The start of the Covid-19 pandemic devastated the travel industry, including travel restrictions, flight cancellations, hotel closures, a decrease in travel demand, revenue loss, and job cuts. Encouraging signs of travel recovery started to emerge with the increase in vaccination rates, contributing to a growing sense of confidence among travelers. According to ESIMUSA.COM, there has been an increased demand due to the removal of travel restrictions and quarantine requirements for vaccinated travelers in the first half of 2022. Projections indicate that the industry will recover to 2019 levels by the end of 2023 or early 2024. With that in mind, countries will be vying for international travelers’ attention, and one sought-after destination in 2023 is no other than South Korea.
South Korea is a land of fascinating contrasts and incredible diversity, where ancient history and modern innovation seamlessly blend. From bustling high-tech cities to serene natural landscapes, this country is a wonderland of stunning sights and sounds. Whether you’re a food lover, a culture enthusiast, a fashionista, or a K-pop fanatic, South Korea has something for everyone. It’s a place where you can immerse yourself in the rich traditions of the past while exploring the latest trends of the future. For these reasons and more, Travel+Leisure has named Seoul one of the best places to visit in 2023.
If you’re planning to travel to Korea, it’s highly advisable to have a mobile phone with internet access. A smartphone with internet access can provide you with real-time maps and directions, making navigating and exploring the city easier. You can stay in touch with your friends and family while traveling by making calls, sending messages, and using social media to update them on your whereabouts and activities. You can quickly search for information on restaurants, attractions, and activities in the city. This can help you make informed decisions on where and what to do. If you don’t speak Korean, a smartphone with internet access can also be an invaluable tool for translation using apps like Papago. If you’re planning to travel to Korea, you may wonder how to ensure that your cellphone is operational. No need to worry, as two solutions are available: a traditional SIM card or an eSIM.
SIM Card for travelers
A SIM card (Subscriber Identity Module) is a small, removable card inserted into a mobile phone or another cellular device. The SIM card contains a unique identification number linked to the user’s mobile network carrier account. The SIM card also stores additional information, such as contacts and text messages, and can access mobile data services like the internet. When traveling to Korea, you can purchase a local SIM card to use with your phone, which will give you a local phone number and allow you to access the local network at local rates. SIM cards can be purchased at the airport, mobile shops downtown, or convenience stores. However, using a traditional SIM card may require an unlocked phone and may involve additional costs such as purchasing the SIM card, activation fees, and data usage fees.
eSIM for travelers
On the other hand, an eSIM card (Embedded SIM) is a small digital chip embedded inside a device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike a physical SIM card, an eSIM does not need to be removed or replaced when switching mobile carriers. However, not all devices support eSIMs, and not all mobile carriers offer eSIM services. Only the recent Apple iPhones, Samsung phones, Google Pixel phones, Motorola phones, and Huawei phones support the technology. So, checking with your carrier and device manufacturer before relying on an eSIM while traveling is important.
For travels in Korea, eSIM Korea offers the No.1 eSIM service. Convenience is one of the significant advantages of using an eSIM card. You no longer need to worry about buying and inserting a local SIM card when you arrive in Korea. Instead, you can go online and purchase a local data plan with eSIM Korea and activate it on your eSIM-enabled device with a QR code. For extra convenience, you can even buy the eSIM before landing. Another advantage is cost savings. eSIM Korea data plans are designed specifically for travelers and can be more cost-effective than purchasing a traditional roaming plan. Since eSIM offers data-only plans, it does not support making local or international calls. However, if necessary, you can use your data plan to make calls through messaging apps like WhatsApp or Skype.
Wrapping up
Planning a trip can be stressful, so having one less thing to worry about can be good. For your upcoming trip to Korea, put your mind at ease knowing you have your data roaming situation handled. You can enjoy your trip without worrying about data connectivity issues or extra expenses. You can stay connected and enjoy Korea to the fullest.