Mobile & Internet Guide for Korea

Tourist SIM cards are available at Incheon Airport arrivals. Major providers include KT, SK Telecom, and LG U+. Coverage is essentially identical across providers—Korea is small and well-networked. Options range from data-only SIMs (most common for tourists) to SIMs with Korean phone numbers. Data-only plans typically offer unlimited data at high speeds, with throttling after a daily cap (usually 500MB-1GB of full-speed data). Prices vary by duration: 5 days costs around 20,000-30,000 won, 10 days around 35,000-45,000 won, 30 days around 50,000-70,000 won. Airport prices are slightly higher than ordering online in advance. eSIMs are increasingly available and convenient—no physical card needed. Providers like Airalo, Holafly, and Korean carriers offer eSIM options. Check your phone's compatibility before relying on this. Pocket WiFi rental is another option, useful for groups or those with multiple devices. Unlimited data, shareable among several phones. Available at airports and deliverable to hotels.

Seoul and major cities offer extensive free WiFi. Look for networks named 'Public WiFi Free' or 'Seoul Free WiFi.' Speed and reliability vary. Subway stations and trains have WiFi. The Seoul metro's WiFi works reasonably well, though it disconnects between stations. KTX and intercity trains also offer WiFi. Cafes almost universally provide WiFi. Passwords are typically displayed at the counter or printed on receipts. Coffee chains like Starbucks, Twosome Place, and Hollys have reliable connections. Most restaurants, especially in tourist areas, offer WiFi. Ask 'WiFi isseoyo?' (와이파이 있어요?) if you don't see a network name posted. Convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) provide WiFi, useful for quick connections when out and about. Don't rely solely on free WiFi if you need consistent connectivity. It's a good supplement but not a replacement for mobile data.

Naver Map or KakaoMap are essential—Google Maps has limited functionality in Korea due to data export restrictions. Both apps offer excellent navigation, transit directions, and business information in English. KakaoTalk is Korea's dominant messaging app. Many Koreans use KakaoTalk IDs instead of phone numbers. Businesses often communicate via KakaoTalk. Download it before arrival. Papago is Naver's translation app. It handles Korean better than Google Translate for conversational text. The camera translation feature is useful for menus and signs. Korail Talk for train tickets, though the English interface is clunky. Alternatively, book through the Korail website or at stations. MangoPlate and Siksinhot are restaurant review apps. Korean-focused but more accurate for local restaurants than TripAdvisor. Limited English support. Coupang is Korea's Amazon equivalent. Useful for ordering items to your hotel—next-day delivery is standard. The app works in English.

Download maps for offline use before exploring. Even with data, subway tunnels and remote areas may have weak signals. Korean phone numbers start with 010. If you get a SIM with a local number, this is what you'll receive. Some services require Korean phone numbers for registration. Mobile payments are ubiquitous. While you can't set up Korean payment apps (Kakao Pay, Naver Pay) without a Korean bank account, Apple Pay and Google Pay work at many locations. Cash is still accepted everywhere. Charging outlets use Type C (European) and Type F plugs at 220V. Most hotels have adapters available, but bringing your own is reliable. Power banks are widely available at convenience stores if you run low. You can also rent portable chargers from machines in subway stations. Data usage in Korea tends to be high—speeds are fast, so apps update and content loads quickly. Monitor usage if you have a limited plan.