As someone who loves to travel, having reliable internet access wherever I go is incredibly important. Whether I’m looking up directions, translating signs, or sharing photos with friends back home, I rely on mobile data to stay connected.
That’s why on my last trip to Korea, I decided to get an eSIM instead of dealing with physical SIM cards. eSIMs embed your cellular plan directly into your phone, making it super easy to stay online abroad. After testing out a few different eSIM providers in Korea, I’m excited to share my experiences to help other travelers pick the best eSIM plan for their needs!
What is an eSIM and How Do They Work?
An eSIM, or electronic SIM card, works just like a regular SIM card but without the physical card. The eSIM contains your cellular plan information and directly connects to the mobile network when activated.
eSIMs are embedded into your phone and can’t get lost or damaged like a physical SIM card can. To use an eSIM, you simply scan a QR code or download a mobile app to install your cellular plan. Then you can easily manage and switch plans right from your phone settings.
Most newer model iPhones and Android devices are eSIM compatible. Be sure to check if your phone supports eSIM before purchasing a plan.
Why Use an eSIM in Korea
For travelers, eSIMs offer a convenient way to access mobile data without fumbling with SIM cards. Here are some of the biggest benefits:
Easy Activation
eSIM activation takes just minutes, allowing you to connect right after you land in Korea. No need to order a SIM card ahead of time or find a shop at the airport.
Flexible Plans
You can change eSIM plans on the fly based on your needs and travel agenda. Going on a long bus ride out of the city? Upgrade to unlimited data for the day. Heading to wifi-enabled hotels in Seoul? Downgrade your data for a couple days.
With eSIMs, adapting your cell plan is quick and easy.
Enhanced Security
Since eSIM profiles are stored on your device, you don’t have to worry about losing a small SIM card during your trip. You also avoid handing your phone to local shop employees to insert SIM cards.
For peace of mind while traveling, eSIMs help keep your information more secure.
eSIM Providers in Korea
There are two main types of eSIM providers available in Korea:
Local Korean Carriers
The top telecom companies in Korea like SK Telecom, KT, and LG U+ offer eSIM connectivity. Their plans provide reliable coverage across Korea. However, their eSIM services may require an in-person signup process.
International eSIM Companies
Providers like Airalo, Nomad and GigSky make it easy for travelers to access Korean eSIMs. Their plans are available for instant global purchase and activation. Data options range from a few GB to unlimited.
While international eSIM companies may route traffic through other regions like Hong Kong, their plans are designed specifically for travelers. I had excellent performance with both local and international eSIMs during my trip.
Below I’ll share more details on the Korea eSIM providers I tested.
Device Compatibility
Before getting an eSIM in Korea, the most important step is making sure your device supports eSIM connectivity. Currently, only newer model iPhones and Android devices are compatible.
Here’s a quick list of eSIM-compatible devices:
iPhone XS/XR and newer
Including iPhone 14, 13, 12, 11 series
Google Pixel 3a and newer
Samsung Galaxy S20 series and newer
Including S21, S22, Z Flip/Fold
Recent Huawei, Motorola, Oppo and Xiaomi models
Of course, compatibility can also depend on your device’s region and carrier firmware. Always double check with your device manufacturer if eSIM will work properly while traveling abroad in Korea.
If your phone isn’t compatible, you can also use an eSIM with cellular-enabled tablets and smartwatches that support connectivity. Just pop your device’s eSIM profile into your wearable instead.
Testing Criteria for eSIMs in Korea
During my trip to Korea, I tested out several eSIM plans based on these criteria:
Network Speeds: I performed speed tests in Seoul, Busan and rural areas to measure LTE/5G speeds. Fast, reliable performance is key!
Connectivity: How reliable were the data connections across different regions? Were there any dead zones or network cutouts?
Activation Process: Was getting set up simple via QR code or app install? Lengthy account signups were marked down.
Customer Support: Could I easily get assistance from the eSIM provider when needed? 24/7 chat support was preferred.
Price Per GB: To compare value, I calculated the price per GB for the amount of total data. Less expensive plans scored better.
Keep reading to see which Korea eSIM providers I recommend most based on my testing and travel experience!
Airalo Review
Airalo is one of the most well-known international eSIM providers. And for good reason – during my trip, Airalo’s ease of use and performance really stood out.
I tested both their South Korean plan through partner LG U+ as well as their Asia eSIM.
Airalo South Korea eSIM
For extensive domestic Korea coverage, I used Airalo’s unlimited data plan via LG U+. It was instantly available after transferring $30 of credit into my account.
One big benefit of Airalo is how seamless the eSIM setup process is. I simply scanned the QR code in their app and followed the activation steps. Within minutes my Korean number was activated and ready to use!
Speed-wise, Airalo impressed with LTE downloads around 50 Mbps and 35 Mbps uploads on LG U+’s network in Seoul. Streaming and mobile gaming worked perfectly with no buffering or lag.
Coverage was excellent across cities and rural regions. And accessing Korean websites and apps was fast since Airalo routes domestic plans locally rather than through another country.
For travel eSIMs, Airalo has some of the best prices available. Their unlimited Korea data only costs $30 for a 10-day plan. That same amount would only get you 15 GB with some other providers.
Overall, I highly recommend Airalo as a reliable Korea eSIM solution for the seamless activation, fast speeds, and great value.
Airalo Asia eSIM
In additional to local plans, I also tested Airalo’s Asia regional eSIM that covers 15 countries. At 2 Euros (~$2.20) per gigabyte, it’s an affordable way to stay connected across multiple destinations.
