How to use EE Travel Data Pass in China

Laozhang · ‎28-09-2025

Hello, I recently returned to China from the UK. I still want to keep my EE number active, but only need mobile data for about 4–5 days per month while in China.

I saw that EE offers a Travel Data Pass for £8.45/day with 500MB data in China. Is this still the current option?
Can I buy this pass directly from myEE app or only via the welcome SMS link when roaming in China?
Is there any weekly or flexible pass available, instead of paying daily?
I’m using a UK EE SIM in an iPhone bought in China (no eSIM support). Will this work without issues?

I’d like to know the most cost-effective way to keep my number active and occasionally use data in China. Any advice or personal experiences would be very helpful.

Thank you!

Schockwave · ‎28-09-2025

@Laozhang , sorry, but SIM cards have to first be activated and used in the UK before going abroad, if you have used it and had the welcome message, then you will be ok to use it,but you will have to use the welcome message and you can get a 7 day pass .

You can check here:

https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Roaming/EE-Roaming-Getting-ready-to-use-your-phone-abroad/td-p/1552405

To contact EE customer service dial 150 from your mobile phone or ring customer service for free using web based app or another phone: +44 800 079 8586 or +44 800 956 6000.

XRaySpeX · ‎28-09-2025

The TDP is no longer.

You'll receive a Welcome text upon arrival at a country giving your roaming options.

If you are on contract, you may use your usual UK allowances in the EE ROW Zone 1 with up to 50 GB data per billing month if you have more, when you buy the Zone 1 Pass for £5 / day or £25 / week or already have it as an Inclusive Extra or you have an EE Full Works or EE Max Plan. Otherwise you will need to pay the charges or buy roaming add-ons as set out in https://ee.co.uk/help/mobile/roaming/roaming-costs/countries/china.

If you are on contract, just remember to text ROAMING to 150 before leaving UK to ensure the roaming ability is enabled on your no.

If you think I helped please feel free to hit the "Thumbs Up" button below.

To phone EE CS: Dial Freephone +44 800 079 8586 - Option 1 for Home Broadband & Home Phone or Option 2 for Mobile Phone & Mobile Broadband

ISPs: 1999: Freeserve 48K Dial-Up > 2005: Wanadoo 1 Meg BB > 2007: Orange 2 Meg BB > 2008: Orange 8 Meg LLU > 2010: Orange 16 Meg LLU > 2011: Orange 20 Meg WBC > 2014: EE 20 Meg WBC > 2020: EE 40 Meg FTTC > 2022:EE 80 Meg FTTC SoGEA > 2025 EE 150 Meg FTTP

Laozhang · ‎29-09-2025

[Mod edit: Images rejected due to containing personal information.]

Thanks so much for the reply. Much appreciated.

I was using a 30-day EE plan when I left UK, and did receive a welcome message with a data add-on link when I landed in Beijing. I can open that link and could top up (shows my credit is £35 and China roaming data is zero) but it never showed me the page where I can buy China data.

I tried EE mobile app on my iPhone and could see my credit balance, can top up again if needed, but can never open up the button Plan and Add-ons.

So I’m still trying to figure out:

1. Is it still possible for me to switch to the cheapest plan and only buy China roaming data to access the internet in China?

2. Is there an email address for me to reach EE support team? I had to call them on my China phone number yesterday but was asked to hold the line for at least 10 minutes as it’s so busy, I gave up.

3. If I can’t solve the issue before my current plan expires in 21 hours, can I get my remaining credit back? (I suppose it makes no sense to renew my current plan even if I can do it, as it doesn’t allow China data roaming so it’s useless)

Many thanks again!

Laozhang · ‎29-09-2025