Subway transfers, map directions, café hopping and translating menus — South Korea runs on fast mobile data. Here's what a South Korea eSIM actually costs from the three biggest travel-eSIM brands, and which one fits your trip.
How much data do you need in South Korea?
Fixed-data plan prices
Holafly only sells unlimited plans here, so fixed data is Saily against Airalo. Validity matters as much as price: a plan that expires after 7 days is only cheap if your trip is 7 days. Highlighted: the cheaper 30-day option at list price. In amber: Saily's price with my 10% code TRAVELCONNECTLY.
| Data | Saily | Airalo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | $3.997 days$3.59 with code | $4.003 days |
| 3 GB | $8.9930 days$8.09 with code | $8.003 days$9.007 days |
| 5 GB | $10.9930 days$9.89 with code | $10.007 days$10.5015 days$11.0030 days |
| 10 GB | $18.9930 days$17.09 with code | $18.007 days$18.5015 days$19.0030 days |
| 20 GB | $29.9930 days$26.99 with code | $29.0015 days$30.0030 days |
| 50 GB | — | $49.0030 days |
Prices in USD from saily.com and airalo.com, checked 12 October 2026.
What that means: at 30-day validity Saily is a cent cheaper on every size from 5 to 20 GB, and its 3 GB plan lasts a full month. Airalo is up to $1 cheaper if your trip fits a 7- or 15-day window, and it's the only one selling 50 GB ($49.00).
Unlimited plan prices
| Days | Saily | Airalo | Holafly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | — | $12.00 | $12.50 |
| 5 | $18.99$17.09 with code | $20.00 | $20.50 |
| 7 | $26.99$24.29 with code | $29.00 | $27.50 |
| 10 | $34.99$31.49 with code | $35.00 | $36.50 |
| 15 | $48.99$44.09 with code | $49.00 | $50.50 |
| 30 | $71.99$64.79 with code | $69.00 | $73.90 |
Prices in USD from each provider's South Korea page, checked 12 October 2026. Highlighted: cheapest for that length at list price. In amber: Saily with code TRAVELCONNECTLY. — = not sold at that length.
Saily was cheapest from 5 to 15 days — by $2.01 against Airalo for a week — and also sells 20- and 25-day plans ($59.99 and $65.99). Airalo was cheapest for 3 and 30 days. Holafly was cheaper than Airalo for a week and names two Korean networks.
"Unlimited" rarely means unlimited full speed. Saily states 5 GB per day at full speed, then up to 1 Mbps, with no hotspot restrictions. Holafly states a fair-usage policy that can slow speeds for up to a day, and lets you share 1 GB per day as a hotspot. Airalo's page didn't list its unlimited limits, so check the plan details before buying.
Which one to pick
- Most travelers (1–3 weeks): Saily 5 GB or 10 GB — a cent cheaper than Airalo, valid 30 days, and it activates when you land.
- Heavy use for a week or two: Saily unlimited — the cheapest from 5 to 15 days.
- A month of heavy use: Airalo's 50 GB ($49.00) or 30-day unlimited ($69.00).
- Korea plus Japan: compare a regional Asia plan against two country plans — see the Japan guide.
Networks and coverage
South Korea's three mobile networks are SK Telecom, KT and LG U+. Travel eSIMs roam on one or more of them:
- Saily: didn't name its Korean networks on its plan page.
- Airalo: SK Telecom.
- Holafly: SK Telecom and LG U+, with 5G where available.
None of the three includes a local phone number — they're data-only. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other internet calling.
South Korea tips
- Use Naver Map or KakaoMap. Google Maps shows maps in Korea but often can't give walking or driving directions; the Korean map apps can.
- Coverage is excellent in cities, including the subway, and good across most of the country; download offline maps before hiking in national parks.
- Café, subway and hotel WiFi is everywhere but shared — use a VPN on it. See the best VPN for hotel and airport WiFi.
- Keep your home SIM active for bank texts with its data roaming turned off.
How much data you need
Using the rates from the trip data calculator — three hours a day of maps, messaging and browsing, an hour of social media and an hour of music, with 40% of your time on WiFi:
- 7 days: about 3.6 GB → a 5 GB plan
- 14 days: about 7.2 GB → a 10 GB plan
- 21 days: about 10.9 GB → a 20 GB plan, or 10 GB plus another small plan
Streaming video or tethering a laptop changes the picture fast — use Find your plan above or the full calculator.
Setting up before you fly
- Check your phone is eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked. A phone locked to your home carrier won't accept another provider's eSIM.
- Install the eSIM at home over WiFi. Installation needs a connection; activation can wait. Saily plans can be activated any time within 180 days of purchase and switch on automatically when you arrive.
- On landing, set the eSIM as your data line and turn on data roaming for it. That's normal for travel eSIMs and doesn't cost extra.
- Turn off data roaming on your home SIM so it can still receive calls and texts without running up charges.
More country guides: Japan · Thailand · USA · Turkey · Canada · Italy · Spain · UK · France · Greece · Mexico · China · Bali · Portugal · Europe. Comparing providers? See Saily vs Airalo and Saily vs Holafly across 16 destinations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best eSIM for South Korea?
On 12 October 2026, Saily was a cent cheaper than Airalo on every 30-day plan from 5 to 20 GB (10 GB for $18.99) and had the cheapest unlimited plans from 5 to 15 days ($26.99 for a week). Airalo was cheaper for 3- and 30-day unlimited and is the only one of the three selling 50 GB.
How much is an eSIM for South Korea?
Prices started at $3.99 for 1 GB (Saily, 7 days). A 10 GB plan cost about $19 for 30 days, and unlimited data cost from $26.99 for a week.
Does Google Maps work in South Korea?
Partly. You can see maps, but walking and driving directions are limited, so most travelers use Naver Map or KakaoMap. Both work on a travel eSIM.
Which network do South Korea travel eSIMs use?
Airalo lists SK Telecom; Holafly lists SK Telecom and LG U+. Saily doesn't name its Korean partners on its plan page.
Do South Korea eSIMs include a phone number?
No. These are data-only eSIMs, so use KakaoTalk, WhatsApp or other internet calling. Keep your home SIM active for texts such as bank codes, with its data roaming turned off.