topic Re: Purchase eSim in USA to use on UK holiday in SIM cards & Porting

Purchase eSim in USA to use on UK holiday

Copyeditrix — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 16:15:21 GMT

I’m looking to purchase an eSim plan for use while traveling to the UK in September. EE was recommended on a Reddit forum, so I downloaded the app, but cannot verify my account through my US phone number and cannot call to the UK from here. What do I do?

Re: Purchase eSim in USA to use on UK holiday

Matt_124 — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 16:25:16 GMT

EE do not directly offer eSIMs on PAYG or any eSIM plans designed for visitors to the UK, however these are instead offered through SIM Local.

https://www.simlocal.com/networks/ee-esim

Re: Purchase eSim in USA to use on UK holiday

XRaySpeX — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 16:23:19 GMT

@Copyeditrix : To get an EE eSIM you would need to take out a contract & with no UK credit history you wouldn't get 1.

All you could do is get an EE PAYG SIM, which can't be had as eSIMs.

Re: Purchase eSim in USA to use on UK holiday

Copyeditrix — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 21:47:24 GMT

Thank you!
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Nicole
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[Mod edit: Please do not share personal details as your posts are visible to the public. Thanks!]

Re: Purchase eSim in USA to use on UK holiday

Chris_B — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 07:53:42 GMT

@XRaySpeX Sorry that’s not correct, you can get an eSIM on PAYG but it’s a travellers PAYG eSIM. These are not available outside of an airport.

Re: Purchase eSim in USA to use on UK holiday

XRaySpeX — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 09:30:03 GMT

@Chris_B : They're SIMLocal's eSIMS.

Re: Purchase eSim in USA to use on UK holiday

Chris_B — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 13:13:41 GMT

@XRaySpeX What ever it is your first comment isn’t correct about you having to be a contract customer to have an eSIM, as eSIMs are available to travellers as asked by the OP in the original post.

Re: Purchase eSim in USA to use on UK holiday

Matt_124 — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 13:34:31 GMT

@Chris_B I believe @XRaySpeX is pointing out in response to the OP's attempts that they can't be added directly via EE or through the EE App, and must be purchased via SIM Local (A third party).

Regardless the correct answer has been signposted in this thread.