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Destination · Europe

Best eSIM for the UK from Australia

33 plans from 3 providers, priced in Australian dollars and ranked by cost per GB.

The cheapest UK eSIM we list is Ubigi's 3 GB plan for 30 days at A$9.00 (A$3.00/GB). The most data for the money is Ubigi's 50 GB plan for 30 days at A$55.00 (A$1.10/GB), and our best-network pick is Airalo's 50 GB plan for 30 days at A$57.00 (A$1.14/GB). The plans we list name EE, O2, Vodafone or Three; we rank EE first using published network information, not our own tests.

How much data will I need?

As a rough guide from Telstra's figures, an hour a day of browsing and email uses about 0.1–0.5 GB over 7 days and 0.2–1.1 GB over 14 days, and an hour a day of standard-definition video adds about 4.9 GB and 9.8 GB. Source: Telstra

Prices checked 1 Nov 2026 · Page updated 2 Nov 2026
Best for

Our picks for the UK

Each pick follows the rule shown, applied to the table below.

01 · CheapestUbigi
3 GB · 30 daysA$9.00
EE, Three · Hotspot · 5GA$3.00/GB

Rule: lowest price with at least 3 GB and 7 days.

Get Ubigi plan
02 · Most dataUbigi
50 GB · 30 daysA$55.00
EE, Three · Hotspot · 5GA$1.10/GB

Rule: lowest cost per GB with at least 20 GB; ties go to more data, then more days.

Get Ubigi plan
03 · UnlimitedAiralo
Unlimited · 10 daysA$50.50
EE · Hotspot · 5GA$5.05/day

Rule: lowest price per day, comparing each provider's 10-day plan or its nearest from 7 days (compared at 10 days).

Get Airalo plan
04 · Best networkAiralo
50 GB · 30 daysA$57.00
EE · Hotspot · 5GA$1.14/GB

Rule: best published network (EE first), then 5G, then hotspot; lowest cost per GB with at least 5 GB and 7 days. Based on published network, not yet speed-tested.

Get Airalo plan
All plans

Compare 33 UK plans

Showing 15 of 33 · prices in AUD, checked 1 Nov 2026 · fixed-data plans by cost per GB, then unlimited by price per day. Sorted by cost per gb, low to high.

  • UbigiMost data
    A$55.00
    50 GB · 30 daysA$1.10/GB
    EE, Three · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • AiraloBest network
    A$57.00
    50 GB · 30 daysA$1.14/GB
    EE · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Ubigi
    A$38.00
    25 GB · 30 daysA$1.52/GB
    EE, Three · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Ubigi
    A$16.00
    10 GB · 7 daysA$1.60/GB
    EE, Three · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Ubigi
    A$19.00
    10 GB · 30 daysA$1.90/GB
    EE, Three · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Airalo
    A$44.00
    20 GB · 15 daysA$2.20/GB
    EE · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Airalo
    A$45.50
    20 GB · 30 daysA$2.28/GB
    EE · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Airalo
    A$26.50
    10 GB · 7 daysA$2.65/GB
    EE · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Airalo
    A$27.00
    10 GB · 15 daysA$2.70/GB
    EE · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Airalo
    A$28.00
    10 GB · 30 daysA$2.80/GB
    EE · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • UbigiCheapest
    A$9.00
    3 GB · 30 daysA$3.00/GB
    EE, Three · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Airalo
    A$17.50
    5 GB · 7 daysA$3.50/GB
    EE · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Airalo
    A$18.50
    5 GB · 15 daysA$3.70/GB
    EE · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Airalo
    A$19.00
    5 GB · 30 daysA$3.80/GB
    EE · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Airalo
    A$12.50
    3 GB · 3 daysA$4.17/GB
    EE · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan

Cost per GB is price ÷ data; unlimited plans show price per day. Airalo unlimited (3, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 30 days): slows to 1 Mbps after 3 GB a day. Holafly unlimited (3, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 30 days): may slow speeds for up to a day under its fair-use policy; no threshold or speed is stated. Ubigi unlimited (1 day): slows to 2 Mbps after 7 GB. Ubigi unlimited (7 days): slows to 2 Mbps after 25 GB. Ubigi unlimited (15 days): slows to 2 Mbps after 30 GB. Ubigi unlimited (30 days): slows to 2 Mbps after 60 GB.

The table lists plans of 30 days or less. Holafly also sells longer UK plans.

Providers

Who sells UK eSIMs

Listed A to Z. Each phone screen points out one fact from that provider's details or plans. Screens are illustrative.

Airalo logo

Networks
EE
Plans from
A$6.00 · 18 plans
Hotspot · 5G
Yes · Yes
Unlimited
Yes
Visit AiraloReview
Needs its app to install

Holafly logo

Networks
EE, Three, O2, Vodafone
Plans from
A$19.00 · 6 plans
Hotspot · 5G
Limited · Yes
Unlimited
Yes
Visit HolaflyReview
All plans unlimited, fair use applies

Ubigi

Networks
EE, Three
Plans from
A$9.00 · 9 plans
Hotspot · 5G
Yes · Yes
Unlimited
Yes
Visit UbigiReview
From A$9.00, 9 plans
Destination notes · updated 2 Nov 2026

Using an eSIM in the UK

EE, O2, Vodafone and Three

Providers name four mobile networks for the UK: EE, O2, Vodafone and Three. A travel eSIM connects to one or more of them, and the plan page names which. The network shown for each plan in the table is the one the provider names, under the operator's current brand name (for example, Holafly lists Orange UK, T-Mobile UK and H3G UK, which we show as EE and Three). We rank EE first using published network information, not our own tests (how we pick).

