United Kingdom eSIM providers at a glance

ProviderDataDurationPriceHotspot
Airalo Top pick1 – 20 GB7 – 30 days$4.50 – $25YesDetails →
Yesim Unlimited1 – Unlimited3 – 30 days$1.50 – $60YesDetails →
Saily1 – 20 GB7 – 30 days$3.49 – $22YesDetails →
DrimsimPay-as-you-goNo expiry~$3.00/GBYesDetails →

Starting prices shown. Plans and pricing change — verify on Airalo, Yesim, Saily, or Drimsim before purchasing.

Detailed provider reviews for United Kingdom

Airalo

Recommended

Airalo connects to EE, Three, and O2 in the UK — giving you access to the country's best networks. Coverage is excellent virtually everywhere, including the Scottish Highlands and rural Wales. The UK is one of Airalo's best-served destinations.

1 GB
$4.50 · 7 days
3 GB
$8.00 · 15 days
5 GB
$11.00 · 30 days
10 GB
$16.00 · 30 days
20 GB
$25.00 · 30 days
Pros
  • EE + Three + O2 — triple network access
  • Excellent coverage across England, Scotland, Wales
  • Europe regional plan includes UK
  • Well-tested destination with many reviews
  • Hotspot on all plans
Cons
  • UK is not included in all Europe regional plans (post-Brexit)
  • Higher per-GB cost than Yesim
  • 1 GB plan too small for London
  • No unlimited option
Visit Airalo →

Yesim

Best for unlimited

Yesim's unlimited plans work brilliantly in the UK, where strong 4G/5G infrastructure ensures consistent speeds. Perfect for extended London stays, working remotely from Edinburgh, or streaming on long train journeys.

1 GB
$1.50 · 3 days
5 GB
$6.50 · 14 days
10 GB
$11.00 · 30 days
Unlimited
$25.00 · 7 days
Pros
  • Unlimited plans ideal for UK stays
  • Connects to EE, O2, Vodafone, Three networks
  • Strong 4G/5G speeds in UK cities
  • Competitive pricing on all tiers
Cons
  • Fair usage cap on unlimited plans
  • Fewer reviews than Airalo
  • VPN feature iOS-only
  • Rural coverage slightly less reliable
Visit Yesim →

Saily

Privacy-focused

Saily offers UK plans with NordVPN security — useful for connecting to London's ubiquitous but often insecure public Wi-Fi networks (Tube, cafes, hotels). The cheapest entry point at $3.49 for 1 GB makes it accessible for short visits.

1 GB
$3.49 · 7 days
3 GB
$7.99 · 30 days
5 GB
$11.49 · 30 days
20 GB
$21.99 · 30 days
Pros
  • Privacy protection on London's public Wi-Fi
  • Cheapest entry plan for UK
  • Ad blocking included
  • NordVPN security credentials
Cons
  • Fewer countries than Airalo (150+ vs 200+)
  • Newer brand
  • 30-day activation window
  • No unlimited option
Visit Saily →

Drimsim

Pay-as-you-go

Drimsim works across the UK at ~$3/GB. Useful as a backup or for travelers combining the UK with Ireland and continental Europe on one balance.

Pay-as-you-go
~$3.00/GB in UK
No expiry
Balance never expires
Pros
  • One balance for UK + Europe
  • No plan expiry
  • Good backup option
  • Works in Ireland too
Cons
  • $3/GB not competitive for UK primary use
  • No bulk discounts
  • Basic app
  • Better options available for UK-only trips
Visit Drimsim →

How much data do you need in United Kingdom?

The UK has widespread free Wi-Fi in cafes, pubs, shopping centers, and on the London Underground (in stations). However, speeds are often slow and public networks are insecure. For reliable navigation, ride-hailing, and communication, mobile data is essential.

Our recommendation: For a typical week in London (maps, Uber, messaging, social media): 3–5 GB. If exploring beyond London or working remotely, budget 10+ GB or go unlimited.

Light user (maps, messaging): 1–3 GB/week. Saily 1 GB ($3.49).

Moderate user (Uber, social media, transit apps): 5–10 GB/week. Airalo 10 GB ($16).

Heavy user (remote work, streaming): Unlimited. Yesim unlimited ($25/7 days).

Network coverage in United Kingdom

The UK has four major networks: EE, Three, Vodafone, and O2. All four provide excellent coverage in cities and towns. EE generally has the widest coverage in rural areas and the strongest 5G network.

4G coverage extends to 99% of premises in the UK. Even the Scottish Highlands, Lake District, and rural Wales have decent coverage along main roads and in villages, though truly remote hiking areas may have gaps.

5G in the UK: Available in all major cities (London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow) and expanding. UK 5G delivers 100–300 Mbps in covered areas. Most eSIM plans support 5G where available.

Tips for using an eSIM in United Kingdom

Install before you fly. UK airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted) have SIM vending machines, but they're overpriced. eSIM setup at home means you have data for the Heathrow Express or Tube immediately on landing.

Get Citymapper for London. London's transport system is complex. Citymapper (requires data) is better than Google Maps for Tube, bus, and walking routes.

Contactless payments work everywhere. The UK is almost cashless — your phone with Apple/Google Pay works at virtually every shop, restaurant, and on all London transport. Data ensures your digital wallet stays connected.

Post-Brexit note: The UK is no longer in the EU. Some Europe regional eSIM plans include the UK, but not all. Always check the country list before buying a European regional plan for the UK.

London Underground Wi-Fi. Free Wi-Fi is available in Tube stations (not tunnels between stations). Your eSIM provides continuous connectivity including in tunnels with some providers.

Frequently asked questions

Airalo offers the best overall experience — connecting to EE, Three, and O2 for excellent coverage across England, Scotland, and Wales. For unlimited data, Yesim is the top pick. Budget travelers should start with Saily at $3.49.
It depends on the provider and specific plan. Since Brexit, the UK is not always included in European regional plans. Always check the country list before purchasing. Airalo's Europe plan typically includes the UK.
Yes, with good coverage in stations and improving coverage in tunnels. Some networks (EE, Three) now have signal in many Tube tunnels. Free Wi-Fi is also available in stations.
For typical tourist use (maps, Uber, messaging, social media): 3–5 GB. London has plenty of free Wi-Fi to supplement. Heavy users or remote workers should budget 10+ GB.
Yes. Uber works across the UK with eSIM data. Your existing Uber account and payment methods work normally.
Not significantly. eSIM plans for the UK are similarly priced to other Western European countries. The main change is that some EU regional plans may not include the UK — buy a UK-specific or UK-inclusive plan.