UK eSIM: instant data from ₹299 ($3.99)
Prepaid UK eSIM on EE, Vodafone UK and O2. QR code in 60 seconds, hotspot allowed, validity starts when you land. Works on iPhone and Android.
UK at a glance
A UK eSIM from Universal eSIMs costs from ₹299 ($3.99) for 1GB over 7 days and up to ₹1,599 for unlimited data over 7 days. It connects to EE, Vodafone UK and O2 with 5G where available, arrives as a QR code within 60 seconds of payment, allows hotspot, and starts its validity only when you first connect in the United Kingdom.
Prices checked on 25 October 2026 · Hotspot allowed on every plan · Full refund if your phone cannot install the eSIM
UK eSIM plans and prices
All prices include GST for Indian customers. Switch currency in the header. Every plan is data-only, allows hotspot, and can be topped up without a new QR code.
1GB
7 days₹299 ($3.99)
- Weekend trip, maps and messages
- Instant QR by email and app
- Hotspot allowed
3GB
15 days₹599 ($6.99)
- Light use for up to two weeks
- Instant QR by email and app
- Hotspot allowed
5GB
30 days₹799 ($9.99)
- Most one-week trips
- Instant QR by email and app
- Hotspot allowed
10GB
30 days₹1,199 ($13.99)
- Two weeks with photos and video calls
- Instant QR by email and app
- Hotspot allowed
20GB
30 days₹1,899 ($22.99)
- Heavy use, hotspot for a laptop
- Instant QR by email and app
- Hotspot allowed
Unlimited
7 days₹1,599 ($18.99)
- Streaming and navigation all week
- Instant QR by email and app
- Hotspot allowed
- Full speed to 2GB a day, then 3Mbps
Unlimited
15 days₹2,699 ($31.99)
- Two weeks without counting
- Instant QR by email and app
- Hotspot allowed
- Full speed to 2GB a day, then 3Mbps
Unlimited
30 days₹4,499 ($52.99)
- Long stays and remote work
- Instant QR by email and app
- Hotspot allowed
- Full speed to 2GB a day, then 3Mbps
UK plan comparison
Next stop: somewhere new. A little more freedom.
Install tonight on Wi-Fi. The plan starts only when you land. Your home number stays on for calls and OTPs.
Coverage, networks and speeds in UK
UK eSIMs connect to EE, Vodafone and O2. Plans include EU roaming, which is unusual among travel eSIMs and saves buying a second plan for a Eurostar day trip.
5G across London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and most cities; typical 30 to 150 Mbps on 5G, 15 to 50 Mbps on 4G. The London Underground has 4G and 5G on most central lines.
Networks used by the UK eSIM
Speed figures are typical ranges reported by the networks and independent testing in 2026. We publish our own field speed tests for each destination after launch and update this page monthly.
How to install and activate your UK eSIM
Buy the plan
Pick a UK plan, pay by UPI, card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal. The QR code arrives by email and in the app within 60 seconds.
Install on Wi-Fi before you fly
On iPhone: Settings, Cellular, Add eSIM, scan the QR. On Android: Settings, Network, SIMs, Add eSIM. Takes about two minutes. Nothing is used until you land.
Land and switch it on
Turn on the Universal eSIM line and data roaming for that line only. It connects to a UK network automatically and your validity starts now, not at purchase.
Keep your home number
Leave your Indian SIM active for calls and OTPs with data roaming off. WhatsApp keeps working on your usual number.
Full iPhone guide · Full Android guide · eSIM not connecting?
UK travel connectivity tips
- Our UK plans include roaming across the EU at no extra cost, so a London plus Paris trip needs one eSIM.
- Tap in and out on the Underground with a card or phone; you only need data to check Citymapper, which uses very little.
- Students: the UK page for students includes a UK number from day one, which banks like Monzo and Starling need for verification.
- Rail Wi-Fi is unreliable; a 5GB plan covers most two-week trips including train journeys.
- Heathrow arrivals have free Wi-Fi but it needs an SMS code, which fails without a working number. The eSIM removes that problem.
