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ESIM GUIDE

Best eSIM for the United Kingdom for Canadian travellers

A week of roaming with Rogers or Telus in the United Kingdom costs about $126. A travel eSIM covering the same week starts around US$12. Here's what the plans cost, what's different about staying connected in the United Kingdom, and how to set it up before you fly.

By the Viorvo team · Checked

Our pick for a week in the United Kingdom

Simple one-week planAiralo 5 GB for 7 days · US$12.00A week of roaming with Rogers or Telus costs about $126. Install the eSIM at home before you fly.
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Roaming vs eSIM for a week in the United Kingdom

Roaming, 7 days$1267 × $18 international (Rogers/Telus); Bell 7 × $16 = $112. CAD before tax.
Travel eSIM, 7 daysUS$12Airalo Uki Mobile 5 GB / 7 days

Daily rates from MobileSyrup (March 2026): Rogers and Telus $16 a day in the US and $18 internationally, Bell $13 and $16. This country is billed at the international rate.

Compare plans

eSIM plans for the United Kingdom

PlanDataPriceNetwork
AiraloUki Mobile 1 GB1 GB3 daysUS$4.00EE · 5GView ↗
YesimUK 5 GB5 GB30 daysUS$11.145GView ↗
AiraloOur pickUki Mobile 5 GB5 GB7 daysUS$12.00EE · 5GView ↗
AiraloUki Mobile+ 5 GB (with +44 calls/SMS)5 GB7 daysUS$14.00EE · 5GView ↗
YesimEurope & UK UnlimitedUnlimited (fair use)7 daysUS$24.375GView ↗
AiraloUki Mobile 20 GB20 GB30 daysUS$31.00EE · 5GView ↗

Prices in US dollars as shown on esimdb.com on September 30, 2026. esimdb also lists new-user promo codes, so the price at checkout can differ slightly. Plans are data-only unless the provider says otherwise. Viorvo may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

What to know about staying connected in the United Kingdom

  • Airalo's UK eSIM runs on EE. Its Uki Mobile+ plans add a UK +44 number for calls and texts.
  • Heathrow has free Wi-Fi across its terminals: pick 'Heathrow Wi-Fi' and register.
  • Sim Local has 11 stores in Heathrow terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5, including in arrivals and baggage reclaim, selling UK SIMs and eSIMs.
  • Mobile coverage on the Tube is partial: all Elizabeth line stations have 4G, and sections of the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, Bakerloo and Victoria lines are covered, but not the whole network.

How to set up your eSIM

Do this at home on Wi-Fi, a day or two before you fly, so you land connected.

  • To check if your iPhone is unlocked, go to Settings > General > About. If Carrier Lock says 'No SIM restrictions', it's unlocked. Only your carrier can unlock it.
  • An iPhone can store eight or more eSIMs. To add one from a QR code, scan it with the Camera app, tap 'Cellular Plan Detected', then tap Add Cellular Plan.
  • On arrival, choose which line your iPhone uses for data in Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data. If your home line stays on, you might still be charged roaming fees by your home carrier.
  • Data Roaming on iPhone is under Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options. It lets you use data on networks outside your carrier's coverage.
  • On Samsung Galaxy phones, add an eSIM in Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM, by QR code or activation code. Even listed models may not support eSIM depending on country of origin.
  • Pixel 7 and later can use two eSIM profiles at once. Google suggests using a prepaid international eSIM and activating it when you arrive to avoid roaming charges.
Plan the rest

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Getting there

Cheapest flights from Canada

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Questions

Common questions

How much does roaming cost in the United Kingdom with a Canadian phone plan?

Rogers and Telus charge $18 a day and Bell $16 a day for their daily roaming add-on in the United Kingdom (CAD, before tax, as of March 2026). A 7-day trip comes to about $126 with Rogers or Telus.

How much is an eSIM for the United Kingdom?

The cheapest plan we found was Airalo 1 GB for 3 days at US$4.00. For a typical week, Airalo Uki Mobile 5 GB / 7 days costs US$12 (prices checked September 30, 2026).

Will a travel eSIM give me a local phone number?

Usually not. Most travel eSIMs from Airalo and Yesim are data-only. Apps like WhatsApp still work over data, and you can keep your Canadian line switched on for texts, but calls or data on your Canadian line can trigger your carrier's daily fee.

Sources

Checked September 30, 2026. Prices, rules and fees change, so confirm before you travel.

eSIM for the United Kingdomfrom US$4 ↗