eSIM vs SIM Card vs Pocket Wi-Fi in Korea
For one traveler on a short trip, an eSIM is usually the easiest: LG U+ lists KRW 6,500 for one day of unlimited data, up to KRW 27,500 for five. Choose a physical SIM if you need a Korean phone number. Choose pocket Wi-Fi, at KRW 4,400 a day, if several people share one connection.
- eSIM (LG U+)
- KRW 6,500 (1 day) to KRW 27,500 (5 days), data only
- SIM card (LG U+)
- Same prices, includes a Korean 010 number
- Pocket Wi-Fi (LG U+)
- KRW 4,400 per day, up to 10 devices
- Bring
- Passport and an unlocked phone
What should I know before I arrive?
Prices and rules checked October 2, 2026
All three options use the same Korean mobile networks, so the real choice is about phone number, number of devices and how much setup you want. This guide uses LG U+'s English tourist pages for prices, because they were readable in full. KT also sells tourist SIM, eSIM and Wi-Fi products on its visitor roaming site, and SK Telecom sells similar products, so compare current offers before you pay.
- Worth knowing: Your phone must be unlocked for a Korean SIM, and LG U+ requires passport verification for its SIM card.
- A common mistake: Buying an eSIM for an incompatible phone. LG U+ states its eSIM does not work with Google Pixel, Motorola or OPPO devices.
- Local tip: Check the plan's start rule. LG U+ says its plans activate only after your first data use, and that the eSIM must be activated within 60 days of purchase.
How do eSIM, SIM card and pocket Wi-Fi compare?
An eSIM is the quickest, a SIM card is the only one with a phone number, and pocket Wi-Fi is the best for groups. The figures below come from LG U+'s own tourist pages, so other carriers may differ.
| Option | Price | Phone number | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| eSIM | KRW 6,500 (1 day), 12,000 (2), 18,000 (3), 23,000 (4), 27,500 (5) | No, data only | Solo travelers with an eSIM phone |
| Physical SIM | KRW 6,500 to 27,500 for 1 to 5 days | Yes, a Korean 010 number | Phones without eSIM, or anyone needing a local number |
| Pocket Wi-Fi | KRW 4,400 per day | No, uses your own SIM | Families and groups, up to 10 devices |
Source: LG U+ eSIM, LG U+ SIM card and LG U+ pocket Wi-Fi pages. Prices change, so confirm on the linked pages before you buy.
When is an eSIM the best choice?
Choose an eSIM if your phone supports it and you only need data, because setup is a QR code with no card to swap. According to LG U+, the eSIM offers unlimited data on LTE or 5G, with instant QR code activation.
- Check support: Dial *#06# on your phone. LG U+ says that if an EID number appears, your device supports eSIM.
- Keep your home number: Third-party guides such as Trifa note that an eSIM lets you keep your home SIM active in a dual-SIM setup.
- Know the limits: The LG U+ eSIM is data only, with no outgoing calls or texts. It cannot be reissued once installed, and payments are not refunded.
Practical example: a solo visitor on a four-day Seoul trip with an eSIM phone would pay KRW 23,000 for the LG U+ eSIM and manage maps, translation and messaging apps over data.
When should I buy a physical SIM instead?
Buy a physical SIM if your phone lacks eSIM or you want a Korean number for deliveries, bookings or verification texts. LG U+ says its tourist SIM includes a Korean 010 number, with incoming calls and texts free, outgoing calls at KRW 264 per minute and texts at KRW 55.
- Pickup: LG U+ lists pickup at Incheon (both terminals), Gimpo and Gimhae airports. Third-party guides such as Gigago report carrier counters near the Terminal 1 arrivals exits, with differing opening hours, so check the hours for your arrival time.
- Limits: LG U+ allows a maximum of three SIM cards per passport and requires an unlocked phone.
- Bonus: LG U+ says stays of three days or longer come with a free T-money transit card, a useful extra for the subway.
Prices at other carriers differ. Know About Korea reports roughly KRW 20,000 to 22,000 for five-day SK Telecom and KT SIMs with capped full-speed data, but this is a third-party figure, so confirm with the carrier.
