Top 9 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, the right eSIM can make your trip go so much smoother.

You might be asking yourself two questions.

1. How much data do I need?
2. Which eSIM provider should I choose?

How much data do I need as a tourist in 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 and how long you plan to stay.

When you're travelling you use your phone more than you realise to find your way on maps, buy tickets and managing bookings, stay in touch with friends back home, the list goes on!

The good news?

eSIM plans tend to offer better value the more data you buy — meaning the price per gigabyte usually drops with bigger packages.

So if you’re unsure how much you’ll need with your eSIM plan for the UK , it’s often smarter (and cheaper in the long run) to go big and stay connected worry-free.

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

Follow Monito as he puts our EE eSIM to the test 📶

Best eSIMs for the United Kingdom

Heads up: some of the plans below are ridiculously good value compared to what you'd pay with online-only providers like Airalo, Holafly, or Saily.

Why choose a roaming plan when you can get the local price?

Sim Local partners with the largest and most trusted network providers so you can enjoy the best possible coverage without lag or delay.

All four eSIM providers (and nine plans) on this list are available to download now at Sim Local.

Simply choose a plan and get connected in 3 minutes! (All you need is a WiFi connection.)

_{1. Three UK - Unlimited}

United Kingdom Unlimited Data

Three UK (DI)

Unlimited

$44.00

30 Days

Unlimited Local Mins

Unlimited SMS Texts

30GB Roaming Data

Buy now

Top Seller

• Calls & Texts: Unlimited local minutes, unlimited SMS
• Data: Unlimited in the UK (30 GB for roaming)
• Price Per Day: £1.17
• Valid For: 30 Days
• Multi Destination: Yes
• 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.

_{2. Three UK - 10 GB 20 GB}

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
• Data: 🔥 10 GB 20 GB in the UK (6 GB for roaming)
• Price Per Gigabyte: 50p
• Valid For: 30 Days
• Multi Destination: Yes
• Hotspot & Data Tethering: ✅

Three UK have some 🔥 sizzling summer offers 🔥on their fixed data plans this summer. This plan normally comes with 10 GB — but for a limited time, you get double the data at no extra cost. If you’re a moderate user—checking social media, emailing, Google Maps—20 GB 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 into nearby countries like Iceland, Ireland, and Spain.

_{3. Three UK - 30 GB 100 GB}

United Kingdom 100 GB

Three UK (DI)

100GB

$19.00

30 Days

Unlimited Local Mins

Unlimited SMS Texts

12GB Roaming Data

Buy now

Exclusive

• Calls & Texts: Unlimited UK minutes and texts
• Data: 🔥 30 GB 100 GB (12 GB for roaming)
• Price Per Gigabyte: 15p
• Validity: 30 days
• Multi-Destination: Yes
• Hotspot & Data Tethering: ✅

This plan is an absolute bargain. For £15, you get more data than most people could finish in a month (unless you're a Netflix-on-repeat kind of traveller). Usually this is just 30 GB, but right now you get an extra 70 GB for free! And with 12 GB of EU roaming, it's perfect for anyone bouncing between cities like London, Dublin, and Barcelona. Cheap, cheerful, and super fast and flexible.

_{4. Three UK - 60 GB 200 GB}

United Kingdom 200 GB

Three UK (DI)

200GB

$25.25

30 Days

Unlimited Local Mins

Unlimited SMS Texts

18GB Roaming Data

Buy now

Exclusive

• Calls & Texts: Unlimited UK minutes and texts
• Data: 🔥 60 GB 200GB (18 GB for roaming)
• Price Per Gigabyte: 10p
• Validity: 30 days
• Multi-Destination: Yes
• Hotspot & Data Tethering: ✅

Double the data for just £5 more? Yes please. Whether you're streaming, hotspotting, or navigating non-stop on Google Maps, this plan has your back. Usually a 60 GB plan, you get an extra 140 GB this summer for the SAME PRICE! And with 18 GB roaming included, it’s built for border-hoppers heading to France, Italy, or wherever the cheap flights take you.

