Best eSIM for South Korea (2026): Prices Compared
Short answer: for most trips to South Korea, 10 GB for 30 days is plenty, and GoSIM sells it for $7.99. The same size costs $18 at Nomad, $18.99 at Saily and $19 at Airalo. Holafly only sells unlimited plans, and its 30-day one is $73.90. Below are all the plans side by side, plus the few Korea-specific things (maps, apps, transit card) worth sorting out before you land.
Oct. 6, 2026
Short answer: 10 GB for 30 days at $7.99 covers most trips. Only a few days of maps and messaging? The 1 GB day pass is $2.99, or 1 GB for 7 days at $1.99. Staying a month and streaming a lot? 20 GB for 30 days is $13.99.
GoSIM South Korea plans
Prices start at $1.99. Day passes give you a fresh allowance that resets the next day. The 7- and 30-day plans are one fixed total for the whole period.
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily 500 MB | 500 MB per day | 1 day | $1.99 |
| Daily 1 GB | 1 GB per day | 1 day | $2.99 |
| Daily 2 GB | 2 GB per day | 1 day | $2.99 |
| Daily 3 GB | 3 GB per day | 1 day | $3.99 |
| Daily 5 GB | 5 GB per day | 1 day | $5.99 |
| Daily 10 GB | 10 GB per day | 1 day | $8.99 |
| 1 GB / 7 days | 1 GB total | 7 days | $1.99 |
| 3 GB / 30 days | 3 GB total | 30 days | $3.99 |
| 5 GB / 30 days | 5 GB total | 30 days | $4.99 |
| 10 GB / 30 days | 10 GB total | 30 days | $7.99 |
| 20 GB / 30 days | 20 GB total | 30 days | $13.99 |
| 50 GB / 30 days | 50 GB total | 30 days | $27.99 |
Which plan for which trip
| Trip | Plan to look at | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Layover or one day in Seoul | Daily 1 GB | $2.99 |
| Long weekend, maps and messaging | 1 GB / 7 days | $1.99 |
| Week in Seoul and Busan, light use | 3 GB / 30 days | $3.99 |
| Ten days, some video and social | 5 GB / 30 days | $4.99 |
| Two to four weeks, normal use | 10 GB / 30 days | $7.99 |
| A month, heavy use | 20 GB / 30 days | $13.99 |
| A month of remote work | 50 GB / 30 days | $27.99 |
If you are not sure, go one size up. Korea runs on your phone: transit, taxis, restaurant menus and translation all eat data.
How the prices compare
Checked on October 6, 2026, on each provider's own South Korea page. Airalo, Nomad and Saily sell a 10 GB / 30-day plan like ours. Holafly sells unlimited plans only, so there is no like-for-like size.
| Provider | Closest plan | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| GoSIM | 10 GB / 30 days | $7.99 |
| Nomad | 10 GB / 30 days | $18 |
| Saily | 10 GB / 30 days | $18.99 |
| Airalo | 10 GB / 30 days | $19 |
| Airalo | Unlimited / 30 days | $69 |
| Holafly | Unlimited / 30 days | $73.90 |
| Holafly | Unlimited / 7 days | $27.50 |
For a short trip the gap holds. GoSIM's 1 GB / 7 days is $1.99, against $4 at Nomad and $3.99 at Saily. Airalo's smallest plan is 1 GB for 3 days at $4. Unlimited plans can make sense for a few days of very heavy use, but for most trips a fixed 10 to 20 GB plan costs far less.
Networks and coverage
GoSIM South Korea plans run on SK Telecom and LG U+. Nomad's page names SK Telecom, KT and LG U+. Airalo's page shows "SK". Saily's and Holafly's pages don't name a network.
Before you land: maps, apps and transit
- Maps. Google Maps works in Korea, but it has limits. Korean rules on exporting map data mean walking and driving directions are weak or missing, and local business details are thinner. Naver Map and KakaoMap are the local standard and both have English. Install one, plus Google Maps for everything else.
- KakaoTalk. The default messaging app in Korea. Restaurants, hosts and tour operators often use it. Install it before the trip and sign up while you still have home WiFi.
- Kakao T. The main taxi-hailing app. It needs a data connection to call and track a car, which is a good reason not to rely on WiFi alone.
- T-money. A rechargeable transit card for subway and buses, sold at convenience stores and subway stations. It is separate from your eSIM, so buy one on arrival.
- WiFi. Free WiFi is common in cafes, subway stations and airports, but it drops the moment you walk outside. Mobile data is what keeps maps and translation working between stops.
- Phone support. Most iPhones from the XS onward, recent Pixels and most recent Samsung Galaxy phones support eSIM. Your phone also needs to be carrier-unlocked. The quickest check is Settings, then look for "Add eSIM".
Setup
- Pick a plan and check out as a guest. No account needed.
- Your QR code arrives by email.
- Scan it under Settings, Mobile Data, Add eSIM. You can do this at home.
- Land in South Korea and the eSIM connects to the local network.
GoSIM offers a 7-day refund on eSIMs that haven't been activated. See all current plans on the South Korea eSIM page.
Frequently Asked Questions
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