Also note the ID rules: Trifa reports that real-name verification tightened in January 2026 and a printed e-visa is no longer accepted as ID, though short-stay visitors from visa-exempt countries are described as unaffected.
Is pocket Wi-Fi worth renting?
Pocket Wi-Fi pays off when two or more people share one connection, because you pay per day for the device rather than per person. LG U+ lists KRW 4,400 per day, up to 10 devices, and a 4 GB daily allowance after which speeds drop to up to 5 Mbps until midnight.
- Pickup and return: Incheon Terminal 1 and 2, Gimpo and Gimhae. LG U+ says you can return at a different location without penalty.
- Deposit: A passport is required, plus either a credit card in your passport name (a KRW 1,111 authorization hold) or a debit card with a KRW 70,000 deposit, refunded on proper return.
- Trade-off: You carry and charge one more device, and it only helps while you are near it. LG U+ includes a power bank rental.
Practical example: two travelers sharing for five days pay about KRW 22,000 (5 x 4,400) in total, compared with KRW 55,000 for two five-day eSIMs.
How do I choose and set it up step by step?
Decide by phone number, group size and phone compatibility, then buy before you fly. Follow these steps.
- Check your phone. Make sure it is unlocked, and dial *#06# to see whether it supports eSIM.
- Decide if you need a number. If yes, pick a physical SIM. If data is enough, pick an eSIM.
- Count your group. Two or more people staying together can compare a shared pocket Wi-Fi.
- Count your days. Match the plan length to your stay, using the table above for LG U+ prices.
- Order and keep your passport handy. Pickup products need passport verification.
- Test on arrival. Open a map app before leaving the airport. See Essential Apps for Traveling in Korea for apps to install first.
Arriving soon? Incheon Airport to Seoul: AREX vs Bus vs Taxi covers the next step after you connect.
FAQ
Can tourists get a Korean phone number?
Yes, with a physical SIM. LG U+ says its tourist SIM includes a Korean 010 number, with incoming calls and texts free and outgoing calls at KRW 264 per minute. Its eSIM is data only, so it has no phone number.
Which phones cannot use LG U+'s eSIM?
LG U+ states its eSIM does not work with Google Pixel, Motorola or OPPO devices. Dial *#06# on your phone: if an EID number appears, the phone supports eSIM. Check your model before buying.
Is pocket Wi-Fi cheaper than eSIM for a group?
It can be. LG U+ rents a pocket Wi-Fi for KRW 4,400 per day and allows up to 10 devices, so a pair sharing five days pays about KRW 22,000 in total, against KRW 55,000 for two five-day eSIMs. Everyone must stay near the device, though.
Do I need my passport to get a SIM or pocket Wi-Fi?
Yes. LG U+ requires passport verification for its SIM and pocket Wi-Fi. The pocket Wi-Fi also needs a deposit method: a credit card in your passport name or a debit card with a KRW 70,000 deposit.
Can I rely on free Wi-Fi instead?
Free Wi-Fi is useful in hotels, cafes and stations, but it will not cover you while walking, riding taxis or using maps between sights. Most visitors still arrange mobile data before they land.
Official sources and useful links
Links open in a new tab. Prices and plans change; verify on these pages before you buy.
- LG U+ Korea eSIM official eSIM plans, prices, compatibility and activation rules
- LG U+ Korea SIM card official tourist SIM prices, call rates and pickup information
- LG U+ pocket Wi-Fi official daily rate, data policy, deposit and return locations
- KT visitor roaming site KT's English page for tourist SIM, eSIM and Wi-Fi products
- Know About Korea: SIM card vs eSIM vs Wi-Fi third-party comparison of typical prices and counters
- Trifa: South Korea SIM card guide third-party notes on 2026 ID verification and eSIM trade-offs
Disclosure: This site shows ads served by Google AdSense, and some links may be affiliate links that earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This never affects our recommendations. Prices and rules change, so please confirm details with the official sources before you travel.