_{5. EE - Unlimited}

United Kingdom Unlimited

EE UK

Unlimited

$50.50

30 Days

Unlimited Local Mins

180 Intl Mins

Unlimited SMS Texts

Buy now

Top Seller

• Calls & Texts: Unlimited local minutes, unlimited SMS, 180 international minutes
• Data: Unlimited in the UK
• Price Per Day: £1.33
• 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 about 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.

_{6. EE - 30 GB}

United Kingdom 30 GB

EE UK

30GB

$19.00

30 Days

Unlimited Local Mins

Unlimited SMS Texts

Buy now

Top Seller

• Calls & Texts: Unlimited local minutes, unlimited SMS
• Data: 30 GB in the UK
• Price Per Gigabyte: 50p
• 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, 30 GB 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.

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

_{7. Lycamobile - Unlimited}

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
• Price Per Day: £2
• 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.

_{8. Lycamobile - 100 GB}

United Kingdom 100 GB + EU Roaming

Lycamobile UK

100GB

$25.25

15 Days

Unlimited Local Mins

100 Intl Mins

Unlimited SMS Texts

Buy now

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

100 GB is a thunderous about of data—more than enough for most people. But if you're not like most people, you might like to game while on the move, or stream every season of Downton Abbey or Game of Thrones. And while you're in the UK, you be planning a quick adventure to the continental mainland. If so, 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, Rome, or Barcelona.

_{9. Smartroam – 20 GB}

Europe 50 GB

Smartroam (VN)

50GB

$56.75

14 Days

Unlimited Local Mins

200 SMS Texts

Buy now

• Calls & Texts: VoIP only
• Data: 20 GB
• Price Per Gigabyte: £1.23
• Valid For: 30 Days
• Multi Destination: No
• Hotspot & Data Tethering: ✅

Touch down and tap in—this 20GB UK eSIM is your digital travel buddy, ready to roll the moment you land. Whether you're snapping selfies on Tower Bridge or navigating Edinburgh’s cobbled streets, you’ll stay connected without a hitch. Powered by the UK’s top networks, including EE, Vodafone, and Three, this eSIM promises strong coverage for every moment of your trip. Get setup instructions as soon as your purchase a plan, and get connected in 3 minutes! No calls or texts, though. Stay in touch via WhatsApp, FaceTime, Skype, and other apps.

What happens when I buy a UK eSIM plan?

You’ll get download instructions instantly, and setup takes just three minutes — no need to remove your SIM.

With an eSIM and SIM card in your phone, you'll have a dual SIM setup. You just need to tell your phone which SIM to use for data, calls, texts. Don't worry — we'll send step-by-step video instructions.

Download your eSIM and activate it in your phone settings, but wait until just before you fly (or once you land) to install it — it only connects once you're in the UK (or Europe).

Need help or wondering what is a UK eSIM? Our support team is available on live chat and WhatsApp — with real humans.

Best eSIM for UK - FAQs

1. How much data do I need for a trip to the UK?

It depends on your usage. If you're mainly using maps, messaging apps, and email, 5–10 GB should last a week. Heavier users streaming music, videos, or using their phone as a hotspot might need 10–30 GB or more. Some plans even go up to 200 GB for extended stays.
Tip: Check your phone’s data usage history in settings before you travel — and remember, you’ll likely use more data abroad when managing bookings, navigating, and staying connected. If you're still not sure, our Find My Plan tool will help you find the best recommendation in seconds.

2. Are these the same networks locals use?

Yes. If you want to pay the local price and experience the same strong coverage as locals (including a UK number for calls/texts), go for an eSIM from a local carrier like EE, Lycamobile, or Three UK.

3. Can I use my eSIM only in the UK, or does it work in Europe too?

Some eSIMs are UK-only, while others offer coverage across Europe or even globally. If you're visiting multiple countries, look for a UK + EU plan to avoid switching SIMs or racking up roaming charges. These let you use your data, calls, and texts seamlessly across borders. Check out our list of the best Europe eSIMs here.