My experience with their Asia eSIM was similar to the Korea plan. Connecting through Airalo’s app took under 5 minutes and performance was solid both on LTE and local 5G networks.
I used the Asia eSIM for unlimited data in Singapore, daily data in Thailand, and supplementary data in Korea all on the same plan. Having the flexibility to share data across different countries in one plan is game-changing.
While the Asia eSIM officially includes “Unlimited Korea Data”, take note that it throttles to slower 2G speeds after 25 GB of usage. For longer South Korea trips, I still recommend their dedicated Korea plans.
But for occasional Korea use plus other Asian country coverage, Airalo’s regional eSIM is a handy option to have on hand.
Nomad Review
Finding reliable, high-speed service at an affordable price – that summarizes my experience testing out Nomad’s eSIM in South Korea.
Nomad Internet is focused on keeping travelers connected. I used their Asia Pacific eSIM during my trip which includes coverage in Korea. For $30, their plan came with a hefty 20 GB of LTE/5G data.
After scanning the QR code, connecting to Nomad’s APAC eSIM took less than 2 minutes. No account registration was required which is a nice perk for travelers constantly on the move.
In terms of network performance, Nomad impressed with average download speeds of 75 Mbps on LG U+’s 5G network measured in Seoul.
App usage felt snappy and responsive. demanding apps streamed smoothly even when traveling well outside the Seoul metro area and coverage remained consistent.
An interesting tidbit – despite being based in Asia, Nomad’s Korea eSIM traffic is routed through Europe data centers. But other than seeing different IP locations in Speedtest apps, the routing didn’t cause any noticeable latency or slow loading issues.
If you’re looking for tons of LTE/5G data across Asia with solid Korea coverage at a budget-friendly price, Nomad Internet hits that sweet spot. Their APAC eSIM plan lasted me the full 2 weeks using 12GB out of 20GB.
For even better value in Korea, Nomad offers a discounted country-specific plan at $24 for 8GB valid for 30 days. If you don’t need wider Asia Pacific access, it’s a nice option tailored for trips focused within South Korea.
GigSky Review
As the last eSIM provider tested on this trip, I checked out GigSky which partners directly with South Korea’s top network KT Telecom.
GigSky offers both daily and longer term monthly plans specifically for South Korea. I went with their 10 GB for $55 monthly plan ($5.50 per GB).
Despite being focused on business travelers, GigSky’s app makes it fairly simple for personal travel use. I was set up with my KT Telecom Korea eSIM profile under 5 minutes through the app.
Speeds on 4G LTE impressed at a max of 47 Mbps down in my testing. Their website boasts an average of 25 Mbps down which feels pretty accurate based on my use.
One thing I noticed however was variability in connectivity switching between KT’s LTE bands which caused brief network cutouts at times. Reconnecting the eSIM profile always resolved this quickly, but it’s a smoother experience on some other networks.
GigSky does have pros like allowing mobile hotspot/tethering and sending SMS in their Korea plan. So having those extra features beyond data could be useful for certain travelers.
But with their steeper $5.50 per GB price tag plus some minor connectivity hiccups observed, GigSky ends up in 3rd place in my eSIM provider testing for South Korea.
Still, they deserve a look for the flexibility of short term monthly plans as well long-term discounts when you commit to 6 months. Having reliable access directly through KT Telecom’s network can provide comfort too.
Do You Need a VPN in Korea?
A question I received from a few readers is whether or not a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is necessary when traveling in Korea.
Many tourists visit South Korea each year and freely access apps and websites like Facebook, Instagram, Google and more that are fully supported. In terms of censorship, South Korea generally does not restrict access compared to some other Asian regions.
However, as always when abroad, using a reputable VPN provides an extra level of privacy and security for your internet traffic. VPN encryption helps prevent snooping when on public WiFi. A VPN also allows accessing region-restricted content back home like Netflix shows.
My recommendation would be trying your Korea eSIM initially without a VPN to benchmark speeds. Then assess if you wish to add a VPN – in most cases speeds will decline when connected to distant VPN servers. Nearby Japan VPN servers tend to have the fastest response.
I personally traveled without a VPN in Korea without issue. But having the option to connect a VPN if desired through my eSIM connectivity gave some nice flexibility.
Choosing the Best Korea eSIM Plan
Deciding on the right eSIM and mobile plan for your trip depends on factors like:
- Destinations: Are you only traveling in Korea or need wider Asia coverage?
- Length of Trip: Short weekend stay or over 2 weeks of travel?
- Data Needs: Light app usage or heavy video streaming?
To make it easy, I’ve broken down top eSIM plan recommendations for different Korea trip scenarios:
Quick Seoul Weekend Getaway
For a short 2-4 day trip focused entirely within Korea, Airalo’s 4 GB for $12 plan is a perfect light use eSIM.
Action-Packed 2 Week Tour
When traveling broadly across Korea including more rural destinations, Nomad Internet’s 8 GB country-specific Korea Plan gives you the best bang for buck.
Family Sharing Data & Calls
For group trips where you need calling capabilities plus hotspot sharing, check out GigSky’s 10 GB $55 monthly plan.
No matter your travel style and schedule, using eSIM for mobile data in Korea is sure to simplify your trip!
Feel free to ask me any questions about my experience with eSIM providers – safe travels and I hope you enjoy connecting easier with eSIMs in Korea!
