A UK phone number is the first thing you need when you arrive. Without it you cannot verify your bank account, receive texts from your university, or use WhatsApp with a UK number. Get one at the airport or on your first day.
Order a free SIM before you arrive and activate it when you land. No contract, no ID required. Plans start from £10/month with unlimited calls and texts. Easy to top up online.
If you want data the moment your plane lands, get a Saily eSIM before you travel. Install it on your phone, activate it on arrival, and you have data immediately — no hunting for a SIM in the airport. Plans start from a few dollars for 1–3 GB. Once settled, swap to a UK SIM like giffgaff for your long-term number.
Great for international calls home. Includes minutes to 40+ countries from £5/month.
Free SIM, unlimited data from £10/month. Runs on the O2 network with good coverage. No contract.
Cheap data plans, fully online sign-up. Good for students who use a lot of data. No contract.
Available at most airports and high street shops. Monthly SIM-only plans from £10–£15. Better coverage in rural areas.
You can use a dual-SIM phone to keep your home number active for messaging apps and family calls. Most messaging apps work over Wi-Fi so you may not need your home SIM active at all.
Using your home SIM on roaming in the UK is very expensive. Get a UK SIM as soon as possible.