Last checked: October 7, 2026 · Sources: KT, SK Telecom and LG U+ official tourist pages, linked below. All prices in Korean won, VAT included, as shown on those pages.
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If your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked, buy a data eSIM from one of Korea’s three carriers before you fly. It’s the cheapest and simplest option (KT, SK Telecom and LG U+ all list ₩18,000 for 3 days of unlimited LTE data). Need a Korean 010 number to receive texts, for example for restaurant or taxi apps? Get a data + voice plan, or KT’s data eSIM, which comes with a 010 number for incoming calls and texts. Either way, a passport check is needed, usually at the airport. Choose a physical USIM if your phone has no eSIM, and pocket Wi-Fi if you want to share one connection across several devices.
The three options at a glance
| eSIM | USIM (physical SIM) | Pocket Wi-Fi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Digital SIM you install by QR code | Plastic SIM you swap into your phone | Small router you carry and connect to by Wi-Fi |
| Phone needs | eSIM support + unlocked | Unlocked | Nothing |
| Korean 010 number | Yes on voice plans; data plans vary by carrier | Yes (incoming free after ID check on KT) | No |
| Pick-up | Data plans: none, QR by email. Voice plans: usually at the airport | Airport roaming center | Airport roaming center; return it too |
| Share with others | Hotspot (check plan) | Hotspot (check plan) | Yes, multiple devices |
| Best for | Most solo travelers | Older phones without eSIM | Families, laptops, groups |
eSIM prices from the carriers (data, LTE)
| Days | KT (Data eSIM) | SK Telecom (LTE eSIM) | LG U+ (Data eSIM, LTE) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ₩6,500 | ₩6,500 | ₩6,500 |
| 2 | ₩12,000 | ₩12,000 | ₩12,000 |
| 3 | ₩18,000 | ₩18,000 | ₩18,000 |
| 4 | ₩23,000 | ₩23,000 | ₩23,000 |
| 5 | ₩27,500 | ₩27,500 | ₩27,500 |
| 7 | ₩35,000 | ₩35,000 | ₩35,000 |
| 10 | ₩38,500 | ₩38,500 | ₩38,500 |
| 15 | ₩55,000 | ₩55,000 | ₩55,000 |
| 30 | ₩71,500 | ₩71,500 | ₩71,500 |
| 60 | ₩107,200 | ₩107,000 | ₩143,000 |
| 90 | ₩143,000 | ₩143,000 | ₩192,500 |
For the plan lengths in this table, prices are identical up to 30 days (other lengths can differ slightly, e.g. 6 days: KT ₩31,500, SK Telecom ₩31,900, LG U+ ₩32,000), so pick on the details below. For 60 or 90 days, KT and SK Telecom are clearly cheaper than LG U+. LG U+ and SK Telecom also sell 5G eSIMs at a premium (for example ₩25,000 for 3 days at both, or ₩81,500 for 30 days); LTE is plenty for maps and messaging.
Speed fine print:
- KT: unlimited, but after 11GB in a day speed drops to 5Mbps; the 11GB resets at midnight.
- SK Telecom: unlimited data at LTE speeds, up to 100Mbps.
- LG U+: advertises “no speed cap”; speeds may be managed during heavy network congestion.
Extras: SK Telecom adds a T-money transport card and a Royal Palace Pass (palace entry, valid through December 31, 2026) to plans of 3 days or more bought on skroaming.com. LG U+ gives a free T-money card with plans of 3 days or more picked up at the airport. KT’s “Data & Travel” plan includes a transportation card.
