How To Buy A SIM Card In Seoul Gimpo Airport
Keep reading to discover a step-by-step guide for buying a Korean SIM card suitable for foreigners in Seoul Gimpo Airport.
While Gimpo is the smaller of the two international airports in Seoul, it is still the arrival point for many into South Korea - hence why we have created this guide to buying a SIM card at Gimpo Airport.
We run you through buying a SIM card in Gimpo Airport once you land, as well as outlining some handy alternatives that can save you time and money.
So, let’s dive into: How to buy a SIM card in Seoul Gimpo Airport
Disclaimer - this blog post contains affiliate links where we can earn a commission if you make a purchase through them (at no extra cost to you).
Flying into Seoul Gimpo Airport soon? We recommend booking an affordable, stress-free airport transfer directly to your accommodation in the city!
Buying a Korean SIM online and collecting it at Seoul Gimpo Airport
Before we outline exactly how you can buy a Korean SIM card in Seoul Gimpo Airport once you land, we wanted to introduce you to a little handy tip that is going to save you lots of time and effort once your flight lands.
To save time, you need to pre-order your Korean SIM card online before you even step foot on the plane - you can do this right now from the comfort of your own home.
Benefits of buying a Korean SIM online before you travel to Seoul Gimpo:
You won’t have to queue up at the airport and wait in line to get a SIM Card
Do research online beforehand to determine exactly what SIM card package you want to use while in South Korea
Pay online when you order - no need to worry about getting cash out at the airport or those hidden international transaction fees on your card
So, buy the SIM card online before you travel to South Korea and once your order is confirmed, you will be sent an email confirmation that outlines how and where to pick up your SIM card in the arrivals terminal in Seoul Gimpo Airport.
Make sure to choose the ‘SIM Plan with Pickup at Gimpo Airport’ option when you order. You can choose SIM card plans for 5-days, 10-days, 20-days or 30-days, whatever suits your South Korea travel itinerary.
So, simply buy your Korean SIM card online and collect it from the KT Mobile Service desk, which is located on the 1st floor of the arrivals terminal by Gate 1.
Buying a SIM Card at Seoul Gimpo Airport once you land
The next option for buying a SIM card at Seoul Gimpo Airport is the more traditional route - buying the SIM card in the arrivals terminal once you land at the airport. It’s one of our best tips for visiting South Korea because having a SIM card is crucial for getting around the country.
You begin by doing everything as you normally would at an airport. Make your way through passport control, pick up your bags from the luggage belt and head through customs.
Once you enter the arrivals terminal, you want to head towards Gate 1 and look for the KT (Korean Telecom) desk. The desk is open from 6 am-11 pm every day.
Once you get to the desk, the staff can assist you in buying a Korean SIM card ready for your South Korean adventure.
If you need to make outbound calls while in Korea, ask for a Prepaid SIM. If you only need access to data and the internet, ask for a Prepaid Data SIM.
Getting a SIM card at Seoul Gimpo Airport once you land is relatively straightforward, but the queues can be somewhat hit-and-miss. Many will have opted to purchase a SIM card online before flying and can skip the line and go straight to the collection point.
SIM Card Alternative in Korea - Unlimited 4G Portable Pocket Wifi Rental
An alternative option for getting a SIM card in Seoul Gimpo Airport is to purchase a 4G portable pocket wifi package and use that throughout your stay in South Korea.
If you haven’t heard of portable pocket wifi before, it is essentially a small box sometimes called a ‘wifi egg’, and it looks similar to a portable battery pack used to charge your phone.
The wifi egg emits wifi your phone can connect to, even when you’re out and about in Seoul.
Pros of buying portable pocket wifi at Seoul Gimpo Airport:
Can be cheaper than buying a SIM Card (depending on the length of your stay)
Up to 8 devices can connect to the portable wifi at once
Unlimited 4G wifi access
Cons of using portable pocket wifi at Seoul Gimpo Airport:
You have to carry it around with you at all times - it’s a similar size to a portable charger
Don’t have the ability to call and text using a Korean number
You have to return the portable wifi pocket at the end of your stay, which can get tricky for people wanting to leave Korea via a different airport
To buy the portable pocket wifi in Seoul Gimpo Airport, you follow the exact same steps you would to purchase the SIM card in person.
Head into the arrivals halls once you’ve passed through customs and baggage claim, and head to the KT (Korean Telecom) desk found on the 1st floor, by Gate 1.
Once you get to the desk, ask for the ‘Wifi Router’ package, and they will assist you from there.
As with the SIM card option, we recommend buying the portable wifi package online before you fly into Seoul Gimpo airport so you can avoid the lines and guarantee they will have the wifi pockets in stock.
Planes parked at Seoul Gimpo International Airport
South Korean e-SIM data plan
The final option for getting a SIM in Seoul Gimpo Airport is actually an option that is available all throughout Korea and means you can skip the process of finding a physical SIM Card.
Buying a South Korean e-SIM data plan means you skip the hassle of getting the SIM card at the airport, and instead, you can land at Seoul Gimpo Airport, knowing full well that once you arrive, you will have a working data connection on your phone automatically.
A QR code will be generated once you order the e-SIM online and the payment is processed. You then simply scan the QR code, follow the instructions and hey-presto, you have an e-SIM data plan loaded onto your phone, ready for when you arrive in Seoul!
Factors to consider before buying a SIM Card at Seoul Gimpo Airport
Before you get a SIM Card at Gimpo Airport, you need to consider one or two factors.
Check your phone is unlocked - most modern phones are unlocked as standard nowadays, but you need to double-check. A Korean SIM Card won’t work on your international phone unless it is unlocked.
Decide if you need to make outbound calls - choosing SIM Card options that don’t require the use of outbound calls makes it much cheaper and means you can even consider the e-SIM or portable wifi pocket options as an alternative to the traditional SIM Card.
Check what time your flight lands - remember that the KT (Korean Telecom) desk in the arrivals hall is only open from 6 am-11 pm. If your flight lands outside of those hours, you can still order your SIM card online beforehand but you will have to pick it up from the store in Hongdae or Myeongdong.
There we have it, folks, a conclusive round-up of how to buy a Korean SIM card in Seoul Gimpo Airport. Despite being less popular than buying a SIM card at Seoul Incheon Airport, many people still transit through Gimpo Airport on their way into Seoul, and so we hope this step-by-step guide has proved helpful to you.
Remember, if you’re landing at Seoul Gimpo Airport, then we recommend ordering an affordable, stress-free airport pickup service so you can avoid the mad rush for buses and trains once you get into the arrivals terminal.
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