Traveling to the United Kingdom is an incredible experience full of dramatic landscapes, rich history, and exquisite cuisine and you will need a smooth Internet connection to share the best moments with your family and friends. Roaming in The UK is one of the ways but it may cost you a lot. Fortunately, there are still many other alternatives to help you access the Internet in the UK. Now let us explore all about data roaming in the UK and the best alternative.
In this article
It is essential to know these key points about roaming in the UK before your trip:
Roaming means that you use your cell phone and plan in another country by connecting to local networks there. In the UK, your phone will automatically connect to major carrier networks such as EE, Three, O2, and Vodafone when roaming is turned on. Your home operator will charge you when you roam in the UK.
Foreign carriers must pay high wholesale prices to get access to UK telecom networks. These carriers then pass on the more costly costs to their users through pricey foreign roaming packages.
In short, Yes! The roaming rates imposed by your home network carrier for using UK networks are typically more pricey than local rates. Here is a table showing estimated roaming fees for the major UK networks in US dollars.
| Network | Calls (per minute) | Texts (per message) | Data (per MB) |
| EE | $1.50 | $0.50 | $0.05 |
| O2 | $1.50 | $0.50 | $0.05 |
| Three | $1.50 | $0.50 | $0.05 |
| Vodafone | $1.50 | $0.50 | $0.05 |
Note: Please keep in mind that the rates above are for reference purposes only and may change over time. Check with your specific carrier for the most up-to-date details on roaming rates. Calls/ texts to foreign numbers are usually higher than UK numbers.
➤ Our recommendation: Roaming rates for calls, texts, and data are significantly higher than costs for domestic UK plans. We would like recommend other connectivity options, such as pocket wifi, prepaid SIM cards, eSIM from major carriers like EE, Vodafone,…While pocket wifi for UK is useful for group travel and people with multiple devices, its costs is still pricey. Thus, it is the best to consider usiing prepaid SIM cards/eSIMs to get the best value and a smooth connectivity experience.
Here are the 4 steps to activate roaming service for your cell phone in the UK:
Step 1: Select your service provider
You can use your home package from your home carrier or go for a local network carrier in the UK. If you use your home plan, check with your home carrier if they have roaming agreements with UK networks like EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three.
Step 2: Switch on the roaming function
Contact your home carrier and make sure your mobile plan includes international roaming. You may need to pay a small activation fee.
Step 3: Get a mobile plan with UK roaming
Confirm your plan covers calling, messaging, and data usage in the UK. Check for extra charges above monthly limits.
Step 4: Enable the roaming setting
For iPhones, go to Settings > Cellular > Data Roaming.
For Android, touch Settings > Network & internet > Mobile network > Roaming.
Pro Tips:
Following these 05 handy tips will help you avoid expensive roaming charges in the UK:
Important Notes:
eSIM is an excellent alternative to data roaming in the UK to stay online. This is why:
Choosing GIGAGO as your eSIM provider for the UK is a great choice for many reasons:
To toggle off data roaming on your devices while exploring the United Kingdom, you just need to follow these steps:
By taking the steps above, you can avoid any unwanted roaming fees on yourbill while enjoying budget-friendly local Internet services in the United Kingdom.
Pro Tips:
Rates from $5-10/GB are common but can be avoided with a temporary UK SIM.
Buy a prepaid SIM with data packages when you arrive, or use hotel/cafe WiFi as much as possible.
Many cafes, museums and towns offer free public WiFi. Apps like WiFi Map can help you locate hotspots.
Yes. However, you should text internationally using your home number only over WiFi. Texting via cellular data incurs high international roaming charges.
To sum up, while data roaming in the UK allows travelers to stay online using their home cellular plan, rates are extremely pricey in the UK. If you want to access the Internet in the UK effectively and affordably, consider getting a local SIM card or purchasing an eSIM plan from trusted eSIM providers like Gigago. Remember to select the data plan that suits your priorities, preferences, and budget.
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