Data only vs data + voice: what the passport check is for
All three carriers sell these plans only to foreign visitors, for short stays (up to 90 days). The difference is the Korean phone number:
| KT | SK Telecom | LG U+ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data-only eSIM | Buy online. Comes with a 010 number: incoming calls/SMS free after the ID check at KT’s airport roaming center; no outgoing calls/SMS | 1-day LTE data-only plan (₩6,500). No voice/SMS; no passport check needed | Buy online. No SMS verification possible |
| eSIM with number | “Data & Voice” (~60 min calls, e.g. ₩23,500 for 3 days) and “Data & Travel”: buy at the airport counter only | LTE eSIM includes a 010 number: free incoming calls/texts after passport check; outgoing after top-up | “Data + Voice”: same data price plus call credit (20 min ₩5,500, 40 min ₩11,000, 60 min ₩16,500, 80 min ₩22,000); airport pick-up only |
| How the ID check works | Entry check at the KT roaming center at the airport | Scan the QR on your voucher and verify passport info online (8 a.m.–10 p.m.), or at the airport roaming center | Passport verification at the airport counter (Incheon T1/T2, Gimpo, Gimhae) |
| Limit | 1 voice SIM + 4 data SIMs per person; one ID check per passport | One product per passport at a time (the same passport can be verified again after the previous plan expires) | Up to 3 items per passport |
Not sure you need a Korean number at all? See which Korean apps work without a Korean phone number.
Why you might want the number: LG U+ states that its voice/SMS plans can receive SMS verification for restaurant and taxi reservation apps, but none of the tourist plans support identity verification for banking or government services. KT and SK Telecom also say their tourist SIMs don’t support personal authentication, and SK Telecom adds that text messages for payment approval can’t be received.
If you only need maps, messaging apps and calls over apps like KakaoTalk or FaceTime, data-only is enough. SK Telecom and KT both say internet calls (mVoIP) work. To book or pay inside Naver Map without a Korean number, see our guide to Naver Map in English and passport verification.
Physical USIM: when it makes sense
Buy a USIM if your phone doesn’t support eSIM. KT’s tourist USIM uses the same prices as its eSIM (for example ₩18,000 for 3 days of data, ₩23,500 for 3 days of data & voice) and works like this:
- Reserve and pay online in advance.
- Visit the KT roaming center at your arrival airport.
- Show your passport (or alien registration card) and pick up the SIM.
- Swap it in. KT notes you may need to restart the phone up to 5 times before it picks up the SIM.
You can extend the period online by 5, 10, 20 or 30 days, and top up ₩5,500–55,000 for outgoing calls and texts. LG U+ also lists physical SIM cards on its tourist site; we haven’t compared SK Telecom or LG U+ SIM prices here.
Pocket Wi-Fi (router): prices and catches
KT’s official rental prices:
| Plan | Price | Data |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | ₩4,400 per day | Unlimited at 20Mbps |
| Monthly | ₩55,000 for 30 days | Unlimited at 20Mbps |
| Over 30 days | +₩3,300 per extra day, paid on return |
What you need: passport (or alien registration card) and a credit card in your own name for the deposit, with at least 3 months before it expires. Debit cards are not accepted for the deposit. Up to 4 routers per person. Battery life is listed at 9.5–30 hours depending on the model.
Pocket Wi-Fi wins for families who’d otherwise buy several eSIMs. It loses if you’re travelling alone: you have to keep it charged, carry it, and return it to the airport counter.
Airport pick-up
Where the carrier counters are at Incheon, and which ones open 24 hours: Incheon Airport arrival, step by step.
KT has customer centers at Incheon (Terminal 1 and 2), Gimpo and Gimhae airports, and LG U+ hands out voice eSIMs at the same four. At Incheon Terminal 1 (arrival floor, 1F), all three carriers have a 24-hour counter on the Gate F/Exit 13 side and a daytime counter on the Gate A/Exit 2 side:
| Carrier | Counter | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| KT | Near Arrival Hall A (opposite Exit 2) | 06:00–22:00 |
| KT | Near Arrival Hall F (opposite Exit 13) | 24 hours |
| SK Telecom | Opposite Gate 2 | 06:00–22:00 |
| SK Telecom | Opposite Gate 13 | 24 hours |
| LG U+ | Gate A | 06:00–22:00 |
| LG U+ | Gate F | 24 hours |
At Incheon Terminal 2, SK Telecom’s roaming center opposite Exit 7 (1F) is open 24 hours. For other airports, check the carrier’s page before you land.
