UK Travel eSIM
Plans
Prepaid UK eSIM on Three UK 5G, or Orange and Vodafone plans with calls. QR code by email, install before you fly, no roaming fees.
Planes disponibles
A prepaid UK travel eSIM gets you online the moment you land at Heathrow, Gatwick or Manchester — no airport SIM queue, no roaming bill from your home carrier. Choose a native Three UK data plan from A$9.90, or an Orange or Vodafone plan that adds calls and a European phone number. Every plan also works across the EU, so a London–Paris–Amsterdam trip runs on a single eSIM. Your QR code is emailed after purchase and you can install it at home before you fly.
Compare UK eSIM Plans
| Plan | UK network | Data | Validity | Calls & number | ID needed | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three UK eSIM | Three (native UK 5G) | 5GB – 50GB | 7 / 15 / 30 days | Data only, hotspot included | No | A$9.90 |
| Orange eSIM | Orange partner networks | 20GB – 100GB | 30 days | Unlimited calls & texts in Europe, French number | Not for the first 30 days | A$34.90 |
| Vodafone eSIM | Vodafone partner networks | 26GB – 40GB | 28 days | Calls included, Spanish number | Passport photo | A$47.90 |
| Three UK physical SIM | Three (native UK 5G) | Unlimited in the UK + 12GB roaming | 30 days | Calls & texts, UK number | No | A$26.50 |
Prices are in Australian dollars and update automatically if you shop in another currency. The three eSIMs are delivered by email; the physical Three UK SIM is posted to Australian addresses before you travel.
Which UK eSIM Should I Choose?
Short trip, data only: Three UK eSIM
If you mainly need maps, messaging, social media and the odd train booking, the Three UK eSIM is the simplest choice. It runs on Three's own UK network, needs no ID, supports hotspot sharing, and the 7-day plans start at A$9.90. Pick 5GB for a long weekend, 10–20GB for a week, and 30–50GB for two weeks or more.
You need to make calls: Orange or Vodafone eSIM
Booking restaurants, calling a B&B, or being reachable on a local number is easier with the Orange eSIM (unlimited calls and texts within Europe, plus international minutes) or the Vodafone eSIM. Both include a European phone number and a large data allowance for 28–30 days. The Vodafone eSIM requires a passport photo for registration after purchase, which is a legal requirement of the carrier, not ours. The Orange eSIM needs no ID for the first 30 days; ID registration with Orange is only required to recharge and keep using it after that.
Your phone does not support eSIM: Three UK physical SIM
Older or carrier-locked phones can still travel connected. The Three UK prepaid SIM card gives you unlimited UK data, a UK phone number with calls and texts, and 12GB of roaming across 71 destinations. It is posted to you in Australia so you can insert it on arrival.
UK Network Coverage: Three, Orange and Vodafone
The UK has four national mobile networks: EE, O2, Three and Vodafone UK. Our Three UK eSIM and SIM connect directly to Three UK, which offers 5G in every major city and 4G across most of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Orange and Vodafone eSIMs are European plans that roam onto UK partner networks, so you still get 4G/5G speeds but through a roaming agreement rather than a home network.
In London, 4G and 5G are available on growing sections of the Underground and in all stations above ground. Coverage on intercity trains such as London–Edinburgh or London–Manchester is generally good in and around towns, with the usual gaps in tunnels and remote stretches. In rural areas like the Scottish Highlands, the Lake District and Cornwall, expect 4G rather than 5G, and download offline maps for walking routes.
Travelling Beyond the UK?
All four plans include the European Union, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland, so you do not need a second eSIM for a Eurostar day trip to Paris or Brussels, or for a longer itinerary through Italy, Spain or Germany. The Republic of Ireland is an EU member and is covered; Northern Ireland is part of the UK and is covered under the UK allowance. If your trip also includes Turkey, choose the Three UK eSIM or the Vodafone eSIM, which both list Turkey in their coverage, or see our Europe eSIM plans for more multi-country options.
How It Works
- Buy online. Choose your data size and validity. Your eSIM QR code and setup guide are emailed to you after purchase, usually within minutes.
- Install at home on Wi-Fi. Scan the QR code in your phone settings before you fly. Installation takes about two minutes. Keep the eSIM line switched off until you land.