Vodafone and Three have merged as VodafoneThree. Three's website says the merger of Three UK and Vodafone UK has completed and that Three runs on the Nation's Network, the combined Vodafone and Three network. VodafoneThree's site still links to Vodafone UK and Three UK as separate brands, and providers still write Vodafone and Three separately, so the table does too.

Coming from Europe, or going on to it

The Europe plans we list from Airalo, Jetpac and Ubigi all include the UK in their country lists, and Airalo also sells a separate European Union and United Kingdom product. Some other Europe or EU plans leave the UK out, so check the country list for the plan you are buying. If the UK is one stop on a longer trip, our Europe page shows the regional plans.

A visitor eSIM from EE

EE sells a visitor eSIM as data passes of 1 to 90 days. Its page says no UK address is needed, you have 90 days after buying to start using it, and your phone must be unlocked. On Android you cannot send SMS, and calls need data-based apps, though emergency calls to 999 and 112 still work. This is a local carrier plan rather than one of the providers we compare, so we do not rank it. Check what it includes on EE's page.

Sources

FAQ

Questions about eSIMs for the UK

What is the best eSIM for the UK from Australia?

It depends on how long you are away and how much data you use. The picks at the top of this page show the cheapest UK eSIM, the most data for the money and the best-network option, each with the rule that chose it. The table ranks every plan by cost per GB. To see two providers side by side, try Airalo vs Holafly.

Can I get a UK eSIM with a phone number?

Every plan in our UK table is data only, with no UK phone number for calls. Some providers sell UK plans with calls and texts that our data-only table leaves out (Airalo's Uki Mobile+, for one), so check the plan page for what the number can do. EE sells a visitor eSIM of its own. Its page says it is data only: on Android you cannot send SMS, on iPhone you can send iMessages, calls need data-based apps such as WhatsApp, and emergency calls to 999 and 112 still work (EE). Check what any local plan includes on its page.

Does a Europe eSIM also work in the UK?

Yes, for the Europe plans we list. Airalo's, Jetpac's and Ubigi's Europe plans all include the United Kingdom in their country lists (checked 2 Nov 2026), and Airalo also sells a separate European Union and United Kingdom product. Some other Europe or EU plans leave the UK out, so check the country list for the plan you buy. If you are visiting the UK as part of a wider trip, compare our Europe page with the UK table.

Which UK network should I pick: EE, O2, Vodafone or Three?

The table shows the network each plan's provider names, under the operator's current brand name. Vodafone and Three have merged as VodafoneThree, but the providers we list still name them separately. We rank EE first using published network information, not our own tests (how we pick). Check the coverage map of the network your plan names for the places you are visiting.

Is an eSIM cheaper than roaming in the UK?

It depends on your carrier and how many days you are away. Compare the cost per day in the table with your Australian carrier's international roaming price for the UK. Our roaming calculator covers the destinations where we have recorded day-pass prices.

Can I keep my Australian phone number with an eSIM?

Most phones with eSIM can use two lines at once, so the travel eSIM can handle data while your Australian line stays on for texts. Your Australian line can still start roaming charges, so set it up carefully. Our guide covers the settings: how to keep your Australian number.

Do I turn off data roaming when using an eSIM?

Turn data roaming on for the travel eSIM, because most travel eSIMs are roaming eSIMs, and turn it off for your Australian line so it cannot use data abroad. The steps are in how to set up a travel eSIM.

Can I use my phone as a hotspot with a UK eSIM?

Hotspot rules are set by each provider and can differ by plan. The Hotspot column in the table shows the rule for each plan, so check it before you rely on the eSIM to share data with a laptop.

When does an eSIM's validity period start?

Each provider sets its own rule. On many plans the clock starts when the eSIM first connects at your destination, but on some it starts when you install it. Check the plan page before you buy, and see how to set up a travel eSIM.

What is the disadvantage of an eSIM?

A travel eSIM needs a phone that supports eSIM and is unlocked (how to check). You need an internet connection to download it, so install it at home over Wi-Fi, and many eSIMs cannot be reinstalled once removed. Every plan in our UK table is data only, with no UK phone number for calls.

Method · updated 1 Nov 2026

How we compare UK eSIMs

  1. We take each plan's price from the provider's site and convert it to Australian dollars on the check date.
  2. Cost per GB is price divided by data. Unlimited plans are compared by price per day.
  3. Network is the UK carrier the eSIM connects to. Hotspot and 5G are as the provider states them.
  4. Each pick follows the rule printed with it, and each is a different plan. Remaining ties go to the lower total price.
  5. We recheck prices at least every 30 days and show the check date on every plan.

How we make money

eSIM Mate is free to use. No link on the site earns a commission yet. Once a provider approves us, its links will: the provider pays us, never you. That will never change your price or the order of plans, and we list providers whether or not they pay us.

Read our full disclosure
Best network · Airalo50 GB · 30 days · A$57.00
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