Top 5 eSIMs for the UK in 2025

Planning a trip to the UK?

Maybe you've already arrived... (welcome!)

Whether you’re popping over from Europe for a quick city break or flying in from across the globe for an extended visit, understanding how long most travellers stay can help you plan your own perfect itinerary.

According to our research, short trips of three to seven days are common for Europeans eager to explore iconic spots like London or Edinburgh. Business trips usually range from two to five days. But for those with deep family ties—from countries such as India, Pakistan, or Nigeria—it’s not unusual to stay for two to four weeks.

It means most people looking for an eSIM plan for the UK will be looking for something between two and 30 days.

How much data do I need for the UK?

The most common question people ask themselves before buying an eSIM plan: how much data do I need?

Unfortunately, we have to give the cop-out answer: it depends on your usage. If you plan to stream films or game on the go, you’ll want a generous data plan (20+ gigabytes). But for shorter trips of under two weeks with moderate phone use, many people manage comfortably on 20 GB or less. In 2023, Finder(.com) revealed that the average monthly usage in the UK sits around 9.9 GB.

The good news? eSIM options often become more cost-effective per gigabyte as you opt for bigger packages, so if you’re anticipating heavier usage, you could actually save by thinking big.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through some of the best eSIM plans from different providers, ensuring you stay connected effortlessly—no matter how long you’re in the UK.

Best eSIMs for the United Kingdom

Sim Local only works with the most trusted providers so you can connect to local 4G/5G networks without roaming charges. All five eSIM providers on this list are available now at Sim Local. Find your perfect plan and connect instantly!

☝️ Yellow Productions reviewed EE and Lycamobile eSIMs from Sim Local. Check it out!☝️

1. Three

United Kingdom Unlimited Data

Three UK (DI)

Unlimited

$44.00

30 Days

Unlimited Local Mins

Unlimited SMS Texts

30GB Roaming Data

Buy now

Exclusive

• Calls & Texts: Unlimited local minutes, unlimited SMS, plus 30GB roaming data
• Data: Unlimited in the UK (30GB for roaming)
• Valid for: 30 Days
• Multi Destination: Yes (includes roaming data)
• Hotspot & Data Tethering: ✅

If you want to explore the UK with zero anxiety about future debts—especially handy for frequent streaming or gaming—this eSIM plan from Three UK has you covered. The extra roaming data is perfect for more European adventures outside the UK without losing connectivity or racking up hidden charges.

United Kingdom 20 GB

Three UK (DI)

20GB

$12.50

30 Days

Unlimited Local Mins

Unlimited SMS Texts

6GB Roaming Data

Buy now

Best Value

• Calls & Texts: Unlimited local minutes, unlimited SMS, plus 6GB roaming data
• Data: 20GB in the UK (6GB for roaming)
• Valid for: 30 Days
• Multi Destination: Yes (includes roaming data)
• Hotspot & Data Tethering: ✅

This plan from Three UK strikes a happy medium between cost and coverage. If you’re a moderate user—checking social media, emailing, Google maps—20GB will see you through a month without a hitch. And you still get a bit of roaming for any spur-of-the-moment cross-border excursions.

2. EE

United Kingdom Unlimited

EE UK

Unlimited

$50.50

30 Days

Unlimited Local Mins

180 Intl Mins

Unlimited SMS Texts

Buy now

Exclusive

• Calls & Texts: Unlimited local minutes, unlimited SMS, 180 international minutes
• Data: Unlimited in the UK
• Valid for: 30 Days
• Multi Destination: UK only
• Hotspot & Data Tethering: ✅

For those who love peace of mind, going unlimited with EE (the UK's fastest network) means never worrying sluggish speeds or exceeding a data limit. This EE eSIM plan has included international minutes are a lifesaver for keeping up with friends and family back home—or for taking important work calls during your trip.

United Kingdom 30 GB

EE UK

30GB

$19.00

30 Days

Unlimited Local Mins

Unlimited SMS Texts

Buy now

Best Value

• Calls & Texts: Unlimited local minutes, unlimited SMS
• Data: 30GB in the UK
• Valid for: 30 Days
• Multi Destination: UK only
• Hotspot & Data Tethering: ✅

If you’re spending a decent amount of time in the UK but don’t need boundless data, 30GB is usually enough for managing travel admin, navigating, and staying social. At just $19.00, it’s a pocket-friendly choice that still delivers the fast, reliable coverage you need on the go.

