Uk Airports: Sim Card Availability And Options

UK airports such as London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester, and Southampton offer SIM cards to travellers. However, it is not recommended to buy SIM cards at the airport as they are very expensive. Instead, it is better to buy a Pay As You Go (PAYG) card from a mobile phone shop, supermarket, or convenience store.

SIM cards at London Heathrow Airport

London Heathrow Airport has several stores, booths, and vending machines that sell SIM cards from various mobile operators. The airport's four terminals (T2, T3, T4, and T5) offer different options for purchasing a SIM card.

Terminal 2

In Terminal 2, you can find SIM card stores and vending machines at the following locations:

• Level 1 of Arrivals
• Baggage Hall (opened in 2022)
• Underground walkway between Terminals 2 and 3

The stores in Terminal 2 are open from 6 am to 2 pm and 6 am to 7 pm, respectively.

Terminal 3

Terminal 3 also has SIM card stores and vending machines in the following areas:

• Ground floor of Arrivals
• Baggage Hall

The stores in Terminal 3 operate from 6 am to 10 pm.

Terminal 4

For Terminal 4, SIM card stores and vending machines can be found in these locations:

• Arrivals Hall
• Baggage Hall

The stores in Terminal 4 are open from 6 am to 10 pm.

Terminal 5

SIM card stores and vending machines in Terminal 5 can be found at:

Level 0 of Arrivals

The store in Terminal 5 is open from 5:30 am to 9 pm.

Mobile Operators

The mobile operators with SIM cards available at London Heathrow Airport include EE UK, O2 UK, Vodafone UK, Three UK, and Lycamobile UK. These SIM cards can be purchased from resellers like Sim Local, We Know London, and WHSmith. However, it's important to note that you'll likely pay £10-15 GBP more for SIM cards at the airport compared to resellers in town.

SIM Card Plans

The SIM card plans offered at London Heathrow Airport vary depending on the mobile operator and reseller. Here are some examples of the plans available:

• EE UK offers plans ranging from £25-£55 GBP with data allowances from 30 GB to unlimited.
• O2 UK plans range from £25-£40 GBP, providing 20-200 GB of data.
• Vodafone UK plans start at £25 GBP and go up to £45 GBP, offering 20-100 GB of data.
• Three UK provides plans from £25-£55 GBP, with data allowances ranging from 30 GB to unlimited.
• Lycamobile UK offers SIM card plans between £25-£40 GBP, with data allowances from 100 GB to unlimited.

It's recommended to compare the different plans and prices offered by the resellers before making a purchase. Additionally, remember that you may need to pay extra for a SIM card opener or paper clip if you don't have one.

SIM cards at London Gatwick Airport

London Gatwick Airport is located about 40 minutes south of London and can easily be reached by train from the city centre. The airport has two terminals: the North Terminal and the South Terminal. Most intercontinental flights from the Middle East and the Caribbean arrive at the North Terminal, while flights from Turkey, the USA, Africa, and Asia arrive at the South Terminal.

Where to Buy a SIM Card

Unlike many international airports, there are no mobile operator stores at London Gatwick Airport. You can buy a UK SIM card at a vending machine or at one of the WH Smith shops, a convenience store. The vending machines are located at baggage claim in both terminals, and the WH Smith stores are in the Arrival Hall.

Mobile Operators

There are five different mobile internet providers in the UK: EE, O2, Three, Vodafone, and Virgin. At London Gatwick Airport, they do not sell O2 and Virgin SIM cards, but instead, they sell Lebara Mobile and Lycamobile SIM cards.

SIM Cards from Vending Machines

The vending machines sell the following prepaid UK SIM cards:

• Vodafone – £20 GBP ($25 USD) with 5 GB of data UK + extra 4 GB (valid only in the UK)
• Three – £30 GBP ($38 USD) with unlimited calls/SMS in the UK and data valid all over Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and the USA
• EE – £20 GBP ($25 USD) with 150 UK or international minutes to 34 destinations and unlimited EE-to-EE calls and texts
• EE – £25 GBP ($32 USD) with 250 minutes UK or international and unlimited EE-to-EE calls and texts
• Lycamobile – £25 GBP ($32 USD) with 3000 minutes and SMS in the UK and 100 international minutes to selected countries
• Lycamobile – £35 GBP ($45 USD) with unlimited calls/SMS in the UK and 100 international minutes to selected countries

SIM Cards at WH Smith

The WH Smith shops at London Gatwick Airport sell EE, Three, and Lebara Mobile SIM cards. They offer a wide range of prepaid SIM cards for the UK.

Best SIM Card at London Gatwick Airport

With an EE SIM card, you get 10.5 GB of data for £20 GBP ($25 USD) and 150 minutes and SMS to use in all of Europe.

SIM cards at Manchester Airport

If you're looking to buy a SIM card at Manchester Airport, you're in luck! There are several options available to you, depending on which terminal you arrive at. Both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have vending machines that sell SIM cards, as well as 24-hour Spar shops and WH Smith stores, which are open until 10 pm. You can also find a Currency Exchange booth in the airport that sells Lebara UK SIM cards.

