korea began face verification for new phone lines in July 2026 and plans tighter ID checks for foreigners later this year. Expect to show your real, physical passport, and never let anyone open a line with your passport.
Buying gifts or cosmetics? Don't forget to claim VAT back on the way out: see our tax refund guide for tourists.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a passport to buy a SIM card in Korea?
Yes for voice plans. Carriers check your passport and entry record at the airport roaming center before turning on outgoing calls and texts. Data-only eSIMs can usually be bought online with just your details and a card payment, but keep your passport with you.
Is 5Mbps after the daily limit too slow?
No for most travel use. 5Mbps handles Naver Map, KakaoMap, messaging, music and standard-quality video. It will feel slow for large uploads or HD video calls. On KT's plans the full-speed allowance (11GB) resets at midnight.
Can I keep my Korean tourist number if I later get a Residence Card?
It depends on the carrier. KT's visitor products are designed for stays of up to 90 days. If you are moving to Korea, ask the carrier whether the line can be re-registered under your Residence Card, or switch to a regular or MVNO (알뜰폰) plan after you register.
Is roaming from my home carrier a bad idea?
Not always. For a 1–2 day stopover, roaming means no setup. For longer trips, a local eSIM is usually much cheaper per day. Compare your carrier's daily roaming fee with the table above.
Pocket Wi-Fi or eSIM for a family?
One pocket Wi-Fi can connect several devices, which suits families who stay together. If people will split up during the day, give each person their own eSIM so nobody loses internet.
Sources: KT Roaming – eSIM Plans for visitors (official); KT Roaming – SIM Plans for visitors (official); VisitKorea (Korea Tourism Organization) – Electricity & Communications; The Korea Herald – Getting a mobile plan in Korea and ID verification (Sep 2026); The Korea Herald – Foreign SIM registration and ID checks (Oct 2025); News report on face verification for new phone lines from July 2026 (Korean)
General information only, not advice from any carrier. Plans, prices and rules change often, so confirm on the provider's official site before you buy. Last checked November 2026.
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