Learn how to buy a SIM Card at London Heathrow airport (LHR) step-by-step, best plans to choose for tourists to London UK, with the most updated price.
Are you heading to London soon and landing at Heathrow airport? Are you wondering how you can stay connected while traveling in this stunning city? Don’t stress about getting online right away. There are easy options at the airport to get a UK SIM card with data so you can use maps, look up train schedules, and let your family know you arrived safely. This essential guide will show you everything you need to know about buying a SIM card at London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
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To buy a UK SIM card for London, travelers have 03 common options: buying online before departure, buying at the airport, and buying in London city centers. To decide which option is best for you, take a quick look at the comparison table below:
| Method | Pros | Cons |
| At Heathrow Airport | – Convenient after you land – Activated right away | – Fewer provider options – Quite expensive |
| Online before trip | – More choices of plans/ providers – Time to find the best deals | – Have to wait for delivery (physical SIM card) – May not work until setup |
| In London center | – Widest selection of plans/ providers/ stores – Affordable rates | – Extra travel into city first – Potentially higher price than online |
▶ Our recommendations:
Heathrow is one of the world’s largest airports, with four terminals in operation: 2, 3, 4, and 5. Tourists do not need to travel to another terminal to purchase a SIM card at Heathrow Airport because all terminals offer UK SIM cards to tourists. At the airport, SIM cards can be purchased at a variety of locations, including the arrival hall, baggage claim hall, sim card vending machines, and even convenience stores.
What to prepare: passport for ID proof, cash/credit card
Cost: quite expensive compared to buying online or in the city center
Pros: convenient, support from staff
Cons: not all stores are open 24/7. You will not be able to buy a UK SIM if you arrive late at night and stores are closed. Check carefully beforehand.
Location: Located in the baggage claim areas and arrival halls of all terminals.
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday (6:00am-10:00pm)
Plans: Offers SIM cards from Three, EE, and Lycamobile. Some plans include data and calls/ texts 10-100GB (for 30 days).
Location: in the terminals near arrival halls (from terminal 1 to 5)
Opening hours: daily but hours vary by store. (6:00 AM – 9:00 PM)
Plans: Sell the same SIM cards as Sim Local but you must activate yourself. Plans include 10-100GB of data and calls/texts for 30 days.
Location: in baggage areas and terminals near shops.
Opening hours: Work 24/7 but no staff to help.
Plans: SIMs from Sim Local for cheaper but you activate yourself. Similar plans to Sim Local and WHSmith.
Location: In Terminal 2 and 5 baggage claim halls.
Opening hours: Open daily but hours vary.
Plans: Have the cheapest SIMs starting at 20 pounds for 30 days with 40+ GB data and calls. No activation help.
Location: in Terminals 2 and 3 arrival halls.
Opening hours: daily from early to late.
Plans: Sell SIMs plus help with activation and travel questions.
No, SIM card shops at LHR Airport generally do not stay open after midnight. While the airport itself might operate 24/7, most shops and services, including SIM card kiosks, typically close between 11 PM and midnight.
This means that if you arrive late at night, you may find that these stores are closed and you won’t be able to purchase a SIM card immediately. It’s advisable to plan accordingly and consider alternative options, such as pre-ordering a SIM card online or using an eSIM if your phone supports it.
Tourists can get UK SIM cards from major UK mobile network operators at Heathrow airport: Three, Vodafone, EE, and O2. Stores sell the same prepaid physical SIM cards but at different costs.
Good to know: £1 GBP = $1.28 and $1 USD = £0.78 GBP (January, 2024)
| Operator | Data | Calls & Texts | Price |
| EE (SIM Local store) | 30GB/ 30 days | Unlimited calls & texts in the UK | £30/ $38 |
| EE | 100GB/ 30 days | Unlimited calls & texts in the UK & 60 international minutes to 41 countries | £35/ $45 |
| Three (SIM Local store) | 10GB/ 30 days (10 GB free EU data roaming) | Unlimited calls & texts in 70 countries | £25/ $32 |
| Three | 100GB (12 GB free EU data roaming) | Unlimited calls & texts in the UK | £35/ $45 |
| Vodafone | 40GB | Unlimited calls & texts in the UK | £20 |
If you do not know which provider to choose, we recommend Three mobile operator because of its reputation and popularity.
It is essential to prepare necessary items so that you can get your UK SIM card.
Pro Tips:
Choosing a eSIM rather than a physical SIM card at Heathrow Airport for Internet connection when visit London is an excellent option. This is why:
Gigago is a trusted eSIM providers for many countries around the world, including United Kingdom. For the UK, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1GB for 3 days with $3.00 . What is great about Gigago’s UK eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, vary between $3.00 – $95.90 . Therefore, it does not matter how Internet users you are and how long your trip is in the UK, there is always an option for you with Gigago UK eSIM.
Important Note: Make sure your smartphone is unlocked and supports eSIM technology before purchase. Refer this updated eSIM compatible list for quick check.
You can get a SIM card from SIM Local stores, WHSmith stores, vending machines, and currency exchanges like Travelex located throughout the terminals.
Definitely. Your smartphone needs to be unlocked by your home carrier to use a SIM from a different network abroad.
Some Three plans offered at Heathrow airport include limited EU roaming but not all. Check terms to avoid high bills while visiting Europe.
Getting a SIM card at London Heathrow airport is a great option if you need immediate Internet access upon arrival. This option seems very convenient, but it costs much more than buying a SIM card in the London center. For diverse and cost-effective data plans while traveling in the UK, eSIM would be an excellent choice.
With extensive coverage and fast data speed, Three let visitors access a secure and easy Internet connection. This guide will go over everything you need to know about Three SIM cards and eSIM: the best option, how to get and activate, and the finest alternatives.
There are several great options for getting mobile data, calls, and text during your stay and the two handy choice are Vodafone SIM cards and eSIM. Both allow access to Vodafone’s fast and reliable network coverage. This guide will outline how tourists can set up Vodafone SIM for use, the best options, and how and where to buy.
Renting a pocket Wifi in the UK is one of the ways for tourists to navigate the destinations, use travel apps, and keep in touch with their loved ones.
This guide will provide an overview of EE SIM cards and eSIM to help you get online while visiting the UK.
As one of the largest and most reliable networks in the UK, O2 provides fast data and calls throughout the country via their extensive network coverage
Getting a UK SIM card with cellular data is the most convenient and affordable way to stay connected