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The one thing you need to do when traveling to South Korea is to ditch the expensive roaming fees and the hassle of physical SIM cards. Whether arriving in Seoul, Busan, or Jeju, acquiring an eSIM for Korea is the smartest way to get connected to instant 4G/5G data coverage.

Korea provides some of the fastest mobile speeds in the world, but different eSIMs operate differently. Some Korean eSIM providers offer real unlimited data, others prioritize price, and a few even come with the crucial local Korean phone number.

Choosing the best eSIM for Korea can be tricky with so many options available. From seamless switching between local carriers to affordable data plans, eSIMs provide a modern solution for travelers. Some providers even offer 4GB of data for as low as $10, making them a cost-effective choice for staying connected.

In this guide, I’ll help you navigate the top eSIM options for South Korea, ensuring you enjoy uninterrupted connectivity on your vacation.

Our Top 3 Best eSIM for Korea for 2025

Our most preferred eSIM provider for Korea, based on the users’ review, is RedteaGO

Category	Our Top Pick	Best For	Local Network	Key Feature
Best Overall Value	Airalo	Short to mid-length trips (7-30 days) on a fixed budget.	LG U+, KT	Wide range of affordable data-only packages.
Best Unlimited Data	Holafly	Heavy users, social media vloggers, and remote workers who need peace of mind.	SK Telecom, KT	Truly unlimited data (but check the daily Fair Usage Policy).
Best for Long-Term/Local Needs	RedteaGO	Travelers requiring budget-friendly long-duration plans	KT, LG U+	Offers travelers long-duration plans.

Korea eSIM Comparison Table (Data-Only Plans)

In this table, we’ll compare the most popular international eSIM resellers that focus purely on data, which suits 95% of travelers who use WhatsApp/KakaoTalk for calls.

Provider	Best Plan (Data / Duration)	Price Estimate (USD)	Local Network Used	Hotspot Supported?	5G Speed Capable?
Airalo	10 GB / 30 Days	$\approx\$17.00$	LG U+, KT	Yes	Yes (where available)
Nomad	5 GB / 30 Days	$\approx\$12.00$	SK Telecom, KT	Yes	Yes (where available)
Holafly	Unlimited / 7 Days	$\approx\$29.00$	SK Telecom, KT	Limited (500MB/Day)	Yes
Saily	10 GB / 30 Days	$\approx\$16.50$	KT, SK Telecom	Yes	Yes (where available)
Ubigi	10 GB / 30 Days	$\approx\$20.00$	SK Telecom	Yes	Yes (where available)
RedteaGO	20 GB / 90 Days	$\approx\$11.90$	Unknown/Local Carrier	Yes	Yes (where available)

RedteaGO: The Best Budget eSIM for Extended Trips

RedteaGO has a good reputation amongst many travelers as offering the best rates and value for money, especially if you will have a longer stay in Korea. If you are staying for a month or more and require a substantial, fixed data allowance, RedteaGO is the recommended choice for you.

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Best For: Budget travelers, long-term digital nomads, and heavy data users who can pre-buy large packages.

• Pros:
  • Unbeatable Value: Their plans, such as 20GB for 90 days for less than $12, offer exceptional value, making them one of the cheapest options available.
  • Simple App: Users report a very easy-to-use app for purchase and installation.
  • Flexible Data: They also offer smaller “unlimited” daily plans (which throttle speed after a small high-speed cap, e.g., 300MB/day).
• Cons:
  • Slower Speeds: Customer reviews occasionally report speeds on the lower end compared to competitors like Nomad or Airalo, maxing out around 40-50Mbps.
  • No Clear Network Partner: The specific local Korean carrier (SKT, KT, or LG U+) is often not disclosed, making it harder to predict performance.
  • Data Cap Focus: They excel at large, fixed data plans, which may be less flexible than top-up options from competitors.

RedteaGO Popular Plans	Data Allowance	Validity	Price Estimate (USD)
Ultra Value Pick	20 GB	90 Days	$\approx\$11.90$
Mid-Range	5 GB	30 Days	$\approx\$7.00$
Unlimited Basic	300 MB High-Speed/Day	1 Day	$\approx\$0.70$

Airalo: Best Overall for Ease of Use and Reliable Data

Airalo has earned its reputation as the world’s largest and most trusted eSIM marketplace, making it our pick for the best overall eSIM for Korea for most travelers. Its easy-to-use app, transparent pricing, and instant top-up features provide a simple setup process.

Best For: First-time eSIM users, travelers who need reliable data for maps and social media, and those who value an easy top-up feature.

