Best prepaid SIM Card for United Kingdom: prices and where to buy?

To enjoy your trip to the British Parliament or Big Ben in the UK in the best possible way, you will need to be connected to the internet. But do you know how you can connect to the internet from the UK without spending so much? If you don’t know how to do it, don’t worry because, in this article, we will show you the best way to connect to the internet without using roaming services simply by buying a prepaid SIM card for the United Kingdom.

On the other hand, in case you don’t know them, we will introduce you to what is the next step in the mobile internet, the embedded SIM card or eSIM. With an eSIM for the UK, you can instantly buy and receive your data package, no matter where you are. Ideal for your travels and any adventure with an eSIM, you will be connected quickly and efficiently.

Where to buy a SIM card in the United Kingdom?

You can acquire a prepaid SIM card for the United Kingdom in several places and ways. However, the best way is through online stores. These stores provide you with a much more convenient service, plus the whole process can be done from home. And, as if that weren’t enough, stores like Holafly online store provides several benefits on their products, which lets you enjoy your trip much more.

However, another way to buy a SIM card for the United Kingdom is through physical points of sale located in shopping malls and airports. Airports such as Manchester Airport, London Luton Airport, among others. Regarding this alternative, it is important to investigate whether our mobile phone can use the local networks and is compatible.

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Easy to buy

Undoubtedly, we all want a good and easy solution to keep mobile internet on our travels, and that also does not take us much time to have it. The truth is that nowadays, for many tourists, the easiest way to do this is through online stores. In these stores, it is possible to find prepaid SIM cards for the UK, both physical and virtual, with excellent plans for tourists. As for choosing a SIM card or eSIM, we recommend that as long as you have a compatible phone, you should choose the eSIM. They make the delivery and activation process even easier while maintaining all the advantages of a physical tourist SIM card. 

Of course, for users who are not yet used to online stores, you can buy your local SIM card for the UK once you are in the country. This is because the local operators have some plans for foreigners that you could use. However, this option tends to take more time and has fewer options, so it should be your last option to have mobile internet on your trip.

Buy before you travel.

As we mentioned before, buying before you travel through an online store like Holafly has several advantages that greatly enhance your experience during your trip to the UK. You will be able to have mobile internet from the first moment you arrive in the country, which is ideal for keeping in touch and solving any situation abroad. Also, online stores are very easy to use for all types of customers, with access to pages in different languages and specialized customer service. 

You can also save money because the plans are cheaper than other options, such as renting pocket Wi-Fi. These prepaid SIM cards for the United Kingdom are aimed at tourists rather than local phone companies focused on residents. It is important to note that despite being purchased from an online store, these tourist SIM cards will always use local networks. For this reason, you should confirm which operator they will use when you arrive and see if they have a good service in the cities you visit. Fortunately, the Holafly for UK eSIM uses the Vodafone network, one of the best phone companies, as you can see in their technical specs.

Buy upon arrival

As well as shopping before landing through online stores. Shopping upon arrival at commercial establishments located in airports or shopping malls is also a solution. To buy a prepaid SIM card for the UK locally, you will have to go through a registration process as well as have ID and documents on hand. 

Several major phone companies in the country, such as Vodafone UK, O2 UK, and Three, have stores throughout the country that you can visit. Also, to help you, you can use the maps that each one has on their websites. It is possible to find branches at airports such as Liverpool John Lennon Airport, London Luton Airport, and Manchester Airport, among others.

Vodafone UK, O2 UK, and Three stores in the United Kingdom

When you land in the UK, you will find that a variety of companies offer you a prepaid SIM card to connect to the internet. However, among these companies that stand out are Vodafone, O2, and Vodafone. These are considered to be the best-known internet providers in the UK and the ones with the best coverage. Therefore, the networks that these companies offer you to connect to the internet are usually the best.

To acquire one of these cards, you must go to one of its commercial establishments in the country’s airports or shopping malls. Once there, you must proceed to purchase and activate your SIM card.

