Planning a trip to the UK? Here’s the ultimate guide to staying connected.
So, you’re heading to the UK. Whether you’re hitting all the big stops in London - Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, and Big Ben - or you’re chasing castles in Edinburgh or spending your time along the coast of Devon, there’s one need that will stay consistent: staying connected.
Whether that’s planning your route on the underground, finding the cheapest pint near you or getting directions to the late-night chippy, having reliable data is critical to your trip.
Relying on patchy WIFI in hotels, cafes, or public spaces isn’t going to cut it – not for the reliability of your connection and not for the security of your data either.
So maybe you’re thinking of using data roaming? Unless you want to spend your weekly budget on gigabytes instead of theatre tickets at the West End or a bowl of strawberries and cream and a pint of Pimm’s at Wimbledon, then this is not the right call.
This then leaves you with the option of buying a local SIM – but who truly wants to spend their time at arrivals queuing at a phone shop only to lose their home SIM a few days later?
This is where an eSIM comes into play.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM translates to an embedded SIM, meaning it is quite literally built into your phone’s hardware with no need to place the physical plastic chip into your phone. Instead, you download a small profile, usually via QR code and then your phone activates it like a normal SIM. Functionally, an eSIM does the same job as a physical SIM, connecting you to a mobile network. Still, what’s more, it works alongside your existing SIM, meaning that your home number can stay active for calls and texts while your eSIM handles the data.
You can land at Heathrow and by the time you have switched off aeroplane mode, you are connected before you have even reached passport control – no queues, no switching, and no surprise charges.
Why do you need data from the moment that you land?
The UK is easier to get lost in than you would assume. The underground map of London is enough to send anyone into a spiral before you’ve even had time to factor in bus routes or use Citymapper to find the correct train platform at King’s Cross to take you across the country.
That is why buying an eSIM before you’ve even taken off from home will save you a holiday of logistical stress, enabling you to plan your route from the airport to your accommodation from the minute you land. Being connected from the get-go will not only help keep any holiday planning stress at bay but also save you financially. While roaming charges can creep up, landing you with a hefty bill at the end of your trip, a pre-purchased eSIM will help you know exactly what you’re spending before you’ve even left (with the ability to top up on the go).
Why an eSIM beats the alternatives
Vs. WIFI only
public WIFI in the UK is inconsistent at best and trying to connect to unsecured networks at train stations or airports is a real security risk, especially when logging into banking apps or booking sites on the go. An eSIM will keep your data secured, wherever you are.
Vs. roaming
roaming charges accumulate fast, and if you’re not on an unlimited plan (which is very unlikely with most network providers) then you can end up paying an eye-watering amount per MB.
Vs. a local physical SIM
in theory, this option may sound great, but when in practice, the reality becomes a little less appealing. You’ll need to locate the right provider or the best deal, then queue for what’s likely a while, to then swap it into your phone, all for your existing SIM to sit in a pocket somewhere just waiting to be lost.
An eSIM cuts all of this out. Simply buy your plan online (up to 6 months from when you leave), scan a QR code, and you’re set up with your data waiting to be activated from the moment you land in the UK.
How to get set up with Mozillion
Mozillion has a plan to suit everyone. Whether that’s a UK-only eSIM or a global eSIM covering up to 201 countries.
Getting set up takes 3 simple steps:
The bottom line
Whether you’re coming over for a 4-night stay in the Cotswolds, travelling around from south to north for a month or exploring the beaches of Cornwall, staying connected shouldn’t be something that you spend time worrying about on your trip. An eSIM will help you enjoy your time in the UK from the moment that you land – no stress, no surprises and no disconnections.
