Free eSIM in United Kingdom — free data for first-time users, claimed in the Wanderly app.
Compare the total for your full trip, including arrival and departure days. Estimate your data needs · Read trip advice for UK
How many days?
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Total plan price
Price per GB
$0.80
- Coverage
- Single country
- Plan type
- Data only
- Top-up
- Available
- Activation
- On network connection
- Hotspot
- Check plan terms
Listed network types describe plan support; 4G/5G availability and speeds vary by location and device. Country coverage does not guarantee a signal throughout your route. If you need a specific network or location, confirm it with support before buying.
What's Included
United Kingdom eSIM plans at a glance
Wanderly lists 34 fixed-data United Kingdom plans, ranging from 1GB up to 50GB over 3 to 180 days. Prices start at $2.99, and the lowest cost per gigabyte is $0.46/GB on the 50GB 15-day plan.
Unlimited day-passes are also available from $1.99 per day, billed per day rather than per gigabyte. 8 of the 39 United Kingdom data-only plans can be topped up without reinstalling the eSIM.
Calls and SMS depend on the selected plan. Install using the supplied QR code and keep your home number on its own line. Activation timing varies by plan; check your selected plan's terms before purchasing or installing.
How much does a United Kingdom eSIM cost?
A United Kingdom eSIM from Wanderly costs $2.99 for 1GB (7 days), $4.99 for 5GB (3 days) and $11.99 for 20GB (10 days), as a one-off price with no subscription. Larger plans cost less per gigabyte: $2.99/GB at 1GB against $0.60/GB at 20GB.
Across its data-only plans, United Kingdom works out at a median of $1.00 per GB, below the $1.41 median across the 181 countries in the Wanderly eSIM Price Index. 60 of them have a lower median.
| Data | Validity | Price | Per GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1GB | 7 days | $2.99 | $2.99 |
| 3GB | 5 days | $3.99 | $1.33 |
| 5GB | 3 days | $4.99 | $1.00 |
| 10GB | 30 days | $7.99 | $0.80 |
| 20GB | 10 days | $11.99 | $0.60 |
Cheapest current data-only plan at each size, as charged at checkout. Prices follow the live catalogue. Compare United Kingdom with every country in the eSIM Price Index.
Choose a UK eSIM for your itinerary
Scotland or a UK city stay
Scotland is part of the UK: compare the UK plans on this page rather than looking for a separate Scotland eSIM. Match validity to your stay and check the exact activation rule before purchase; some plans start when the eSIM is generated after purchase, while others start on first connection.
The Highlands and islands
Check the selected plan's network information and save maps, tickets and accommodation details offline. UK coverage does not guarantee a signal on every rural road, island or ferry crossing. If you need ordinary calls or texts, choose a plan explicitly including them rather than relying on a data-only plan.
The UK and Ireland or mainland Europe
Northern Ireland is part of the UK; the Republic of Ireland needs Ireland coverage. Check every country in a regional bundle individually, including the UK. A Europe label alone does not establish UK coverage, and separate country plans may suit your route better.
Open the current plan's details before buying: check validity, activation timing, coverage, hotspot rules and any fair-use limits. Calls and texts are included only when stated for that plan.
🇬🇧 About eSIMs in United Kingdom
The UK has excellent 4G and expanding 5G coverage across all four nations. Available networks vary by plan; check your selected plan for its included networks. You get strong signal in London (yes, on most of the Tube now that TfL has rolled out 4G in tunnels), Edinburgh, the Cotswolds, Snowdonia, and the Scottish Highlands including the North Coast 500.
Data needs are moderate: TfL Journey Planner, Citymapper, Google Maps and WhatsApp for pubs and Airbnb hosts. 8–10 GB covers a week comfortably; two-week travelers who also visit Scotland or Wales usually want 15 GB.
The UK is one of the few places where a physical airport SIM is not a disaster — EE and Three both sell prepaid at Heathrow — but you will pay 2–3× more and burn 30 minutes queueing. An eSIM avoids the airport SIM queue. Check when and where your selected plan must be installed.
How to activate your eSIM in United Kingdom
- 1Check your plan before installingFollow your selected plan’s activation instructions. The 1000GB / 30-day calls and SMS plan starts when the eSIM is generated after purchase and must be installed in the UK. Buy it when you are ready to use it.
- 2Connect after landingOnce installed as instructed, select your UK eSIM for mobile data and enable Data Roaming.
- 3Download CitymapperFor London, Citymapper is unbeatable — combines Tube, bus, Overground and Elizabeth line with live disruptions.
- 4Save Highlands maps offlineNorth Coast 500 and Isle of Skye have signal gaps between towns. Save the route offline in Google Maps.
United Kingdom eSIM FAQ
Does it work on the London Underground?
Yes on most Central, Jubilee, Northern, Elizabeth and Victoria line stations and tunnels — TfL has been rolling out 4G. Some older lines still drop signal.
Does the plan cover Scotland and Wales?
Yes — one UK eSIM covers all four nations including Northern Ireland.
Will it work in the Highlands and Isle of Skye?
Yes in every town and along the A9/A82. Rural single-track roads occasionally drop signal but return within a few miles.
Can I hotspot?
Yes, all UK plans support tethering.
How much data for a 2-week UK trip?
12–15 GB is comfortable for maps, transit apps and social. Unlimited if you stream video on trains.
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