Yes, you can use a Lebara SIM in India, but roaming charges are high and coverage can be unreliable—there’s a smarter option. Many Lebara customers wonder if their UK SIM will work when traveling to India.
Lebara does offer international roaming in India through partner networks, but daily rates and per-minute charges add up quickly. This guide explains how Lebara roaming works in India, what it actually costs, potential connection issues you might face, and why most travelers now choose India eSIMs instead for affordable, reliable connectivity.
I. Does Lebara SIM Work in India?
Yes, Lebara SIMs work in India through international roaming. Your phone automatically connects to Indian partner networks when you arrive.
Lebara connects to these Indian networks:
- Airtel — India’s largest network with nationwide coverage
- Vodafone Idea (Vi) — Strong coverage in major cities
- BSNL — Government network with rural reach
You can make calls, send texts, and use mobile data, but you’ll need to activate international roaming before departure.
II. Lebara Roaming in India: What You Need to Know
Before using your Lebara SIM in India, understand how the service actually works and what limitations you’ll face.
| Feature | Details |
| Activation | Must enable international roaming before leaving the UK |
| Charges | Roaming not included in regular plans—billed separately |
| Network | Automatically connects to Airtel, Vi, or BSNL |
| Data speeds | Often slower than local connections |
| Long-term use | May be restricted by fair usage policies |
Important: Lebara’s fair usage policies are designed for occasional roaming, not extended stays. If you use roaming exclusively for weeks, your service may be suspended.
III. Lebara Roaming Charges in India (2025)
The costs add up quickly, especially if you’re making calls or using mobile data regularly.
| Service | Estimated Cost |
| Incoming calls | £0.60–£1.50 per minute |
| Outgoing calls | £1.00–£2.00 per minute |
| SMS | £0.30–£0.50 per text |
| Mobile data | £0.10–£0.30 per MB |
| Daily packages | Not always available for India |
Real-world cost examples:
- A 10-minute phone call home: £10–£20
- Checking Google Maps (50MB): £5–£15
- One week of moderate data use (1GB): £100–£300
Unlike some UK networks that offer daily roaming passes, Lebara charges per usage, making costs unpredictable and potentially very high.
IV. Why Lebara May Not Be Ideal for India Travel
Using Lebara roaming in India creates several practical problems beyond just high costs.
Unpredictable expenses pile up fast. Without daily caps or bundles for India, you pay per minute, text, and megabyte. Normal daily use—checking maps, a few calls, social media—easily hits £50-100, and you won’t see the total until your bill arrives.
Speeds are throttled despite being on 5G networks. While Indian users on Airtel enjoy full 5G speeds, Lebara roaming often limits you to 3G or slow 4G, making video calls and navigation frustratingly sluggish.
Network selection is automatic and inflexible. Your phone connects to whichever partner network has the strongest signal. If that network performs poorly in your area, you can’t switch to a better alternative.
Indian services reject UK numbers. OTP codes for train bookings, food delivery, and banking apps often won’t send to UK numbers, blocking access to essential services.
Additional restrictions apply. Hotspot functionality may be blocked, and Lebara’s fair usage terms require primary UK usage—extended India roaming can trigger unexpected service suspension.
V. The Better Alternative: India eSIM
Get an India eSIM from esimindia.net for $5.50–$25 total instead of £200-400 in roaming charges. You’ll get genuine Indian mobile data at full speeds and no restrictions.
| Feature | Lebara Roaming | India eSIM |
| Total cost (2 weeks) | £200-400 | £12-20 |
| Setup | Manual activation | Instant QR code |
| Data speed | Throttled 3G/4G | Full 4G/5G |
| Hotspot | May be blocked | ✅ Always works |
| Support | UK-only | 24/7 WhatsApp |
The savings are clear: over 90% less for faster speeds and better coverage.
VI. Lebara for Calls + India eSIM for Data
Keep your Lebara number active while avoiding data charges through dual SIM functionality.
How it works: Your Lebara physical SIM stays in your phone for incoming calls and SMS, while the India eSIM handles all internet. This way you receive calls on your UK number but pay local rates for data.
Quick setup steps:
- Keep Lebara SIM installed for calls
- Add India eSIM from esimindia.net via QR code
- Set Lebara as primary for calls, India eSIM for mobile data
- Turn data roaming OFF for Lebara, ON for India eSIM
Compatible devices: iPhone XS and newer, Samsung S20+, Google Pixel 4+, and most modern smartphones support this dual SIM configuration.
VII. Setting Up Your India eSIM (5 Minutes)
Step 1: Choose your plan at esimindia.net (7 days/10GB: $10 | 14 days/20GB: $15 | 30 days/50GB: $25)
Step 2: Pay and receive your QR code via email instantly
Step 3: Scan the code in Settings → Add eSIM and label it “India”
Step 4: Enable Data Roaming for India eSIM when you land it connects automatically
The entire process works from the UK before departure, giving you instant connectivity upon arrival in India.
VII. FAQs
Can I use Lebara and eSIM at the same time?
Yes, if your phone supports dual SIM. Most modern smartphones (iPhone XS and newer, Samsung S20+, Google Pixel 4+) can run both a physical SIM and eSIM simultaneously. You’ll receive calls on Lebara while using the India eSIM for data.
Will I lose WhatsApp access if I switch to eSIM?
No, WhatsApp stays connected to your original number. WhatsApp is linked to your Lebara number, not your data connection. As long as your Lebara SIM remains on your phone (even without data roaming enabled), WhatsApp continues working normally through India eSIM’s internet.
Can I use a mobile hotspot with the India eSIM?
Yes, hotspots work without restrictions. Unlike Lebara roaming, which may block hotspots, the India eSIM lets you share your connection freely with laptops, tablets, or travel companions.