# Korea eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi? Prices, deposits, returns

A Korean pocket Wi-Fi costs about $3.30 a day and wants a credit card deposit and a trip back to the counter. An eSIM is one price, installed before you fly.

Published 2026-10-23, updated 2026-10-23. Page: https://inboxesim.com/guides/south-korea-esim-vs-pocket-wifi

## Pocket Wi-Fi prices in South Korea

| Rental | Price | Data | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| KT WiFi Router | 4,400 KRW a day (about $3.32), or 55,000 KRW for 30 days | Unlimited at 20 Mbps; several devices | Credit card in your name (no debit cards), passport |
| LG U+ Pocket Wi-Fi | 4,400 KRW a day (about $3.32) | 4 GB a day of LTE, then up to 5 Mbps; up to 10 devices | 1,111 KRW card authorization, or 70,000 KRW on a debit card |

Both are picked up at Incheon Terminal 1 or 2, Gimpo or Gimhae. LG U+ takes the router back at any of those counters; KT's routers run 9.5 to 30 hours on a charge depending on the model, and KT rents at most four per person.

## The same trip on an eSIM

**South Korea** (https://inboxesim.com/south-korea)

| Data | Validity | Price (USD) | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 7 days | $2.90 | https://inboxesim.com/south-korea?fare=hook |
| 3 GB | 30 days | $4.90 | https://inboxesim.com/south-korea?fare=light |
| 5 GB | 30 days | $5.90 | https://inboxesim.com/south-korea?fare=mid |
| 10 GB | 30 days | $9.90 | https://inboxesim.com/south-korea?fare=fat |
| 20 GB | 30 days | $15.90 | https://inboxesim.com/south-korea?fare=big |
| 50 GB | 30 days | $30.90 | https://inboxesim.com/south-korea?fare=jumbo |

Day Pass (3 GB a day at full speed, then 1 Mbps):

| Days | Price (USD) | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | $9.90 | https://inboxesim.com/south-korea?pass=3 |
| 5 | $15.90 | https://inboxesim.com/south-korea?pass=5 |
| 7 | $21.90 | https://inboxesim.com/south-korea?pass=7 |
| 10 | $30.90 | https://inboxesim.com/south-korea?pass=10 |
| 15 | $43.90 | https://inboxesim.com/south-korea?pass=15 |
| 30 | $61.90 | https://inboxesim.com/south-korea?pass=30 |

**Asia 14 regional** (https://inboxesim.com/asia-14-regional)

| Data | Validity | Price (USD) | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 7 days | $2.90 | https://inboxesim.com/asia-14-regional?fare=hook |
| 3 GB | 30 days | $5.90 | https://inboxesim.com/asia-14-regional?fare=light |
| 5 GB | 30 days | $8.90 | https://inboxesim.com/asia-14-regional?fare=mid |
| 10 GB | 30 days | $14.90 | https://inboxesim.com/asia-14-regional?fare=fat |
| 20 GB | 30 days | $28.90 | https://inboxesim.com/asia-14-regional?fare=big |

Day Pass (3 GB a day at full speed, then 1 Mbps):

| Days | Price (USD) | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | $17.90 | https://inboxesim.com/asia-14-regional?pass=5 |
| 7 | $23.90 | https://inboxesim.com/asia-14-regional?pass=7 |
| 10 | $31.90 | https://inboxesim.com/asia-14-regional?pass=10 |

A [South Korea eSIM](https://inboxesim.com/south-korea) is installed at home on Wi-Fi and works when you land, with no counter, no deposit and nothing to return. Going on to Japan? [Japan and South Korea on one eSIM](https://inboxesim.com/guides/japan-korea-esim) compares the options.

## When pocket Wi-Fi is the better pick

- A group of four or more sharing one connection all day: one router splits the cost.
- A phone that is carrier-locked or has no eSIM.
- Laptops and tablets without mobile data (an eSIM can share a hotspot too, but the phone then does the work).

> Lost or damaged routers are charged; LG U+ refunds the charge only if the device turns up within 14 days. Set a reminder for the return counter on your last day.

## Compare every brand

Travel eSIM prices for Korea from Airalo, Holafly, Ubigi, Nomad and others, side by side: [best eSIM for South Korea, compared](https://inboxesim.com/compare/south-korea).

## Sources

- KT Roaming: WiFi router rental: https://roaming.kt.com/eng/router (read 2026-10-23)
- LG U+: Pocket Wi-Fi: https://www.lguplus.com/korea-sim/eng/pc/product/pocket-wifi (read 2026-10-23)