South Korea eSIM: maps, KTX trains and three key destinations
One of the first surprises for travelers in South Korea is that Google Maps builds worse routes here than in most other countries, and that's not a one-off glitch. Here's why that happens, which apps to use instead, and what connectivity looks like across the three most common destinations — Seoul, Busan and Jeju Island.
Why Google Maps underperforms in Korea
South Korea has long-standing restrictions on exporting detailed mapping data outside the country for security reasons, which means Google lacks full turn-by-turn navigation and up-to-date public transit data inside Korea — walking and driving routes are often inaccurate or simply don't generate.
Locals and most tourists use Naver Map and KakaoMap instead — both have detailed subway, bus and walking navigation, current schedules, and accurate search for venues even when their name isn't written in English.
Install Naver Map or KakaoMap and switch the interface to English before you leave home, not on day one in Seoul — neither app is especially intuitive on first use.
Seoul: the subway, Myeongdong and Gangnam
Seoul's subway is one of the busiest in the world, with numerous transfer stations and several lines running almost parallel — without turn-by-turn navigation it's easy to take the wrong exit or line. Myeongdong and Gangnam mean shopping, cafés and constant photos for social media, so maps and messaging apps run almost nonstop all day.
- Myeongdong — street food, cosmetics, dense tourist traffic
- Gangnam — trendy cafés, shopping malls, nightlife
- Seoul's subway — many transfers, needs turn-by-turn navigation
- Taxis through local apps — Google Maps won't show an accurate fare
The KTX high-speed trains: Seoul to Busan in two and a half hours
KTX trains link Seoul with Busan, Daegu and other major cities in the south, and it's the fastest way between them — the ride to Busan takes about two and a half hours. Tickets are easy to book ahead through an app, and coverage along the route is generally stable, since the KTX runs through densely populated parts of the peninsula.
Busan and Jeju: a coastal city and an island with a different pace
Busan is a southeastern port city with Haeundae and Gwangalli beaches, the Jagalchi fish market, and a coastal cable car; connectivity there is urban and dense, with no surprises. Jeju Island is a completely different type of trip: volcanic scenery, coastline, hiking routes around Hallasan mountain, and a noticeably slower, resort-style pace.
Signal on Jeju is generally good along main roads and tourist areas, but on some hiking trails around the crater or on remote beaches away from towns, signal can be weaker than in central Seoul.
Setting up an eSIM for Korea in advance
A South Korea eSIM profile can be installed at home before departure, via a QR code or a quick-install button, and data roaming switched on only after landing at Incheon or Gimhae. The physical SIM stays in the phone, so calls and texts on your regular number keep working while data runs on the second line.
Most plans support hotspot mode, useful for sharing a connection with a travel companion or working from a laptop at a café. No passport is needed to buy or activate — just make sure the phone supports eSIM before you go.