SIM Card Guides

Prepaid UK SIM card: A buyer’s guide for tourists

Planning a trip to the United Kingdom? Learn where you can get a UK SIM card for tourists and which local SIMs are the best options.

As a tourist, you can use a UK SIM card to get data, texts, and calls from the moment you arrive in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. Choosing a prepaid UK travel SIM means avoiding high UK roaming costs from your home carrier.

In our buyer’s guide, we show you how and where to get a SIM card for the UK. We also cover which are the best UK SIM cards, and highlight an unlimited data alternative — Holafly’s travel eSIM — that avoids the need for a physical SIM altogether!

In this article

How to buy a UK SIM card for tourists

To get a UK SIM card, you need to buy through a dedicated online retailer or shop at a physical store once you land.

Get your SIM card for the UK online, before you travel, by:

Picking a reliable online retailer, like Amazon or SimCorner
Choosing the plan that fits your trip’s length and expected data usage
Buying in time to have the UK SIM delivered to your home address
Inserting and activating the SIM once you land in the UK

Keep identity documents such as passports and IDs handy when buying a UK SIM online. Some providers may ask for identity proof during checkout.

Get your UK SIM card in person, once you land, at:

Major UK airports: In arrivals, you will find kiosks and vending machines selling prepaid UK SIM cards for tourists.
Retail stores: Local convenience stores, supermarkets, electronics shops, and carrier stores all stock UK SIM cards loaded with prepaid plans that will fit your needs.

When buying your SIM card in England, or the rest of the UK, you’ll likely be asked for proof of identification. You also must have an unlocked cell phone, or else your phone will not work in the UK.

Note: Since Brexit, the UK is no longer included in the EU’s free roaming zone. Some providers offer special benefits, but you will likely have to buy a separate SIM card for UK travel during your multi-stop Europe trip.

How much does a prepaid UK SIM card cost?

Depending on your chosen plan, a UK prepaid SIM card can cost between $20 and $60 USD, including shipping costs.

Buying local SIMs in UK stores is cheaper than opting for online delivery. It’s worth considering whether you’re willing to save a bit by sourcing locally once you land.

Although ordering your SIM card online may incur higher costs due to delivery fees, it also ensures you’ll have network access from the moment you land.

Where to buy a UK SIM card before traveling?

You can order UK SIMs online through popular retailers (Amazon) or local carriers that offer delivery in the US.

Where to buy a UK SIM in the US

Third-party retailers: Amazon, Simify, SimCorner, My UK SIM card
UK mobile providers: Giffgaff offers international delivery to the United States and other countries. Other providers, such as Three, offer free next-day delivery. Plan your delivery on such a date that you’ll be able to receive your UK SIM card the day you land!

Where to buy a UK SIM in Canada

Third-party retailers: SimCorner, MoreMins
UK mobile providers: Get a Giffgaff SIM card shipped to Canada or opt for a quick delivery from a provider like Three as soon as you land.

Where to buy a UK SIM in Australia

Third-party retailers: SimCorner, MoreMins, OneSimCard
Australian-based vendor: UK Pre-Paid Sim Card.au
UK mobile providers: Get a Giffgaff SIM card shipped and set up in Australia, or get a UK SIM from providers like Three as soon as you arrive.

The included benefits, perks, and coverage will vary by operator. We recommend you confirm each SIM’s coverage to see which works best in the UK cities you’ll be visiting.

Best SIM card for the UK: Buying a local SIM

Buying locally once you land is another option. Below are the best UK SIM card options:

1. Vodafone UK: Pay-as-you-go and prepaid SIM cards

Vodafone UK offers options for tourists through their pay-as-you-go SIM deal for the UK, with data packages ranging from 27 GB to unlimited browsing. Here’s what’s included:

All plans have a 30-day validity after activation.
Prices range from approximately $13 to $51.
No contract or credit verification is required. (If you have no credit on renewal, you will be paying a flat rate per day until the plan is upgraded.

Additionally, if you have no credit for 90 days in a row, the SIM card will be suspended.

2. Three: UK SIM for EU roaming

Three also works with pay-as-you-go SIM cards for the UK, available in physical stores and online. The package options are 10 GB, 75 GB, 150 GB, and unlimited web browsing. The service period is 30 days before renewal, costing approximately $13 to $45.

3. O2: UK prepaid SIM card for tourists with data rollover

Another UK data SIM card provider is O2’s rolling plans. These prepaid SIM card options span from 10 GB to 150 GB and are available for 30-day periods.

The plans’ pricing ranges from $13 to $38. These have the advantage of having a rollover feature, so unused data in one month can be transferred to the next if you keep renewing the plan.

4. EE Mobile: UK SIMs with guaranteed internet speed

EE Mobile offers four prepaid SIM plans with different amounts of data, including 20 GB, 50 GB, 100 GB, and 125 GB.

Pricing ranges from approximately $13 to $38. Similar to O2, a UK EE SIM plan offers a data rollover option to use any data left over in the following month.

5. Giffgaff SIM: Budget-friendly UK SIMs for tourists

Giffgaff offers a variety of UK SIM cards and monthly prepaid bundles, including data allowances and unlimited UK calls and texts, usually valid for 30 days.

Data bundles range from 1 GB to 200 GB and include unlimited data. While internet speeds can vary by location, Giffgaff offers affordable pricing (~$8 to 47) and easy top-ups via apps or local convenience stores.

6. Lyca Mobile: Flexible UK prepaid SIM cards

Lyca offers 30-day prepaid bundles for tourists. These bundles include unlimited UK calls and texts and specified data usage ranging from 5 GB to unlimited. Prices range from $7 to $34 per package.

You can purchase a physical prepaid SIM card from Lyca before your trip to the UK or when you land. It’s cost-effective and offers flexible bolt-ons for extra connectivity needs on your journey.

Which is the best UK SIM card for tourists?

Choosing the right UK prepaid SIM card as a tourist depends on your budget and needs, including data rollover features, roaming in Europe, or flexible data plans. UK mobile network providers offer affordable pay-as-you-go plans with reasonable data allowances and unlimited calls and texts.

If you prefer having a UK number on your trip, these are the best available options.

On the other hand, eSIMs are quickly becoming a convenient alternative. As a tourist planning to visit the UK, you can instantly activate a UK data plan by scanning a QR code. No need to swap SIM cards, show any ID, or get stuck in lengthy registration processes.

You can also keep your home SIM active this way in case you receive any calls or verification codes.

Holafly eSIM for the UK: Choose unlimited data

Holafly’s eSIM for the UK simplifies the purchasing, installation, and activation processes. Choose the number of days you want included in your plan to match your vacation, from one-day trips to a complete 90-day seasonal stay.

It only gets cheaper the more days you add. For example, you’ll have to pay $6.90 for the one-day plan, and if you stay for three months, you’ll only pay $1.55 per day, including heavy data users. All Holafly eSIM plans come with unlimited data, fast data speeds, and a 500 MB to 1 GB daily data tethering allowance.

In fact, unlike many local UK SIM cards, Holafly’s eSIM for Europe includes the United Kingdom and 39 other European countries, eliminating any worries or need to purchase separate plans for a Euro trip.

Or consider Holafly Connect, Holafly’s monthly eSIM subscription service for a more long-term solution – no contracts or documents needed.

To benefit from all this, you only need an eSIM-compatible mobile phone, and you’re all set for data usage freedom.

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Mahnoor Bangush

SEO Content Writer

Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!

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