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How to buy a London SIM card: Find your perfect plan
Just touched down in London town? Then you need to know how and where to buy a SIM card for your London trip. Navigating the city's bustling streets and tourist attractions is a whole lot easier with a reliable internet connection.
So you’re going to London — England’s capital, home to the Royal Family, Big Ben, the London Eye, and those famous black cabs.
Whether it’s messaging loved ones back home or keeping your social feeds up-to-date — you’ll want a secure, reliable internet connection.
But, how?
London SIMs and eSIMs, that’s how. Both options enable you to avoid risky public WiFi, find your way around the city, and ensure you’re never more than a couple of clicks away from your nearest and dearest.
In this article, we run you through the best options for London SIMs (and where you can find them), as well as how and where to buy their speedier, more flexible alternatives: eSIMs.
Ready to find out how to use your cell phone when visiting the UK without racking up roaming costs? Let’s dive in.
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Can a tourist buy a SIM card in London?
Yes, tourists can definitely buy a London SIM card. Many places sell them, including supermarkets, airports, and mobile phone stores (more on this shortly).
Plus, many SIMs don’t require a contract and can be bought without needing to present an ID card.
Can I buy a UK SIM card in the US?
You can buy a UK SIM card in the US via online marketplaces, like Amazon, or at the departure airport before jumping on your flight.
Alternatively, you can opt for a virtual SIM card for London — which you can purchase ahead of travel and activate upon arrival.
While you can get international data packages with your cell provider in the US, it’s not your best bet.
While convenient, these plans are typically more expensive than buying a local SIM and offer a weaker connection to local networks.
Buying before you fly avoids the stress of finding a SIM card at the start of your trip and the risk of connecting to London airport WiFi hotspots.
If you plan to sort your SIM card ahead of your trip, consider:
- Cost: Shop around to find the best deal and make sure to read the fine print.
- Coverage and speed: Research the provider’s network in London to ensure reliable coverage and fast speeds.
- Fair usage policies: Be mindful of any usage limitations that might affect your connection, such as data throttling or additional charges for overuse.
- Delivery: Find out if international shipping is available, the costs associated, and which payment methods are accepted.
Where to buy a SIM card in London?
You can buy a SIM card in London from:
- Local phone stores: Cell service providers have stores you can visit to buy a SIM card for your trip, such as Vodafone, Three, and O2.
- Supermarkets: Most supermarkets, like Tesco or ASDA, stock prepaid SIM cards from popular providers that can be activated immediately. Some smaller convenience stores, which can be found across London, also offer these SIMs.
- The airport: All London airports have stores and kiosks that sell SIM cards, as well as SIM card vending machines that are available 24/7. They also all have a WHSmith convenience store, where you can buy SIM cards.
For many travelers, buying a virtual SIM card before arriving in London is the most convenient solution.
You can buy it in minutes and get connected as soon as you reach the UK without the need to search for shops or switch SIM cards.
How much is a SIM card in London?
You can expect to pay between $13 and $50 USD for a local SIM card for London, or around £10 to £40 GBP. The more data the plan offers, the more expensive it will be.
Most London SIM cards offer limited data as part of the cell plan, with the option to top the card up with additional data once you’ve used up your allowance.
This can quickly add up for longer stays, so keep this in mind when traveling to London.
For a more flexible option, consider an eSIM. Online eSIM providers like Holafly offer unlimited data virtual SIM cards for London, tailored to your trip length, which means you’ll never be paying for days you’re not in the city.
Which SIM card is best for London?
There are several carriers that are reliable for London, including Vodafone, Three, and O2. Let’s explore these popular operators offering UK SIM cards for London.
Vodafone UK
Vodafone is a leading telecommunications provider with a strong European presence. It offers one of the best SIM cards for London, with a variety of options that cover different needs.
Vodafone frequently offers special UK SIM card deals on their prepaid SIMs, such as additional data for the same cost. This is their current pricing, but do note that this offer ends in January 2025:
- £10 for 27 GB of data for 30 days (normally 8 GB of data)
- £15 for 75 GB of data for 30 days (normally 25 GB of data)
- £20 for 150 GB of data for 30 days (normally 50 GB of data)
- £30 for 300 GB of data for 30 days (normally 150 GB of data)
- £40 for unlimited data (exempt from the deal)
These plans all include unlimited calls, and texts to UK and Zone A cell numbers. However, one thing to keep in mind is that these plans are automatically set to auto-renew.
You’ll need to turn off auto-renew in the MyVodafone app — or risk paying for another 30 days of data you don’t need.
| Buying before you fly? You can purchase a Vodafone SIM card online from Amazon and select a plan upon arrival. Get the pay-as-you-go SIM card before you travel, download the MyVodafone app, and simply select one of these prepaid plans once you arrive. |
Three
Three is another great option for staying connected during your trip to London. While there are plenty of options for contract-less data, your best bet as a London-bound traveler is to opt for a one-month data pack.
These UK SIM plans include data, unlimited calls, and unlimited texts in the UK, last 30 days, and don’t auto-renew:
- £10 for 10 GB
- £15 for 30 GB
- £20 for 60 GB
- £35 for unlimited data
You’ll be charged for any additional data you use over this allowance, but you can purchase data add-ons using the Three app.
