Getting ready for Korea and choosing your internet
A first-time Korea checklist covering documents, money, transport and map apps, and a comparison of SIM, eSIM, pocket wifi and roaming, with a way to estimate data.
En bref
- In Korea you can get online with an eSIM, a physical SIM, pocket wifi or roaming on your home SIM. An eSIM is convenient if your phone supports it and you do not want extra gear, and pocket wifi suits sharing across devices. Entry documents and any travel authorisation should be checked only on official sites.
- Local map apps matter a lot in Korea for walking and public transport directions. Check which map app gives you the walking and transit routes you need, and install it before you fly.
First trip to Korea: what order to prepare in
A first trip to Korea is manageable if you split the work into phases. First come documents and bookings, then money and city transport, and finally internet and apps. This order keeps you from fixing big problems near departure.
- Before booking: check entry documents and any travel authorisation on official sites.
- After booking: plan money, cards and the route from the airport into the city.
- Final week: choose internet, install map and essential apps, and check your bag.
Documents and entry authorisation: official sites only
Korea may have an advance travel authorisation or online form for certain nationalities and periods. The conditions, exemptions and how to apply can change, so do not rely on blogs or social posts. Check the Korean embassy or the official Korean government site before you buy tickets. Our K-ETA guide gives an overview, but it can always lag behind the official site.
- Passport: check remaining validity against official requirements. See our passport and visa basics guide.
- Supporting papers: onward ticket, lodging details and contact information.
- Prohibited and restricted items: check Korean customs and your airline's rules.
Money, cards and payment
In Korea, cards are often widely accepted, but markets and small shops may be easier with cash, and some places may have conditions on foreign cards. Carry some cash and a backup card, and see what each place takes.
- Foreign card fees and exchange rates differ by bank, so check your own bank's fee schedule.
- If the terminal lets you choose the currency, read our currency and card charges guide.
- Set up your banking app and identity confirmation before you fly. See our banking apps abroad guide.
Map apps and getting around
The map app you use at home may not give complete walking or public transport directions in Korea compared with local apps. Before you fly, try a sample route from your lodging to a place you plan to visit, and compare which app gives clear, realistic walking, train and bus directions.
- 1Try a sample routeEnter your lodging and one sight, and see whether the app shows walking and public transport routes.
- 2Check language and how place names are enteredSome apps handle local-language place names better. Save your lodging and sight names in the local script too.
- 3Download offline maps as a backupSee our offline maps and navigation guide for how.
- 4Prepare a translation appSee our translation apps and data article for what to know about data use.
Transport cards and public transport tickets come in several types. What you can buy, how to top up and whether you can use one on your phone can change, so check the transport operator and airport websites in Korea.
Internet in Korea: SIM, eSIM, pocket wifi or roaming
Popular questions are which internet option is best for Korea and whether to use a SIM or an eSIM. There is no single answer, so decide on how many people are travelling, what your phone can do, and how you feel about carrying gear. The table compares principles without quoting prices.
| Option | Convient à | À surveiller |
|---|---|---|
| eSIM | Phones that support eSIM, setup before flying, no extra device. | Check model and network lock. Our eSIMs are data-only, with no phone number or SMS. |
| Carte SIM physique | Phones without eSIM, or people used to swapping SIMs. | You must remove your home SIM and plan how to receive bank OTPs. See our SMS OTP while abroad article. |
| Pocket wifi | Several people sharing, or devices without a SIM slot. | You collect, return, charge and carry the device. Check the lender's return terms. |
| Home SIM roaming | People who want to stay reachable on their usual number and will check terms with the operator. | Terms and prices vary widely. See our eSIM vs roaming and bill shock articles. |
Internet options compared for Korea
5, 7 or 10 days in Korea: how much data? A way to estimate
Rather than memorising someone else's GB figure, do it yourself. Open the data usage screen on your phone at home, see how much you use on mobile data on days without Wi-Fi, and scale it by your trip length, adding extra for maps and translation apps that you will use more than usual.
| Type d'usage | Common activities | Sizing approach |
|---|---|---|
| Léger | Maps, messaging and occasional searches. | Smaller to mid-size plans, with lodging Wi-Fi helping out. |
| Moyen | Maps, photos, social media, short video and translation. | A mid-size plan, then review real use after two days. |
| Intensif | Streaming, video calls, hotspot sharing. | A larger or unlimited-style plan, and read its fair-use terms. |
Estimating data by usage style
For more detail, read our guide on how much data you need and our article on choosing a Korea eSIM plan.
Set up before flying and check again on arrival
- Check your phone supports eSIM and is not network-locked using our device checker.
- Buy a plan and install from the emailed QR code while you still have Wi-Fi.
- On arrival in Korea, turn on data roaming for the eSIM line and set it as the mobile data line.
- Turn Wi-Fi off and open a map to confirm data works before you leave the airport.
If you are unsure about installation, read our eSIM install guide and our airport arrival connectivity article.
Pre-flight checklist for Korea
- Entry documents and travel authorisation: recheck official sites before flying and keep proof.
- Some cash, a card that works abroad and a backup card.
- Map, translation and essential booking apps installed and logged in.
- Plugs, power bank and airline rules. See our plug guide and power bank rules articles.
- Travel insurance and emergency contacts saved on your phone and on paper.
- Lodging details and the airport-to-lodging route saved offline.
A wider all-purpose list is in our before-you-fly checklist, and getting online in the first day is covered in our first 24 hours abroad article.
Questions fréquentes
How do I get internet in Korea?+
With an eSIM, a physical SIM, pocket wifi or roaming on your home SIM. Choose by group size, phone capability and how you feel about carrying gear, and check live prices before buying.
SIM or eSIM for Korea?+
If your phone supports eSIM and is not locked, an eSIM is more convenient: install in advance, no swapping SIMs. If not, use a physical SIM. Check your model first.
Pocket wifi or eSIM for Korea?+
Pocket wifi suits sharing across devices, while an eSIM suits people who do not want an extra device or the hassle of returning one. See the comparison table above.
How many GB for 5, 7 or 10 days in Korea?+
There is no fixed number. Look at your real data use at home on days without Wi-Fi, scale by trip length, add headroom for maps and translation, and use the data calculator.
Do I need to apply for K-ETA?+
Conditions can change by nationality and period. Check the official Korean website with your own details before buying tickets. Our K-ETA guide gives an overview, but always trust the official site.
Can I rely on my usual map app in Korea?+
It may not give complete walking and transit directions compared with local apps. Try a sample route before you fly, compare, and download offline maps as a backup.
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