Overview
Last updated: June 2026
All three of Korea's major carriers — SKT, KT, and LGU+ — offer prepaid Korea eSIM plans built specifically for foreign travelers. That's good news, but it also means you have a real choice to make before you fly. This guide compares the three carriers side by side — network, data speed, voice calls, ID verification (eKYC), and plan options — so you can pick the right Korea eSIM for your trip in a couple of minutes.
Key Things to Consider
Before purchasing a Korea eSIM, take a moment to review the following points to ensure the plan matches your travel needs:
✓ Device compatibility : Check your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked
✓ Data and speed : Check the plan offers truly unlimited data
✓ Validity period : Confirm that the plan duration matches your travel schedule.
✓ eSIM delivery : Verify how your QR code will be delivered
✓ Customer support : Offers reliable assistance if you need help with troubleshooting.
✓ Price and overall value : Compare features, coverage, and benefits
✓ Promotions : Check for discounts, bonus data, or free calls
✓ Data and speed : Check the plan offers truly unlimited data
✓ Validity period : Confirm that the plan duration matches your travel schedule.
✓ eSIM delivery : Verify how your QR code will be delivered
✓ Customer support : Offers reliable assistance if you need help with troubleshooting.
✓ Price and overall value : Compare features, coverage, and benefits
✓ Promotions : Check for discounts, bonus data, or free calls
Key Difference
* QR Code Delivery
✓ SKT : QR code delivered by email
✓ KT : Requires airport pickup
✓ LGU+ : QR code delivered by email (airport pickup required only for voice calls)
✓ SKT : QR code delivered by email
✓ KT : Requires airport pickup
✓ LGU+ : QR code delivered by email (airport pickup required only for voice calls)
* ID Verification
✓ SKT : Completed Online ✓ KT : Completed Offline, at the airport Booth
✓ LGU+ : Completed Offline, at the airport Booth (if need for voice calls)
In short: if you want a fully online setup with zero airport visit, SKT is the most straightforward. LGU+ also lets you skip the airport — unless you specifically need voice calling.
* Network, Data & Speed
✓ SKT : LTE, Unlimited Up to 100Mbps
✓ KT : LTE, Unlimited Up to 100Mbps
✓ LGU+ : LTE, Unlimited Up to 1,000Mbps
✓ SKT : LTE, Unlimited Up to 100Mbps
✓ KT : LTE, Unlimited Up to 100Mbps
✓ LGU+ : LTE, Unlimited Up to 1,000Mbps
LGU+ is the clear winner on paper speed thanks to its 5G network — see the "5G or LTE?" section below for whether that actually matters for your trip.
* Voice calls
✓ SKT : 5 minutes of free calls included
✓ KT : 60-minute call package available for purchase, or top up separately
✓ LGU+ : Call credit must be purchased/topped up separately
If you need to make a lot of local calls — booking restaurants, calling a courier, coordinating with a tour guide — KT's call package or topped-up minutes on LGU+ may suit you better than SKT's 5-minute allowance.
* Plan Options
✓ SKT : 15 types (1–10 days, 15, 20, 30, 60, 90 days)
✓ KT : 12 types (1–7 days, 15, 20, 30, 60, 90 days)
✓ LGU+ : 16 types (1–10 days, 15, 20, 30, 40, 60, 90 days)
✓ KT : 12 types (1–7 days, 15, 20, 30, 60, 90 days)
✓ LGU+ : 16 types (1–10 days, 15, 20, 30, 40, 60, 90 days)
All three offer enough flexibility for short trips and long stays alike, with LGU+ offering the widest range of duration options.
Common Features Across SKT, KT, and LGU+
✓A Korean phone number is included with every plan
✓ Top-up is available on all plans
✓ Plan extension is available on KT and LGU+ (Not available on SKT)
✓ Nationwide coverage across Korea
✓ Available for foreign travelers (KT also supports Korean nationals)
✓ Recharge credit is valid for up to 90 days
What Travelers Are Saying
Based on customer reviews, these are the benefits travelers mention most often:✓ Call quality is reliable
✓ Data speeds are fast
✓ QR code installation is simple and quick
✓ No need to buy a SIM card at the airport
✓ Great value for the price
✓ A Korean phone number is ready to use immediately
✓ Makes staying in touch for business trips much easier
5G or LTE — Which Should You Choose?
5G can deliver faster speeds than LTE, especially in major cities and crowded areas. But most travelers mainly use their phone for maps, messaging apps, social media, YouTube, Netflix, and video calls — and for those activities, LTE is usually more than enough. In real-world travel situations, many visitors notice little difference in everyday performance between LTE and 5G.5G plans also tend to cost more than LTE plans. If convenience and value for money are your priority, an SKT LTE plan is often the best choice. If you want the fastest possible data speeds and don't mind paying a little extra, an LGU+ 5G plan is a great option.
Quick Recommendation
✓ Want a fully online setup with no airport visit (data and calls)? → Go to SKT✓ Need built-in call minutes for daily data and calls? → Go to KT
✓ Want the fastest possible 5G speeds for data and calls? → Go to LGU+
✓ Want the fastest possible 5G speeds for data only? → Go to SKT
Ready to Get Connected?
Whichever carrier fits your trip, getting set up takes just a few minutes — order online, scan your QR code, and you're connected the moment you land in Korea.Feel free to contact us if you have any questions — tap here!
