Seoul Travel eSIM Recommendations for 2026 | 7 Best South Korea eSIM Data Plans

由 | Jan 19, 2026

RedEx

RedEx focuses on budget-friendly roaming data plans, mainly connecting to KT or SKT 4G/LTE networks.

Its 10GB package costs an average of $1.10 – $1.30 per GB, which is about 15% lower than Airalo.

Data is usually routed through Hong Kong or Japan nodes, resulting in network latency (Ping) between 80ms and 120ms.

This eSIM does not provide a South Korean phone number (+82), requires no passport real-name authentication, and supports personal hotspots.

It cannot receive SMS verification codes and is not suitable for restaurant queuing Apps that require local number verification.

Features & Specifications

  • Network Provider: Automatically connects to KT or SKT 4G/LTE signals, no 5G access.

  • Phone Number: Data only, no +82 local South Korean number, cannot make or receive calls.

  • SMS Function: Does not support sending or receiving SMS, cannot pass phone number verification for Apps like CatchTable.

  • Real-name Authentication: No need to provide passport photos or undergo KYC identity verification throughout the process.

  • Hotspot Sharing: Allows sharing data with laptops or other mobile phones.

  • Validity Period: Starts counting after activation, usually offering various durations from 3 days to 30 days.

Price Reference

  • Starter Plan: 1GB / 3 days is about $3.50.

  • Mainstream Plan: 10GB / 30 days is about $13.00 (approx. $1.30 per GB).

  • Unlimited Data: Version with speed reduction after 2GB high-speed daily, 5 days is about $10.50.

Ideal Target Users

  • Budget-sensitive Travelers: Backpackers looking for a lower unit price than Airalo and only needing basic internet functions.

  • Short-term Business Trips: Users with itineraries of 3-5 days who only need to check emails and use Google Maps.

  • Users Not Needing Local Services: Tourists who do not need to book popular Korean restaurants, order takeout, or register for local South Korean services.

Woori Mobile

Woori Mobile provides prepaid eSIM services based on the LG U+ network.

Its advantage lies in providing a South Korean local mobile number starting with 010, supporting two-way voice calls and SMS.

Unlike roaming cards that only provide data, its data accesses local servers within South Korea, with latency usually lower than 30ms.

According to South Korean telecommunications laws, using this service requires uploading passport information to complete real-name authentication (KYC).

Its “full-featured” plan usually includes 15GB of high-speed data, which drops to 3Mbps (rather than the unusable 128kbps) after exhaustion;

this speed still supports smooth viewing of YouTube 720p videos.

Features & Specifications

  • Network Provider: Accesses LG U+ 4G/LTE network, local IP address.
  • Phone Number: Provides a +82 010 local South Korean number, supports making and receiving domestic and international calls.
  • SMS Function: Supports receiving and sending SMS, applicable for most non-financial identity verifications.
  • Real-name Authentication: Must provide a passport photo for manual review, which usually takes 10-30 minutes processing time.
  • Service Duration: High flexibility, offering prepaid plans from 30 days to 90 days, renewable monthly.
  • Pickup Method: Receive QR code online, or handle at physical stores in Myeong-dong, Hongdae, etc., in Seoul.

Price Reference

  • Short-term Voice Plan: 5GB / 10 days (including 100 minutes of calls) is about $25.00.
  • Monthly Standard Plan: 15GB high-speed + 3Mbps unlimited / 30 days (including 100 minutes of calls) is about $42.00.
  • Top-up Rate: Purchasing an additional 1GB of data is about $8.00 (higher, large data packages recommended).

Ideal Target Users

  • Mid-to-long-term Visitors: Exchange students, those visiting relatives, or business travelers staying for more than 2 weeks.
  • Culinary Tourists: Travelers who need to book popular restaurants (such as Ganjang Gejang shops) or use queuing systems.
  • Users Needing Local Contacts: Users who need frequent phone communication with local Korean friends or business partners.

LG U+

LG U+ is one of South Korea’s three major mainstream operators.

Its officially operated eSIM service offers a “True Unlimited Data” experience, with no daily high-speed cap, always maintaining 4G LTE full speed (usually 50-80Mbps).

The service provides a free 010 Korean number for receiving voice calls and SMS (receiving only), but does not include outgoing call time.

All data traffic is locally connected, with Ping values stable around 20ms.

Activation requires uploading passport information for real-name authentication (KYC).

