We are travelling to the UK tomorrow so don't have time to order a Travel SIM to be delivered (and my Oppo A74 doesn't take e SIM). Any suggestions on where I could track one down today in an actual shop at a decent price? Want data as well as a small amount for calls. We will only be there for 10 days. Or am I better off just grabbing a SIM when we arrive? I wanted to organise it from here ideally as we are travelling for a funeral and have a lot to arrange. Thanks for any advice.
Travel SIM for UK to Buy in Australia Urgently
Llouiseg on 17/02/2025 - 08:13
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Last year, we picked up SIMs at reasonable prices, with data, in a small store in the UK airport. I think they were about £10 each.
It worked straight up, and was easy to recharge online as we were in the UK for 6 weeks. Most of the packs were valid for a month.Last time I was there I used giffgaff. Had the sim sent to a friends place so it was waiting when I arrived, but I believe you can buy a sim in stores too.
Current plans (all seem to include unlimited uk texts and calls) include £10 for 15GB, £12 for 25GB, and loads more:
https://www.giffgaff.com/sim-only-deals/pay-as-you-go
Get it when you land. Plus they'll help you set it up if anything goes wrong.
Is there a particular network that is recommended to go for in UK/Europe? Or much of a muchness?
Three.co.uk if you're after data-heavy cost effectiveness (100 GB pre-paid data pack with 12 GB roaming for £13.50/A$27 one-off).
O2/GiffGaff for slightly better coverage on tube and country areas.
EE if you care more about top speed and have money to burn.
All can be picked up from airport vending machines/stalls and sometimes have better visitor offers.
O2/GiffGaff for slightly better coverage on tube and country areas.
LOL. I wouldn't wish O2 on my worst enemy. They're tied for worst network with 3 (and arguably outright the worst).
There are many cheap companies offering EE network without going to EE direct. 1p Mobile, Lyca UK, SPUSU, Mozillion and Talk Home all use the EE network but cost the same as the cheap providers.
Sorry for your loss.
You could get a Boost SIM from Coles or Woolies I think. Then activate the 5GB for $40, good for 14 days.
https://boost.com.au/pages/international-roaming
According to their FAQ you don't need an active recharge to buy a global roaming pack.
Hope everything goes smoothly for you 🙏
5GB for $40, good for 14 days. + $40 roaming pack = $80 for 14 days
Local UK SIM for £10 would do the same for 1/4 of the cost.
Esims?
read first sentence in description?
Did not lol.
Does your current SIM provider allow for overseas use? Eg. Just buy an upgrade travel pack and then that allows you to also keep your number
You might have family/friends in UK and here trying to contact you such that keeping your main number is useful/important. A new sim either here or in UK means a new mobile number
Just get one at Heathrow airport if you are landing there…. they have sim cards in vending machines
We just add a roaming pack to our Amaysim Sims. $25 for 2GB and 50 mins calls or 6GB for $50 and 9GB with 100 mins calls for $70. We have used all over Europe and because they have many roaming partners they often get more coverage than a local sim that is usually locked to one network only. Buy a $2 starter sim at officeworks etc and activate on UNLIMITED 10GB plan 28 days (currently $10) and add a roaming pack to it. Just remember to turn off auto renew when you return if you don't need it back home.
Thanks everyone! This is all really helpful. We are with Amaysim and so I had looked at their roaming packs. $25 gets me 50 mins voice, 30 text and 2GB data. Our usual plan allows 18GB over 28 days and we never seem to use all that so maybe over 10 days, 2 GB will be enough (we'll have WiFi where we are staying)? Good point on people trying to contact us on our phone. Am thinking I'll go for this Roaming Pack and could get a local SIM if we need more data and use as 2nd SIM.
2 GB will be enough (we'll have WiFi where we are staying)?
The issue is you're likely using your phone more while away, looking up directions, what to see and do, sharing photos, and maybe just more social media because you're not otherwise occupied at work.
2gb would last me only a couple of days not 10 but I guess you can get a local sim if/when you run out. If you're going to keep you phone a while consider buying an esim adapter so you get eSIMs even when you phone doesn't support it.
Yeah, using the roaming pack.
And if you feel the need for a back up plan/additional data then take an old/spare phone with you and buy a sim when you get there and hot spot from that if you need to.Last time i was in the UK any corner store sold sim cards
It won't be the cheapest but the easiest will be to grab one at Melbourne airport then set it up while you have 2 hours to fill in waiting.