Compare the best eSIM plans for South Korea
Internet from the moment you land in South Korea
By SamuelData collected on Page verified on Methodology
- Instant activation
- iPhone and Android compatible
- From €0.30 for 1 GB or more
- 6,000+ plans compared
Photo credit : Luiz M
€0.30
Cheapest plan, 1 GB or more
6,000+
South Korea plans compared
117+
Providers available
5G
Network supported
Entry price measured on fixed-volume plans of 1 GB or more covering the country. Volumes below 1 GB and plans billed per day, whose price is not comparable, fall outside the calculation.
Best eSIM deals for South Korea
AbesteSIM
1 GB · 1 day
1 GB
1 day
KR
€0.30
Stellar eSIM
1 GB · 30 days
1 GB
30 days
KR
€0.52
Strongesim
1 GB · 7 days
1 GB
7 days
KR
€0.74
MicroEsim
1 GB · 1 day
1 GB
1 day
KR
€0.74
eSIM.dog
1 GB · 5 days
1 GB
5 days
KR
€0.82
IRoamly
1 GB · 3 days
1 GB
3 days
KR
€0.86
eSIM for South Korea at a glance
From
€1.98
For 5 GB / 30 days
Plan duration
1 to 30 days
Depending on the plan
Local networks
KT, SK Telecom, LG U+
Ultra-fast 5G
VPN needed?
No
All Western services work normally
Hotspot tethering
Available
On most plans
Compatibility
iPhone XS+ / Android 8.0+
Check your device
Internet in South Korea: everything you need to know
South Korea is the most connected country in the world, with internet penetration above 97% and one of the best 5G footprints on the planet (source: ITU DataHub, 2024). The three national carriers (KT, SK Telecom, LG U+) have rolled out 5G across every major city and along all KTX lines. A South Korea eSIM gets you onto this network the moment you land at Incheon, with no physical card swap.
- ●5G coverage in every major city (Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon) and along KTX lines.
- ●Average mobile download speeds around 130 to 160 Mbps per Ookla (Q1 2025), among the fastest in the world.
- ●Perfect for the Korean apps you cannot avoid: KakaoTalk, KakaoMap, Naver Maps, Papago, KakaoT.
- ●Seoul metro fully covered in 5G, including the tunnels.
Sources: Internet Society Pulse : South Korea, ITU DataHub : South Korea statistics, Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Networks and connectivity on the ground
- Average speed
- 250.6 Mbps downloadmeasured 2026 · Internet Society Pulse
- Coverage
- Nationwidemeasured 2025 · Internet Society Pulse
- 5G
- Widely availablemeasured 2025 · Internet Society Pulse
- Local operators
- SK Telecom · KT · LG U+measured 2026 · Datadopt research
- Public Wi-Fi
- Everywheremeasured 2026 · Datadopt research
Practical information
- Currency
- South Korean Won (KRW)
- Payments
- Card accepted everywhereATMs everywhere
- Tipping
- Tipping is not expected
- Power socket
- Type C, Type F220 V, 60 Hz
- Official languages
- KoreanEnglish in tourist areas
- Dialling code
- +82Time zone : Asia/Seoul
- Emergency numbers
- 112 · 119 · 119
When to go
- Best time to go
- April, May, October, November
- Shoulder season
- March, September
- When to avoid
- July
- Peak season
- April, August, October
- Seasonal hazards
- MonsoonJune, July
- TyphoonsAugust, September
- Extreme coldDecember, January, February
The country runs on two short windows: April and May for the cherry blossom, October and November for the maples. Between them, the June and July monsoon and August's humid heat make the days markedly less pleasant, and the winter is properly cold.
One card covers the country
A rechargeable transport card works on the metro, the buses and most taxis in every city, and is sold in any convenience store. It is the single most useful purchase of the first hour.
This is the best-connected country on the site
The facts block below shows 5G reaching effectively the whole population, and open wifi in subway cars, cafes and public buildings. An eSIM here is purely about avoiding roaming charges, never about finding coverage.
The blossom moves north, the leaves move south
Cherry blossom starts in Busan and Jeju in late March and reaches Seoul one to two weeks later, lasting only a few days in each place. Autumn colour goes the other way, from the northern ranges in early October to the south by mid-November.
The cities run late
Restaurants, markets and cafes stay open well past midnight, and the last metro around that time is the real constraint on an evening. Taxis are plentiful and hailed through an app rather than on the street.
Iconic sites and coverage
Gyeongbokgung Palace
The principal Joseon palace, destroyed twice and rebuilt from the original plans. The guard-changing ceremony runs several times a day, and entry is free to anyone wearing hanbok, which explains the rental shops around it.
Bukchon Hanok Village
A district of traditional houses still lived in, north of central Seoul, with views back to the palace from the sloping lanes. Residents ask for quiet after a certain hour, and the signs saying so are not decorative.
Jeju Seongsan Ilchulbong
A crown-shaped tuff crater at the eastern tip of the volcanic island of Jeju. The climb takes half an hour, and the site is named for the sunrise people come to watch from it.
Haeundae Beach
Busan's city beach, framed by towers and extended by a coastal path and a former railway turned promenade. Packed in August, entirely calm in October.
Gyeongju Historic Areas
The old Silla capital is an open-air museum: royal burial mounds in the middle of town, a seventh-century observatory, and the Bulguksa temple in the hills to the east.