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How much does a SIM card cost to travel to the UK?

As is common in many European destinations, the rates charged by local carriers are quite similar, with similar benefits. Depending on the plan and provider you select, you can pay from $15 to $45 for a local SIM card in the UK. In some cases, you can find unlimited data options with some conditions of use. 

One solution you can have on hand before your trip, with unlimited data and without restrictive usage conditions, is the virtual SIM card from Holalfy, which you will learn about below.

eSIM card for United Kingdom, the new alternative

Couldn’t buy a UK SIM card? Don’t worry if you didn’t manage to buy one because, with Holafly online store, you will be able to access a new alternative to roaming. This will allow you to connect to the internet wherever you are. In addition, this alternative’s purchase and activation process is amazing. You can buy, activate, and start using it in less than a minute.

These Holafly virtual SIM cards are available for many destinations around the world, even with regional solutions such as Europe, with coverage in multiple countries. Being fully digital, you can buy them at any time, before or during your trip, as it is more convenient for you. No doubt, Holafly for the UK eSIMs are the best option.

Before you go to buy a virtual SIM card, there are a few things you should know about how it works:

• They work only with compatible phones, so you must confirm if yours has this technology available inside it.
• The eSIM is virtual and will be sent to your email along with installation instructions, so you must have an email address to which you have access. 
• The Holafly online store offers various payment methods, such as credit and debit cards and Paypal. You must confirm if you have one of these payment methods. 
• For the whole process of purchasing and installation of the eSIM, you will need an internet connection. For this reason, purchasing before your trip or from a wifi zone is recommended.

Holafly online store

In addition to the advantages mentioned above, shopping at Holafly online store has several benefits, such as instant shipping through email and 24-hour customer service, among others. However, the best advantage you will have in the Holafly online store is its speed in the purchase and activation processes.

To buy a virtual SIM card from Holafly, you only need to go to the official Holafly website. Once there, select the eSIM card you need, fill in your information as email address and name, and that’s it. Your eSIM card is in your hands. 

There are many plans to choose from, and if your stay is extended, you can easily top up your service. Holafly will send you an email notification when you have used 90% of your plan, so if you want to extend it, you will have a link there to re-purchase another package. This will be activated automatically on your eSIM, so you won’t have to install a new one as with other options.

Disadvantages of Holafly’s eSIM card

You have to keep in mind that with a Holafly eSIM card for the UK, you will not be able to share data with other devices. You can buy more than one virtual SIM card with unlimited data in case you need to have a connection on several devices. The store has no limit to the amount you can buy.

How can I shop at Holafly?

How? To purchase, activate and start using your eSIM UK, you must go to Holafly’s official website. Once there, select the eSIM you need, fill in the purchase form, and that’s it. When you finish the purchase, you will receive an email with a QR code with which you can activate the eSIM and start browsing.

How much does the eSIM for United Kingdom cost?

The price of the eSIM for your trip to the United Kingdom and other countries in the Holafly Online Shop can be seen in the following table. It also shows the number of days and the amount of data that the eSIM includes.

Also, in case your trip takes you beyond the United Kingdom, here is some information on the Holafly eSIM for Europe

Frequently asked questions about the United Kingdom SIM card

Brenda Beltrán

EN: I am Brenda Beltrán, a Colombian content creator who loves travel, technology, and video games. Since 2019, I have been creating content about entertainment and technology, starting as a journalist for video games, eSports, and tech. Now, I focus on writing about travel, providing tips on how to stay always connected abroad. I hope that all the content I create helps you discover new places in the best possible way! | ES: Soy Brenda Beltrán, creadora de contenido colombiana amante de los viajes, la tecnología y los videojuegos. Desde 2019, he creado contenido sobre entretenimiento y tecnología, comenzando como periodista de videojuegos, eSports y tech. Ahora me dedico a escribir sobre viajes, dando consejos sobre cómo mantenerse siempre conectado en el exterior. Espero que todo el contenido que creo te ayude a conocer nuevos lugares de la mejor manera!