When visiting the United Kingdom—whether in London, Manchester, Edinburgh or elsewhere—one of the first tasks is staying connected. As a tourist, you’ll want reliable mobile data for maps, ride-shares, photos, checking social media, and maybe hotspotting, all without surprise roaming charges. You have two main options: buy a local physical SIM card upon arrival, or get an eSIM plan in advance. The question: which is better? Let’s compare both and show why RORO eSIM makes a strong case.
Purchase a local prepaid SIM card at the airport, a mobile shop, or convenience store in the UK.
Insert the card, maybe activate it, set up your data settings, and you’re on.
You might get a UK phone number, voice & SMS service, as well as data.
Many UK providers (EE, Vodafone, O2, Three) and many prepaid “tourist SIM” offerings exist. Reviews show local SIMs are often the cheapest per GB if you stay in one country.
Wide compatibility: almost all unlocked phones support physical SIM cards.
Local number and voice/SMS sometimes included.
You can choose among many UK-specific prepaid plans, perhaps even cheaper than some eSIMs in certain cases.
Insertion needs device access, physical card handling and possibly registration.
Buying on arrival (especially at airport kiosks) may cost more or take time.
Your home number may need to be swapped out if you use the physical SIM; if you want your home line active you’ll need a dual-SIM phone or backup.
If you move between countries (for example UK + Europe) or plan short stopovers, physical SIMs may be less convenient.
An eSIM is a digital SIM profile you install on your phone via QR code or activation link, without inserting a physical card. RORO eSIM offers UK-traveller plans which you can purchase and install ahead of travel. According to their blog, for the UK their “unlimited data” plans are clearly laid-out: 2 days US $10, 5 days US $19, 7 days US $27, 10 days US $34, 20 days US $57, 30 days US $72.
Convenience: install before departure, land ready to use.
No physical card to lose, swap, or misplace; supports dual-SIM phones so your home number remains active for texts/calls while using the eSIM for data.
Good for travellers covering multiple countries or with flexible itineraries. RORO emphasises global coverage (200+ countries) and easy setup.
Device must support eSIM and be unlocked.
Many eSIM plans are data-only (no local number or voice/SMS) unless you check carefully.
Although marketed as “unlimited,” eSIM plans often have fair-use caps (e.g., high-speed data daily thresholds or hotspot limits). For example, RORO allows hotspot on unlimited UK plans up to ~500 MB/day and has a high-speed cap (~3 GB/day) before reduction.
In some cases, physical SIM may still offer the lowest cost per GB for very light use or long stays in a single country. Reviews note that local prepaid SIMs may still be cheaper than eSIMs in certain scenarios.
The answer depends on your travel style:
Short trip (3-5 days) in the UK only, light data (maps, messaging, social media): A physical local SIM might offer the best value if you don’t mind handling the card.
Multi-city UK trip or combination UK + Europe, moderate to heavy data (streaming, hotspot, working): An eSIM like RORO eSIM is likely better thanks to convenience and flexibility.
Need your home number active while travelling or using dual-SIM phone: eSIM wins thanks to data-only profile and keeping your main SIM intact.
Very light data usage or you want voice + SMS local UK number: Physical SIM may still make sense.
For tourists to the UK, RORO eSIM offers:
Transparent pricing on unlimited data options.
Install-before-travel ease so you’re online immediately.
Broad coverage via UK operators and support for dual-SIM.
Eco-friendly digital setup (no plastic SIM).
If you value speed, convenience, minimal setup hassles and keeping your home line active, RORO eSIM is compelling. If you’re purely chasing the lowest cost and your use is minimal, check physical SIM local prepaid options and compare.
For most tourists in 2025 visiting the UK, an eSIM like RORO eSIM will provide better convenience and flexibility, especially if you want data first and want to stay connected seamlessly. A physical SIM still has its place for ultra-budget trips or if you need local voice/SMS and minimal data use. Check your device compatibility, data needs, travel duration and plan fine-print (hotspot limits, daily caps) before deciding—and you’ll pick the best fit for your UK journey.
