There are only certain places that you can buy Sim card in Korea. You will not find Sim cards at 7/11 or any convenient store.
Korea is not catered for foreigners like Thailand or Vietnam and many things are inclusive to Koreans (I know it is such a pain).
So I had to write a blog post on how to get a Sim card in Korea or renting a phone or Wifi router.
If you want to get Sim cards in Korea normally you need a local ID. So if you are a foreigner traveling, you won’t be able to get it just at a store.
When I first came as a traveller, I didn’t know it was so hard to get it. I literally went into every network shops and I got denied. I had to end up asking my brother who has a Korean ID card to get me one.
Buying a SIM Card in Korea Is Not Easy Like Buying One in Thailand
Then, how do you buy or rent a South Korean SIM card in Korea?
Best Place to Get korean sim card for foreigners
One way to buy a SIM card is at Incheon Airport.
The Easiest Way to Buy a SIM Card in Korea Is at the Incheon Airport or Buy It Online Before Getting to Korea
But before we talk about where to buy it and how, I want to give you few other options how you can use the internet or call:
- Rent a Pre Paid Phone
- Wifi Router Rental
- Buying South Korean SIM Card
Here are the pros and cons of these options.
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Renting a Phone | You can still use your American phone with roaming | - Have to return the phone at the airport to get your deposit back - Some providers don’t provide unlimited data - More expensive |
| Wifi Router Rental | - You can use super fast internet anywhere - You don't need to switch you SIM card - You can go to rural area and not worry about not getting a signal | - Expensive - Have to return the phone at the airport to get your deposit back |
| Prepaid SIM Card | - Cheaper than other options - Don’t have to return at the end | You will have to switch your SIM card |
Korea Sim Card Unlimited Data
If you are planning to just data, buying a SIM card is the best option in Korea. You don’t have to return the phone/ router or make a deposit to rent a phone.
You can also get an un-limited data.
Now, let’s talk about where and how to buy SIM Card in Korea. The easiest way to buy a it at Incheon International airport or on online before getting to the airport.
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It is cheaper and easier to buy the exact same pre-paid SIM card online than at Incheon airport, but let’s compare all the options before on how to buy it online.
Buying Korean SIM Card At Incheon Airport
You can either buy it at the airport or online.
I will give you on how to do it in detail!
Where Do You Find the Korean SIM Card Store (Station) at the Airport?
You can find the telecom networks at 6, 7, 10, 11 exits at Incheon International airport terminal 1 (between Exit 2,3 or 3rd floor check in at D-E).
This is where you need to buy SIM cards.
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If you miss a chance to buy it at the airport, it will be hard to buy it in the city. But I will write more places where you can buy it in the city later if you couldn’t buy it at the airport.
Which Network Service Should I Use to Buy the best SIM Card for Data Plan in Korea?
Personally, I would go for KT Network. It is like Verizon in America. It is the most reliable I think.
If you are going to rent a phone or a wifi router, there are also SK or LG Network. I will make a table for you to compare the price and usage.
| Pre Paid SIM (Data Only) | Pre Paid SIM (Data + Call) | Router Rental | Phone Rental | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KT | Unlimited Data: 27,500 Won to 71, 500 Won | Unlimited Data + 264 won/min | Unlimited Data + 4,400 Won/Day (Deposit, 200,000 Won) | - Unlimited Data: 6,600 - 8,800 Won/Day - Call: 660 Won/ Min |
| SK | Unlimited Data: 25,000 Won to 65,000 Won | N/A | Unlimited Data + 5,000 Won/Day (Deposit, 100,000 - 200,000 Won) | - 1GB/Day Data + Free Wifi Zones: 9,900 Won/Day - Call: 900 Won/ Min |
| LG+U | Unlimited Data: 27,500 Won to 71, 500 Won | N/A | Unlimited Data + 8,000 Won/Day (Deposit, 200,000 Won) | - 1GB/Day Data + Free Wifi Zones: 9,900 Won/Day -Call: 900 Won/ Min |
The Easiest Way to Buy Korean SIM Card Is online
But the best way to buy Sim Card in Korea is to pre-order and just pick it up at the airport. That is what I normally do.
Also, you don’t have to struggle with the language barrier at the kiosk.
If you are looking to buy it online, use KT network which is the best (it is like Verizon). I used it this March and it was easy breazy. Also, with more than 5000 reviews and 4.8 star rating just shows how good it is.
It is also about 3 – 7 dollars cheaper (depending on period of use) if you book it online.
Click Here -> To Buy the SIM Card online
Getting Korea SIM Cards Other than Incheon International Airport (Updated. Jan.4.2018)
Seoul Station
While I was traveling to Busan, I found out you can also buy it in Seoul station or any other major stations like Yongsan or Gwangmyung station.
If you are at Seoul station, you have to go down one level. You will find a sign that says AREX. They will sell SIM cards there, but you have to bring you passport with you.
This is where you can buy your SIM card and you can even pick up your KTX Korail travel pass here. If you want to know more about how to ride KTX please click here for more information (If you are going to Pyeongchang or Gangneung by KTX please click here).
Itaewon
You can buy SIM cards in Itaewon. You will probably visit Itaewon at one point and you can easily buy it. Below is the map where you can buy it.
It ended up being a long post, but I hope this helped you a little bit buying SIM card in Korea. I also wrote a lot of posts related to Seoul travel, and you can read it all here. If you have any more questions, please let us know below comments and we will help you with getting a SIM card.
How Is the WIFI Situation in Korea? Do I Need to Buy a SIM Card?
Wifi is excellent is Korea. Almost anywhere you go, you will find some sort of free Wifi. It is also super fast. If you want to save some money, you can skip buying SIM card in Korea, and just use free Wifi.