Data, calls, and texts can also be used across 160 other destinations worldwide, including 49 in Europe, thanks to Three UK’s Go Roam feature.
O2
O2 is another cell service provider that provides SIM cards to suit London tourist’s needs.
All these options come with unlimited minutes and texts, along with free roaming that can be used across the 44 destinations included in O2’s Europe Zone.
Currently, O2 is offering a special deal on these SIMs, so we’ll include their current pricing and what they return to once the deal concludes in February 2025. All of these plans are valid for 30 days:
- £10 for 21 GB of data (normally 8 GB of data)
- £15 for 60 GB of data (normally 25 GB of data)
- £20 for 120 GB of data (normally 40 GB of data)
- £30 for 250 GB of data (normally 125 GB of data)
Opting for an O2 SIM card also gives you access to O2 Priority. This rewards program gets you exclusive deals across London restaurants and venues — including the National History Museum, the O2 Arena, and other can’t-miss spots from your London travel guide.
While O2, Three, and Vodafone are great options for staying connected in London, there’s still one more option we’ve yet to discuss: eSIMs.
These virtual SIM cards remove the hassle and stress involved with sourcing and setting up a physical SIM card, and ensure you can get connected as soon as you touch down.
No panicking about undelivered SIMs the day before you leave; no searching for shops when you should be seeing the sights; just quick, simple, unlimited data — let’s check it out.
Consider an eSIM for London as a great SIM alternative
eSIMs are a digital version of traditional, physical SIM cards. Instead of inserting a physical card into your device, an eSIM is downloaded directly onto your phone.
This eliminates the need for a physical SIM card, making it more convenient and flexible.
These eSIMs are delivered directly to your inbox and can be set up in minutes. All you need is an unlocked phone and an eSIM data plan, and you’re good to go.
How to buy and use an eSIM for London
Buying an eSIM to use when visiting London couldn’t be easier — Holafly offers eSIMs for use all over the world, including the English capital.
Simply select your destination — London — and input how many days of unlimited data you need. Then, head to the virtual checkout and await delivery of your eSIM (approximately five minutes!).
You’ll be sent an email that includes all the details on how to get started. It’s super simple, and separated into two phases: installation (before you set off on your travels) and activation (once you’ve arrived).
To install the eSIM:
- Go to ‘Add eSIM’ in your phone’s cellular network settings.
- Scan the QR code (included in the email) or set it up using the manual code (also in the email).
- Configure cell settings using the step-by-step guidance included in the email.
To activate the eSIM:
- Head to your phone’s cellular setting to turn on the line and data roaming.
- Ensure your eSIM is the default for cellular data
And you’re done! It’s that simple. Holafly even has a step-by-step video to guide you through these steps:
How much does the eSIM for London cost?
The eSIM for London starts from £16 ($20.90) for five days of unlimited data. This cost-per-day goes down depending on how many days of data you need:
- £23 for 7 days
- £29 for 10 days
- £40 for 15 days
- £49 for 20 days
- £59 for 30 days
- £89 for 60 days
- £119 for 90 days
| Planning a European adventure? Holafly also offers European eSIMs that keep you connected across the continent without the hassle of swapping physical SIM cards. |
Pros and cons of a Holafly eSIM
Still unsure if an eSIM is right for you? Let’s check out some pros and cons:
Pros:
- Purchase and activate in minutes: Getting an eSIM from Holafly is easy. Simply select your destination and plan, complete the purchase, and your eSIM will be delivered instantly to your email.
- Unlimited data: Don’t waste time worrying about data allowances — Holafly offers unlimited data in London, so you can search, scroll, and share to your heart’s content.
- Top up instantly: Need a couple of extra days (…or weeks)? You can top up your plan directly on the Holafly app.
- 24/7 customer service: The Holafly team is on hand around the clock to provide support when you need it. Support is available in 19 languages across several support channels.
Cons:
- You must have an eSIM-compatible phone: Most modern smartphones support eSIM technology, but it never hurts to check our list of eSIM-compatible phones!
- Plans are data only: It’s important to note that eSIMs are data-only — you don’t get a local UK number. However, you have access to all WiFi calls and texts, such as FaceTime, iMessage, WhatsApp, and Messenger.
Sounds good? It is.
If you’re looking for the best way to stay connected throughout your trip to London, a Holafly eSIM will take care of all your needs.
While you’re not short on options when it comes to UK cell providers, physical SIMs can’t beat the convenience and flexibility of eSIMs.
So, that’s all things London SIM cards. Now all you have to do is check everything else off your London packing list… happy travels!
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Born in South Wales, raised in Mallorca, and now based in the North of England, Ella Webber has written a wide variety of content for an exciting selection of clients—including TravelPerk, Orience, and more. Having worked remotely since the start of her career, Ella's been able to write from all over the world—from New York to Barcelona. When she's not at her laptop, Ella enjoys exploring the Northern countryside, discover new coffee spots, and hanging out with friends.
