eSIM for London

London: what to know before you go

Before you fly

Many visitors who do not need a visa now need an electronic travel authorisation, applied for online. Use only the official government site and check the rules for your passport.

From the airports

Heathrow (LHR) connects by the Elizabeth line and the Piccadilly line, and other airports have their own trains. A map and the transit app help on arrival.

Getting around

Transport accepts contactless cards and phones. Underground coverage is growing but not complete, so check your route before you go down.

Roaming after Brexit

The UK is not in the EU roaming area, and operators set their own rules. Many EU plans charge for roaming there.

How much data you need

Four days of maps, tickets and photos takes about 2 to 3 GB.

Written 24 October 2026. Opening rules, fees, prices at attractions and event dates change, so check the official site before you rely on them.

London: when people go

19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027: Christmas season

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is open every day except Christmas Day, and visitors must pre-book a date and an arrival hour, so keep the ticket on your phone.

31 December 2026: New Year's Eve fireworks

The fireworks over the Thames can be watched in person only from six designated ticketed viewing areas, and people without a ticket are not allowed in. Tickets are sold only through the official sale, so save the ticket offline and plan your route home before midnight.

24 and 25 April 2027: London Marathon

The marathon is expected to run over two days for the first time, on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027, according to charity partners. Streets along the course close for the race, so check the transport app for diversions and allow extra time to cross the city.

29 and 30 August 2027: Notting Hill Carnival

The carnival is held over the August bank holiday weekend, on Sunday 29 and Monday 30 August 2027. In 2026 Ladbroke Grove station was reported closed for the whole event and Notting Hill Gate was restricted, so check the transport notices, and expect very large crowds, since estimates vary widely.

United Kingdom eSIM 2026: prices, network and coverage

10 plans, from $2.49 (1 GB, 7 days) to $23.99 (50 GB, 30 days). Networks: EE 5G and 3 4G.

Network

EE 5G, 3 4G

Top-up

Yes, from the app, on the same eSIM

Validity starts

At the first connection at your destination

Install by

Shown on your order. An eSIM that is never installed expires

Your number

Stays active, plans are data only

Hotspot

Uses the same plan data, no separate charge

After the daily allowance

Day passes slow down to 500 Kbps

Updated November 12, 2026

Questions about London

Does my EU roaming work in London?

Not by right. After Brexit each operator decides, and many charge. Check your plan before you travel, or use a prepaid eSIM.

How much does an eSIM for London cost?

London uses the United Kingdom plans, because an eSIM belongs to a country and not to a city. Plans start at $2.49 for 1 GB, valid for 7 days. There are 10 plans, from 1 GB to 50 GB, plus unlimited day passes.

Does EU roaming work in the UK?

Not by law any more. Since 1 January 2021 the UK is outside the EU roaming rules, so a carrier from the EU can charge for data there: some plans still include the UK, others charge by the day or by the megabyte. Check yours before you go.

Do I need a local SIM card in London?

No. The eSIM is a SIM card in digital form: you install it from a QR code before you leave, and there is nothing to buy at the airport or swap in your phone.

How is it different from roaming in London?

With roaming, your own carrier bills the data you use abroad, usually by the day or by the megabyte, at the prices of your plan. The eSIM is prepaid: you know the cost before you leave and nothing is added later. Keep data roaming off on your usual line, so it cannot charge you.

Which networks does the London eSIM use?

Wigoo connects to EE and 3, with 5G where it is available. Each plan lists the operators it uses.

Can I add more data?

Yes. You top up the same eSIM from the app, without installing a new one.

Do I keep my phone number?

Yes. Plans are data only, so your usual line stays active for calls and texts, and WhatsApp keeps working as always.

When do the validity days start?

Not when you buy and not when you install: the days start counting when the eSIM connects to a network at your destination for the first time. A 30 day plan gives you 30 days from that first connection.

How long do I have to install the eSIM?

An eSIM that is never installed expires. The "Install by" date is shown on your order, on the site and in the app, so you can buy ahead of your trip. Install it before that date, on Wi-Fi.

Can I use the eSIM as a hotspot?

Data used through a personal hotspot comes out of the same plan, and Wigoo does not charge it separately. A laptop uses far more data than a phone, so for work a day pass or a bigger plan is safer.

What happens when the data runs out?

Plans are prepaid, so there are no extra charges: when the data is used up, the connection stops until you add more from the app. Day passes give a daily allowance at full speed, then continue at reduced speed (500 Kbps) until the next day.

When should I install the eSIM?

Before you leave, on Wi-Fi. When you land, set the Wigoo line for mobile data and turn on data roaming for it.