Purchasing a SIM card in Korea is a great option. It will give you easy and convenient access to the internet without the hassle of trying to find free WiFi. Free WiFi can often have dubious security, plus finding and logging in to each WiFi hotspot can be painful.
If you have to go into quarantine on arrival into South Korea then ensure you check out our great options below to pre-book through Trazy a data+voice sim card for collection in the restricted quarantine area before you exit to head to your accommodation. Alternatively, Trazy also offers an international deliver service so you can receive your sim card prior to departure and you will also have your Korean phone number prior to departure.
Click below to check out and book your sim card for South Korea if you are required to go into COVID19 quarantine:
- Click here to order your unlimited data KT Olleh Data Only or Data+Voice Sim Card (20 or 30 days) within Incheon Airport Terminal 1 Quarantine Inspection Area through Trazy. Note that unlimited extension options are available so this is a great option for both shorter and longer visits.
- Click here to order your unlimited data 30 day Data+Voice+SMS Sim Card through Trazy for international delivery prior to your departure from your home country. Note that four different plans are available, and all sim cards can be extended to be used for up to 90 days in total.
- Further details on both of these options are below.
Many accommodation options have guest WiFi, but when you walk out the door you will not have cost effective access to data – and you really need it for a whole range of reasons including: using public transport timetables, platforms and stations; as well as for using map apps like Naver Map and KakaoMap to get around. Google Maps has pretty limited usefulness in South Korea. Check out our article on the best apps to load onto your phone for your trip to South Korea.
I have done the research to help you find the best SIM card in Korea for your visit with options to pick up your SIM card from various locations throughout South Korea. This article will help you quickly decide which SIM card option will suit you best.
Before I get into the details, a key tip is to plan to pre-order your Korea SIM card with many providers allowing you to pre-order up to 1-3 days in advance. Also, if you are arriving or departing early or late, ensure you check the opening hours for your pick up and return options which are further down in the article, or on the supplier’s page after you click through below.
Join the South Korea Travel Planning Facebook Group
Check out our South Korea Travel Planning Facebook Group – you are welcome to join and it is a great resource to enable you to ask questions about your upcoming trip to South Korea!
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you book after clicking on one of these links then we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Best South Korea SIM Card Options
What is the best SIM card in Korea for your visit? This question has different answers for different people. This article details the features and costs of various SIM card options from several reputable providers – Klook, Trazy, and Get Your Guide.
Read further below for further information about each recommended providers and to see the available options.
Costs are accurate as at November 2020, but are subject to fluctuation due to product pricing and exchange rate changes. This article will be periodically updated to reflect the latest prices.
Korea Prepaid SIM Card Data and Data+Voice+SMS Options for COVID19 Quarantine
Below is a more detailed overview of the sim cards options if you will be going into quarantine on arrival into South Korea. Note that we have worked with Trazy for several years now and they are a reputable provider of travel products and services for South Korea, so we definitely recommend them as a great option to book what you need for your visit.
Trazy KT Olleh Data Only or Data+Voice Sim Card – for collection in Incheon Terminal 1 Quarantine Inspection Area
- Unlimited 4G LTE Data
- 20/30 day options
- unlimited extension options available, so a great option if you plan to visit for a longer period
- Data+Voice+SMS Sim Cards – 20 Day – $US 49.00, 30 Day – $US 55.80, add credits to enable ability to make calls
- Data Only Sim Card – 30 day – $US 66.80, comes with 11,000 Won Credit
Trazy Data+Voice+SMS Sim Card – for international delivery worldwide
Make sure you check out the shipping timeframes for your location. Estimated delivery times are as follows:
- North American Countries (USA/Canada) – 2-5 business days
- European countries – 2-5 business days
- South American Countries – 8-15 business days
- Other countries – 10-15 business days
Four plan levels as detailed below:
Medium Plan includes:
- 30 days validity
- Data: 1GB of 4G/LTE data. Data top ups available via the app or website, 500MB for 8,800 Won, 1GB for 14,300 Won and 2GB for 19,800 Won
- Voice & SMS: Both incoming and outgoing calls and SMS are included. 3,000 Won included credits, can be topped up via the app or website.
- Cost is $US 25.90
Large Plan includes:
- 30 days validity
- Data: 2GB of 4G/LTE data. Data top ups available via the app or website, 500MB for 8,800 Won, 1GB for 14,300 Won and 2GB for 19,800 Won
- Voice & SMS: Both incoming and outgoing calls and SMS are included. 3,000 Won included credits, can be topped up via the app or website.
- Cost is $US 31.90
Premium Plan (unlimited data) includes:
- 30 days validity
- Data: 12GB of 4G/LTE data. After you use 12GB you get an additional 2GB of daily 4G/LTE data allowance. After you reach the daily limit your data speed will be throttled to 3Mbps for the rest of the day.
