Getting a Korean Phone Number as a Tourist
Yes, a tourist can get a Korean 010 number, but only with a Data + Voice SIM or eSIM. KT lists KRW 23,500 for three days; LG U+ lists data plans from KRW 6,500 a day. Bring your passport. The number receives SMS codes for some restaurant and taxi apps, not banking or government identity checks.
- KT Data + Voice
- KRW 23,500 (3 days) to 148,500 (90 days)
- LG U+ SIM
- Data from KRW 6,500 (1 day); 010 number
- Bring
- Passport and a country-unlocked phone
- Official site
- LG U+ Korea SIM
What should I know before I arrive?
Information checked October 18, 2026
Decide before you fly whether you need a number, because data-only eSIMs do not give you one you can use. LG U+ states that with a Data Only plan, SMS verification is not available. Most visitors only need data for maps and translation, which our eSIM vs SIM vs pocket Wi-Fi guide covers.
- Worth knowing: A voice plan is the only way to receive texts on a Korean number, and LG U+ says voice cannot be added to a Data Only eSIM later.
- A common mistake: Expecting a tourist number to unlock every Korean app. Banking and government identity checks are not supported.
- Local tip: Your phone must be country-unlocked. KT says the country lock must be turned off, and LG U+ eSIM does not support Google Pixel, Motorola or OPPO phones.
Can a tourist get a Korean phone number?
Yes, with a tourist SIM or eSIM that includes voice and SMS, bought with your passport. Both LG U+ and KT list products with a Korean 010 number. KT’s visitor manual describes its Korea SIM and eSIM as “Call + SMS + Data” with a 010 number, and LG U+ says its SIM card includes a Korean 010 phone number.
What a tourist cannot normally get is a regular contract line. A third-party guide, Kimchi Mobile, reports that postpaid plans from the big carriers need a long-stay visa and an alien registration card, and it says most budget-carrier plans do too. Treat that as a general rule and confirm with the carrier.
Practical example: a visitor staying four days who wants to receive a delivery app code books a voice-enabled SIM, collects it at the airport counter with a passport, and pays calls at about KRW 264 per minute, according to LG U+.
Which tourist options include a Korean number?
KT Data + Voice and LG U+ voice SIMs are the main ones, and prices start around KRW 6,500 a day. Prices below come from each carrier’s English pages; other carriers and resellers may differ.
| Option | Price (KRW) | Number and voice | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG U+ Korea SIM card | Data: 6,500 (1 day) to 27,500 (5 days) | Korean 010 number; incoming free, outgoing 264/min, SMS 55 | Passport upload; up to 3 per passport; Data + Voice is airport pickup only |
| LG U+ CHECK iN SEOUL card | Data 6,500 to 27,500; voice 5,500 (20 min) to 22,000 (80 min); card fee 5,000 | Korean 010 number | Travel card with payment features; passport shown at airport counter for voice plans |
| KT Korea SIM/eSIM Data + Voice | 23,500 (3 days), 40,500 (7), 77,000 (30), 148,500 (90) | 010 number; includes 16,500 voice credit | One verified contract per passport; 1 voice SIM per person |
| Data-only eSIM (LG U+) | 6,500 to 27,500 | No SMS verification | Fine for maps and translation |
Source: LG U+ Korea SIM, LG U+ CHECK iN SEOUL and the KT user guide dated July 2026. The LG U+ SIM page does not state a separate Data + Voice price, so confirm it when you book.
LG U+ also states that plans begin at your first data use, not at purchase. KT says its eSIM must be installed within 30 days of purchase and can be extended up to 90 days from activation.
Which Korean apps will the number work with?
It works for SMS codes in some restaurant and taxi apps, but not for banking or government identity verification. LG U+ states that with voice and SMS service, SMS verification for restaurant and taxi reservation apps is available, while banking and government identity verification is not supported.
- Likely to work: Apps that only text you a code, such as some taxi and booking apps. See our guide to using Kakao T as a foreigner.
