Which UK SIM Works in India? (& The Best Alternative)

Most UK SIM cards work in India through international roaming, but costs are extremely high—there’s a much better alternative. If you’re traveling from the UK to India, you might hope to simply use your existing mobile plan abroad.

Major UK carriers like EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three all support roaming in India, but daily charges range from £5-15 just for basic data and calls. This guide explains which UK SIM works in India, what roaming actually costs, and why most UK travelers now choose India eSIMs instead—saving money while getting better coverage and faster speeds.

I. Do UK SIM Cards Work in India?

Yes, all major UK networks (EE, Vodafone, O2, Three) support international roaming in India. Your phone automatically connects to Indian networks when you land.

However, roaming comes with significant drawbacks:

• Daily fees of £5-6 that accumulate throughout your trip
• Slower data speeds as networks often throttle roaming connections
• Limited coverage in rural areas and smaller cities
• Blocked features like mobile hotspots on some networks

For most travelers, these limitations make roaming an expensive and frustrating option.

II. Hidden Costs of Using a UK SIM in India

UK Network	Works in India?	Daily Cost	Notes
EE	✅ Yes	£6/day	Roam Abroad Pass
Vodafone	✅ Yes	£6/day	Pay Monthly only
O2	✅ Yes	£6/day	Travel Inclusive Zone
Three	✅ Yes	£5/day	Go Roam (cheapest)

Cost breakdown for typical trips:

• 1 week: £35-42
• 2 weeks: £70-84
• 1 month: £150-180

These charges apply every single day you use your phone, even for a quick text message.

III. Limitations of Using UK SIMs in India

Beyond the obvious cost, using your UK SIM in India creates practical headaches:

Speed and reliability suffer. UK networks cap roaming speeds at 3G or heavily throttled 4G. You’re not getting the full-speed 5G that Indian networks actually offer, making video calls and app usage frustratingly slow.

Coverage gaps appear in tourist areas. While Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore work fine, you may lose signal in Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan, or Himachal Pradesh—exactly where tourists spend most of their time.

Indian services don’t work with UK numbers. Many Indian apps, banking services, and delivery platforms won’t send OTP codes to UK numbers. This becomes a problem when booking trains, ordering food, or accessing services requiring verification.

Unexpected blocks can occur. Some UK networks flag unusual international activity and temporarily suspend service, leaving you without connectivity when you need it most.

IV. The Better Option: Use an India eSIM Instead

Instead of paying £5-6 daily, get an India eSIM from esimindia.net for £12-20 total for your entire trip. You get genuine Indian mobile data at local pricing with better coverage than UK roaming.

An India eSIM gives you the same high-speed networks that Indians use daily, but you can set it up entirely from the UK before departure.

Key advantages:

• One flat fee instead of daily charges — Save £50-160 on typical trips
• Full-speed 4G/5G on local networks, not throttled roaming
• Complete India coverage including rural areas and tourist spots
• 5-minute setup from home before you leave the UK
• Keep your UK number active for calls and texts using dual SIM

V. How to Set Up an India eSIM from the UK (Before You Travel)

Getting your India eSIM ready takes about 5 minutes and ensures instant connectivity when you land.

Step-by-Step Setup Process

1. Choose your plan at esimindia.net

Select based on trip length and data needs:

Most travelers find 1-2GB per day sufficient for navigation, messaging, and social media.

2. Complete your purchase

Pay securely using any UK debit or credit card. You’ll receive your eSIM QR code via email within minutes—no. No physical shipping required.

3. Install the eSIM on your phone

The installation process varies slightly by device but takes under 5 minutes:

• iPhone: Settings → Mobile Data → Add eSIM
• Samsung/Pixel: Settings → Connections → SIM Manager → Add eSIM

Scan the QR code from your email and label it “India” for easy identification.

4. Configure your settings

Three quick settings to adjust:

• Turn on Data Roaming for the India eSIM only (no roaming charges—it). It’s a local eSIM)
• Set India eSIM as your default mobile data
• Keep UK SIM active to receive calls and texts

Pro tip: Install the eSIM weeks before departure. It won’t activate or use data until you land in India, but having it ready means instant connectivity upon arrival.

VI. Device Compatibility

Most modern smartphones sold in the UK support eSIM technology, though it’s worth checking before you purchase.

Compatible devices:

• iPhone XS, XR, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and all newer models
• Google Pixel 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and later versions
• Samsung Galaxy S20, S21, S22, S23, S24, and newer
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold series (all generations)

Not compatible:

• iPhone models older than XS (iPhone 8, X, 7, and earlier)
• Budget Android phones typically under £200-300
• Some older Samsung models before the S20

Quick compatibility check: Open your phone’s settings and look for “Add eSIM” or “Add Mobile Plan” options. If you see this option, your phone supports eSIM. If you’re still unsure, visit esimindia.net where they have a detailed compatibility checker.

VII. FAQs