Best eSIM for the UK: London, Scotland and beyond

How to pick the best eSIM for the United Kingdom: UK networks, coverage in London and the Highlands, EU roaming after Brexit, how much data you need and setup.

The best eSIM for the UK runs on one of the big British networks and covers your trip length, at about 1 GB per day. Install it at home and turn it on when you land at Heathrow, Gatwick or Manchester.

Which network should a UK eSIM use?

The UK's mobile networks are EE, Vodafone, Three and O2. All four cover nearly all of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with 5G in cities. Each plan page shows the networks the plan connects to.

Coverage around the UK

London: strong coverage, including most of the Underground network.

Scottish Highlands, Lake District and Snowdonia: towns are covered, but valleys and hills can have no signal.

Long train journeys: signal drops in some rural stretches and tunnels.

How much data do you need?

Light use (about 0.5 GB a day): maps, messaging, ride apps and some browsing.

Normal use (about 1 GB a day): the above plus social media, photo uploads and a few video calls.

Heavy use (2 GB or more a day): streaming, many video calls, or sharing your connection with a laptop.

A week in London with normal use needs about 7 GB. Pubs, cafes, museums and trains often have Wi-Fi, which helps.

EU SIM? Check your roaming

Since Brexit, EU rules on roaming at home prices no longer cover the UK. Some EU carriers still include it; many charge extra. And many Europe eSIM plans now leave the UK out. If your trip covers the UK and Europe, check that the plan lists the United Kingdom.

How to set up your UK eSIM

Buy your plan on ViraSIM and open the email or the My eSIMs page.

At home, on Wi-Fi, scan the QR code or tap the install button. It takes about two minutes.

Name the new line "UK" and leave it off until you travel, if the plan's days start on first connection.

When you arrive, turn on the UK line, choose it for mobile data and turn on data roaming for it.

Keep your home line on for calls and texts, with its data roaming off.

Tips for using data in the UK

Contactless cards and phones work on London buses, the Tube and most trains. No travel app is needed.

Trainline and National Rail apps show live delays. Save tickets offline.

Download offline maps before hiking in the Highlands or national parks.

Bottom line

Choose a plan for your trip length, at about 1 GB per day, and install it before you fly. See all UK eSIM plans, with prices updated live.