Top 5 eSIM Tariffs for the United Kingdom Visitors

Are you planning to see the UK as a tourist, business visitor, student, or digital nomad? No matter what your goal is, staying connected abroad is a must, and embedded SIM remains the best option for that. eSIM, built into your smartphone, can be activated before your arrival and without a plastic card. The technology helps you to avoid roaming fees and stay connected in any world country. To get the best eSIM for UK, see this comparison of the top 5 virtual SIM tariffs. The suggested providers have proven their reliability and fair prices for UK visitors. 

How do You Select an eSIM for Your Future Trip?

Among travel essentials, embedded SIMs are new to cost tourists. This technology is slightly replacing SIM cards, but you may not know a lot about it. Before reading this guide, see which factors to consider when selecting your UK virtual SIM:

1. Coverage area. While all providers work well in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast, you may need connections in small towns and villages. Read customer reviews about the carrier’s connection to your destination. 
2. Price. You may simply not need a 5G connection, as 4G and 3G are enough for chatting and basic tasks. Prioritize comfort and don’t pay for things you don’t need. 
3. Phone number and SMS. Decide if you need to make calls or if mobile Internet is enough. Phone numbers add to the price, so it is a way to avoid extra costs.
4. Activation methods. In 2025, you can activate an eSIM automatically in the application. Choose providers with convenient apps or a quick QR code installation.

Don’t forget to check your device’s compatibility with eSIMs. Currently, the technology works on smartphones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, and even some cars, but not all brands and models are compatible. Check the eSIM compatibility list and look for your device.

Don’t forget about the number of cell data carriers. According to statistics, EE, O2, and Vodafone are the most widespread cell data providers in the United Kingdom. See if your carrier connects to them to ensure connection everywhere, at any moment. 

5 Best eSIM Plans to Use in the UK

The following 5 providers have the best customer reviews and the most versatile data offers in the UK. Look through their strong and weak points to select the best embedded SIM with prepaid data. 

Yesim: The Best for Tourists 

• $1.10–$3.6 for 1 GB;
• from 3 to 30 days;
• coverage by O2, EE, Vodafone, H3G.

The company provides Internet-only data plans, but you can buy a phone number separately. Yesim offers 5 options for UK visitors:

• 500 MB for 3 days (55 cents)
• 3 GB for 7 days ($11)
• 5 GB for 15 days ($15.40)
• 10 GB for 30 days ($24)
• 20 GB for 30 days ($30)

While most providers start their tariffs with 1 GB, Yesim is suited for people who don’t need too much data. 500 MB is enough to stay connected abroad without using multimedia. Other tariffs are also cost-effective, and the choice depends on your data needs.

All plans include unlimited Internet sharing, 5G data by O2, EE, Vodafone, and H3G, as well as postponed activation (365 days). 

aloSIM: The Best for Phone Calls

• $1.8–$5 for 1 GB;
• from 7 to 30 days;
• coverage by EE, Telefonica UK, H3G, Vodafone.

aloSIM is a great option if you need to make calls and send SMS across the country. This provider has a unique feature: each data plan comes with an international phone number. The number of minutes and SMS depends on the price. 

The company ensures a 5G connection in the UK and starts plans with only 1 GB for 7 days. Small-volume tariffs, however, are a little overpriced ($5-$4 for 1 GB). If you’re visiting the UK for a long period and need 10–20 GB, the price gets more affordable. As for activation ways, you will receive a QR code to install your eSIM plan via the device’s settings. 

Nomad eSIM: the Best for Time-Limited Offers

• $0.9–$6 for 1 GB;
• from 7 to 20 days;
• data by 3, Vodafone UK, O2, or EE depending on the chosen plan. 

Nomad eSIM may seem expensive. 1 GB in the UK costs either 5 or 6 USD, depending on the cell data providers you choose. Yet, the company offers regular discounts, especially for large-volume plans. In 2025, you can buy 50 GB at only $45 – 90 cents for 1 GB.