Seoraksan National Park
The country's most dramatic range, with granite ridges, a cable car and trails that climb hard. Autumn colour arrives here before anywhere else, and signal disappears in the deeper valleys.
DMZ Joint Security Area
The one stretch of border where the two Koreas face each other across a few metres. Access is by escorted tour only, books far ahead, and can be cancelled without notice depending on the situation.
Busan Gamcheon Culture Village
A hillside of painted houses that began as a Korean War refugee camp and was taken on by artists in the 2000s. The lanes are narrow and people live in them, so discretion is asked for.
Sources Internet Society Pulse, Datadopt research
Datadopt Observatory
Price per GB in South Korea: what our data shows
According to the Datadopt Observatory, the lowest price per GB recorded in South Korea comes down to 0.07 €/GB, across a sample of 2,632 fixed-volume offers retained for the measurement. That floor is reached on large data bundles : a 5 GB plan over 30 days costs noticeably more per GB. The real differentiator is still the depth of the offer : the more plans compete, the easier it is to find the duration and data volume that fit your trip.
Lowest price per GB recorded
0.07 €/GB
Offers in the price sample
2,632
Asia average
0.21 €/GB
World ranking
11 / 215
South Korea is 67% cheaper than the Asia regional average (0.21 €/GB).
Source: Datadopt eSIM Price Observatory, 170,286 plans analysed, measured 1 September 2026.
See the eSIM price Observatory by country →Which eSIM providers for South Korea?
Here are the 6 best-placed eSIM providers for South Korea, ranked by best price per GB. Prices are expressed per GB so plans of different sizes can be compared on the same basis.
| Provider | Price per GB | From | Max duration | Hotspot | 5G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AbesteSIM | 0.14 €/GB | 0.30 € | 15 d | Yes | No |
| 0.19 €/GB | 1.18 € | 20 d | Yes | No | |
| eSIM.dog | 0.21 €/GB | 0.82 € | 30 d | Yes | No |
| Stellar eSIM | 0.38 €/GB | 0.52 € | 30 d | Yes | Yes |
| IRoamly | 0.46 €/GB | 0.86 € | 30 d | Yes | No |
| MicroEsim | 0.47 €/GB | 0.74 € | 7 d | Yes | No |
Providers ranked by best price per GB, across plans of at least 1 GB. Source: Datadopt catalogue.
Compare all plans →Device compatibility
eSIM is built into every iPhone XS and later, as well as Samsung Galaxy S20+, Google Pixel 3a+ and most high-end Motorola, Oppo, Sony and Xiaomi models.
Not sure about your device? Check compatibility here.
How to install your eSIM for South Korea
- 1. Compare offers on https://www.datadopt.com/en/compare/kr
- 2. Browse our partners' eSIM offers and choose the data volume and duration that fit your trip.
- 3. Purchase the eSIM plan that best fits your needs on our partner's site.
- 4. Receive a QR code by email after purchase.
- 5. Before you leave or during your stay, add the eSIM to your smartphone (Note: a stable Wi-Fi connection may be required during this step.)
- 5.1. On iPhone: Settings > Mobile Data > Add Plan > Scan the QR code
- 5.2. On Android: Settings > Connections > SIM card manager > Add a mobile plan
- 6. Once you arrive, turn on the data of your eSIM and enjoy reliable internet in South Korea.
First eSIM? The full walkthrough, with iOS and Android screenshots, lives in our guide how to install an eSIM on your smartphone.
Frequently asked questions
Do eSIMs really work in South Korea?
Yes. The vast majority of international eSIMs connect to KT or SK Telecom the moment you land at Incheon. The country offers one of the best mobile experiences in the world.
Do I need a VPN in South Korea?
No. All Western services (Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, X, YouTube) work normally.
Can I keep my home phone number?
Yes. The South Korea eSIM installs alongside your main line. You keep your home number for SMS and calls while using the eSIM for mobile data on the ground.
What's the best eSIM for Seoul or Busan?
Both cities have full 5G coverage. For a short trip (≤ 7 days) a 3 to 5 GB plan is enough. For 2 weeks with heavy use of maps, translation and local apps, target 10 to 20 GB.
Does Google Maps work in South Korea?
Only partially (no walking or driving routes on most of the territory, due to Korean regulatory restrictions). Use Naver Maps or KakaoMap: both are free and natively work with your eSIM.
Can I share my connection with other devices?
Most South Korea eSIM plans allow hotspot tethering. The detail appears on each plan page on Datadopt.
How much does an eSIM cost in South Korea, and is it cheap?
According to the Datadopt Observatory, the lowest price per GB recorded in South Korea comes down to 0.07 €/GB, across a sample of 2,632 fixed-volume offers retained for the measurement. That floor is reached on large data bundles : a 5 GB plan over 30 days costs noticeably more per GB. The real differentiator is still the depth of the offer : the more plans compete, the easier it is to find the duration and data volume that fit your trip. South Korea is 67% cheaper than the Asia regional average (0.21 €/GB). In our global ranking of well-covered eSIM markets, South Korea sits at position 11 of 215 by price per GB (1 = cheapest). Source: Datadopt eSIM Price Observatory, 170,286 plans analysed, measured 1 September 2026.
See the eSIM price Observatory by country →Explore other popular destinations
Ready to stay connected in South Korea?
Compare the best eSIM offers and enjoy data the moment you arrive, at the best price.