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Airalo UK eSIM: which plan for how many days
Airalo sells the UK as fixed-data plans (from $4) and unlimited plans (from $11.50), all on EE. Here is what each costs today, which one fits your trip length, and how to set it up before you land in London.
Ad / affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you buy an eSIM through the Airalo, Saily or Yesim links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Using your carrier's plan or a local SIM costs me nothing to recommend. PracticalPivot is not affiliated with Airalo. Prepared with AI assistance; prices were read from the providers' pages on October 13, 2026.
The 30-second answer
Best plan for most UK trips of a week: Airalo 5GB for 7 days ($12). It covers maps, messages, ride apps and some social media.
Heavy use (streaming, hotspot): Airalo unlimited, 7 days for $27.
Two weeks to a month: Airalo 10GB for 15 days ($18.50) or 20GB for 30 days ($31). Saily's fixed plans cost about the same.
UK plus Europe: a regional plan covering the EU and UK is usually better than two separate eSIMs. Airalo lists one from $4; see Best eSIM for Europe.
See Airalo UK plans →
Affiliate link. Data only, no local phone number. Plan prices and the free carrier option are compared below.
Airalo UK fixed-data plans (checked October 13, 2026)
| Valid for | Data and price |
|---|---|
| 3 days | 1GB $4.00 · 3GB $8.50 |
| 7 days | 3GB $9.00 · 5GB $12.00 · 10GB $18.00 |
| 15 days | 5GB $12.50 · 10GB $18.50 · 20GB $30.00 |
| 30 days | 5GB $13.00 · 10GB $19.00 · 20GB $31.00 · 50GB $39.00 |
Airalo UK unlimited plans
| Plan | Price | Per day |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited, 3 days | $11.50 | $3.83 |
| Unlimited, 5 days | $18.50 | $3.70 |
| Unlimited, 7 days | $27.00 | $3.86 |
| Unlimited, 10 days | $34.50 | $3.45 |
| Unlimited, 15 days | $48.00 | $3.20 |
| Unlimited, 30 days | $69.00 | $2.30 |
Airalo lists EE as the UK network. Its UK page opens on the unlimited tab; the fixed-data plans are under the "Fixed data" tab. It did not state a speed cap or hotspot policy for unlimited plans; check the plan details in the app before you pay.
Which plan for your trip length
| Trip | Light use (maps, messages) | Heavy use (streaming, hotspot) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days (London weekend) | Airalo 3GB / 3 days, $8.50 | Airalo unlimited 3 days, $11.50 |
| 7 days | Airalo 5GB / 7 days, $12 | Airalo unlimited 7 days, $27 |
| 10 days | Airalo 10GB / 15 days, $18.50 | Airalo unlimited 10 days, $34.50 |
| 15 days | Airalo 10GB / 15 days, $18.50 | Airalo 20GB / 15 days, $30, or unlimited $48 |
| 30 days | Airalo 20GB / 30 days, $31 | Airalo 50GB / 30 days, $39, or unlimited $69 |
Rough data use: Google Maps and messaging run around 100-300MB a day; a day of Instagram and photo uploads can reach 1GB. Saily's UK fixed plans were close in price on October 13 (3GB $8.99, 5GB $12.99, 10GB $18.99, 20GB $30.99, each valid 30 days). Yesim's UK page could not be loaded.
Common questions
Does Airalo work in the UK?
Yes. Airalo's UK eSIMs use the EE network. You install the eSIM before you travel and switch it on when you land.
How much data do I need for a week in London?
For maps, messaging and some social media, 3-5GB is usually enough for a week. If you stream video or use your phone as a hotspot, take an unlimited plan.
Is Airalo cheaper than AT&T or Verizon in the UK?
Usually. AT&T's International Day Pass and Verizon's TravelPass both charge $12 a day, so a week costs about $84, compared with $12 for Airalo's 5GB / 7-day plan. Many T-Mobile plans include basic data in the UK at no extra cost.
Check your US carrier first (it may be free or cheaper)
| Carrier | UK option | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | Many plans include data and texting in the UK at no extra cost; higher plans include some high-speed GB | Basic plans are slow abroad. Check "International" in your plan details. |
| AT&T | International Day Pass: $12/day for one line, $6/day for each extra line, max 10 charged days per bill | 7 days = $84 for one line, far more than any eSIM above |
| Verizon | TravelPass: $12/day in most countries | Charges apply on every day you use the phone abroad unless you turn data roaming off |
How to set up an Airalo eSIM for the UK
- Check your phone: it must support eSIM and be carrier-unlocked. On iPhone: Settings > General > About, look for "Carrier Lock: No SIM restrictions".
- Buy and install at home on Wi-Fi a day or two before you fly. Airalo says you can install as soon as you like; don't delete the eSIM after installing.
- Label it "UK", keep your home line on for calls and texts if you want, and set Cellular Data to the UK eSIM.
- Turn data roaming ON for the UK eSIM and OFF for your home line so your carrier can't start a $12 day pass.
- When you land, switch the UK line on and give it a minute to find EE. If there's no data, toggle airplane mode once.
Before you fly: checklist
- Phone unlocked and eSIM-capable
- Plan length covers your last day (count arrival and departure days)
- eSIM installed on Wi-Fi at home, QR code or app login saved
- Home line: data roaming off (avoids day-pass charges)
- Offline Google Maps of London downloaded as a backup
What to do
Pick by trip length from the table above, then buy from the provider's UK page:
Saily code PIVOT10 takes 10% off your first Saily purchase (all plans); it is applied automatically through the Saily link on this page.
See Yesim UK plans →
Affiliate links. Yesim's UK prices could not be read on October 13, so compare them on its page before buying.
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