eSIM for United Kingdom
Plans from $1.68 per day
United Kingdom
UK plans run on EE and Vodafone UK, delivering excellent 5G across London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Edinburgh and broad 4G through the Home Counties and along the main rail lines.
One Brexit-era detail matters: since 2021 the UK is no longer included by default in many EU-wide eSIM plans, so buy a UK-specific Esim70 plan unless your multi-region package explicitly lists Britain. Once that's sorted, you avoid the activation calls some UK pay-as-you-go SIMs still require.
Coverage is dense in cities and towns but can drop to 4G or 3G in rural Scotland, the Welsh valleys, and parts of the Lake District, so download offline maps for hiking. For everything else — Tube navigation, contactless travel, theatre and train bookings — the eSIM activates instantly on arrival with no store visit.
When to activate
Activate anytimeInstall at home, activate on arrival. Post-Brexit, the UK is no longer covered by EU-wide eSIM plans by default — buy a UK-specific plan unless you're using a multi-region package that explicitly includes Britain.
Things to know about United Kingdom
- Post-Brexit (since 2021), some EU-wide eSIM plans no longer include UK coverage by default. Verify your plan includes UK before flying.
Network partners
EE
Vodafone UK
Connection details
Networks
EE · Vodafone UK
Speed
5G / 4G / LTE
Hotspot
Allowed
From
$1.68/day
Country context
Currency
GBP
Emergency
999 / 112
Plug type
G
Time zone
GMT (UTC+0) / BST in summer
Why eSIM here, not a local SIM
UK pay-as-you-go SIMs are easy to buy at supermarkets and convenience stores, but eSIM activates instantly without store visits or activation calls.
Free Wi-Fi: Widely available. 5G coverage is excellent in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh. Rural Scotland and Welsh valleys may drop to 4G or 3G.
From order to online in 4 steps
Step 1
Buy your plan
Pick a data plan that fits your trip, pay with card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
Common questions about United Kingdom
Does an EU-wide eSIM plan cover the UK?
Post-Brexit (2021), the UK is no longer automatically included in EU-region eSIM plans. Buy a UK-specific plan, or verify your multi-region plan explicitly lists Great Britain before flying.
When does my plan's validity start in United Kingdom?
Validity starts when your eSIM first connects to a local United Kingdom network, that's usually as soon as you land and switch off airplane mode. Installing the eSIM at home days before your trip doesn't burn any days.
Can I use my phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot in United Kingdom?
Yes, all Esim70 plans support tethering by default with no separate daily cap. Your phone can share its data connection with a laptop, tablet, or travel companion's phone.
Will my home number still work in United Kingdom?
Yes, modern phones support dual-SIM. Your home SIM stays active for calls and SMS while the Esim70 eSIM handles data abroad. You can keep WhatsApp / iMessage tied to your home number too.
