🇬🇧 United Kingdom eSIM

Before you go

• England, Wales and the Scottish central belt have good coverage. The Highlands and Islands are genuinely sparse, and parts of the north-west coast and the Hebrides have little from any network.
• Rural train lines lose signal constantly. The West Highland Line and much of rural Wales will drop you every few minutes.
• The London Underground now has mobile coverage on a growing number of lines, but it is not yet the whole network.
• These are data-only plans. They don't come with a local phone number, and they don't carry calls or texts, so keep your normal SIM switched on for those and let the eSIM handle data.
• The plan starts when it first connects to a network at your destination, not when you buy it. Buy it weeks ahead if you like; the clock starts when you land.
• Install it before you fly, over your home Wi-Fi. Installing needs an internet connection, which is the one thing you won't have at the airport.
• Don't delete an eSIM to make room for another one. An activation code only works once, and your phone can hold several profiles side by side.

United Kingdom eSIM questions

Does a UK plan cover Ireland?

No. The Republic of Ireland is a separate country. Northern Ireland is part of the UK and is covered.

Will it work in the Scottish Highlands?

In the towns and on the main roads, mostly. In the far north-west, on the smaller islands and in the glens, expect long stretches with nothing.

How much data for a week?

5 GB is a comfortable week. Wi-Fi is near-universal in cafés, pubs and hotels.

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