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Buying a UK sim card while in the United States?

Posted by on

I am traveling to the UK with my wife in early August of this year. We are arriving at Gatwick Airport in the early afternoon on our anniversary and heading straight to Hever Castle & Gardens. I plan on using my phone's GPS functions to get around (which, based upon my last trip to the UK is a must), but I won't reasonably have time to go find a place that will sell a sim on that first day, particularly because there is no obvious shop that sells them at the airport. I'd much, MUCH rather just land with a UK sim card already paid up and in my phone so that I don't potentially cause my wife and me to miss our chance to visit Hever on our anniversary.

My question: does anyone know of a way to buy a UK sim card in the US?

BTW: I have already ruled out using the kiosks in the airport or the concierge because both are unreliable from all accounts. I just want to find a way to get a sim card for the UK while I am still here in the US.

Posted by
4164 posts

I just pick one up on arrival and while I haven't flown into Gatwick , I always use LEBARA sims . My best guess is that you won't have any difficulty obtaining it at the airport , They are available all over London at convenience stores , tobacconists , grocery stores anywhere . I came into Waterloo from Heathrow this September and had one within five minutes . They work like a charm and calls are dirt cheap , There are also very well priced Data plans as well , look here - http://www.lebara.co.uk/ By the way , are you THE David Faber ? Also . don't rule out picking it up at the airport , it's not the horror show that it's purported to be . The website will give you information about pre purchase , if this is possible

Posted by
24 posts

If you have an eBay account, search there. There are people who buy local SIM cards, activate them with a few Euros/crowns/etc. and ship them to you. Some will also top-up the SIM for you, since it's almost impossible to do remotely without a local credit card. We've bought SIM cards for our last several trips this way and it's worked great. Of course this is typically more expensive than buying a SIM locally, but it's great to be able to give people your contact info before you go, test the card in your phone (you'll be roaming from home though), create an account online so you can manage the service on your trip, etc. all before you take off. You'll want to ensure it's actually for a legit local telco (e.g. Vodafone) and not an international call-back service, and that the card will fit your phone.

Posted by
32363 posts

david,

You could also use a "travel SIM", many of which come with a UK phone number. Have a look at THIS website for one example, as well as costs and other details. With this you would have a working phone as soon as you step off the plane.

I'm assuming that your phone provides quad-band GSM capability and is unlocked? Also, be sure to check the charger to ensure it's designed for use on 220 VAC electrical systems. You will of course need UK Plug Adapters (I'd suggest packing at least two).

Posted by
214 posts

If you have an iPad you can bring up all of your routes and destinations on the map app and then take "snapshots" of them, I was traveling alone and did this so that I did not have to keep pulling over and looking or use any data via the cell phone. Worked like a charm and I also replaced my old map book that I had been taking to the UK for years. Also in the evenings if I had wifi I would update the maps or snapshot any other destinations I was interested in.

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