3. Lycamobile

Lyca eSIM United Kingdom Unltd

Lycamobile UK

Unlimited

$37.75

15 Days

Unlimited Local Mins

100 Intl Mins

Unlimited SMS Texts

Buy now

• Calls & Texts: Unlimited local minutes, unlimited SMS, 100 international minutes
• Data: Unlimited in the UK, plus 35 GB EU roaming
• Valid for: 15 Days
• Multi Destination: Yes (includes EU data roaming)
• Hotspot & Data Tethering: ✅

If in doubt, make it unlimited. This Lycamobile plan takes the guesswork out of how many calls or texts you can make. Unlimited local minutes are perfect for booking taxis, chatting with friends (local and international), or securing last-minute reservations—all without having to chase down WiFi. And 35 GB of roaming data means your data needs are covered for trips to Spain, Ireland, Italy, and much more.

United Kingdom 20 GB + EU Roaming

Lycamobile UK

20GB

$12.50

15 Days

Unlimited Local Mins

100 Intl Mins

Unlimited SMS Texts

Buy now

• Calls & Texts: Unlimited local minutes, unlimited SMS, 100 international minutes
• Data: 20GB in the UK, plus 12 GB EU roaming
• Valid for: 15 Days
• Multi Destination: Yes (includes EU data roaming)
• Hotspot & Data Tethering: ✅

If you want to explore the UK but also have a quick jaunt to Europe in mind, this plan’s EU roaming perk makes life so much easier. You’ll have plenty of data for Google Maps, ticket bookings, and social media, whether you’re in London, Dublin, or Barcelona.

4. Orange

Europe 70 GB

Orange FR

70GB

$53.50

28 Days

Unlimited Local Mins

120 Intl Mins

1000 SMS Texts

Buy now

Top Seller

• Calls & Texts: Unlimited local minutes, 1000 SMS, 120 international minutes
• Data: 70GB across 43 European countries
• Valid for: 28 Days
• Multi Destination: Yes (covers 43 countries in Europe)
• Hotspot & Data Tethering: ✅

Trekking across multiple European countries in a month? This hefty data allowance can handle Netflix streams, video calls, and everything in between. You won’t need to keep topping up or juggling multiple local SIMs either— an Orange eSIM plan keeps you connected all the way.

Europe 12 GB

Orange FR

12GB

$21.50

14 Days

Unlimited Local Mins

30 Intl Mins

200 SMS Texts

Buy now

• Calls & Texts: Unlimited local minutes, 200 SMS, 30 international minutes
• Data: 12GB across 43 European countries
• Valid for: 14 Days
• Multi Destination: Yes (covers 43 countries in Europe)
• Hotspot & Data Tethering: ✅

For a whirlwind two-week tour, this budget-friendly option has enough data for day-to-day navigation, social media, and light streaming. Jumping from Paris to Berlin to Rome? You can rely on Orange’s European coverage to stay online no matter where you land. No need to install multiple times; you'll automatically connect to the local network when you cross borders.

5. Smartroam

Europe 50 GB

Smartroam (VN)

50GB

$56.75

14 Days

Unlimited Local Mins

200 SMS Texts

Buy now

• Calls & Texts: Unlimited local minutes, 200 SMS
• Data: 50GB across 41 European countries
• Valid for: 14 Days
• Multi Destination: Yes (covers 41 countries in Europe)
• Hotspot & Data Tethering: ✅

If you know you’ll be using data heavily—maybe uploading travel vlogs or working remotely—this plan has the horsepower to keep you going for two weeks. Its 41-country coverage means you can plan a multi-stop European tour without constantly checking your data balance.

• Calls & Texts: No (Data only)
• Data: 3GB
• Valid for: 30 Days
• Multi Destination: UK only
• Hotspot & Data Tethering: ✅

For travellers who just need a dependable data connection to check emails, manage bookings and tickets, and navigate on the go, this plan ticks all the boxes. With a full month of validity, it’s ideal for shorter stays or anyone on a budget who still wants reliable coverage throughout the UK. This Smartroam eSIM runs on the EE (BT), Telefonica, Three UK and Vodafone networks. And thanks to its data-only format, setup is simple—no juggling SIM cards or worrying about call minutes. A straightforward solution for a hassle-free trip.