Contactless transport, train tickets, ride-hailing and walking directions all run through your phone in the UK, and since Brexit an EU phone plan may not cover it for free. Here's what a UK eSIM actually costs from the three biggest travel-eSIM brands, and which one fits your trip.
How much data do you need in the UK?
Fixed-data plan prices
Holafly only sells unlimited plans here, so fixed data is Saily against Airalo. Validity matters as much as price: a plan that expires after 7 days is only cheap if your trip is 7 days. Highlighted: the cheaper 30-day option.
| Data | Saily | Airalo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | $4.497 days | $4.003 days |
| 3 GB | $8.9930 days | $8.503 days$9.007 days |
| 5 GB | $12.9930 days | $12.007 days$12.5015 days$13.0030 days |
| 10 GB | $18.9930 days | $18.007 days$18.5015 days$19.0030 days |
| 20 GB | $30.9930 days | $30.0015 days$31.0030 days |
| 50 GB | — | $39.0030 days |
Prices in USD from saily.com and airalo.com, checked 10 October 2026.
What that means: at 30-day validity the two are effectively the same price, with Saily a cent cheaper. Airalo is up to $1 cheaper if your trip fits a 7- or 15-day window, and it's the only one selling 50 GB — $39.00, only $8 more than its 20 GB plan.
Unlimited plan prices
| Days | Saily | Airalo | Holafly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | — | $11.50 | $11.90 |
| 5 | $18.99 | $18.50 | $20.50 |
| 7 | $26.99 | $27.00 | $27.50 |
| 10 | $34.99 | $34.50 | $37.50 |
| 15 | $48.99 | $48.00 | $51.50 |
| 30 | $71.99 | $69.00 | $76.50 |
Prices in USD from each provider's UK page, checked 10 October 2026. Highlighted: cheapest for that length. — = not sold at that length.
Saily was cheapest for 7 days, by a cent, and also sells 20- and 25-day plans ($59.99 and $65.99). Airalo was cheapest at every other length, by up to $3. Holafly costs a little more but names several UK networks.
"Unlimited" rarely means unlimited full speed. Saily states 5 GB per day at full speed, then up to 1 Mbps, with no hotspot restrictions. Holafly states a fair-usage policy that can slow speeds for up to a day, and lets you share 1 GB per day as a hotspot. Airalo's page didn't list its unlimited limits, so check the plan details before buying.
Which one to pick
- Most travelers (1–3 weeks): Saily 5 GB or 10 GB — a cent cheaper than Airalo at 30-day validity, and it activates when you land.
- A week with heavy use: Saily's 7-day unlimited ($26.99).
- A month of heavy use: Airalo's 50 GB for $39.00, or its 30-day unlimited ($69.00).
- The UK plus mainland Europe: a Europe plan that includes the UK may beat two country plans — see the Europe eSIM guide.
Networks and coverage
The UK's main mobile networks are EE, Virgin Media O2 and VodafoneThree (Vodafone and Three merged in 2025). Travel eSIMs roam on one or more of them:
- Saily: didn't name its UK networks on its plan page; it lists 3G/4G/LTE/5G depending on the local network.
- Airalo: EE.
- Holafly: lists Orange UK, T-Mobile UK, H3G UK, Virgin Media O2 UK and Vodafone UK, with 5G where available.
None of the three includes a local phone number — they're data-only. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other internet calling.
UK tips
- Coverage is strong in cities and along main roads and rail lines; in the Scottish Highlands, parts of Wales and other rural areas it can drop. Download offline maps before road trips.
- EU residents: check your roaming terms. After Brexit, free EU roaming doesn't automatically include the UK; some EU operators still include it, others charge.
- Hotel, café and station WiFi is everywhere but shared — use a VPN on it. See the best VPN for hotel and airport WiFi.
- Keep your home SIM active for bank texts with its data roaming turned off.
How much data you need
Using the rates from the trip data calculator — three hours a day of maps, messaging and browsing, an hour of social media and an hour of music, with 40% of your time on WiFi:
- 7 days: about 3.6 GB → a 5 GB plan
- 14 days: about 7.2 GB → a 10 GB plan
- 21 days: about 10.9 GB → a 20 GB plan, or 10 GB plus another small plan
Streaming video or tethering a laptop changes the picture fast — use Find your plan above or the full calculator.
Setting up before you fly
- Check your phone is eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked. A phone locked to your home carrier won't accept another provider's eSIM.
- Install the eSIM at home over WiFi. Installation needs a connection; activation can wait. Saily plans can be activated any time within 180 days of purchase and switch on automatically when you arrive.
- On landing, set the eSIM as your data line and turn on data roaming for it. That's normal for travel eSIMs and doesn't cost extra.
- Turn off data roaming on your home SIM so it can still receive calls and texts without running up charges.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best eSIM for the UK?
On 10 October 2026, Saily was a cent cheaper than Airalo on every 30-day plan from 5 to 20 GB (10 GB for $18.99) and cheapest for a 7-day unlimited plan ($26.99). Airalo was cheaper for other unlimited lengths and is the only one of the three selling 50 GB ($39.00).
How much is an eSIM for the UK?
Prices started at $4.00 for 1 GB (Airalo, 3 days). A 10 GB plan cost about $19 for 30 days, and unlimited data cost about $27 for a week or $69–72 for 30 days from Saily or Airalo.
Does my EU phone plan work in the UK?
Not automatically. Since Brexit, the UK isn't covered by EU roaming rules, so whether your EU plan includes it depends on your operator. Check before you travel; a travel eSIM is a simple fallback.
Which network do UK travel eSIMs use?
Airalo lists EE. Holafly lists several UK networks. Saily doesn't name its UK partners on its plan page.
Do UK eSIMs include a phone number?
No. These are data-only eSIMs, so use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other internet calling. Keep your home SIM active for texts such as bank codes, with its data roaming turned off.