The Best SIM Cards for Travel to South Korea
Picking up a SIM Card for your next trip to South Korea is pretty easy. There are a lot of options for travelers, most of which can easily be found after arriving in one of the major airports. However Prepaid SIM Cards are a little more expensive in South Korea than neighboring countries like China and “Unlimited Data” seems to be the preferred offer to tourists even though it’s not actually unlimited but 10 GB then throttled down to 2G speeds. We’ve picked out the best SIM Cards by Value, Price, Unlimited Data and additional cards used to Roam in South Korea.
The roaming cards can be picked up on location in Hong Kong, or online via Amazon in some cases. But note that roaming cards will be less reliable compared to one offered by a South Korean provider, and customer service harder to come by while you are abroad and potentially without cell service. South Korea usually requires SIM Cards to be registered, however most roaming cards are exempt from this process. Do take the time to check your phone compatibility using the tools below and reach out over Facebook or Twitter if you have any questions.
SIM Cards Available in South Korea
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There are a lot of options out there for South Korea SIM Cards and factors to consider before selecting one.
- How long is your trip?
- Will you be traveling to China, Hong Kong or Japan?
- Will you be traveling from Hong Kong?
- Will your phone work on South Korean networks?
This article is a little lengthier than our usual ones. But do take the time to check out the requirements and your phones compatibility with South Korea SIM Card providers.
Where to Buy a SIM Card?
SIM Card Requirements
Check Your Phone Compatability
Your phone needs to be compatible with the SIM provider’s network. What does this mean?
There are two network types worldwide: CDMA and GSM. South Korea used to use CDMA but built out GSM networks for 3G after 2012. 4G/ LTE works on both types.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to know the details because nice internet people have come through for us! Check out WillMyPhoneWork.NET. Here is what you need:
- Your Phone Brand (Apple ,Samsung, LG, HTC, Huawei etc…)
- Your Phone Model (Samsung Galaxy S9, IPhone X, etc…)
- Your Phone Sub-Model Number (Model A1532) May also have to know your carrier (Verizon, Sprint, Rogers etc…)
- The country you are visiting (United States, Japan etc…)
- The carrier whose network you’ll be using (AT&T or T-Mobile)
Example of Compatibility (USA)
- Brand: Apple
- Model: IPhone 5C
- Sub-Model: N# on the back of the phone A1532.
- There are two options: Verizon CDMA and GSM (other carriers). I’m not with Verizon so it must be GSM (North America)
- Country: United States
- Carrier: AT&T
Compatibility Result: 3G & 4G. Next I checked T-Mobile, but I only had 2G, 3G and only maybe 4G compatibility on their network. So AT&T is probably better.
Best Value SIM Cards
Top Choice: EG SIM Data & Voice 5 GB
- Network: KT
- Pre-purchase Online: Yes. Pick up at airport, int delivery within Asia and Australia
- Available Locations: CU, GS25, Mini Stop, 7-11, list of stores,
- Top Ups: Yes, Credit Card or Voucher
- Note: SIM Valid for 90 days, SIMs bought in store must be activated online
SIM Price: Free+
- 15,000 KRW ($13.29 USD) for 1.5 GB & 50mins of Voice Credit for 30 days.
- 30,000 KRW ($26.57 USD) for 5 GB & 50mins of Voice Credit for 30 days
- 45,000 KRW ($39.75 USD) for 10GB 100 mins of Voice Credit for 30 days..
Unlimited Data SIM Cards
- 29,250 KRW ($25.84 USD) Unlimited Data for 30 days.
- 55,900 KRW ($49.38 USD) Unlimited Data for 60 days.
- 78,000 KRW ($68.92 USD) Unlimited Data for 90 days.
EG SIM is a company based out of Germany that sells SIM Cards for South Korea on the KT network. The 5 GB plan has the best value for travelers and lasts a nice 30 days. But the unlimited data plans than vary by length of time are also very competitively priced and worth considering. Although 5 GB is more than enough data for most people.
The one complain I’ve read it that setting up the SIM Card is complicated since you have to register yourself by scanning a copy of your passport and submitting it on their website in the application form. To help, here is the English Manual for setting up the SIM.
Runner Up: FreeT Data only SIM Card
- Network: SK Telecom
- Pre-purchase Online: No,
- Available Locations: Must sign up in a store
- Top Ups: Yes, Online, or via the app with Credit Card, or in stores with Cash at CU, GS25 7-11 Mini Stop or C Space
- Note: More options online, all valid for 30 days.
SIM Price: Free+
- 5,000 KRW ($4.41 USD) for 100 MB of Data.
- 6,000 KRW ($5.29 USD) for 200 MB of Data.
- 8,000 KRW ($7.05 USD) for 300 MB of Data.
- 10,000 KRW ($8.02 USD) for 500 MB of Data.
- 15,000 KRW ($13.22 USD) for 1 GB of Data.
- 20,000 KRW ($17.63 USD) for 2 GB of Data.
- 30,000 KRW ($26.45 USD) for 3 GB of Data.
