Pay 
Language 
Currency 
No results found
Where to buy a SIM card in London?
Looking to buy a travel SIM card in London? Learn where you can buy one, how to buy it, and the top options for staying connected.
By buying a travel SIM card in London, you can use your cell phone in the UK without racking up international roaming charges or worrying about finding a different way to stay connected. Follow along to learn everything you need to know about where you can buy a SIM card in London, how to buy one, and some of the top options to consider.
And if you feel like making the switch to eSIMs, consider Holafly, one of the top digital SIM card options with unlimited data in the UK.
Say goodbye to plastic SIMs
Our eSIMs can't be damaged, broken, or lost – they're the future for every type of traveler.
Can US tourists buy a SIM card in London?
Yes, tourists from the US can buy a London SIM card. You’ll find local SIM cards at most supermarkets, airports, cell service provider customer centers, and mobile phone shops. On top of that, many prepaid SIMs can be purchased without an ID, making the process quick and simple. You can also buy a UK SIM card in the US via online marketplaces, like Amazon or SimCorner.
Where to buy a SIM card in London?
SIM cards are widely available in London. You won’t have an issue finding a place that sells them and won’t have to resort to international roaming in the UK. Here are some of the most popular options:
- Local phone stores: Cell service providers have stores you can visit to buy a SIM card for your trip. These include the biggest providers in the UK, 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. Some, such as Heathrow airport, even have SIM card vending machinesavailable 24/7.
- Buy online: You can get an international travel SIM card online. Upon purchase, the SIM can be delivered to your home, an airport in London, or your hotel, ensuring solid network coverage when you arrive.
- Get an eSIM instead: Don’t want to waste time swapping physical SIM cards? International eSIM providers, such as Holafly, offer a reliable data connection with a digital card. Simply buy your eSIM online, scan a QR code, activate in minutes, and enjoy instant connectivity.
Now that you know how to buy a SIM card in London, let’s take a look at some of the top options available there.
How to buy a London SIM card: 4 Cheapest tourist SIMs
In general, local networks provide some of the best tourist SIM cards, ensuring good coverage throughout your stay. So it’s no surprise that Vodafone, Three, O2, and EE — four of the biggest cell service providers in the UK — offer the top travel SIM card options, as well. Let’s take a closer look at each of them.
Vodafone UK
Vodafone is one of the biggest telecommunications companies in the world and it has a strong presence in the UK. It offers one of the best SIM cards for London, with a variety of options to meet different needs.
The selection of pay-as-you-go SIM plans covers a range of data usage styles, from the relatively modest 10 GB plan to generous data allowances covering 300 GB or even unlimited data.
- £10 for 27 GB of data for 30 days
- £15 for 75 GB of data for 30 days
- £20 for 150 GB of data for 30 days
- £30 for 300 GB of data for 30 days
- £40 for unlimited data for 30 days
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 to avoid 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. It offers several packages for tourists who don’t want to commit to a contract with the provider.
These UK SIM plans include data, unlimited calls, and unlimited texts in the UK and don’t auto-renew, so you don’t have to worry about unexpected auto-renewal charges:
- £10 for 40 GB for 30 days
- £15 for 100 GB for 30 days
- £20 for 200 GB for 30 days
- £35 for unlimited data for 30 days
Three also offers PAYG SIM cards with auto-renewal turned on. They offer slightly more data for the same price, but can end up costing more if you forget to cancel your plan before auto-renewal kicks in.
All SIM cards also include Three’s Go Roam feature, which allows you to use a portion of your data in 71 other destinations outside the UK. This makes it a great roaming option for multi-country trips as well.
O2
O2 is another cell service provider that offers tourist SIM cards in London. All cards come with unlimited minutes and texts, along with free roaming that can be used across the 44 destinations included in O2’s Europe Zone, making O2 a great option for roaming in Europe.
The data allowances are a touch less generous than they are with Three and Vodafone, but still offer enough data to keep you connected throughout your stay.
- £10 for 8 GB of data
- £15 for 25 GB of data
- £20 for 40 GB of data
- £30 for 125 GB of data
Getting an O2 SIM card also gives you access to the O2 Priority rewards program. It 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.
EE
EE is the last of the big four telecom providers in the UK on this list. The EE network keeps over 20 million locals connected daily and also offers some solid pay-as-you-go options for tourists visiting the country.
- £10 for 8 GB of data for 30 days
- £15 for 25 GB of data for 30 days
- £20 for 50 GB of data for 30 days
- £30 for 125 GB of data for 30 days
- £35 for unlimited data for 30 days
Just like others on this list, all cards also provide unlimited calls and texts in the UK. You can also save 10% by going with a recurring plan. It doesn’t require a contract but has auto-renewal payments, which isn’t an ideal option if you’re only visiting for a short time.
International roaming isn’t included in the price, but you can get an EU roaming package or single-destination roaming plans for multiple countries at an additional price.
How much does a London SIM card cost?
You can expect to pay between £10 and £40 for a local SIM card for London, with prices increasing for higher data allowance packages. Most London SIM cards offer limited data together with unlimited calls and texts within the UK. Some also include unlimited data and international calls, texts, and roaming in the price.
Holafly eSIM for London: Don’t be British, skip the queues
Don’t want to spend your time queuing up at the airport SIM card shop upon arrival? Holafly eSIMs offer a simple, reliable, and completely digital way to stay connected in London. Holafly connects you to local networks in the UK, so you get the same data speed as you would with a local SIM. Avoid high roaming costs by buying and activating your eSIM online.
The Holafly eSIM for London costs between £1.33 and £6/day depending on the duration of your plan. All eSIMs include unlimited data and 24/7 customer support, ensuring that you’ll never lose connection. Pick any number of days in the range from 1 to 90 and avoid paying for any extra days you don’t need.
If you’re planning to travel the world for a while, Holafly Plans might be an even better option for you. It’s a pay-monthly eSIM subscription that offers coverage in 170+ destinations worldwide with a single eSIM. Simply choose a plan that suits your needs, stay connected for as long as you need, and cancel any time. No long-term commitments needed.
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.
Say goodbye to plastic SIMs
Our eSIMs can't be damaged, broken, or lost – they're the future for every type of traveler.
Plans that may interest you
A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.