- Unlikely to work: Services that use the carrier real-name check, often labelled 본인인증. A third-party report from All About Korea says short-term tourist SIMs usually cannot complete this check.
- No number needed: The same report lists Naver Map, Kakao Map, Papago and subway apps as working without verification. See Essential Apps for Traveling in Korea.
Practical example: you land in Incheon with a voice SIM, open a taxi app, and receive its text code on your 010 number. The same SIM will not let you open a Korean bank-linked payment app that demands real-name verification.
How do I get a Korean number step by step?
Pick a voice plan, check your phone is unlocked, book online, and finish activation at the airport with your passport. Follow these steps.
- Check your phone. It must be country-unlocked. For an eSIM, dial *#06#; if an EID number appears, eSIM is supported, according to LG U+.
- Choose Data + Voice. LG U+ says you cannot add voice to a Data Only eSIM later. If unsure, it suggests choosing Data + Voice with 0 minutes and topping up.
- Reserve online. Select your pickup airport and dates. LG U+ lists Incheon T1 and T2, Gimpo and Gimhae, and does not offer delivery.
- Bring your passport and a card. LG U+ requires a credit card in your passport name (a KRW 1,111 authorization) or a debit card with a KRW 70,000 deposit.
- Collect and activate. LG U+ says a Data + Voice eSIM needs a visit to the airport counter to receive the QR code details. KT says verification can be completed at its airport roaming center.
- Test before you leave the airport. Send a test text and open a map app. For airport transport, see Incheon Airport to Seoul.
What if I still cannot sign up for an app?
Use a foreign card, cash or your accommodation instead of forcing the app. Many essentials do not need a Korean number, and a number will not fix every verification wall.
- Payments: Carry a foreign Visa or Mastercard and some cash; see Cash or Card in Korea.
- Delivery: All About Korea reports that hotel or guesthouse front desks can order delivery and accept cash.
- Misuse: LG U+ warns that spam or commercial use of the SIM may lead to a ban.
Longer stays are different. Kimchi Mobile reports that stays over 90 days need alien registration, which is the route to a normal contract number. That falls outside tourist travel, so check immigration guidance if you plan to stay.
FAQ
Can a tourist get a Korean phone number?
Yes, but only through a tourist SIM or eSIM that includes voice and SMS. LG U+ and KT both sell Data + Voice products with a Korean 010 number, and you need your passport. Data-only plans have no number you can use for SMS codes.
Does a tourist SIM pass Korean identity verification?
Not for banking or government services. LG U+ states that identity verification for banking or government services is not supported. Its voice plans can receive SMS codes for restaurant and taxi reservation apps.
Do I need a Korean number to use Naver Map, Kakao Map or Papago?
No. A third-party report says these apps need no verification, so a data-only eSIM is enough for maps and translation. Apps that need a Korean number include delivery and payment apps.
Can I add voice to a data-only eSIM later?
Not with LG U+. It states that voice cannot be added to a Data Only eSIM after purchase, so choose a Data + Voice product from the start if you want a number.
How many Korean SIM cards can I buy with one passport?
LG U+ allows up to 3 SIM cards per passport. KT lists a limit of 1 voice SIM and up to 4 data SIMs per person. Limits can change, so confirm on the carrier page.
Official sources and useful links
Links open in a new tab. Prices, limits and rules change, so verify on these pages. Information last checked October 18, 2026.
- LG U+ Korea SIM card prices, 010 number, call rates, passport and pickup rules
- LG U+ Korea SIM FAQ voice, SMS verification limits and top-ups
- LG U+ CHECK iN SEOUL travel card data and voice prices and card fees
- LG U+ eSIM and SIM setup guide installation steps and Korean number tips
- KT Korea SIM / eSIM user guide (July 2026) Data + Voice prices, limits and verification
- VisitKorea: electricity and communications airport roaming centers, SIM sales and free Wi-Fi
- All About Korea: the verification wall third-party report on which apps need a Korean number
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