Mobile for UK

[Dalescott]

Mrs Dalescott is going to UK and needs a mobile while in UK. But needs it when she gets off the plane. Any ideas about getting a sim card and cheap UK compatible mobile phone in OZ. We go regularly to UK, but because of reason for going to UK. She will need it straight away and she is not Tech minded.
Any ideas welcome

 

[SFSC]

I have used giffgaff in the UK and found them to be inexpensive and easy to use. There are giffgaff users who will post a SIM to you so that they get the £5 bonus for introducing new members and will absorb the cost of posting it to you to do so. One such is https://sites.google.com/site/joingiffgaff/ . I have not used this particular person myself but obtained my SIM from similar posted here on AFF back in about 2012.

If the phone is unlocked, activate your SIM on the giffgaff site and pop it in the phone before departure. Turn it on and it should connect to the roaming network in Australia. Don't make any test call here though unless you want to spend £1 per minute! If you need to buy an unlocked phone, just buy a cheapie just about anywhere and fit the SIM in that.

Mrs Dalescott will probably find it cost effective to buy a goodybag just before arrival in the UK.

 

[Dalescott]

Thank you, I now remember something about giffgaff. Forgive my ignorance, but a goodybag??

 

[SFSC]

Sorry. I thought you probably would have ended up browsing the giffgaff site. Here is a link about goodybags https://www.giffgaff.com/goodybags

 

[Pierre_a]

I have a Moto G which is a dual sim phone, this means I have my UK PAYG sim card permanently alongside my Telstra sim for over here so it switches seemlessly over. The phone cost my $280 I think and works well enough that I don't feel I need anything else.

You can grab a PAYG sim at the airport when you step off the plane, but be careful as the airport phone shops will try to sell you far more credit than you will likely need (when I went in the cheapest they were prepared to offer was 40 quid!) so I would suggest you hold off until you are on a highstreet somewhere. The advantage of using a shop like this is that they will activate it all for you there and then, useful for a technophobe. Ten pounds lasts me perfectly well for phone calls and data (when using phone for satnav) over a couple of weeks so don't let them oversell to you.

EE (Everything everywhere) have the best network coverage in the UK (not sure whose network giff gaff piggy back on) and I'd probably recommend them over vodafone/o2. That said, if you're staying largely in urban areas you'll be ok with any of the operators.

 

[Buzzard]

I usa an Australian TravelSim available available from most post offices.
Yes there are other options available but I like what it offers me.

I can make sure everything works before I leave Oz, used correctly the SIM does not expire, a good app if you have a smart phone that makes international calling easy etc etc.

 

[moa999]

Simcorner sells the 3 UK card for $45 including unlimited data and 300minutes calls for 30 days.
https://www.simcorner.com/uk-prepaid-simcard.html
Stores at SYD and MEL airports, or ship for $5-8

Possibly slightly cheaper on ebay

 

[opusman]

There are vending machines at LHR selling local SIMs.

 

[Mal]

UK Pay as you Go sims are easy to get and can be bought in supermarkets, and many locations at the airport.

Topping up is easy, most supermarkets or small convenience stores can issue topup vouchers (Australian credit cards are unlikely to work online with telcos in the UK)

Lebara, GiffGaff, Three and EE would be the most popular prepaid sims used, and as long as the Australian phone is not locked to a network, should work without any hassle.

 

[VPS]

The best local SIM card for travellers to London, United Kingdom - Australian Business Traveller

 

[Sdtravel]

Any recommendations for UK & US travel? I asked on that AUSBT article but only got 1 response.
Im going on a cruise around Greece, then to London, Paris and over to NYC. Will be away for about a month.
Anyone recommend a good cheap sim that will cover those places? Some data would be nice but only for checking the odd email or map when lost.

 

[moa999]

Any recommendations for UK & US travel? I asked on that AUSBT article but only got 1 response.
Im going on a cruise around Greece, then to London, Paris and over to NYC. Will be away for about a month.
Anyone recommend a good cheap sim that will cover those places? Some data would be nice but only for checking the odd email or map when lost.

A 3 UK SIM will give you access is UK, France and US - various options from 20-30 quid. Doesnt cover Greece.

But you mention you don't want data - do you want phone calls, or are you simply saying minimal data use.

 

[Sdtravel]

Phone calls and data would be good. I do want data if it's included but i can hotel wifi it for the trip if needed.
When you say doesn't cover Greece will it not work for there or just charge me roaming costs likely to eat my credit in minutes?
Thanks