If you want to buy a SIM card from a specific provider, Lycamobile, Vodafone, and EE SIM cards are available at Manchester Airport. However, it's worth noting that prices for SIM cards at the airport are higher than in phone stores in Manchester city centre.

If you're looking for a pay-as-you-go deal, a Vodafone SIM card with 20GB of data for £25 is considered the best option at Manchester Airport.

For those who prefer eSIMs, unfortunately, physical prepaid SIM cards are the only option available at the airport. However, if your phone is eSIM compatible, you can easily order an eSIM online through a trusted provider.

SIM cards at London Luton Airport

London Luton Airport is the fourth-largest airport in London, with more than 90% of arrivals from European destinations.

Where to Buy a SIM Card

There are two places to buy a SIM card at London Luton Airport: from vending machines in the baggage claim hall, or at the WH Smith shop in the arrivals hall.

Mobile Operators

There are four main mobile operators in the UK: Vodafone, Three, O2, and EE. At London Luton Airport, you can buy SIM cards from all operators except O2. In addition to these, Lebara and Lycamobile SIM cards are also available.

Prices

Vodafone

There is only one Vodafone prepaid SIM card option available at London Luton Airport. It costs £20 and includes 1GB of data for the UK, plus an extra 4GB.

Lyca Mobile

Lyca Mobile SIM cards can only be purchased from the vending machines.

Lebara

Lebara SIM cards are only available at the WH Smith shop in the arrivals hall. Lebara offers two UK SIM card options:

• £20 for 500 international minutes to 41 destinations. For an extra £2, you get 200 international minutes.
• £30 for unlimited international minutes to 41 destinations and unlimited UK minutes. This also includes £5 of additional PAYG credit.

Three

There is one Three prepaid SIM card option at the vending machine, and three more available at the WH Smith shop. The WH Smith options all include 3000 UK minutes and 3000 UK texts, with the following data allowances:

• £20 for 1GB of data
• £30 for 12GB of data
• £45 for unlimited data

EE

There are two EE prepaid SIM card options available, which can be purchased from both the vending machine and the WH Smith shop. These include:

• £20 for 150 UK or international minutes to 34 destinations, and unlimited EE to EE calls and texts
• £25 for 250 minutes UK or international, and unlimited EE to EE calls and texts

Recommendations

Although the EE SIM cards offer the best value for money in terms of data, with 10.5GB of data for £20, it is recommended that you buy an e-sim card online instead, as these are cheaper and more convenient. For example, for $21 USD, you can get a UK e-sim card with 20GB of data from providers such as Nomad, Airalo, or SimOptions.

SIM cards at London Stansted Airport

London Stansted Airport offers a range of options for travellers looking to purchase a SIM card upon arrival. The airport has vending machines and shops that sell SIM cards from various providers.

Where to Buy SIM Cards

There are vending machines located at the end of the baggage reclaim area, near customs. These machines offer SIM cards from Vodafone, Lyca Mobile, EE, and Three. The WH Smith shop in the arrivals hall also sells SIM cards, and there is usually a staff member available to help you choose the right option for your trip.

Prices and Plans

The following information on prices and plans is based on data from June 2024 and is subject to change.

Vodafone

Vodafone 20 SLV: £20 GBP ($25 USD) for 1 GB data in the UK + extra 4 GB.

Three

All in One Bundle Unlimited: £30 GBP ($38 USD) for unlimited calls and texts in the UK, and data usage in Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and the USA.

EE

• National Bundle: £20 GBP ($25 USD) for 150 UK or international minutes to 34 destinations, and unlimited EE to EE calls and texts.
• International Bundle: £25 GBP ($32 USD) for 250 minutes UK or international, and unlimited EE to EE calls and texts. EE is also the only provider with a wifi connection at London Underground stations.

Lyca Mobile

• UK Plan Super: £25 GBP ($32 USD) for 3000 minutes and texts in the UK, 100 international minutes to selected countries, and Lyca Mobile uses the O2 network in the UK.
• UK Plan Ultra: £35 GBP ($45 USD) for unlimited calls and texts in the UK, 100 international minutes to selected countries, and Lyca Mobile uses the O2 network in the UK.

Lebara Mobile

• Lebara Mobile: £20 GBP ($25 USD) for 500 international minutes to 41 destinations, and for £2 extra, 200 international minutes.
• Lebara Mobile: £30 GBP ($38 USD) for unlimited international minutes to 41 destinations, unlimited UK minutes, and £5 additional PAYG credit.

Other Options

While London Stansted Airport provides convenient options for purchasing a SIM card upon arrival, it is important to note that airport SIM cards tend to be more expensive than those available in town.

For a more cost-effective option, consider ordering an e-sim card online before your trip. Providers such as Nomad, Airalo, and SimOptions offer e-sim cards for the UK, which can be easily purchased and set up on your phone. These options often provide more data for a lower price.

Additionally, if you have time after arriving at the airport, you can also purchase a SIM card from a mobile phone shop, supermarket, or similar store on the high street in London. This will give you more options and potentially better deals.

Frequently asked questions