Good sim card/plan in the UK.

[FlyboyAl]

OK, so I have my US phone organised the way I want it with a plan with T Mobile. It gives me pretty much unlimited calls (local and back to Oz) and downloads when I'm there, which is about every 6 to 8 weeks.
In Feb, I'm off to the UK for 10days and I'm looking for something similar for that country.
I have a Samsung phone, and normally change to my T Mobile sim card after taking off. I don't mind buying in the UK when I get there, but I'm looking for suggestions on what to buy.
Any ideas please.

 

[TheRealTMA]

OK, so I have my US phone organised the way I want it with a plan with T Mobile. It gives me pretty much unlimited calls (local and back to Oz) and downloads when I'm there, which is about every 6 to 8 weeks.
In Feb, I'm off to the UK for 10days and I'm looking for something similar for that country.
I have a Samsung phone, and normally change to my T Mobile sim card after taking off. I don't mind buying in the UK when I get there, but I'm looking for suggestions on what to buy.
Any ideas please.

20£ buys you a sim from Vodaphone, T-Mobile, Three even with roughly 2G of data and 200 minutes of calls and SMS for a month. Note this is valid for roaming (free) in Europe these days. You can receive calls from Australia but if you want calls back to Australia you'll have to add a top up pack.

Can depend on seasonal deals but is a pretty competitive market. I usually just go to a High street phone shop when we get to the UK.

 

[VPS]

I usually end up with 3 - I like to have a SIM when I get there so I've just got one from Sim Corner https://www.simcorner.com/uk-prepaid-simcard.html which gave me 12gb for a month - I think I googled for a voucher and got it for $40

 

[Happy Trails]

I've been using giffgaff for the last four or five years and been happy enough with them.

Edit: They'll send you the SIM card in advance so you can have it activated and ready to use as soon as you arrive.


https://www.giffgaff.com/sim-only-plans

 

[jastel]

Just got back from UK and there are many deals...you can buy them from the terminals, both vending machines and shops, or even the walk in the tunnels to the Tube, or from a high street store...IF you can get some service from anybody.
They are dearer from the airport by about 10 pounds but you dont have to leave the terminal.

I got a Vodafone one in Oxford St, mainly because they gave me some service...
Was about 40 pounds for a month, unlimited sms, calls,12 GB data in UK, and 100 call minutes/500mb data of roaming for nearby European countries...which suited me.
When I got back to UK from my last side trip it had run out by 4 days but I could just recharge it at the store, but this time I went for 10 pounds lower type one as I only had another week left.

Note I paid cash for these...you can give CC details but then they automatically renew on expiry and you have to text to stop etc...I had bad experience with one not stopping previously like it should so wanted cash only....I leave the country and throw it away.

Was supposed to be 4G but I noticed it was on H+ a lot more than 4G...dont know if this was Vodafone , buildings etc or what.

 

[FlyboyAl]

Thanks all - that gives me some good stuff to work on.

 

[Mal]

GiffGaff is one option, unlimited (speed capped after 6Gb) 4G data for £20, but yeah, the market is very competitive. Lebara might be another option, they are heavily marketed as an expat/tourist package, but I don't have experience with them.

Calls back to Oz do tend to be cheap on PAYG (prepaid) phones, but often you have to opt into a special plan, or dial a short code first. Quick google will help. (eg Three has a PAYG short prefix code that gives cheap rates vs their usual high rates)

Any vending machine / Sim Corner sim will have a £5-£10 surcharge.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

GiffGaff is one option, unlimited (speed capped after 6Gb) 4G data for £20, but yeah, the market is very competitive. Lebara might be another option, they are heavily marketed as an expat/tourist package, but I don't have experience with them.

Calls back to Oz do tend to be cheap on PAYG (prepaid) phones, but often you have to opt into a special plan, or dial a short code first. Quick google will help. (eg Three has a PAYG short prefix code that gives cheap rates vs their usual high rates)


Any vending machine / Sim Corner sim will have a £5-£10 surcharge.

I am in the UK for 3 weeks, Dubai for 3 days and HK for 3 days, would definitely like to have phone access to call back home and also data options for when driving around the UK, also would like the SIM delivered to Oz before I leave. Is GiffGaff the way to go still and I guess I am going to need something separate for Dubai and HK

 

[Mal]

I am in the UK for 3 weeks, Dubai for 3 days and HK for 3 days, would definitely like to have phone access to call back home and also data options for when driving around the UK, also would like the SIM delivered to Oz before I leave. Is GiffGaff the way to go still and I guess I am going to need something separate for Dubai and HK

I'd actually recommend A 3 UK sim instead of GiffGaff.

https://www.simcorner.com/shop/uk/uk-prepaid-simcard.html


I could ship one over quite a bit cheaper, but SimCorner would be quicker and simpler.

 

[vantage03]

If you're interested in coverage, 4G in the U.K. and roaming in Europe, I'd recommend EE.
I live in the U.K. and travel for at least half the year in total. I switched from 3 to EE as 3's coverage in Central London was a joke, and their roaming plan is a trap. They don't have the same consumer transparency laws in marketing that we have in Australia.
EE is super clear on what you'll be charged and can also be used in the US for £5 per day for data and calls

 

[Mal]

If you're interested in coverage, 4G in the U.K. and roaming in Europe, I'd recommend EE.
I live in the U.K. and travel for at least half the year in total. I switched from 3 to EE as 3's coverage in Central London was a joke, and their roaming plan is a trap. They don't have the same consumer transparency laws in marketing that we have in Australia.
EE is super clear on what you'll be charged and can also be used in the US for £5 per day for data and calls

I left 3 (on bad terms) and went to EE and think they are a joke.

I'll be moving back to 3 when my EE contract expires. Quite simply, for the frequent travel I have to the EU, I'll be better off with 3, and between their 3 app and improved coverage (My apartment wasn't covered by 3 but now is due to their better usage of bands) I see myself better off.

Here are the rates I pay EE above and beyond my monthly fee:
500MB of data for a fixed price per day
£3 a day in our Europe Zone, £4 a day in USA & Canada, £5 a day in 9 other countries - see below