Buying a sim card for the UK in 2024

Рет қаралды 38,717

Жыл бұрын

Find out more detailed information about buying a sim card for the UK in my complete guide with all the info about international sim cards as well as the best e-sim cards for the UK and where to order them: www.traveltomtom.net/destinat...
In this video I will show you where you can buy a sim card, show you all the mobile internet operators the prices for UK prepaid sim cards, a comparison, the best 4G/5G network in the UK, info about e-sim cards and very important the latest info about EU data roaming on UK sim cards.
Traveltomtom put also together a guide with everything you need to know before buying an e-sim card for the UK, including a comparison of the prices and the best UK e-sim cards: www.traveltomtom.net/destinat...
You can also buy a sim card for the UK at London Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester or Liverpool Airport on arrival. More expensive, but convenient. Check out my video about my arrival and experiences buying a sim card at Heathrow Airport: • Buying a Sim Card at L...
Or check out my complete and detailed guide with more info: www.traveltomtom.net/destinat...
If you have any more questions don't hesitate to leave me a comment and I will try to help you out.
And please, give this video a like even if it is just for my effort showing you the best sim cards for traveling to the UK.

Пікірлер: 78

@Jon.O 9 ай бұрын

Another hot tip that I would like to include for anyone visiting the UK and needing a physical SIM card would be to avoid going to the main network shops (voda, ee, o2, 3) and actually visit some of the smaller convenience retailers, the sort of places where you can buy cigarettes and food essentials. These shops will offer you a far greater choice of SIM card options from most of the UK main networks and virtual networks. The likes of smarty (works on 3), lebara (works on voda), lyca (works on 02), GiffGaff (works on 02). The list really is quite long and there are some excellent deals to be had. EU roaming is something that appears to be becoming less available.

@TravelTomTom 9 ай бұрын

Yes there are a lot of options to choose from if you put in some effort to search for the best sim card for visiting the UK. Most tourist need something quick tho and it doesn’t necessarily need to be the cheapest sim card but just convenience. I agree with you and that is also all mentioned in the link in description. Thans for the input and your feedback. And yes free EU data roaming is disappearing rapidly nowadays

@phaedrusrusuk 3 ай бұрын

Fyi, Lycamobile are now on EE, they moved from O2 in June last year. Agreed that the virtual operators are good value and some like Lebara//Lyca offer better deals on EU/international calling, imho.

@osamaxx10 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for giving us these wonderful advices

@saori454 Жыл бұрын

That was veeeeery helpful. Thanks a lot.

@mulattovanguard 11 ай бұрын

great video. Very helpful. Thank you

@jangucreates Ай бұрын

Awesome 👍 all set for my trip with your help from this video. Cheers

@user-go7cu8qb2b 7 ай бұрын

I agree with you - in London 3mobile is the best.

@DrCalvinTeach Жыл бұрын

Ah man, I messed up! I quite literally just purchased an EE Sim but didn't realize I should get Three. I will tell you that you're spot on...even the 4g with this is SLOW. I might just eat the cost and switch to 3 and now I know for the next time I head to back to London. I'm starting to come here at least 2x a year now so now I know.

@TravelTomTom Жыл бұрын

ah damn sorry to hear mate. Hope it is not too bad for you

@Ancientinian Ай бұрын

Great info dude, Thanks

@billienomates1606 9 ай бұрын

Great vid, like n sub.

@TravelTomTom 9 ай бұрын

Thanks buddy. I love to provide valuable info for travelers

@luisr4534 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for the video !

@TravelTomTom 5 ай бұрын

My pleasure!

@blazsavaszility9492 7 күн бұрын

Thank you!

@StevenBanks123 11 ай бұрын

Use a selfy stick. It might seem embarrassing at the moment, but you can relax and stand straight. Thanks.

@dtvfan24 Жыл бұрын

IMHO, EE is good but O2/VirginMedia and Vodafone have better coverage indoors. 4G is slow with EE.

@TravelTomTom Жыл бұрын

many more reported the same

@jerryg957 11 ай бұрын

If you buy a sim card in the USA before travel to the UK, when does the sim card get activated, ? not until you put it in the phone ? Teco stuff just baffles my mind...

@Missbagpipernorthwest 2 ай бұрын

Hi Tom, I’m looking for a eSIM for Scotland with data, text and calls. Which one do you recommend? Can I purchase in the US and then activate when I land in Glasgow? I’ve only ever used sims so the esim is new for me. Thankyou so much!

