To enjoy your trip to London, Edinburgh, Liverpool or any other British city, you’ll need internet connection. But, do you know how to connect to the internet abroad without spending a fortune? If not, in this article we will show you why a SIM card for the United Kingdom is the best way to connect to the internet abroad.
Why is a SIM card for the United Kingdom the best option? Well, most importantly it is much cheaper compared to data roaming and other options. Let’s learn more about a SIM card for the United Kingdom.
Where to buy a SIM card for the United Kingdom?
There are two main ways to buy a SIM card for the UK:
1. Buy before you travel from an online store
2. Buy once you arrive in the United Kingdom
But which is the best option for you? We recommend buying before you travel, and let’s take a look at why:
Buy before you travel
Buying before your trip is the easiest and most convenient option. And, in a pandemic, it is also the safest. Here are the main advantages of buying online:
- You’re connected the moment you land
When you buy a SIM card from an online store like Holafly, you can connect to the internet the moment you land in the UK. This will save you a lot of time, and you’ll be able to order a cab or an Uber instantly. You’ll also be able to let friends and family know that you’ve arrived safely by sending a message on WhatsApp. This option gives you peace of mind of having everything sorted before you go.
- Cheapest option
Cell phone companies in the United Kingdom will make the most of tourists by charging high prices. The cheapest option is always to buy from an online store for travelers. Holafly offers SIM cards with unlimited data from $34.60 (USD). Delivery is completely free and there are no additional costs.
- Free from COVID risk
In a pandemic, it’s safer to buy from online stores. Don’t put yourself at risk by waiting to buy your SIM in the United Kingdom. Avoid crowded shops by buying online.
- Easy to use
SIM cards for the United Kingdom are easy to set up. If you buy from a store like Holafly, all you have to do is purchase from their website, receive your SIM within 3 days, then insert the card once you arrive in the UK. As long as you follow the simple set-up instructions, you’ll be connected in seconds.
Buy in the United Kingdom
The easiest option is to buy before you travel. But there is one key advantage of buying internet once you’re in the United Kingdom:
- Better options
You’ll find that stores in the UK offer different options you can’t get online. So you’re more likely to find a deal which meets your need exactly. We recommend buying from Vodaphone or O2 because these stores offer the best coverage in the country. So they’re the best option for a fast and stable connection.
How much does a SIM card for travel to the United Kingdom cost?
Check out the prices offered by Holafly SIM card for the United Kingdom.
| length of plan | Amount of data | Price |
| 30 days | 8 GB | €34 |
| 30 days | 12 GB | €44 |
Unlimited data eSIM for the United Kingdom, the future of internet connection
Now we’ve learnt about data SIM cards, it’s time to meet the newest way to access the internet. eSIMs (short for embedded SIM) are new, virtual SIM cards that provide internet at a competitive price. But is an eSIM better than a traditional SIM card? The main advantage is that you can get an eSIM anywhere in the world and it’s delivered to you via email immediately. Let’s take a look at their advantages and disadvantages in the next section:
Advantages and disadvantages of eSIM.
Advantages:
- Quick purchase and activation processes
Purchasing and activating an eSIM is easy. You just make your purchase from a store like Holafly and wait a few seconds for a QR code to arrive in your emails. With this, you can activate your eSIM and get connected.
- Get an eSIM anywhere in the world
Are you already in the UK and struggling to get data? No matter where you are, you can always buy an eSIM and it will come directly to your cell phone. There is no delivery cost and you don’t have to wait more than a few minutes.
- Affordable rates
Compared to paying data roaming charges, eSIMs are incredibly cheap. You pay one upfront fee for the eSIM, so you don’t have to worry about surprise bills. Holafly offers eSIM deals for as little as $41.
- Multi-country coverage
If you’re traveling around multiple countries on your vacation, with Holafly’s multi-country virtual eSIMS you can connect to the internet in any country in North America. And there are no additional charges!
Disadvantages:
- Limited compatibility with cell phones
The main disadvantage of eSIM cards is their limited compatibility. As a new form of technology, many older cell phones do not offer it, so before you buy check your cell phone is compatible
How much does an eSIM for the United Kingdom cost?
Let’s take a look at the plans offered by Holafly for an eSIM in the United Kingdom.
| Length of plan | Amount of data | Price (USD) |
| 5 days | Unlimited data | $19 |
| 10 days | Unlimited data | $34 |
| 15 days | Unlimited data | $47 |
| 20 days | Unlimited data | $54 |
| 30 days | Unlimited data | $64 |
| 60 days | Unlimited data | $84 |
| 90 days | Unlimited data | $99 |
Buy your UK eSIM Card with Unlimited data
You can activate data roaming and use data provided by your current provider. But be aware that this will be very expensive. If you plan on using this option, you can expect a hefty phone bill when you get back home. Alternatively, you could buy Pocket Wi-Fi (a portable device that generates a WiFi connection for your phone). This option is also expensive and you’ll have to carry the device everywhere. A SIM card for the UKis the cheapest and most convenient way of connecting to the internet.
You could expect to be charged $7-$15 per MB. So if you watched a movie on Netflix, that could mean paying hundreds. That’s why we recommend buying a SIM card instead.
You can check if your phone is compatible on our compatible devices list.
If you buy your SIM card from Holafly, you can contact their customer support team 24/7. All SIM cards come with clear and comprehensive set-up instructions.
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