At a glance
- 1PelesimMost visitors, from a week of maps and messaging to heavy daily use$8.205 GB, 30 days
- 2NomadPeople who share data with a laptop and want the widest network choice$105 GB, 30 days
- 3AiraloPeople who want round-the-clock chat support$115 GB, 30 days
- 4UbigiTravellers who know they need 10 GB and buy well before the tripNo 5 GB plan5 GB, 30 days
- 5HolaflyHeavy users who never want to count gigabytesUnlimited only
How we picked
We compared 5 GB for 30 days, enough for a typical week of maps, subway apps and messaging, plus each provider’s 10 GB plan, unlimited option, networks, hotspot rules, refunds and support. Prices were read from each provider’s own South Korea page on November 5, 2026. Pelesim prices are shown before VAT; other prices are as each site displayed them, and local taxes may apply.
Pelesim has the lowest price at 5 GB, 20 GB and for an unlimited week. At 10 GB, Ubigi is a dollar cheaper.
Maps in South Korea
Google Maps does not give walking or driving directions in South Korea, so most visitors use Naver Map or KakaoMap instead. Download one before you fly; both run on any of the eSIMs here.
Which plan for your trip
- A week in Seoul and Busan: Pelesim 5 GB for $8.20.
- Exactly 10 GB for a longer trip: Ubigi at $14, a dollar under Pelesim.
- Two weeks or more with streaming: Pelesim 20 GB for $23.
- Heavy daily use: Pelesim’s SK Telecom 5G pass, 3 GB a day at full speed for 7 days, $20.
- KT as a third network, or tethering a laptop: Nomad, 5 GB for $10.
Korea only, or Japan and China too?
If the same trip takes you to Tokyo or Shanghai, compare our best eSIMs for Japan and best eSIMs for China before you buy. Our Japan travel guide covers money, trains and getting around.
No. 1, our pick
Pelesim
Best for most visitors, from a week of maps and messaging to heavy daily use
The lowest 5 GB price of the five, on SK Telecom and LG U+, and an unlimited week for $12, less than half what the others charge.
What we like
- 5 GB for 30 days for $8.20
- Unlimited day passes, 7 days for $12 (1 GB a day, then 512 Kbps)
- 20 GB for 30 days for $23, for longer stays
- Refund within 30 days if the eSIM is not activated
Keep in mind
- Data only, no phone number
- 10 GB is $15, a dollar more than Ubigi
- 5 GB / 30 days
- $8.20
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $15
- Unlimited
- 7 days for $12
- Hotspot
- Allowed
- Phone number
- No
- Networks
- SK Telecom, LG U+
No. 2
Nomad
Best for people who share data with a laptop and want the widest network choice
The only pick that lists all three Korean networks, with hotspot support and 5 GB for $10.
What we like
- SK Telecom, KT and LG U+
- Hotspot and tethering supported
- Starts when your phone connects to a Korean network
Keep in mind
- 10 GB for 30 days is $18 on sale, $20 at full price
- Must be activated within 60 days of purchase
- 5 GB / 30 days
- $10
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $18
- Unlimited
- 7 days for $25
- Hotspot
- Allowed
- Phone number
- Some plans
- Networks
- SK Telecom, KT, LG U+
No. 3
Airalo
Best for people who want round-the-clock chat support
The biggest name in eSIMs, with 24/7 support on WhatsApp, on SK Telecom at $11 for 5 GB.
What we like
- 24/7 multi-language support, including WhatsApp
- 10 GB for 7 days for $18, for short trips
Keep in mind
- Unlimited is the priciest week of the five, $29 for 7 days
- Its South Korea page does not state the unlimited plans' fair-use terms
- 5 GB / 30 days
- $11
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $19
- Unlimited
- 7 days for $29
- Hotspot
- Not stated
- Networks
- SK Telecom
No. 4
Ubigi
Best for travellers who know they need 10 GB and buy well before the trip
No 5 GB plan, but the lowest 10 GB price of the five at $14, on LG U+ and SK Telecom, with a plan that starts on arrival.
