Off to the UK shortly for 5 weeks, with a week in the middle in Italy and then a few days in Prague and Berlin - is there such thing as an EU-wide esim I can buy? I would only really want it for data for maps/internet while in Europe, though texts/calls in the UK would be handy. Currently with Kogan over here, and all of their international roaming packages are ridiculously expensive for minimal data/call time.
UK/EU eSIM Recommendations?
Crossgates on 14/05/2024 - 21:57
Comments
Giffgaff has only a 5GB EU roaming limit and uses the low quality O2 network with no benefits over other less restrictive providers so I'd go with someone else.
If you only need data you can also look at https://esimdb.com/region/europe which lists a bunch of data only providers which work across the continent (though they probably cost more than Lyca/Lebara I mentioned below)
Lyca mobile UK uses the best network within UK (EE) and is super cheap. They support eSIM, VoLTE and EU roaming (12GB limit per month). There are other providers (Giffgaff, SMARTY) but they have worse network quality within the UK, generally the EE and Vodafone networks are best.
Given you're travelling for more than 30 days you'll need to recharge at least once so I'd recommend you get a discounted first 3 month deal here for £3.49 (~$7AUD) per month which means you'll only have to recharge once if you signup within a couple of weeks of departure. There are other deals on Lyca here if you need different data amounts (note the 12gb roaming limit applies regardless)
If you need more than 12GB roaming in the EU then Lebara has up to 30GB of roaming data but doesn't support eSIM (you could convert your Australian number to eSIM and pick up a physical Lebara one when you land instead).
Perfect, thank you for such a detailed response, Lyca looks the way to go. Unfortunately I have tried to switch my physical to esim before, however Kogan being Kogan were seemingly unable to accommodate this without having to purchase another 12 month plan and then port my number over to the esim, hence why I would need an esim for the upcoming trip.
No worries. I’m UK based and use Lyca myself :)
The only other plan I could have mentioned was their special £8 88GB offer which unlike their other plans includes 100 minutes of calls back to Australia. That said I figure most people use FaceTime, Messenger or WhatsApp rather than regular calls so it’s not necessarily worth the extra.
Going to France, Italy, Swiss for 25 days, saw the deal that you posted for Lyca. I was wondering how do you activate e-sim outside UK? the note under esim stats: "Your LycaMobile SIM must be activated in United Kingdom . Once your SIM is activated in United Kingdom , you can use it internationally according to your mobile plan."
or is there any other plan you suggest? Thank you.
@WXYZ: Unfortunately as I’m UK based I can’t verify if that’s a real requirement or not. I do know that other UK providers such as SMARTY do not enforce this requirement.
If your plan is not to be in the UK for the majority of your holiday perhaps look at the options here: https://esimdb.com/region/europe
@WXYZ: Lyca Mobile EU roaming won't include Switzerland.
Orange Poland Flex would work for France and Italy.
For Switzerland, you could purchase one of their roaming packs or a separate esim https://esimdb.com/switzerland
If I'm not starting the trip in the UK can I still sign up for the 3 month deal ? Travelling to EU then onto UK
As per WXYZ's post above they say that you need to activate it in UK first. I haven't tested if this requirement is enforced or not though. Perhaps you'd like to spend the $7 and be the first to test this :P
I have previously given family members SMARTY sims that they have activated and used succesfully in Norway before visiting the UK so I know it is possible with at least some providers. But SMARTY does not have eSIM support so you'd need to one physically posted (and they're not as cheap).
Giffgaff physical SIM with ozbargain referral to get maximum signup credit: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/api/referral/367
You can have the physical SIM delivered to your address in Australia
then switch it to an eSIM https://www.giffgaff.com/help/articles/how-do-i-get-an-esim-…
Giffgaff pricing here: https://www.giffgaff.com/sim-only-deals/pay-as-you-go and here: https://www.giffgaff.com/roaming-charges