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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.
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.
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!☝️
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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.
Best Value
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.
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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.
Best Value
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.
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.
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.
Top Seller
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.
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.
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.
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.
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