• Network Access: Airalo plans for South Korea primarily connect to the LG U+ and KT networks. While SK Telecom is often rated the fastest overall, LG U+ and KT provide excellent 4G/5G coverage across all major cities and tourist areas.
• Speed: Airalo achieves speeds of around 50 Mbps, and it’s rated among the best by most travelers.
• The Power of Choice: Airalo is unique in that it offers multiple products for Korea, allowing you to choose the exact network (KT/LG U+) or data type (fixed-gigabyte vs. unlimited throttling plan).

Airalo Korea Plan Examples

Plan Name	Data / Duration	Price Estimate (USD)	Best Feature
Jjang	10 GB / 30 Days	$\approx\$20.00$	Great fixed-data value on the KT network.
LG U⁺ Unlimited	Unlimited* / 10 Days	$\approx\$32.00$	Unlimited daily data (perfect for heavy, short-term use).
Jjang	20 GB / 30 Days	$\approx\$32.00$	High-volume, affordable data for one month.

Pros:

• In-App Top-Up: Easy to top up once you exhaust your data.
• Hotspot/Tethering Allowed: Their data plans allow you to share your connection through tethering.
• Instant Activation: Very easy to activate once you land at the airport.

Cons:

• Data Only: Airalo plans are strictly data-only.
• No SKT Access: You generally cannot connect to the top-rated SK Telecom network with Airalo’s fixed-data Korea plans.

Holafly: Best for True Unlimited Data Peace of Mind

Holafly is the best choice for users who don’t want to keep tracking their data usage. They offer unlimited data plans that favor travelers who work remotely, stream videos, and stay for longer durations.

Holafly Korea Plan Examples	Data Allowance	Validity	Price Estimate (USD)	Best Feature
Popular Pick	Unlimited	7 Days	$\approx\$29.90$	Worry-free data for a standard trip.
Mid-Range	Unlimited	15 Days	$\approx\$47.00$	Perfect for a two-week itinerary.
Long Stay	Unlimited	30 Days	$\approx\$79.00$	Excellent value for month-long trips.

Pros:

• No Top-Ups Ever: Set it and forget it. You will not run out of data.
• Premium Networks: Connects to SK Telecom and LG U+, guaranteeing fast speeds (often 5G-capable).
• 24/7 Support: Holafly offers excellent, multilingual customer support via chat.

Cons:

• Higher Cost: Holafly is more expensive as compared to Airalo or RedteaGO.
• Hotspot Cap: The 500 MB daily limit on tethering is a major constraint for some users.
• No Local Phone Number: Data-only service.

Nomad: Best for Multi-Country Asia Trips

Nomad is perfect if you plan to visit other regions around Korea, like South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. While their single-country plans are competitive, their regional bundles also help travelers to reduce their connectivity costs by using only one eSIM profile across the different destinations.

Nomad Korea Plan Examples	Data / Duration	Price Estimate (USD)	Best Feature
Budget Pick	5 GB / 30 Days	$\approx\$12.00$	Great for light users on a long stay.
Multi-Country Asia	6 GB / 30 Days	$\approx\$18.00$	Covers Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, and more.
Standard Plan	20 GB / 30 Days	$\approx\$27.00$	High-volume data for a month-long intensive trip.

Pros:

• Regional Plans: Cover multiple Asian countries.
• Network Flexibility: Often allows connection to both SK Telecom and KT for better coverage options.
• Strong 5G Speeds: Access to Korea’s top networks means fast 4G/5G speeds are usually available.

Cons:

• No Unlimited: Not an option for heavy users who prefer Holafly’s model.
• Data Expiration: The data expires at the end of the term, unlike some other providers that offer annual data plans.

Ubigi: Best for Consistent 5G Speed and NTT Reliability

Ubigi is owned by the global telecom giant NTT, and it provides highly stable, fast connections in Korea through partnerships with reliable local carriers, particularly SK Telecom. It’s well known for its strong performance in high-speed in major Korean cities.

Ubigi Korea Plan Examples	Data / Duration	Price Estimate (USD)	Best Feature
Speed Pick	10 GB / 30 Days	$\approx\$20.00$	Excellent speed and reliability on SKT.
Unlimited Plan	Unlimited* / 7 Days	$\approx\$25.00$	Good short-term worry-free option (FUP applies).
Asia Plan	2 GB / 30 Days	$\approx\$12.00$	Covers 15+ Asian countries for light use.

Pros:

• Top Network Partner: Consistent connection to the high-performance SK Telecom network.
• Subscription Options: Monthly/Annual plans are available, which simplifies billing for frequent travelers.
• Easy Top-Ups: Highly rated app experience for instantly purchasing more data.