Purchase often includes a free T-Money transportation card function (on some models) and Shinsegae Duty Free coupons, providing high added value.

Features & Specifications

  • Network Provider: LG U+ official native network, enjoys highest network priority.

  • Data Policy: True unlimited high-speed data, no daily cap, no speed reduction throughout.

  • Phone Number: Includes +82 010 number, limited to receiving calls and receiving SMS.

  • Real-name Authentication: Mandatory passport real-name authentication, usually upload photo after purchase, automatic audit within minutes.

  • Hotspot Sharing: Supports free hotspot sharing, and shared data is usually high-speed as well.

  • Validity Period: Starts from activation, available in 5 days, 7 days, 10 days, 15 days, 20 days, 30 days, etc.

Price Reference

  • 5 Days Unlimited Data: About $22.00 (average $4.4/day).

  • 10 Days Unlimited Data: About $30.00 (average $3.0/day).

  • 30 Days Unlimited Data: About $55.00 (average $1.8/day).

  • Voice Recharge: Usually does not support additional purchase of voice call minutes, pure data + passive receiving plan.

Ideal Target Users

  • Heavy Data Users: Video bloggers, live streamers, or tourists used to watching high-definition streaming media 24/7.

  • Users Needing Passive Contact: Those who only need to receive SMS verification codes (restaurant queuing) or answer calls, without needing to make active calls.

  • Users Seeking Maximum Stability: Those sensitive to network latency and who do not want to endure the lag of roaming cards.

SK Telecom

SK Telecom (SKT) is the operator with the largest market share in South Korea, boasting the widest 5G coverage.

Its official eSIM roaming plan focuses on native 5G access, with peak download speeds in central Seoul reaching over 300Mbps, which is 3-5 times faster than LG U+ and KT’s LTE networks.

SKT also provides a 010 Korean number, supporting free reception of voice calls and SMS.

Similar to LG U+, this service is “True Unlimited Data” and has no Fair Usage Policy (FUP) speed limits.

Passport real-name authentication (KYC) is required.

For tourists pursuing extreme network speeds or traveling to remote areas (such as ski resorts or suburbs), SKT is the most reliable choice for signals.

Features & Specifications

  • Network Provider: SK Telecom official native 5G/LTE network, the largest coverage network in Korea.

  • Data Policy: 5G high-speed unlimited data, no FUP speed limit throughout, no daily cap.

  • Phone Number: Provides +82 010 number, limited to receiving calls and receiving SMS.

  • Real-name Authentication: Mandatory passport real-name authentication, requires online submission of data for review.

  • Hotspot Sharing: Supports full-speed hotspot sharing, suitable for heavy multi-device users.

  • Validity Period: Calculated on a 24-hour basis, offering flexible choices from 1 day to 30 days.

Price Reference

  • 3 Days Unlimited Data: About $18.00 (slightly more expensive than LG U+, but includes 5G).

  • 10 Days Unlimited Data: About $38.00.

  • 30 Days Unlimited Data: About $62.00.

  • Daily Extension: Add-on packages can be purchased by the day, about $5.00/day.

Ideal Target Users

  • High-speed Network Pursuers: Professional users who need to upload large files, conduct HD live broadcasts, or cannot tolerate any lag.

  • Adventure & Off-the-beaten-path: Tourists whose itineraries include non-urban areas like mountains, islands, or villages.

  • Business Travelers: People who need an absolutely reliable network connection and a local number to receive business calls.

GlocalMe

GlocalMe is based on its patented CloudSIM technology, featuring a “smart multi-network switching” roaming experience.

Unlike eSIMs bound to a single operator, GlocalMe’s Korea eSIM can automatically or manually switch between SK Telecom and KT networks based on signal strength.

This effectively eliminates signal dead zones, achieving a connection success rate of 99.9%.

Most of its packages are data-only, do not provide a Korean phone number, and do not require real-name authentication.

Data is usually routed through Singapore or Japan nodes, with Ping values around 60-90ms.

Its unique “cross-region packages” (such as Japan-Korea universal) are very suitable for travelers visiting multiple countries at once.

Features & Specifications

  • Network Provider: Smart switching between SK Telecom or KT 4G/LTE networks.

  • Data Policy: Mostly fixed data packages (e.g., 10GB), some offer “daily high-speed + unlimited low-speed” options.

  • Phone Number: Data-only eSIM, no +82 local number, does not support calls or SMS.