Check before you buy
| Check | Why |
|---|---|
| Phone is carrier-unlocked | All three carriers say a country-locked phone won’t work, and an eSIM scan can succeed on a locked phone and still not connect |
| Phone supports eSIM | iPhone: Settings → Cellular → “Add eSIM”. Android: Settings → Connections → SIM Manager. Or dial *#06# and look for an EID |
| Your phone brand works with the carrier | LG U+ says its eSIM is not supported on Google Pixel, Motorola and OPPO phones. If you have one of these, check KT or SK Telecom first |
| You have a foreign-issued card | KT says cards issued in Korea are not accepted |
| Name on the order matches your passport | KT warns the eSIM may be restricted if details don’t match |
| You won’t delete the eSIM | Deleted eSIMs can’t be reinstalled; you’d have to buy a new one |
| You install it in time | KT: within 30 days of purchase. SK Telecom: QR can be scanned up to 180 days. LG U+: activate within 60 days |
If your plan isn’t working
The eSIM installed but there’s no signal.
Turn on data roaming for the eSIM line, select it for mobile data, and restart once or twice. SK Telecom says to restart and check that “SKT” is shown as the carrier; if you see 3G, restart again to switch to LTE.
I deleted the eSIM by mistake.
It can’t be reissued on any of the three carriers. You’ll need a new plan.
My eSIM has no phone number.
KT data plans have a 010 number for incoming calls and texts after the airport ID check, but no outgoing calls or texts. On SK Telecom, the number works for incoming calls and texts only after the passport check. LG U+ shows the number in your phone settings after you arrive in Korea.
I can’t verify my passport for SKT at night.
Online verification runs 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. only. Data still works before verification. Verify the next morning or at an airport roaming center.
Can I get a refund?
Mostly no. KT and LG U+ say eSIM purchases are non-refundable once paid. SK Telecom allows a same-day refund only if nothing has been used, and refunds if the phone turns out to be locked or doesn’t support eSIM.
Do I need a K-ETA to buy a SIM?
None of the three carriers’ tourist pages lists K-ETA as a requirement; they ask for your passport. Whether you need a K-ETA to enter Korea is a separate question that depends on your nationality. Check the official K-ETA site (k-eta.go.kr) before you fly.
Once you have data, note that Google Maps still won’t give walking or driving directions in Korea. Here is what works on Google Maps in Korea and what to use instead.
Which one should you get?
| You are… | Get |
|---|---|
| Solo, newer phone, just need data | Data eSIM, any carrier (Pixel, Motorola or OPPO: not LG U+) |
| Need a Korean number for texts (restaurant queues, taxi apps) | Data + voice plan with passport check |
| Phone has no eSIM | USIM, pick up at airport |
| Family of 3–4, or need laptop/tablet online | Pocket Wi-Fi |
| Staying 60–90 days | KT or SK Telecom data eSIM (cheaper than LG U+ for long plans) |
| Staying more than 90 days | These tourist plans aren’t designed for you. Look at resident plans |
Hiking in Korea? The Hallasan booking site sends your entry QR by text message, and national park shelters are booked online too: see how to book Hallasan and Jirisan shelter booking for foreigners.
Booking trains too? Our guide to booking KTX/SRT with a foreign credit card covers non-member booking without a Korean phone.
Prefer one English booking page? Creatrip resells carrier eSIMs, for example an LG U+ eSIM (affiliate link). Compare the price and the cancellation terms with the carrier’s own page above before you buy.
Before you fly, also check whether you need a K-ETA or an e-Arrival Card.
Read next
Sources
- KT eSIM plans and prices, ID check, 11GB/5Mbps rule, Korean-card restriction, 1 voice + 4 data limit
- KT USIM plans, airport pick-up steps, extension/top-up
- KT pocket Wi-Fi prices, deposit rules
- KT airport customer centers and Incheon T1 hours
- SK Telecom LTE eSIM prices, passport verification hours, refund rules, extras
- SK Telecom airport roaming centers and hours (if the link opens the home page, go to Info & Benefits → Roaming Center Information)
- LG U+ Korea eSIM (data) LTE/5G prices, 3 items per passport, SMS verification note, unsupported phone brands
- LG U+ Korea eSIM (data + voice) call credit prices, airport passport verification, pick-up airports, Incheon T1 hours