Sim Card for Data in South Korea

kizashi on 05/01/2020 - 20:12
Last edited 05/01/2020 - 20:17

Hi Ozbargainers, I am travelling to South Korea for a one month's holiday and looking for a Sim card to use while there. Only looking to use data only, so that I can use Google maps to get around. Wondering if anyone has lived there or traveled there for holiday and can advise me on the best network to use and where to cheapest place to buy it? Thanks

Travel Travel SIM Card

Comments

  • slknv on 05/01/2020 - 20:29

    Just got back today from SK. Forget google maps it’s useless in SK, download Kakao maps or Naver, both work well.

  • jackofspade on 05/01/2020 - 20:57

    30 days sim card $20 on ebay

  • elgrande on 05/01/2020 - 22:50
    +1

    Simchi

    • jjjaar on 05/01/2020 - 22:59

      Not sure if joking or not, but I love it.

  • Summoner on 06/01/2020 - 00:11
    +1

    Not sure about the cheapest plan. But I used this when I was staying in Korea in December.
    https://www.trazy.com/experience/detail/prepaid-data-sim-car…
    It seems they currently have a unlimited data plan for 30 days for $49.9 and $68.6.
    I used $68.6 one and I was very happy with it.
    As others have already mentioned, google map is useless in Korea. Use kakaomap or tmap instead.

  • takezo on 17/01/2020 - 15:38

    I take it there are no issues with phone compatibility over there these days?

    Also did you settle on a sim to buy?

  • epikday on 19/01/2020 - 02:14
    +1

    The three network operators are SK, KT Olleh and LGU+. The rest are MVNOs and can be hit or miss.

    Avoid LGU+ because they have so many compatibility issues with non-LGU+ phones.

    Check your phone supports the frequencies used by SK or KT Olleh by Googling.

    Get a prepaid SIM from any SK store or KT Olleh store. They also have kiosks in the airport.

    SK is slightly better value than KT Olleh, but they are pretty similar. Usually the lowest data recharge doesn't include access to their respective WiFi networks. Their WiFi networks are everywhere (every subway carriage, station, convenience store etc) so it's worth getting a higher data recharge that includes WiFi access.

    Also if you plan on doing any online shopping or using Korean delivery apps etc you will need a Korean phone number to verify your ID to sign up.
    So it's worth getting a SIM with a phone number.

    Kakao Maps is the best for getting around. Naver Maps a close second. Google Maps is pretty much useless.

    Kakao Taxi app to get a taxi. No Uber etc as far as I know.

    Korail app for long distance trains. Intercity Bus app by Tmoney for long distance buses.

    Have fun!

    • kizashi on 19/01/2020 - 15:00

      Thanks for all that information. This is very helpful.

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