esim vs physical sim card

The UK has many inexpensive plans. They are referred to as pay as you go plans. In my research I have found using a physical SIM card to offer more options. In my trips to London I have primarily relied on the major UK telcos. EE and Vodafone so far. There’s also the mvnos. Lycamobile, giffgaff and three are some that mentioned here often. I think giffgaff will send a SIM card overseas.

Best option depends on use and personal preference. My personal preference is to avoid changing those tiny little physical sims as often as possible. I generally wind up changing back to my U.S. sim on the plane on the way home and am afraid I am going to lose it, but some people don’t mind.

I also rarely need to receive phone calls so a data only eSim works for me. But everyone’s situation is not the same as mine. I use Skype if I need to make a phone call, either in Europe or home. With friends and family I use Messenger or WhatsApp via data. Airalo has worked well for me in numerous countries, including Scotland. Airalo DOES have a plan that gives you an Austrian phone number if you need to receive phone calls, but it does cost more. If needing to make and receive phone calls more than an occasional use, a physical sim will generally cost less.

Giffgaff is great for the UK, and they do post internationally. I travel to the UK frequently and have a dual-SIM phone, so that eliminates the need to physically switch SIMs. Giffgaff also has European roaming, so its cost-effective when I'm in the EU as well. Having said said that, if it's just a short trip and you don't need to make normal phone calls, only use data, eSIM is convenient option.

Here’s another Airalo and eSIM fan. I just find eSIMs so convenient and easy to use that it’s a no-brainer for me. And like Texas Travelmom, I don’t really find the need for a phone when I travel.

Even now, when I have T-Mobile, which has a great and free international plan, I very rarely use the phone. I think I used it once on my trip to Scotland.

I have an unlocked iPhone 13 and did a fair bit of research before our 2 1/2 week trip to Scotland in September 2023. I switched my local carrier from a physical sim to an esim so that I could buy a physical sim card for use throughout Scotland. I purchased it from the EE store on Princes Street in Edinburgh and they installed it for me relatively quickly. I chose the package I did because I wanted phone use and to use data as I would at home. It worked out very well for me and I would do the same again. The phone helped with dinner reservations, a local number for the car rental agency, etc. Enjoy your travels!