The best eSIM for UK travellers

Why a travel eSIM, not roaming?

Before 2020, your UK allowance came with you across the EU at no extra cost. Most networks have since reintroduced roaming charges — commonly around £2 a day in Europe, and considerably more outside it (pay-as-you-go data in the US or Asia can run to several pounds per megabyte). Over a one- or two-week trip that adds up fast.

A travel eSIM is a data-only plan from a third-party provider that you install onto your phone as a second line. You buy it before you leave, it activates when you land, and your UK number stays active alongside it for calls, texts and any banking codes you need. For most trips it works out cheaper than your network's roaming, and you're never hunting for a shop to buy a physical SIM.

The exception: if your UK plan already includes the country (a few still bundle EU roaming, or sell a cheap day-pass) and you're only away a few days, roaming may be simpler. Check your network's roaming page before you decide — it's the one thing worth two minutes before you buy.

How much data do you actually need?

Most travellers over-buy. As a rough guide, maps, messaging and a bit of browsing use around 1GB every three to four days; add streaming, heavy social video or tethering a laptop and you'll want more. For a long weekend, 1–3GB is plenty; for a fortnight of normal use, 5–10GB is a safe target. Use hotel and café Wi-Fi for big downloads and you'll comfortably stay inside a small plan.

Country plan or regional plan?

If you're staying in one country, buy that country's plan — it's the cheapest. If your trip crosses borders (island-hopping in Greece is still one country, but a Spain–Portugal–France loop is three), a regional plan that covers the whole area saves you juggling several eSIMs. Global plans exist but are rarely worth it unless you're genuinely circling the world.

Which provider is worth it?

Airalo is the sensible default: the widest country coverage, reliable local-network partners, a clean app, and prices that start around £3.50 for a small country plan. It's data-only (no phone number), which is exactly what you want alongside your UK SIM.

Holafly sells unlimited-data plans, which sounds appealing, but they're pricier and many don't allow tethering — fine if you only use your phone, less so if you share to a laptop. A local SIM bought on arrival can be cheapest of all for a long stay, but it means queueing at the airport, ID checks in some countries, and swapping your physical SIM. For most UK travellers on a one- or two-week trip, the convenience of installing an Airalo plan before you fly wins. Buy unlimited from Holafly only if you genuinely stream heavily and won't tether.

Will it work on my phone?

You need two things: an eSIM-capable handset and an unlocked one. Every iPhone from the XS (2018) onwards supports eSIM, as do recent Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy S/Note models. On iPhone, check Settings → Mobile Service for an "Add eSIM" option; on Android, look under SIM manager. If you bought the phone outright or it's a few years old it's almost certainly unlocked; if it came on contract and you're unsure, your network can confirm.

Setting it up the easy way

Install the eSIM before you fly, while you still have Wi-Fi — installing is the step that needs a connection; activation happens automatically when you reach your destination. In your phone's settings, set the travel eSIM as your data line and leave your UK SIM as the line for calls and texts, with "data roaming" turned off on the UK line so it can't rack up charges. That way your bank's text codes still arrive on your normal number while your data runs on the cheap plan.