  • Real-name Authentication: No KYC required, scan QR code and use after purchase.

  • Hotspot Sharing: Supports personal hotspots, suitable for sharing with accompanying devices.

  • Validity Period: Becomes effective after activation, usually 7 days, 15 days, 30 days, or calculated by the data package validity.

Price Reference

  • Korea Single Region 10GB / 30 days: About $15.00 ($1.50 per GB).

  • Japan-Korea Universal 5GB / 15 days: About $12.00 (suitable for cross-border itineraries).

  • Daily 1GB High-speed: 7 days is about $9.00.

Ideal Target Users

  • Multi-country Travelers: Tourists whose itineraries include South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, etc., and do not want to change cards frequently.

  • Stability-oriented Users: Those worried about signal dead zones from a single operator and wanting dual-network backup.

  • Privacy-conscious Users: Users who strongly dislike uploading passport photos or personal information for real-name authentication.

KnowRoaming

KnowRoaming is a long-standing international roaming service provider, mainly targeting high-end business and frequent cross-border travelers.

Its Korea eSIM connects to the SK Telecom network, providing extremely stable 4G/LTE connections.

Its biggest features are WhatsApp data-free (some plans) and the credit guarantee that data usage is accurately reported.

The unit price per GB is relatively high, about $2.50 – $3.00, but data routing is well-optimized, with Ping values usually controlled within 50ms – 80ms.

Does not provide a South Korean phone number, requires no KYC authentication.

Suitable for business travelers who are not price-sensitive but have very high requirements for service stability and privacy security.

Features & Specifications

  • Network Provider: Fixed connection to SK Telecom 4G/LTE network.

  • Data Policy: Mainly fixed data packages, accurate data calculation, no hidden consumption.

  • Phone Number: Data-only service, no +82 local number.

  • Real-name Authentication: No KYC required, purchase and activate.

  • Special Benefits: Some plans include WhatsApp message data-free functionality.

  • Validity Period: Extremely flexible, offering long-term options from 1 day to 180 days.

Price Reference

  • 1GB / 7 days: About $3.85 (higher unit price).

  • 5GB / 30 days: About $14.00 ($2.80 per GB).

  • Global Package 10GB / 180 days: About $45.00 (covers multiple countries including South Korea, suitable for long-term frequent flyers).

Ideal Target Users

  • Business Elites: Company reimbursement seekers pursuing maximum stability, data security, and invoice compliance.

  • Frequent Short-term Visitors: Users who travel to South Korea multiple times a year and do not want to reconfigure eSIM every time.

  • WhatsApp Heavy Users: Users who need to ensure their instant messaging tools are always online.

Airalo

As a leading platform in the global eSIM market, Airalo’s South Korea products usually resell LG U+ high-quality network resources.

Its 10-day unlimited data plan is priced at approximately $32.00, with a daily cost of $3.20.

Unlike local operator direct sales, Airalo uses roaming routing technology, with data transiting through Singapore or Hong Kong, and Ping values between 80ms and 150ms.

Its biggest competitive edge lies in the ultimate App interaction experience and the Airmoney points system.

The service does not provide a +82 local number, completely requires no passport real-name authentication (KYC), and the purchase process takes only 1 minute, making it the first choice for non-technical users.

Features & Specifications

  • Network Provider: Accesses LG U+ 4G/LTE network, excellent signal coverage.

  • Data Policy: Offers “Unlimited Data” and “Fixed Data Packages” to adapt to different needs.

  • Phone Number: Data-only eSIM, no +82 local number, cannot make or receive calls.

  • Real-name Authentication: No KYC required, no passport upload needed, protecting privacy.

  • Hotspot Sharing: Supports personal hotspots, but some unlimited plans may limit hotspot speeds.

  • Installation Ease: Supports one-click installation within the App (iOS/Android), no need to scan QR codes.

Price Reference

  • Unlimited Data 10 Days: About $32.00.

  • Unlimited Data 30 Days: About $62.00 (slightly more expensive than local operator direct purchase, but saves the hassle of real-name authentication).

  • Fixed Data 3GB / 30 days: About $7.50 (suitable for extremely light users).

Ideal Target Users

  • Technical Novices: First-time eSIM users needing a very simple App interface for guidance.

  • Multi-country Travelers: Travelers wanting to manage data for all countries through one App and save money using points.

  • Privacy & Convenience Seekers: Short-term tourists who strongly dislike tedious registration processes and document upload steps.