Buy and install a UK travel eSIM before you land — coverage tips, plan sizes, and setup for iPhone and Android.
Updated 2026-07-28
A UK travel eSIM gives you mobile data in London and across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland without a SIM swap at Heathrow or Gatwick. Buy a plan online, install the QR before you fly, then set Cellular Data to the travel eSIM after you land while your home SIM stays in place for calls and SMS.
Confirm your phone first: eSIM compatibility check.
| Trip style | Planning range |
|---|---|
| Long weekend in London | Often 1–3 GB |
| One week, London + one region | Often 5–10 GB |
| Two weeks touring multiple cities | Often 10 GB+ |
Refine with How much eSIM data do I need?. Live plans: UK eSIM plans.
Usually not automatically. Since Brexit, "Europe" regional packs frequently exclude the UK unless the plan card explicitly lists it. Always check the included-countries list at checkout — do not assume a Europe plan covers London if you're also visiting Paris or Amsterdam on the same trip. If you need both, compare against the or buy a separate UK plan.
Airport kiosks sell physical SIMs, sometimes bundled with a local phone number. A pre-installed eSIM skips the queue and keeps your home SIM seated for calls. Choose a kiosk SIM only if you specifically need a UK number for local voice or SMS-based services that a data-only eSIM doesn't provide.
No — Ireland is a separate country with its own coverage. Check whether your plan lists Ireland explicitly, or buy a dedicated plan for that leg.
Signal is intermittent underground regardless of SIM type; most stations have coverage on platforms but not in tunnels. This applies to eSIM and physical SIM alike.
Not for a data-only travel eSIM. Keep your home number on the physical SIM for SMS and calls; a local UK number is a separate product if you specifically need one.
Only if the plan explicitly covers those countries. Otherwise, use the Europe eSIM guide to compare regional options.