Cons:

• App Interface: The Ubigi app is not as polished compared to Airalo or Nomad.
• Fewer Korean-Specific Plans: Their offerings are often focused on regional use rather than being focused on Korea.

Essential Korea eSIM Buyer’s Guide

To fully enjoy the benefits of using an eSIM in Korea, it takes more than just choosing the right eSIM. Here are the other considerations you need to make:

1. Do You Need a Korean Phone Number (010 Number)?

The most common question among travelers is whether they’ll need to have a local number! Most eSIM providers provide data-only and do not offer a Korean phone number.

Why a Local Number is Useful (But Not Always Necessary):

Task	Local Number Needed?	Workaround with Data-Only eSIM
Restaurant Queueing	YES	You must ask a staff member to manually queue you or use a “foreigner option” if available.
Kakao T Taxi App	YES	Many users struggle to register their foreign number. You may need to rely on hailing taxis or using Uber/Bolt (which are less common/reliable).
Local App Verification	YES	Essential for full functionality of local delivery apps (Coupang, Coupang Eats) and some website sign-ups.
KakaoTalk	NO	You can continue using your home country’s phone number for KakaoTalk verification and calls.

How to Get a Local Korean Number with an eSIM:

If you’re planning to stay in Korea for more than 10 days, use taxi apps, or use various reservations, then you may consider getting a local Korean phone number through the direct prepaid tourist eSIMs provided by the local carriers.

• KT Olleh and LG U+ both offer “Data + Voice” prepaid eSIMs.
• The Catch: These plans often must be picked up and activated at the airport roaming centers (Incheon, Busan, etc.) after immigration. You typically receive the QR code online, but the full voice/number feature is only enabled after showing your passport and completing registration on-site.

Our Recommendation: For short trips (under 10 days), stick to a cheaper data-only eSIM (Airalo/Holafly). For longer trips or business, choose a KT or LG U+ prepaid eSIM that offers a local number for maximum convenience.

2. The Must-Have Korean Apps (Ditch Google Maps)

One thing to note about Korea is that Google Maps is notoriously unreliable for public transit due to local data restrictions, even if you are using a high-speed eSIM.

We recommend that you download and familiarize yourself with these apps before you arrive in Korea:

• Navigation: Naver Map or KakaoMap: Both are excellent. Naver Map has a better English interface and is more detailed, while KakaoMap offers accurate walking guidance. It’s better to download both and experiment to see which will favor you.
• Translation: Naver Papago: This translator is considered far superior to Google Translate for the Korean language and comes in handy for your stay in Korea.
• Transit/Taxi: Kakao T: This is the equivalent of Uber in Korea.
• Communication: KakaoTalk: This is the essential messaging app. While your foreign number works for registration, everyone in Korea uses this app.

3. Understanding the Korean Network Carriers

The eSIM providers in Korea depend on the top three network carriers to offer you the best solutions with high speeds and coverage.

Carrier	Known Strength	Connected eSIMs (Examples)	Ideal For…
SK Telecom (SKT)	Fastest overall speeds (especially 5G), widest rural coverage.	RegteaGO, Nomad (select plans), Ubigi.	Speed-critical users (remote workers, content creators).
KT Olleh	Excellent balance of speed and price, strong 5G infrastructure.	Airalo (Jjang plan), Nomad (select plans).	Budget-conscious travelers who still need great speed.
LG U+	Rapidly expanding 5G coverage, strong English customer service.	Airalo (LG U⁺ plan), Holafly.	Users in major cities where 5G is highly accessible.

Final Verdict: The Best Korea eSIM for Every Traveler

Choosing the “best” eSIM depends entirely on your travel style and budget. To make your decision simple, here are our final recommendations based on the in-depth reviews:

Traveler Profile	Top Recommendation	Best Plan Option	Why We Recommend It
Most Tourists (Best Overall)	Airalo	10GB/30 Days	Reliable, budget-friendly, and perfect for maps, social media, and communication. Easiest top-up feature.
Heavy Users / Streamers	Holafly	Unlimited/15 Days	Provides total peace of mind; you will never run out of data (even with throttling). Connects to premium SK Telecom network.
Budget & Long-Term Stay	RedteaGO	20GB/90 Days	Unbeatable value for travelers who need a large, fixed amount of data for extended periods (great per-gigabyte price).
Needs a Local Phone Number	KT or LG U+	Data + Voice eSIM	The only way to get a Korean 010 number is for taxi apps, restaurant queues, and mandatory local app verification. (Requires airport pickup).