A method and mobile terminal for searching for alternative frequencies is provided for facilitating alternative frequency search. The mobile terminal having an alternative frequency search function includes a control unit having a radio data decoder for decoding radio data containing a program identifier and for differentiating the radio data by type, a radio data filter for extracting the program identifier from the radio data and for comparing the extracted program identifier with a previously stored program identifier, and a radio data updater for updating an alternative frequency list in response to an instruction of the radio data filter, and a storage unit for storing the alternative frequency list and the differentiated radio data. The alternative frequency search method and mobile terminal of the present invention facilitates alternative frequency search by updating the alternative frequency list only when the program identifier decoded from Radio Data System (RDS) data is substantially identical with the previously stored program identifier.