- Voice & SMS: Unlimited incoming/outgoing calls and SMS within Korea
- Cost is $US 74.40
Premium Plus Plan (unlimited data) includes:
- 30 days validity
- Data: 100GB of 4G/LTE data. After you use 100GB your data speed will be throttled to 3Mbps for the rest of the month.
- Voice & SMS: Unlimited incoming/outgoing calls and SMS within Korea
- Cost is $US 104.50
Korea Prepaid SIM Card Data and Data+Voice+SMS Options if you are not going into Quarantine
A data only SIM card is perfect if you don’t need a SIM card that includes voice calls and text messages while you are in South Korea. These plans offer unlimited data so it’s easy to use apps like Whatsapp to make phone calls and send messages.
Alternatively, Data+Voice+SMS sim card options are only a little more expensive and enable you to get a Korean phone number so you can make and receive calls during your visit.
Below is a comparison table of the SIM card options, click on the links to check out further information and to make your booking. Note that due to COVID19 a restricted number of options and airport collection locations are available.
| SIM Card Type | Features | Provider and Cost |
KT Olleh Data Only or Data+Voice (Incheon airport pickup only) Click here to pre-book through Klook | Unlimited Data 1/5/10/30 day plans Need to add credit before you can make calls Extension options available Universal SIM card;1 card per person; unlock phone first  | Klook Data Only / Data+Voice Costs 1 day – $US 5.10 / n/a 5 days – $US 21.35 / $US 23.59 10 days – $US 29.89 /$US 30.59 30 days – $US 55.39 / $US 62.45 |
| Trazy Data+Voice+SMS Sim Card 1 day (data only) – $5.30 5 days – $US 22.30 10 days – $US 29.70 20 days – $US 49.00 30 days – $US 55.80 | ||
| Get Your Guide (Data Sim Card Only) 5 days – $US 25.40 10 days – $US 35.60 30 days – $US 66.20 | ||
| Data Only (Jeju Airport Pickup) | Unlimited Data Note 1GB at 4G LTE speeds, then unlimited data at 3G speed (5 Mbps), which resets every day Unlimited incoming calls and SMS (outgoing not available) 1/3/5/10/20/30 day plans Not extendable Universal SIM card;1 card per person; unlock phone first | Data Only 1 day – $US 5.90 3 days – $US 16.20 5 days – $US 24.70 10 days – $US 34.60 20 days – $US 54.40 30 days = $US 64.30 |
Click below to check out and book your sim card for South Korea if you are required to go into COVID19 quarantine:
- Click here to order your unlimited data KT Olleh Data Only or Data+Voice Sim Card (20 or 30 days) within Incheon Airport Terminal 1 Quarantine Inspection Area through Trazy. Note that unlimited extension options are available so this is a great option for both shorter and longer visits.
- Click here to order your unlimited data 30 day Data+Voice+SMS Sim Card through Trazy for international delivery prior to your departure from your home country. Note that four different plans are available, and all sim cards can be extended to be used for up to 90 days in total.
You may also like to check out the following articles:
- Best Online Pocket Wifi Rental In South Korea For Tourists
- Best Online Pocket Wifi Rental in Japan for Tourists
- Best Hong Kong Sim Card For Tourists
- Best Pocket Wifi Hong Kong Rental
- Review: Pupuru Pocket Wifi for Japan
- Would You Dare to Visit the Scariest Place on Earth? (otherwise known as the DMZ between South Korean and North Korea)…
Join the South Korea Travel Planning Facebook Group
Check out our South Korea Travel Planning Facebook Group – you are welcome to join and it is a great resource to enable you to ask questions about your upcoming trip to South Korea!
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you book after clicking on one of these links then we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi there! I wanted to know if its also convenient to buy the sim card at the airport itself? At the convenient store/or at their own counters?
There probably are options, however i prefer to do the research before I leave so that I do not have to spend time on it after along haul flight 🙂
Hi, about the Jeju airport? Any suggestion.
Hi, Trazy offers a separate sim card product which can be picked up in Jeju Island. Here is the link: https://koreatravelplanning.com/recommends/prepaid-lte-4g-3g-sim-card-unlimited-data-only-1-5-10-days-pick-up-jeju/
Hello!
Do you know if I can meet up at the counter at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok and buy the SIM card without booking?
You are better off pre-booking, that way all you need to do is find the counter when you arrive.
Hello Anne,
Unfortunately I didn’t find your FB group and this info until after I have arrived and I am now in seoul. Do you have advice on where I should go to sort out a SIM card now that I’m in the city?
I’ll be here for 4 months doing a term at Korea University.
Thanks!
Jason
Our article still has some longer term options with both data and voice.