What we like
- 10 GB for 30 days for $14
- Starts when it activates on arrival in South Korea, with 6 months to do so
- Top up in the app, even with no data left
Keep in mind
- Jumps from 3 GB for 7 days ($7) to 10 GB, with nothing in between
- Unlimited is $25 for 7 days
- 5 GB / 30 days
- No plan
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $14
- Unlimited
- 7 days for $25
- Hotspot
- Data sharing allowed
- Networks
- LG U+, SK Telecom
No. 5
Holafly
Best for heavy users who never want to count gigabytes
Unlimited-only passes on SK Telecom and LG U+ for heavy streamers, at more than twice Pelesim's unlimited price, with hotspot capped at 1 GB a day.
What we like
- Every plan is unlimited, under a fair-use policy
- Uses SK Telecom and LG U+
- Refunds can be requested for up to 6 months
Keep in mind
- 7 days is $27.50, 30 days is $73.90
- Hotspot capped at 1 GB a day
- 5 GB / 30 days
- No fixed plans
- 10 GB / 30 days
- No fixed plans
- Unlimited
- 7 days for $27.50
- Hotspot
- 1 GB a day
- Phone number
- No
- Networks
- SK Telecom, LG U+
Compare all five
| Our pickPelesim | No. 2Nomad | No. 3Airalo | No. 4Ubigi | No. 5Holafly | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 GB / 30 days | $8.20 | $10 | $11 | No plan | No fixed plans |
| 10 GB / 30 days | $15 | $18 | $19 | $14 | No fixed plans |
| Unlimited | 7 days for $12 | 7 days for $25 | 7 days for $29 | 7 days for $25 | 7 days for $27.50 |
| Hotspot | Allowed | Allowed | Not stated | Data sharing allowed | 1 GB a day |
| Phone number | No | Some plans | Not listed | Not listed | No |
| Networks | SK Telecom, LG U+ | SK Telecom, KT, LG U+ | SK Telecom | LG U+, SK Telecom | SK Telecom, LG U+ |
Common questions
How much does an eSIM for South Korea cost?
In prices checked on 5 November 2026, 5 GB for 30 days in South Korea cost $8.20 with Pelesim (before VAT), $10 with Nomad and $11 with Airalo; Ubigi has no 5 GB plan. For 10 GB, Ubigi is $14, Pelesim $15, Nomad $18 on sale and Airalo $19. Holafly sells unlimited plans only, at $27.50 for 7 days and $73.90 for 30 days.
Is there an unlimited data eSIM for South Korea?
Yes. Pelesim sells a 7-day pass for South Korea for $12, with 1 GB a day at full speed and then 512 Kbps, and a 5G pass with 3 GB a day for $20, checked 5 November 2026 and shown before VAT. Ubigi and Nomad list 7 days of unlimited data for $25, Holafly $27.50 and Airalo $29. Each runs under its own daily limit or fair-use policy.
How much data do I need in South Korea?
Maps, subway apps, translation and messaging use less than people expect, and 5 GB covers a typical week. Choose 10 GB or more if you will stream, share a hotspot or stay two weeks or longer. If you cannot predict your use, a daily-unlimited pass removes the guesswork.
Which networks do South Korea eSIMs use?
In this ranking Pelesim, Ubigi and Holafly use SK Telecom and LG U+, Nomad lists SK Telecom, KT and LG U+, and Airalo uses SK Telecom. A plan with more than one network lets your phone switch when one signal is weak.
Can I install a South Korea eSIM before I fly?
Yes. Install the eSIM at home while you are online, then switch it on and enable data roaming for that line when you land. Ubigi's plan starts when it activates on arrival, and Nomad's when your phone joins a Korean network. Check first that your phone supports eSIM and is carrier unlocked. Keep your home SIM active for calls and SMS, since most of these plans are data only.
