Can you recommend a mobile phone solution for a visitor?

Posted by BonnieMcMurray@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 8 comments

I'm flying from the US to the UK in a few weeks and also spending some time in France. I haven't been back in over a decade, so...what's the mobile situation these days? Can you recommend a method of getting one month of phone service that will also work in France and, hopefully, not break the bank? I have an unlocked GSM phone. But if possible I'd prefer a separate phone rather than just a SIM card. But if that's gonna be stupidly pricey, SIM will do. I'll just have to tell my boss that I'll be 100% unavailable. (Oh no, what a shame!)

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8 Comments

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frogdances@reddit

If its just for calls/texts go into any Argos or Tesco store and buy a cheap PAYG phone. Argos has them starting for £15. If you need a smartphone the cheapest one is [Alcatel 1 2021 from Argos for £34.99](https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9494112) plus £10 minimum airtime top up.

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m0le@reddit

Something like Giffgaff could be a good choice for a month - they do up to 5GB of roaming data included in the plan so you can travel to France without messing about if you're a light user.

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BannedFromRed@reddit

Most decent phones these days have two sim slots plus support e-sims, so are you sure your phone only has one slot?

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Necessary_Driver_831@reddit

Get yourself a Lebara mobile sim. Quite often available next to the checkout or you can order online often for slightly better offers. Data roaming works across Europe. https://mobile.lebara.com/gb/en/best-sim-only-deals/c/simo-contract

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TheNotSpecialOne@reddit

Sim cards are stupidly cheap here now, you can get one for £1 while in the UK from providers such as Lebara Mobile. Not so sure about France though

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starsandbribes@reddit

If possible get a data only e-Sim on things like Airalo. No need to muck about with different numbers or swapping physical cards. Just do it all through the app and its instantly done. I do this for all travelling now, even if my UK mobile carrier has free roaming in that country, i’ll buy an esim as the speeds are much quicker as you’re seen as a local.

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