Best eSIM for South Korea: how to choose, and what to buy
Short answer: For South Korea, 3 to 5 GB (5 GB is £7.49) covers a typical one-to-two-week trip. The practical tip is not about data at all: Google Maps is limited in Korea, so install a local map app before you fly.
See South Korea plans from £1.99
South Korea has some of the best mobile coverage in the world and one of the most surprising gaps for visitors: the maps app you use everywhere else does not work properly here.
Which plan to buy for your trip length
For South Korea we currently sell 5 plans, from 1 GB for £1.99 up to 20 GB for £17.49. Matching those to the length of a trip gives the table below.
| Trip length | Light use (maps, messaging) | Moderate use (plus social, photos) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | 1 GB · £1.99 (7 days) | 3 GB · £4.99 (30 days) |
| 7 days | 3 GB · £4.99 (30 days) | 5 GB · £7.49 (30 days) |
| 14 days | 3 GB · £4.99 (30 days) | 10 GB · £12.49 (30 days) |
| 30 days | 10 GB · £12.49 (30 days) | 20 GB · £17.49 (30 days) |
Planning figures, not guarantees: roughly 200 MB a day for light use and 500 MB a day for moderate use. Daily video streaming, video calls and large downloads use far more. The plan shown is the cheapest one in our live catalogue that is both big enough and valid long enough.
South Korea eSIM plans and prices
Our plans for South Korea connect to SKTelecom and LG Uplus, and the phone picks between them. The best value per gigabyte is the 20 GB plan, at £0.87 a gigabyte.
| Data | Valid for | Price | Per GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 7 days | £1.99 | £1.99 |
| 3 GB | 30 days | £4.99 | £1.66 |
| 5 GB | 30 days | £7.49 | £1.50 |
| 10 GB | 30 days | £12.49 | £1.25 |
| 20 GB | 30 days | £17.49 | £0.87 |
Install a Korean map app first
Google Maps offers limited navigation in South Korea, particularly for walking and driving directions, so most visitors use a local app such as Naver Map or KakaoMap. Install and set it up before you leave, because it is much easier on home Wi-Fi than on a train platform in Seoul.
Coverage
Seoul, Busan and the main cities are densely covered, including the subway, and coverage on the high-speed rail lines is strong. Mountain trails and some island stretches are the usual exceptions.
How much data
Messaging, translation and map apps are the heavy users here. Five gigabytes is comfortable for two weeks; step up to 10 if you stream or tether.
Related guides
- South Korea eSIM plans — every plan and price
- Best eSIM for travel — how to choose
- Comparing eSIM providers fairly
- Check your phone supports eSIM
We sell eSIMs, so this is a seller’s guide. Prices on this page were read from our catalogue on 7 November 2026; coverage notes are general, so check the plan before paying.