@navanzarifsayeed3526 Жыл бұрын

Hello i am going to UK for study purpose as an international student for 2 years. I have an iphone 14 pro max US variant which only has the option for eSim and not a physical sim. Can you please help me out? What should i do. I want to take eSim of Vodafone or three. Please give a suggestion regarding this matter and mention the procedure and cost.

@genezakharov2471 2 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@TravelTomTom 2 ай бұрын

Thanks 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

@TribodybyVi 24 күн бұрын

Does anyone know if you need an unlocked phone for these sim cards or if it is just plug-and-play?. Some of the cards on Amazon need an unlocked phone.

@TC-kq2mo Жыл бұрын

Hey! You are my Lifesaver!!! However, maybe you forgot to include the Lycamobile for traveller in this video (both physical SIM card and eSIM). I personally don't need EU Data Roam since by travelling UK alone is efficiency enpugh in my life. So please advice and Thanks in advance!

@TravelTomTom 9 ай бұрын

I am not a fan of Lycamobile. Too many hidden restrictions, etc. Therefore definitely not my favorite. But I mention them including specification in my detailed article about UK prepaid sim cards, see the link in my description. KZfaq is just good for a quick overview, but detailed info in the article. Thanks for your feedback, really appreciated.

@sunshinehwy 2 ай бұрын

I found Three Mobile prepaid SIM on Amazon, should I purchase ahead?

@Barb-yd1ym 3 ай бұрын

I tried to buy a Three sim on their website but it asks for a uk phone number and a uk address ????

@sledrevy4982 Ай бұрын

Hi - does your number change to a local number or would I keep my Canadian phone number - thanks

@suchetamandal3095 Жыл бұрын

Do I require to produce any documents for obtaining the sim at any of these stores?

@TravelTomTom 9 ай бұрын

always have oyur passport ready. If you dont want that then simply order a sim card for the UK online and you just need your email address. See link in description!

@tripswithgreg5189 10 ай бұрын

So will any unlocked phone that I can buy in the US, work inn the UK, once I have purchased the UK sim card?? THANK YOU.

@TravelTomTom 9 ай бұрын

yes sure!

@joybcoinsurance9517 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this informative video! :) For 3UK 50 GB data + unlimited calls/sms = £20, can I use the data in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark? no restriction?

@TravelTomTom 9 ай бұрын

See the link in the description for the exact specifications please.

@GeeeEm61 Ай бұрын

Love your video TomTom, but our experience in travelling the UK in 2023 summer (presis being London to Bath, then down the Cornwall coast to Penzance, back to Kent along the Jurassic coast and then London) 3 provided really poor coverage. So many locations were SOS only. Further, we tried to dial some tourism related numbers (eg, to book a tour, make enquiries etc) and the 3 network wouldn't connect as seemingly we needed to be on a more expensive plan as some of these numbers reverse charge you (seemingly common , too, in the UK) . Did I say is was a pretty poor experience? I think this year we'll takes our chances with EE for it's broad coverage from London up to Scotland and back again. Fingers crossed.

@TravelTomTom 27 күн бұрын

Yes therefore I always recommend to check blogs, not simple videos. My blog explains exactly this and you would have avoided it. Check it out link in description!

@Rosalind791 Жыл бұрын

Come back again to Algeria, we miss you, beautiful Tom ♥♥♥🇩🇿

@osamaxx10 Жыл бұрын

I Have a question, If I arrive at London Heathrow Airport and then have to go to the Train Station, Where can I find the train station to go to Manchester, because I have just 1 hour then the Train will leave, and I don’t know where can I go Thank you so much

@Kingnome 11 ай бұрын

Hopefully you figured this out. I was same boat when I arrived.

@drjoannahunt932 8 ай бұрын

The train to Manchester leaves from Euston stn. You'd have to get the Heathrow express to Paddington, then the tube to Euston stn. It'll be tight with just an hour to spare.

@mazz2001 Ай бұрын

Quick update: Vodafone and Three will be merging soon. So its even better to get either 3 or Vodafone as you will have better signal.

@mazz2001 10 ай бұрын

Also EE prepaid pay as you go sim card are all capped to only maximum speeds of 25Mbps download. 😂

@TravelTomTom 9 ай бұрын

that sucks, thanks for the valuable feedback.