The company has a clear policy toward pricing. You can buy the same UK tariff with connection by EE or by 3 providers simultaneously (3, O2, Vodafone). The first option is less reliable, but you pay less as well. Activation is available via a QR code and the official application. 

Saily: The Best for New eSIM Users

• $1.6– $4.99 for 1 GB;
• from 7 to 30 days;
• cell data providers are not specified. 

Saily stands out as a beginner-friendly eSIM carrier. First, 24/7 support is careful and guides you through the installation process. Secondly, you can install the new plan via Saily’s official application, available in the App Store and Google Play. Finally, you don’t need to activate the tariff after installation. Once you arrive in the UK, a new eSIM starts working automatically. This makes Saily a great option for tourists and traveler nomads who have never used digital SIMs. 

The price is average compared to other providers. You get a 5G/4G/LTE connection at $4.50–$31.99 depending on the number of gigabytes in your tariffs. Phone numbers, calls, and SMS are not available. 

Maya Mobile: The Best For Budget-Friendly Trips to the UK

• $0.82–$1.6 for 1 GB;
• from 5 days to 180 days;
• coverage by Vodafone, Three, and EE.

Maya offers the cheapest Internet connection in this list. The 40 GB plan, which can be activated for up to 180 days, costs only $32.99 – $0.82 per gigabyte. Connection to the three largest cell data providers is also a great characteristic. 

You can activate the plan via a QR code or by manually putting eSIM details into your device’s settings. Note that price spreads to mobile Internet, whole phone calls, and SMS are not available. 

Which eSIM in the UK is the Cheapest?

Among the listed options, here are the cheapest plans:

• Maya Mobile 40 GB plan for $32.99 ($0.82 for 1 GB)
• Yesim’s 500 MB tariff for $0.5;
• Nomad eSIM 50 GB for $45 ($0.9 for 1 GB).

Choose one depending on the data volume, activation method, the best travel apps, and customer reviews about your destination in the UK. 

The Best eSIM Options for Tourists

Embedded SIMs are widely used by foreign visitors and tourists. This type of connection is more flexible than local SIM cards. Thus, all eSIMs are a great option for the UK visitors. For an even better experience, consider the best UK eSIM for international travel – such plans cover several countries and even continents, not only the UK. This allows you to visit several destinations without switching tariffs. 

Prioritize the amount of data you use as well. Usually, tourists need fewer gigabytes than digital nomads and business visitors. Thus, prioritize companies with good low-volume tariffs and decent prices for the Internet for travelers. 

How Do You Find and Activate an eSIM in the UK?

Once you choose the best prepaid eSIM UK, buy it online by using the provider’s official website or application. After this, you need several minutes to install and activate the new virtual SIM:

1. Choose the installation method. You may prefer a standard QR code installation or activation in the app. If your device’s camera is not working, consider manual installation. 
2. Open the device’s settings to initiate the installation. You need to find cellular data and choose the “Add new SIM’ or “Add new tariff” option. 
3. Use details, sent by your eSIM provider. This can be a QR code to scan with your camera, or data to put into settings manually. Usually, this information is sent via email or placed in your provider’s application. 
4. Wait for automatic installation. Devices need 5–10 minutes to analyze and install your data plan.
5. Activate the tariff in settings. Once you arrive in the UK, open the device’s settings and stitch from your usual SIM card to the new eSIM. You may also need to activate data roaming. Otherwise, the new embedded SIM won’t work. 

The process may differ on laptops, tablets, and smartwatches. Ask your provider for detailed instructions.  

Bottom Line: Which eSIM is the Best for the UK?

Traveling across the United Kingdom, prioritize eSIM options with the best coverage, speed, and a fair price-quality ratio. You may need to check reviews about your specific destination, as some providers work better in England, while others offer stable LTE in Scotland or Wales. Prioritize your needs, whether this is price or activation convenience, as each eSIM carrier is unique.