Best SIM and eSIM Options for Travelling in Europe and the UK in 2026

Heading to Europe or the UK this Christmas? Whether you are flying home to see family in Manchester, chasing winter sun in Spain, or doing the Christmas-market circuit through Germany and Austria, you will want mobile data from the moment you land. This guide compares the travel SIM and eSIM options available to Australian travellers in 2026, with the real plan facts: data, calls, phone numbers, prices in AUD and exactly when each one starts its clock.

Heading to the UK? Compare our UK travel eSIM plans before you fly.

Quick answer: which one should I buy?

• Short trip, data only, cheapest: the Three UK Europe & UK eSIM from A$9.90 (5GB, 7 days). Covers the UK, the EU, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland on one eSIM.
• Going home to the UK for Christmas: the Three UK physical SIM from A$26.50. A real UK number, unlimited calls and texts within the UK and EU, and up to unlimited UK data for 30 days. It ships to you in Australia before you fly.
• Need calls and a number across the whole of Europe: the Orange Europe & UK eSIM from A$34.90 (20GB, 30 days) with unlimited local calls and texts in Europe plus minutes to call home.
• Turkey plus Europe: the Turkcell Turkey & Europe eSIM from A$25.90. Install it before you land in Turkey.

What changed in 2026

Three things matter this year. First, eSIM is now the default: every iPhone since the XS, every Pixel since the 3 and most Samsung Galaxy S and Z phones since 2020 support it, so most travellers no longer need a physical SIM. Second, Australian carriers' international roaming day passes typically cost A$5 to A$10 per day, which makes a two-week trip cost A$70 to A$140 for a few gigabytes. A prepaid travel eSIM for the same trip costs between A$10 and A$30. Third, Turkey began restricting eSIM profile downloads on local networks, so anyone adding Turkey to a European trip has to install their eSIM before arrival.

Europe and UK travel SIM and eSIM plans compared

All plans above include 5G or 4G LTE where the local network supports it and allow hotspot use. Prices are the lowest plan on each product at the time of writing and are shown in Australian dollars.

Three UK: the cheapest way to cover the UK and Europe

Three's roaming plans are the workhorse of Australian travel to Europe because one plan covers the UK, all EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. We sell it two ways.

The Three UK Europe & UK eSIM is data only, from 5GB for 7 days at A$9.90 up to 50GB for 30 days at A$61.90, with hotspot included. There is no phone number, so use WhatsApp, FaceTime or Messenger for calls. Install it on Wi-Fi before you fly; the plan only starts when the eSIM first connects to a network in a covered country, and the QR code stays valid for 90 days after purchase.

The Three UK physical SIM is the one to buy if the trip is mostly in the UK. Plans run from 40GB of UK data with 6GB for the EU (A$26.50) up to unlimited UK data with 30GB for the EU (A$60.90), all for 30 days, and every plan comes with a UK number and unlimited calls and texts within the UK and EU. That matters at Christmas: relatives can ring you on a local number and you can book taxis, restaurants and NHS appointments without roaming surcharges. It fits any unlocked phone, including older phones with no eSIM support, and it is posted to you in Australia so it is in the phone before take-off.

Orange: for calls, a local number and bigger allowances

Orange plans suit travellers who want a working phone number in Europe. The Orange Europe & UK eSIM covers 48 countries including the UK and gives you a French number, unlimited local calls and texts within Europe, and 30 to 120 minutes to call home, with 20GB (A$34.90), 50GB (A$59.90) or 100GB (A$84.90) for 30 days. The plan starts the moment you scan the QR code, even if you are still in Australia, so install it on arrival, not before.

The Orange Holiday Europe eSIM is the budget Orange option: 30GB for 15 days at A$29.90 with a Spanish number and 100 minutes of calls within the EU. It covers the EU plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein but not the UK or Switzerland, so it is for EU-only itineraries. Orange requires passport details for registration, and the Orange Spain eSIM (from A$19.90, 28 days) is the pick for anyone spending most of the trip in Spain, with 60GB to 300GB in Spain and 15GB to 30GB for the rest of Europe.

Vodafone: UK, Switzerland and Turkey on one eSIM

The Vodafone Europe & UK eSIM covers 37 countries and is the only plan here that includes the UK, Switzerland and Turkey together. You get 26GB (A$47.90) or 40GB (A$61.90) for 28 days, a Spanish number with 100 to 200 minutes of calls within Spain and the EU, and incoming international calls. You submit your arrival date at checkout and the plan activates on that day, which removes the risk of starting it early.

Turkcell: adding Turkey to a European trip

The Turkcell Turkey & Europe eSIM is data only, 10GB for A$25.90 or 20GB for A$39.90, valid 30 days from first connection, and covers Turkey, the EU, the UK, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland. Because Turkish networks and Wi-Fi can block eSIM profile downloads, install it in Australia or in Europe before you cross into Turkey.

Going home to the UK for Christmas? Read this first

1. Pick a plan with a UK number if family will call you. The Three UK physical SIM is the only option here with a UK number and unlimited UK calls. The eSIMs with numbers give you Spanish or French numbers, which work but cost relatives an international call.
2. Buy the physical SIM at least a week before you fly. It is posted within Australia; the eSIMs arrive by email within minutes.
3. Check your phone is unlocked. Phones bought outright are unlocked; a phone still on a carrier plan may need unlocking through your carrier first.
4. Mind the clock. Three plans start on first connection; Orange plans start on first scan; Vodafone starts on your submitted arrival date. A 30-day plan bought for a 3-week trip leaves a buffer for flight delays.
5. Keep your Australian SIM active for SMS codes. Leave the Australian line on with data roaming off so bank and MyGov verification codes still arrive.

When a travel SIM is not the right answer

If you are staying in one country for more than a month, a local prepaid SIM bought in that country is usually cheaper per gigabyte, at the cost of a shop visit and ID registration. If you need to make one or two calls on a two-day stopover, your Australian carrier's roaming day pass may be simpler than installing anything. And if your phone is carrier-locked and does not support eSIM, the physical Three UK SIM is your only option on this list.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use one eSIM for the UK and the rest of Europe?

Yes. The Three UK eSIM, the Orange Europe & UK eSIM, the Vodafone eSIM and the Turkcell eSIM all cover the UK and the EU on one plan. The Orange Holiday Europe eSIM does not include the UK.

Which plan is cheapest for a two-week trip?

The Three UK eSIM 10GB for 15 days at A$14.90 is the cheapest two-week plan. If you need calls, the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM at A$29.90 for 30GB and 15 days is the next step up.

Do these eSIMs work on cruise ships?

Only in port, on land networks. At sea the ship's satellite network is a separate paid service. See our guide to staying connected on a European cruise.

Will I keep my Australian number?

Yes. A travel eSIM is added alongside your Australian SIM. Set the travel eSIM as your data line and leave the Australian line on for calls and texts you want to receive.