UK eSIM Guide: EE, O2 and Coverage Beyond London
Staying online in the UK is straightforward in towns and cities. The questions worth thinking about are which network your eSIM uses, because coverage differs a lot once you leave the cities, and whether a UK plan or a Europe plan suits your trip, because many visitors combine London with Paris, Amsterdam or Dublin.
Which networks UK travel eSIMs use
The UK has four mobile networks: EE, O2, Vodafone and Three. Vodafone and Three merged in 2025 and are combining their networks under one company. Among the wholesale UK plans we track:
| Plan type | Networks | Where data exits |
|---|---|---|
| Roaming, multi-network | O2 (5G), EE (5G), Three (4G) | France, Netherlands or UK |
A plan with access to several networks is useful in the UK. EE and O2 have different strengths in rural areas, and your phone can switch to whichever has signal. Because data may exit in France or the Netherlands, some websites may briefly show French or Dutch content. Maps and navigation are unaffected because they use your phone's GPS.
Coverage: cities, the Tube and the countryside
| Area | What to expect |
|---|---|
| London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham | Strong 4G and 5G |
| London Underground | Mobile coverage is being added across the network; some lines and tunnels still have none |
| Train routes between cities | Mostly covered, with dips in cuttings and tunnels |
| Scottish Highlands, Lake District, Snowdonia, Cornwall coast | Patchy in valleys and on hikes; good in towns and villages |
| Islands (Skye, Orkney, Hebrides) | Varies by island and network |
Before a Highlands drive or a hike in the national parks, download offline maps and save accommodation details. Single-track roads in Scotland can run for a long way between villages without signal.
Brexit and roaming
Since the UK left the EU, UK networks are no longer covered by the EU's "roam like at home" rules. In practice this matters in two ways for visitors:
- EU residents may find their home plan charges extra in the UK, depending on their carrier.
- Europe eSIM plans don't automatically include the UK. Many do, but check the country list.
Our Europe eSIM guide compares how three common Europe plan families handle the UK, France and Switzerland.
UK-only plan or Europe plan?
| Your trip | What to look for |
|---|---|
| UK only | A UK plan, ideally with more than one network |
| London plus Paris or Amsterdam by Eurostar | A Europe plan that lists the UK and every other country you visit |
| UK plus Ireland | Check Ireland separately: it is in the EU, the UK is not |
| Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland | Choose a plan covering both, as you may cross the border without noticing |
Our guide to planning data for multi-country trips covers how to read country lists and where regional plans tend to leave gaps.
Getting around
Contactless bank cards and phone wallets work on London's buses, Tube and many rail services, so you don't need data to pay fares. You will want data for journey planning, live departure boards and ride-hailing apps such as Uber, which operates in London and many other cities. Train operators' apps and the National Rail website show delays and platform changes.
How much data you'll need
| Trip | Suggested data |
|---|---|
| 5 days in London | 3 to 5 GB |
| 10 days, London plus Scotland or the Cotswolds | 8 to 10 GB |
| 3 weeks or more, or remote work | 20 GB or more, plus accommodation Wi-Fi |
Pubs, cafes, museums and most hotels offer free Wi-Fi. Use it for photo backups and app updates. The data guide has per-activity estimates.
Setting up and troubleshooting
Install the eSIM at home over Wi-Fi and switch the line on after landing at Heathrow, Gatwick or wherever you arrive. Set it as your cellular data line and enable data roaming for it. If you have no service, toggle airplane mode, then try choosing EE or O2 manually. The troubleshooting guide covers the remaining steps. To keep receiving bank codes on your home number, follow our dual-SIM guide.
Emergency calls
The UK emergency number is 999, and 112 also works from mobile phones. Both connect to police, ambulance, fire and coastguard.
FAQ
Do UK travel eSIMs include a UK phone number?
Most are data-only. If you need a UK number, for example for a long stay, a local prepaid SIM is the usual route.
Can I get signal on the London Underground?
On a growing number of lines and stations, yes. Coverage is still being rolled out, so expect gaps in some tunnels, especially on older lines.
Is the UK included in Europe eSIM plans?
Often, but not always. The UK left the EU, so plans don't include it by default. Read the country list before you buy.
Will my eSIM work in the Scottish Highlands?
In towns and villages, generally yes. On remote roads, hills and some islands, coverage is patchy. A plan that can use more than one network improves your chances.
Does a UK eSIM cover the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man?
Not necessarily. Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man have their own mobile networks and are not part of the UK for roaming. Check the plan's country list for them by name.