Staying connected abroad from the UK: four ways, country by country

There are four ways to get mobile data outside the UK, and each one charges you differently. Below: how they work, and a guide for each destination.

The 4 ways

Roaming on your UK network EE, Vodafone, O2, Three and 11 more You keep your UK number. Ireland is included on every UK network and the EU on many, within a fair use limit; elsewhere it is a daily charge or a pass. Nothing changes on the phone. ›
Local SIM, bought on arrival Sold at the airport counter or in shops of a local operator. Usually bought after landing; it needs a free SIM slot, and registration may ask for your passport.
Pocket Wi-Fi router A rented router that a group shares while it stays together. It has to be collected, charged and returned.
Travel eSIM A digital profile you install by scanning a QR code before you fly. Your UK SIM stays in the phone for calls and texts. Needs an eSIM-compatible phone. ›

Before you choose an eSIM, check that your phone supports it: eSIM-compatible phones.

Guides by destination

Best eSIM for the USA from the UK › eSIM for Turkey and UK roaming › Morocco SIM card, roaming or eSIM › Best eSIM for Japan from the UK › Best eSIM for Thailand from the UK › Best eSIM for India from the UK › Best eSIM for Egypt from the UK › Australia SIM card or eSIM from the UK › Best eSIM for Spain from the UK? First check whether your plan already covers it › Canada SIM card or eSIM from the UK › France SIM card or your UK plan? Roaming in France, Paris weekends and the Eurostar › Best eSIM for Italy from the UK? Check your plan first, then compare › Tunisia SIM card or eSIM from the UK › Will my UK phone work in Albania? Roaming outside the EU zone, and the eSIM option › South Africa SIM card or eSIM from the UK › Vietnam SIM card or eSIM from the UK › eSIM for Pakistan from the UK › Is roaming free in Greece on a UK phone? Islands, ferries and when an eSIM helps › Bali SIM card or eSIM from the UK › Roaming in Portugal on a UK phone › Sri Lanka SIM card or eSIM from the UK › New Zealand SIM card or eSIM from the UK › Can I use my UK phone in Montenegro? Roaming, the euro myth and the eSIM option › Which SIM for Europe from the UK ›

Price and comparison

Roaming or eSIM? Country by country: the 15 UK networks against an eSIM, in pounds. › eSIM vs physical SIM Dated pack prices, the drawbacks, and when a SIM wins. › What “unlimited” really means: the daily limit The daily high-speed limit on unlimited plans, compared. ›

Regional plans

eSIM for Europe › eSIM for Asia › eSIM for Africa › eSIM for the Middle East › eSIM for Oceania › eSIM for Latin America › eSIM for the Caribbean › eSIM for the whole world ›

To decide

eSIM by country, with prices in pounds Every destination in the catalogue, each on its own page. › Roaming on UK networks What the 15 UK networks charge abroad, with dated sources. › How much data do I need? Estimate your use before you pick a plan. › eSIM-compatible phones Check your model before you buy. ›

In detail

In short

This section compares four ways to get mobile data abroad from the UK, with a guide per destination: your own network’s roaming, a travel eSIM, a local SIM and pocket Wi-Fi. Before you buy a SIM card for travel abroad, check your own plan. 10 of the 15 UK networks include Europe, each within its own fair-use terms, and all 15 include Ireland (checked on 24 October 2026).

This site is not affiliated with any of the networks mentioned here; we sell eSIMs. How we compare

Four ways to stay connected abroad

Of the four ways, only a local SIM takes your UK SIM out of the phone. Roaming keeps your number and allowance at your network’s price; a travel eSIM adds a data-only line beside your UK SIM.

Pocket Wi-Fi is a rented router that shares one connection between several phones. You collect it, charge it and return it.

WayKeeps your UK numberFits when
Your UK networkYes, calls and texts includedYour plan includes the country or charges little
Travel eSIMYes, on a dual-line phone; data onlyYour network charges a lot or caps the data
Local SIMNot while the UK SIM is outYou stay long and can buy it in person
Pocket Wi-FiYes, the UK SIM stays inA group shares one connection

For the first two side by side, see eSIM vs physical SIM and roaming or eSIM.

Which way for which trip

Start with your network and change only if the trip breaks its limit. EE, Vodafone, Three, Sky and VOXI charge a daily rate or sell a pass in Europe on some or all plans; the other 10 include it (checked on 24 October 2026).

TripWhere to start
Europe on a plan that includes itStay on your plan; check the fair-use limit in the Europe guide
Europe on a plan that charges by the dayAdd up your days of use against a Europe eSIM
TurkeyIt is outside every UK network’s Europe zone. Buy and install your eSIM before you travel: eSIM shops, including ours, may not open on Turkish networks
Long-haul holidayCompare your network’s pass with an eSIM in the country guide
A month with familyData for the whole month, and keep your UK SIM in for bank codes
CruiseNo travel eSIM works on the ship’s own network; one covers port days on land networks only

On a daily charge, a charged day is a day you use the phone, not a day you are away. Each network’s rules and dates sit in roaming on UK networks.

Country guides

Each guide answers three questions for one destination: do you need an eSIM from the UK, what your network charges there, and what our plan costs. Network figures carry a date and a link to the network’s own page.

Europe comes first: it is the trip most people take, and the one where your plan is most likely to cover you.

Europe

North America

Asia and Oceania

Africa

No guide for your destination yet? Our eSIM plans by country list every destination we sell, with prices in pounds.

Frequently asked questions

How do I stay connected abroad from the UK?

Four ways: your UK network’s roaming, a travel eSIM next to your UK SIM, a local SIM bought on arrival, or rented pocket Wi-Fi. Which one fits depends on the country, how long you stay and whether you need your UK number.

Do I need an eSIM for Europe from the UK?

Often not. 10 of the 15 UK networks include Europe, each within its own fair-use terms. EE, Vodafone, Three, Sky and VOXI charge a daily rate or sell a pass on some or all plans (checked on 24 October 2026).

Can I keep my UK number abroad with an eSIM?

Yes, if your phone takes two lines. A travel eSIM is data only and sits beside your UK SIM, so calls and texts still reach your UK number.

Roaming packs and other sellers’ SIM prices change without notice; each guide gives its source and the date it was checked. Network and brand names belong to their owners. This site is not affiliated with any UK network; we sell eSIMs.