@Daleboy16 3 ай бұрын

I am from the UK but like to use mifi and 4g routers when I travel in the uk. The EE speed cap put me off so I use Lebara which on the Vodafone. Great coverage and speeds. Currently about to test a Lyca mobile SIM (EE) hopefully it doesn't have a speed limit

@mazz2001 3 ай бұрын

@@Daleboy16 lycamobile doesn’t have a speed limit however they don’t have access to EE’s full bandwidth connections but still pretty good

@ADVENTURESDJ1 8 ай бұрын

What is Vodafone? Is it a service such as at&t verizon?

@mysimcards137 8 ай бұрын

Yes you are right, is it similar.

@susanbodsworth3294 6 ай бұрын

If crossing into Dublin Ireland while in the UK, do I need an EU sim card. Can I buy the ones on Amazon Canada before I go? Thanks

@TravelTomTom 6 ай бұрын

I dont recommend the ones on Amazon at all. But yes you need a EU sim card. See here for the best ones: www.traveltomtom.net/travel-tips/europe-sim-card

@mama9048 4 ай бұрын

If I were you just get a physical SIM card when you have opportunity to come to one of our towns or cities wherever you’re staying. As this video recommend the Three network, I have to say as an Englishman this is good advice for tourists not so much for a British person though as signal can be quite shocking on Three when away from towns but it’s not too bad for a tourist especially with its generous free included EU roaming offer of up to 12GB to use in any other European country. If you can’t make it into a proper Mobile Phone shop, then go to one of our supermarkets like a Tesco Express or a Sainsbury’s etc and pick up a Sim card near the checkout for about 99p. Ask them about top ups when paying as well as they can print you out a receipt voucher which will have a long code on that you can top up the Sim card and activate the package that shown on the Sim card packaging. All in all it cost you about £11 for a small package or £21 for a bigger package and it will last you for a month before you have to recharge the Sim card. Hope this helps. In relation to your trip to Dublin, I assume you’ll be going there after you have first come to England? If so, make sure that the Sim card is activated in England first and works and it should just be a simple case of turning on data roaming on your phone settings When you arrive in Dublin.

@haybolrambol5001 9 ай бұрын

Can I buy UK esim online even if I am still here in Dubai? i will be in UK from Nov 3 to 10.

@TravelTomTom 9 ай бұрын

Yes you can, see link in description there is all the info!

@mysimcards137 8 ай бұрын

You phone should esim compatible...make sure with it

@nadirkhoms Жыл бұрын

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

@TravelTomTom Жыл бұрын

thnaks so much my friend

@user-ce4xm8ye5c Жыл бұрын

I was thinking 🤔 about my sim card won't not working in the UK I was right 😅

@Marco-Martin-Bieber 4 ай бұрын

Awwww uk 🇬🇧 is so wonderful

@TravelTomTom 3 ай бұрын

Thanks

@mariocruz5223 10 ай бұрын

The SIM card bought at heathrow is more expensive than the center of london ?

@TravelTomTom 9 ай бұрын

That depends. See the link indescription there are all the specifications of the sim cards you can buy at London Heathrow Airport.

@mysimcards137 8 ай бұрын

Yes it is always expensive in heathrow.. outside airport local shop people sometimes give it for free..

@GraysonVoisinet 2 ай бұрын

Did you said 50 pounds or 15? The video shows 15 but I heard 50. Making sure i heard it wrong. Because 50 is insane expensive

@doctorwilly 2 ай бұрын

cellular plans are so sad in canada that a prepaid 50GB plan from Three is the same price as my monthly plan... for only 40GB... 🤮🤮

@LetsTravelThisYear 2 ай бұрын

That's not as bad as mine which is $56 for 15GB Rogers. But I agree it sucks.

@alipr07 Жыл бұрын

hi bro i have work for you you do

@beetrek4024 11 ай бұрын

Don't get EE the worst network to conect to and poor customer service o2 or Vodafone are best.

@ukmobilespeeds 10 ай бұрын

EE is the UKs best network, but just not at your location. I call EE customer service via 150 and get directly to a agent in the UK within 20 seconds.

@carldickinson5812 10 ай бұрын

EE shit o2 shit had them both

@ukmobilespeeds 10 ай бұрын

@@carldickinson5812 In your exact location , not every network can be the best in every sq meter of the earth. I personally pull 300-400mbps on EE 4G and 600+ on 5G... Better than any other network.

@ukmobilespeeds 10 ай бұрын

@@carldickinson5812 What network are you recommending then?