You can buy a SIM card at Gimpo International Airport (GMP), but the main tourist SIM and roaming counters are located in the international terminal, not the domestic terminal.
If you arrive on an international flight during counter opening hours, buying a Korean SIM at Gimpo is convenient. However, travelers arriving at the domestic terminal or late at night may find it easier to arrange an eSIM before arrival.
This guide explains where to buy a SIM card at Seoul Gimpo Airport (GMP), opening hours, what you need to purchase one, and when an eSIM may be a better option.
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Yes. Tourist SIM services are available at Gimpo Airport’s international terminal.
However, if you land on a domestic flight, such as a connection from Jeju or Busan, you will not find a SIM counter in the domestic terminal building at all.
If your itinerary involves arriving in Korea through Incheon Airport and then connecting to a domestic flight through Gimpo (to Jeju, for example), buying your SIM at Incheon or installing an eSIM beforehand can save you an extra stop.
→ Learn more: Quick guide on Korea SIM cards for tourists
The three counters are located in the international terminal’s arrivals hall, near Gate 1 on the first floor.
Major Korean mobile operators such as SK Telecom (SKT), KT, and LG U+ run their own booth providing prepaid tourist SIM cards on the spot.
Because counter locations and operating arrangements can change, check the latest airport or carrier information before your trip, especially if you are arriving early in the morning or late at night.
No. All three carrier counters at Gimpo run daytime hours only, none of them stay open overnight.
All three carriers operate from 6:30 AM to 11:00 PM. The carriers also notes that these hours may change depending on international flight schedules. So check the latest schedule directly with the provider before relying on an airport purchase.
If your flight arrives after the counters close, installing an eSIM before departure is usually the easiest way to have mobile data available when you land.
A tourist SIM in South Korea costs about 6,500 KRW for 1 day and 71,500 KRW for 30 days, with SK Telecom, KT, and LG U+ offering very similar prices for stays of up to one month.
For longer stays, prices vary more between carriers. A 60-day data plan costs around 107,000–143,000 KRW, while a 90-day plan costs around 143,000–192,500 KRW, depending on the carrier.
Here is a comparison of the carriers’ base tourist data-plan prices:
| Validity | SK Telecom | KT (Data) | LG U+ (Data) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | — | 6,500 KRW | 6,500 KRW |
| 2 days | 12,000 KRW | 12,000 KRW | 12,000 KRW |
| 3 days | 18,000 KRW | 18,000 KRW | 18,000 KRW |
| 5 days | 27,500 KRW | 27,500 KRW | 27,500 KRW |
| 7 days | 35,000 KRW | 35,000 KRW | 35,000 KRW |
| 10 days | 38,500 KRW | 38,500 KRW | 38,500 KRW |
| 15 days | 55,000 KRW | 55,000 KRW | 55,000 KRW |
| 30 days | 71,500 KRW | 71,500 KRW | 71,500 KRW |
| 60 days | 107,000 KRW | 107,200 KRW | 143,000 KRW |
| 90 days | 143,000 KRW | 143,000 KRW | 192,500 KRW |
Prices above are based on the carriers’ published tourist data-plan prices and may change. Check the latest price and availability with the carrier before purchasing.
The base prices in the table above do not include outgoing calls or texts.
SK Telecom includes free incoming calls and texts, while outgoing calls can be used by adding prepaid voice credit.
KT also offers Data & Voice plans that include calling minutes and Data & Travel plans that include a T-money transit card instead of voice minutes.
LG U+ offers voice options in addition to its base data plans, so travelers who need a Korean number for calls should compare the voice-inclusive options before purchasing.
Tip: If you mainly need internet for maps, messaging, browsing, translation, and travel apps, compare these airport SIM prices with a travel eSIM before your trip. A local SIM may make more sense if you specifically need Korean calling or SMS services.
South Korea requires ID to register a prepaid SIM, so bring these to the counter:
All three counters accept Korean won in cash or major payment cards.
If your trip starts with an international flight into Incheon Airport and Gimpo is just a domestic connection, it is worth buying your SIM at Incheon rather than waiting. This way, you can use maps, messaging, and transportation apps immediately after landing at Gimpo.
SK Telecom runs a counter in Incheon’s Terminal 1, near arrival exits D and E (airport exits 9 to 10), that stays open 24 hours, so it covers arrivals at any hour, including the middle of the night.
If your phone supports eSIM, you can arrange your mobile data before arriving at Gimpo Airport with Gigago South Korea eSIM.
The eSIM runs on the SK Telecom network and starts at $5.90 for a 3-day plan with 1GB of data per day, scaling up through 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, and 30-day options, up to $106.50 for the largest plan.
You can buy it online, scan a QR code to install it, and it is ready to use as soon as you land, no counter, no passport check, no walk between terminals.
Note that it is data-only and does not provide a Korean phone number. For most travelers, data is enough for Google Maps, Naver Map, KakaoTalk, WhatsApp, email, web browsing, and other online travel services. But if receiving Korean calls or verification texts is important for your trip, compare a local tourist SIM with a data-only eSIM before choosing.
Choose an airport SIM if you need Korean calling or SMS services; choose an eSIM if your priority is getting mobile data quickly without visiting a counter.
For travelers arriving at Gimpo’s domestic terminal or outside counter opening hours, an eSIM is often the more convenient option.
Yes. Tourist SIM and roaming services are available at Gimpo Airport’s international terminal. If you arrive at the domestic terminal, it is better to arrange connectivity beforehand or check the international-terminal services.
Do not rely on finding a tourist SIM counter in the domestic terminal. If you are flying to Gimpo from Jeju, Busan, or another Korean city, buying a SIM earlier or using an eSIM is more convenient.
No. Gimpo’s airport mobile counters should not be assumed to operate 24/7. For example, LG U+ currently lists its Gimpo counter as open from 6:30 AM to 11:00 PM, subject to changes based on international flight schedules.
Yes, the tourist plans compared above include unlimited data, but high-speed data policies vary. For example, KT reduces speeds to 5 Mbps after 11GB of usage in one day.
An eSIM is usually more convenient if you arrive late, land at the domestic terminal, or want internet immediately after landing. A physical Korean SIM may be better if you specifically need Korean calling or SMS services.
Yes. Korean carrier SIMs are not limited to Gimpo or Seoul. Depending on the selected network and plan, you can use mobile service while traveling to destinations such as Busan, Jeju, Incheon, and other parts of South Korea.
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