Airports with coverage on arrival
- Heathrow (LHR)
- Gatwick (LGW)
- Manchester (MAN)
- Birmingham (BHX)
- Edinburgh (EDI)
- Stansted (STN)
Apps you will want data for
- Citymapper and TfL Go
- Uber and Bolt
- Trainline
- contactless payments on the Tube
- NHS app for longer stays
UK eSIM vs roaming vs local SIM vs other providers
How a Universal eSIMs 5GB plan compares with the alternatives most travellers consider. Competitor figures are list prices observed on 25 October 2026 and change often.
UK: what connectivity costs
Read the full comparison for travellers from India on the UK eSIM from India page, or see how we compare with Airalo and Holafly.
When to choose a regional or global plan instead
If UK is one stop on a longer trip, the Europe eSIM covers 42 countries on one QR code and usually costs less than two single-country plans. For trips across three or more regions, the Global eSIM covers 130+ countries. Peak demand from India: June to August and September (student intake).
Reviews from travellers to UK
We publish verified reviews collected after each trip through Trustpilot and our own post-trip survey, filtered by destination. The first UK reviews appear here after our launch beta; we do not show placeholder or purchased reviews. See all reviews.
Real people on WhatsApp, before, during and after the trip.
Install help in minutes, a refund if your phone cannot take the eSIM, and every price shown before checkout.
UK eSIM: questions travellers ask
Does the UK eSIM allow hotspot and tethering?
Yes. Every Universal eSIMs plan, including all UK plans, allows hotspot and tethering at no extra charge and with no separate cap beyond the plan's data. Unlimited plans run at full speed for the first 2GB each day and at 3 Mbps after that, which still handles maps, messaging and music.
Which networks does the UK eSIM use?
The UK eSIM connects to EE, Vodafone UK and O2. Your phone picks the strongest signal automatically. 5G is included where the network offers it and your phone supports it.
When does the validity start?
Validity starts when the eSIM first connects to a network in the United Kingdom, not when you buy or install it. You can buy weeks ahead, install at home on Wi-Fi, and nothing is consumed until you land.
Can I make calls with the UK eSIM?
The plans on this page are data-only. Calls over WhatsApp, FaceTime, Telegram and similar apps work over data. Keep your home SIM active with data roaming off to receive regular calls and OTPs on your usual number.
Which phones work with the UK eSIM?
Any carrier-unlocked phone with eSIM support: iPhone XS, XR and newer; Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Z Fold and Flip series, A54 and A55; Google Pixel 3 and newer; and many OnePlus, Motorola, Xiaomi and Oppo models. Check your exact model before buying. If your phone does not support eSIM, order a physical travel SIM instead.
How much data do I need for UK?
Most travellers use 300MB to 700MB a day for maps, messaging, social media and a few video calls. A 5GB plan covers a one-week trip; a 10GB plan covers two weeks; heavy video uploaders and anyone sharing a hotspot should pick 20GB or Unlimited. Use the data calculator for a personal estimate.
Can I top up the UK eSIM without reinstalling?
Yes. Buy a top-up from your account or the app and it is added to the same eSIM within a minute. You never need a second QR code for the same destination.
Is a UK eSIM cheaper than international roaming from India?
Yes, usually by 60 to 90 percent. Indian operators' international roaming packs for UK cost roughly ₹575 to ₹1,101 per day for 0.5 to 1GB, or ₹2,999 to ₹4,999 for 10 to 30 days with 5 to 10GB. Our UK 5GB 30-day plan costs ₹799. See the UK eSIM from India page for the full comparison.
What is the refund policy?
If the eSIM cannot be installed on a compatible, unlocked phone, we refund in full. Unused and uninstalled plans can be refunded within 30 days of purchase. Once an eSIM has connected to a network, the plan is considered used. Full terms are in the refund policy.
Can I use the eSIM on two devices or share it?
An eSIM profile installs on one device at a time. To connect a second device, use the hotspot, which is allowed on all plans, or buy a second eSIM for that device.
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Global eSIM · UK eSIM from India · eSIM compatibility checker · How much data do I need?
Land in UK already connected
Buy now, install on Wi-Fi tonight, and your plan starts only when you arrive. Full refund if your phone cannot install it.