- 45,000 KRW ($39.67 USD) for 5 GB of Data.
Best Price SIM Cards
Top Choice: PPS Smartphone
- Network: SK Telecom
- Pre-purchase Online: No
- Available Locations: SK Roaming Center Branches & T-World Shops
- Top Ups: Yes, Credit Card or Voucher.
- Note: Min 30 day SIM Card validity. Data packages validity is the same as the SIM.
SIM Price: Free+
- Basic Plan at 166 KRW ($0.15 USD)/day+ data package below
- 2,000 KRW ($1.76 USD) for 100 MB of Data.
- 10,000 KRW ($8.82 USD) for 500 MB of Data.
- 15,000 KRW ($13.23 USD) for 1 GB of Data.
- 19,000 KRW ($16.76 USD) for 2 GB of Data.
- 33,000 KRW ($29.11 USD) for 10 GB of Data.
This SIM Card is notoriously hard to find. Apparently it should be offered at two SK Telecom booths in the Seoul International Airport but feedback online suggests it’s not available there. Instead, you must stop by an SK Telecom customer service center in Seoul or a T-World location (links above).
Monster Unlimited Data SIM Cards
Top Choice: KT Korea SIM Blue
- Network: KT
- Pre-purchase Online: Yes. Pick up at airport
- Available Locations: CU, GS25, Mini Stop, 7-11, list of stores,
- Top Ups: Yes, 1 time
- Note: SIM Valid for original length + 1 time 30 day extension. Each plan below includes 100 mins & 100 SMS outgoing & unlimited incoming. Registration online
SIM Price: Free+
- $22.90 USD for Unlimited Data for 5 days.
- $27.90 USD for Unlimited Data for 7 days.
- $31.90 USD for Unlimited Data for 10 days.
- $40.30 USD for Unlimited Data for 15 days.
- $58.90 USD for Unlimited Data for 30 days.
Runner Up: SK Telecom Korean Orange SIM
- Network: SK Telecom
- Pre-purchase Online: Yes. Pick up at airport or Busan Harbour
- Available Locations: CU, GS25, Mini Stop, 7-11, list of stores
- Top Ups: No
- Note: SIM Valid for original length, no extension. Each plan has a limit of 2 GB/day at 4G speeds. Registration online.
SIM Price: Free+
- $4.75 USD for Unlimited Data for 1 days.
- $22.00 USD for Unlimited Data for 5 days.
- $29.65 USD for Unlimited Data for 10 days.
- $55.49 USD for Unlimited Data for 30 days.
3rd Choice: NeoKOSIM Unlimited Data SIM Card
- Network: KT
- Pre-purchase Online: Yes. Through Paypal, credit card accepted. Int. delivery or Pick up at major airports, Busan Harbour.
- Available Locations: online only.
- Top Ups: No
- Note: Save PDF Voucher of purchase for pick up. Valid for the length on the SIM, no extensions. Pick up pre-activated
SIM Price: Free+
- $6.60 USD for Unlimited Data for 1 days. (No int. delivery)
- $25.00 USD for Unlimited Data for 5 days.
- $35.00 USD for Unlimited Data for 10 days.
- $65.00 USD for Unlimited Data for 30 days.
Roam from Hong Kong
Top Choice: SK Hong Kong KLook SIM
- Network: SK Telecom
- Pre-purchase Online: Yes. Here
- Available Locations: Hong Kong Int. Airport Only. Terminal 1 Counter A13 7:00 am to 11:00 pm
- Top Ups: No
- Note: Valid for the length on the SIM, no extensions. Plug and go SIM, no registration or activation.
SIM Price: Free+
- $16.30 USD for 2.8 GB of Data at 4G speeds for 6 days.
- $18.85 USD for 5 GB of Data at 3G speeds for 8 days.
2nd Choice: China Mobile Republic of Korea SIM Card
- Network: SK Telecom & CMHK (Hong Kong)
- Pre-purchase Online: Yes. Here with Credit Card
- Available Locations: CMHK Shops, Order to pick up in HK, or delivery to a local address in HK.
- Top Ups: No
- Note: Valid for use in Hong Kong and South Korea for 7 days. No extensions. Plug and go SIM, no registration or activation.
SIM Price: Free+
- $288 HK Dollars ($36.00 USD) for 5 GB of Data at 4G speends for 7 days.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links that don’t add any cost to you but help support the site. Also, some of the promos may be for a limited time. We will try to keep the info updated as best we can!
Additional Notes: One more thing we wanted to include but will have to wait for another article: Wi-Fi eggs (Pocket Wi-fi in Korea) and Wi-Fi hotspot cards. Rentals are usually more expensive than SIMs since they charge a rental fee and a daily rate, plus they need to be returned at the end of the trip. The article is already long enough so we will include these in a separate article.
More of what you need: Check out the Best SIM Cards for other destinations, and the Essential Gear every backpacker should have for staying in hostels. If you found this helpful, like us on Facebook or Instagram, it really helps us out!
