How to get a Three UK Global eSIM: plans, roaming, and setup

Coverage is strongest in major cities and urban areas; in remote or rural areas, signal and speeds depend on the local network. Planning a specific trip? Our guides to the best eSIM plans for the USA, the best eSIM for Australia and the best eSIM for Hong Kong compare your options in more depth.

The right plan comes down to how long you're staying and how you use your phone. Check your phone's mobile data usage history for a real number rather than a guess, then match it like this:

• A short visit, mostly maps, messaging and email: the 20GB plan is the lightest way in and still gives you a UK number and unlimited UK calls and texts.
• Lots of photos, video calls or streaming, or sharing data with a travel buddy: the 100GB or 200GB plan. Hotspot is included on every plan, and hotspot data counts toward your allowance.
• Working remotely or never wanting to think about data: Unlimited for 30 days.
• A long stay, a semester or a working holiday: Unlimited for 90 days is the plan with the longest validity, so you only top up once.

If you'll also be travelling on from the UK, look at the roaming column in the table above: every UK plan includes roaming data in 70+ destinations, from 6GB on the 20GB plan up to 30GB on the unlimited plans.

1. Check your phone works with eSIM and is unlocked. Use our eSIM compatible phones list and, if you bought your phone on a contract, read how to unlock your phone.
2. Pick your plan from the tables in this post and pay by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal.
3. Check your email. We send a 4-digit confirmation code and the download instructions right after purchase.
4. Install it in one tap from the Sim Local app, or scan the QR code. You can buy now and choose when to install.

That's it, activation takes about three minutes.

• Open your phone's mobile or cellular settings and add the eSIM (the exact menu name varies by phone; our eSIM activation guide has the steps for iPhone and Android).
• Enter the 4-digit confirmation code from your email when asked.
• Label the line "Three UK" so you can tell it apart from your home SIM, and keep your home SIM on for calls and texts you still want to receive.
• Choose the Three eSIM as your mobile data line. For the UK plans, that's all - you're on Three's own network once you land. On iPhone, our iPhone activation walkthrough shows each screen.
• Sim Local recommends activating your UK plan as soon as you arrive in the United Kingdom.

Using one of the plans for travelling outside the UK? Switch Data Roaming on for the Three line as well, or the phone won't connect to data abroad. Three's own Pay As You Go roaming eSIM page also recommends having 4G calling (VoLTE) enabled, because some networks abroad are phasing out 2G and 3G.

This is where Three's UK plans differ from most travel eSIMs. Every UK plan includes a local UK phone number, unlimited UK minutes and unlimited UK texts, on top of data. That means you can book restaurants, take delivery calls and get text codes from UK banks and apps without relying on WhatsApp. It's also why the UK plans suit people who are moving to the UK to study and need a number that works from day one.

The plans for travel outside the UK are different: they are data-only and don't include a local number. You can still make calls over the internet with apps like WhatsApp, Skype or FaceTime.

A Three eSIM isn't only for people landing in London. Three's roaming covers 70+ destinations: its own roaming eSIM page says its data packs work in "over 70 Go Roam destinations". At Sim Local, you can reach them in two ways: with the roaming allowance that comes with every UK plan, or with a plan made for the country you're visiting. These all keep you off expensive data roaming rates, and all are data-only with hotspot included.

The Global plans cover destinations across Europe, the Americas, the Caribbean, Asia and Oceania in one eSIM. They're a good fit if your trip takes in more than one country. The UK isn't on the Global list, so use a UK plan if you're visiting the UK.

Both are major UK networks and Sim Local sells both. Where they differ is plan size, plan length and what's stated about roaming and speed. Here's how the plans compare on Sim Local:

Choose Three if you want more data in a comparable plan, a clearly stated roaming allowance, or a long unlimited plan. Choose EE if you only need a week or two. You can see every plan on our EE eSIM page.

• No-quibble refunds: change your mind and you can get your money back - see the refund policy for the terms.
• Help when you need it: support is available 24/7 via chat, or contact the team.
• Buy now, use later: pick your plan before you fly and choose when to install it.
• Prepaid and simple: one payment, no contract, and hotspot included on every plan.