Holafly UK eSIM Review: Is It Worth It for Your UK Trip?
A few years ago, I used my first eSIM while traveling in Thailand, and honestly, I never looked back to physical SIM cards. Scanning that QR code and setting it up was so simple—it completely replaced the headache of hunting down a SIM card at the airport. These days, I always have a few eSIM apps on my phone, ready for any trip.
One of my top picks? Holafly. It’s super popular with digital nomads and remote workers, and for good reason. In this review, I’ll share our honest take on Holafly’s eSIM for the UK, including how it held up during my travels in London and Manchester. Let's dive in!
Holafly UK eSIM: What’s in the Offer?
Holafly offers coverage in more than 210 different destinations, including a dedicated UK plan that’s perfect for international travelers and digital nomads.
Here’s what you can expect when using the Holafly UK eSIM:
- Access to top networks: Connect to the fastest networks in the UK—Vodafone, Three, and EE—ensuring excellent coverage and high-speed connectivity (3G/4G/LTE/5G).
- Unlimited data plans: A rare feature in the eSIM market, perfect for staying connected without worrying about data limits.
- Flexible customization: Easily tailor your plan by entering your travel dates.
Holafly's UK eSIM Pricing and Packages
Holafly’s UK eSIM pricing varies by trip length, with unlimited data included in all plans. Here’s a breakdown of the costs:
| Number of Days | Data Allowance | Price (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Unlimited | $20.90 |
| 7 | Unlimited | $29.90 |
| 10 | Unlimited | $36.90 |
| 15 | Unlimited | $50.90 |
| 20 | Unlimited | $61.90 |
| 30 | Unlimited | $74.90 |
| 60 | Unlimited | $106.90 |
| 90 | Unlimited | $139.90 |
We decided to put the Holafly UK eSIM to the test on our recent trip to the UK. We tested the networks in London, Manchester, and during the journey between the two cities. So, keep reading to see our impressions.
How Does the Holafly eSIM for the UK Work?
We’re no stranger to the Holafly eSIM - we’ve used the provider in the USA, Europe, Japan, China and now in the UK.
To test out the UK version of the ever-popular cellular data solution, we traveled between London and Manchester and set up our Holafly eSIM to take in the sights and examine the performance.
Holafly UK: eSIM Purchasing Process
Starting from either the desktop website or the mobile app, it’s quick and easy to purchase a Holafly eSIM to suit your needs. Just follow the below step-by-step guide to get the right eSIM for you:
- Start by entering the UK in the “Where do you need internet?” search box. The Holafly UK eSIM landing page is then opened. This contains a great overview of the details surrounding the UK eSIM.
- Select the number of days and number of eSIMs required for the trip. We selected 40 days to allow enough time to visit and work in both London and Manchester.
- Follow the checkout process, entering the required personal and payment details. Use an email address that can be easily accessed as your new Holafly eSIM will be sent there for installation.
Holafly UK: eSIM Installation and Activation Process
Holafly offers two main installation and activation processes for users - automatic and by QR Code (manual installation is also available, but not recommended).
Automatic
For Apple devices running iOS 17.4 or later, Holafly eSIMs can be installed and activated automatically via the App.
- Download and open the Holafly app. Holafly will automatically select the best installation option for your device. If using iOS 17.4 or later, automatic installation is available.
- Select “Install and Activate”. Choose “Continue” to begin the process.
- Confirm eSIM installation by selecting “Continue” once more.
QR Code
Where installation via QR is preferred or necessary, follow the below step-by-step guide:
- Head into your device settings, navigating to the “Mobile Data / Cellular” settings. Select “Add Data Plan”.
- Scan the provided QR code. The QR code is emailed to the address provided. Scan this via a second device, printed copy, or screenshot (if using iOS 17 or later).
- Follow the on-screen instructions to set data, SMS, and call preferences. Rename the eSIM. In our case, we renamed ours to Holafly UK. This helps distinguish the UK eSIM from our other USA and Europe tester SIMs.
iPhone users who would like to learn more about the installation process can use the below video:
Alternatively, for Android users:
Using Holafly eSIM in the UK: Our Experience
To gain accurate insight into Holafly’s UK eSIM, we decided to put it to the test during our travels around the UK. We ventured between London and Manchester, investigating the download speed, upload speed, and documenting the connection details found in the table below:
| Location | Speed | Connection details |
|---|---|---|
| London | 88.93 Mbps (download) / 9.25 Mbps (upload) | Generally strong speeds, though uploads can be a bit slower |
| Manchester | 50.98 Mbps (download) / 11.04 Mbps (upload) | Reliable connection with good performance throughout the city |
Although we spent the majority of our time in the UK’s two major cities, we were thoroughly impressed with the performance of the Holafly plan. We found huge download speeds (88+ Mbps) in London and great performance in Manchester (50+ Mbps).
The connection, using Vodaphone, Three, and EE, was ultra-reliable and we didn’t notice any spotty service when spending time in the cities. The only time we did lose connection or notice any issues was during the train journey between the cities as we passed through the British countryside.
Pros and Cons of Holafly eSIM for the UK
We’ve examined the technical details of the Holafly UK eSIM, but should you invest in one for your next trip to the UK?
Below are the pros and cons of the Holafly eSIM based on our experience traveling in the UK.
Are there any Alternatives to Holafly for the UK?
Holafly is one of the best eSIM providers, but it’s not the only option for digital nomads. Airalo, Nomad, and Jetpac all offer great alternatives for UK travel.
Airalo
As Holafy’s biggest competitor, Airalo offers a similar service tailored to nomads departing on shorter trips.
There are no unlimited or long-term plans available, but travelers can choose between 1GB and 20GB of mobile data for between 7 and 30 days. It’s a more affordable plan, but you get much less data for your money.
If you’re not worried about breaching the data cap or need a short-term eSIM (7-30 days), Airalo is a great fit. But if you are data-heavy like us, you’ll end up spending more by topping up many times, so in that case, Holafly could be a better solution.
Nomad
With data plans for 170+ countries, Nomad offers an eSIM with a clearly defined target market - digital nomads.
In the UK, Nomad primarily uses the EE Network for fast, reliable connections with 4G/5G speeds.
Similar to Airalo, Nomad is a great choice for fast-moving nomads who don’t rely too heavily on their mobile data but, again, not a great choice if you use an eSIM for remote work or heavy streaming.
Jetpac
Produced by the Singapore-based tech company Circles, Jetpac is the new kid on the block of eSIMs.
Users can pick from global, regional, or single-country data plans to find the perfect plan to complement their trip. The Jetpac plans can be super affordable, starting at just $1, but it’s the perks that make the brand so unique. You’ll be able to get complimentary airport lounge access among the list of available benefits. But if you are searching for a more established and widely available eSIM (Jetpac is “only” available in 100 countries), then Holafly might suit you best.
Holafly UK eSIM Review: The Bottom Line
The real selling point of the Holafly eSIM lies in the unlimited data. For remote workers and digital nomads working away from trusted Wi-Fi, this is a huge perk. The affordable, unlimited data opens up the possibility to work from absolutely anywhere.
Not only does Holafly offer a great product, but they’re an ethical and trustworthy company. Users have access to 24/7 customer support, offering peace of mind wherever in the world you may find yourself.
The Holafly eSIMs are, however, slightly more expensive. At €69.00 for a 30-day plan, coughing up the cash can be a problem. The question that you must ask yourself - and that nobody else can answer - is whether the unlimited data, ease of use, and peace of mind are worth it for you? If so, then you should definitely go ahead and purchase it.
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