- Land and connect. Turn on the eSIM line and enable data roaming for that line only. Your validity period starts on first connection to a network, so the days you spend installing at home are not counted.
Step-by-step instructions for iPhone and Android are in our Three UK eSIM guide, and our Melbourne-based support team is available 16 hours a day if you get stuck.
UK eSIM vs Roaming on Your Home Plan
Many home carriers charge a daily roaming pass of roughly A$5–15 per day, with capped speeds or a small data allowance taken from your home plan. Over a two-week UK holiday that adds up to A$70–210 before you have used a single gigabyte. A prepaid UK eSIM is a fixed price for a fixed allowance: 20GB for 15 days on Three UK is A$27.90, and there is nothing further to pay unless you choose to buy another plan. You keep your home SIM active for calls and bank verification codes, and use the eSIM for data.
Tips for Using an eSIM in the UK
- Check that your phone is eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked before you buy. Most iPhones from XS/XR onwards, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and recent Samsung Galaxy models support eSIM.
- Install on Wi-Fi before departure. Some airports and planes have weak Wi-Fi, and you need a connection to download the eSIM profile.
- Set the eSIM as your default line for mobile data and turn off data roaming on your home SIM, so you are not billed twice.
- Keep your home SIM in place to receive SMS verification codes from your bank and to keep WhatsApp and iMessage on your usual number.
- Contactless payment works everywhere in the UK, including London buses and the Tube, so you rarely need a local top-up or a UK number for transport.
- If a plan is data-only, use WhatsApp, FaceTime or Messenger for calls. Choose the Orange or Vodafone eSIM if you need a dialable number.
UK eSIM FAQs
Which eSIM is best for a UK trip?
For most visitors the Three UK eSIM offers the best combination of native UK network coverage, low price (from A$9.90) and no ID requirement. If you need to make phone calls or want a local number, the Orange or Vodafone eSIM is the better fit.
Does a UK eSIM work in Europe as well?
Yes. All our UK plans include the EU, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland at no extra cost, so one eSIM covers a UK and Europe itinerary. The Three UK eSIM and the Vodafone eSIM also list Turkey in their coverage.
Do I need a passport or ID to activate a UK eSIM?
The Three UK eSIM and Three UK SIM need no ID. The Vodafone eSIM requires a passport photo after purchase for carrier registration. The Orange eSIM needs no ID for the first 30 days; ID registration with Orange is only required to recharge and keep using it after 30 days.
When does the validity period start?
The plan starts when the eSIM first connects to a mobile network in the UK or Europe, not when you buy it or install it. You can install at home days or weeks before you travel.
Can I share my eSIM data with a laptop or a travel companion?
Yes. Hotspot and tethering are supported on all our UK eSIM plans. Sharing uses your data allowance faster, so choose a larger plan if you intend to tether regularly.
Will the eSIM work on the London Underground?
4G and 5G are available in an increasing number of Underground tunnels and stations as Transport for London rolls out mobile coverage, and in all above-ground stations. Expect occasional gaps between stations on lines that have not yet been upgraded.
Do I get a UK phone number?
The Three UK physical SIM includes a UK number with calls and texts. The Three UK eSIM is data only. The Orange and Vodafone eSIMs include a French or Spanish number respectively, which works for calls throughout the UK and Europe.
What happens when I use up my data?
On the Three UK eSIM, speeds drop to 128kbps once the high-speed allowance is used, so messaging keeps working. On the other plans data stops at the allowance. You can buy another plan at any time and install it alongside the first.
Is my phone compatible with an eSIM?
Most phones released since 2018 support eSIM, including iPhone XS/XR and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and recent Samsung Galaxy S and Z models. The phone must be carrier-unlocked. Open your phone's mobile settings and look for an "Add eSIM" or "Add mobile plan" option to confirm.
How quickly will I receive my UK eSIM?
The QR code is emailed after purchase, usually within minutes. If you order late at night Australian time, it is sent from 9 AM AEST the next morning. The physical Three UK SIM is posted to Australian addresses and typically arrives within a few business days.
Can I get a refund if my trip is cancelled?
Unused and uninstalled eSIMs can be refunded within the window set out in our refund policy. Once an eSIM has been installed on a device it cannot be reissued, so we recommend installing only when your travel dates are confirmed.
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