Three UK SIM Card and eSIM: Detailed Guides for Tourists

To stay connected during your travels in the UK, a Three UK SIM card allows you to use mobile data to access maps, translate languages, and share your adventures on social media.

This guide will help you to get connected with Three during your trip to the UK.

I. Quick Facts about Three

Three is one of the four major mobile network operators in the UK alongside EE, O2, and Vodafone. Here are some key facts about Three UK:

• Established: Founded in 200, owned by CK Hutchison Holdings
• Brand name: Official brand name is Hutchison 3G UK Limited
• Slogan: “Make It Right” is their brand slogan
• Service provided: Provides 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G services
• Subscribers: Over 10 million subscribers
• Stores: 700+ retail stores nationwide
• Customer support: 24/7 customer support in 11 languages

II. Why Choose Three When Exploring the UK – Coverage and Speed

Three offers excellent network coverage and fast data speeds, making it a great choice for tourists exploring all corners of the UK.

2.1 Three Coverage in the UK

As you can see from the coverage map above, Three has extensive 4G and 3G coverage across the UK’s urban and rural areas. They utilize mast sharing with O2 to reach 98% of the population. Some key points:

• Strong coverage across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
• 4G services in over 90% of the UK’s geography
• 5G available in 160+ towns and cities
• Patchy coverage in a small number of rural locations such as the Scottish Highlands

Coverage is weaker compared to market leader EE but on par with O2 and ahead of Vodafone based on independent testing. Three’s network has vastly improved in recent years through heavy investment and mast sharing with O2.

2.2 Three UK Speeds

According to the report from OOkla Speedtest, the average mobile speed score in the UK is 248.16. Here is how Three compares:

• Average download speed on Three is 283.02Mbps
• Average upload speed is 12-14Mbps

According to Opensignal’s April 2022 UK Mobile Network Experience Report, Three ranked number 1 in Games Experience and Voice App Experience. It indicates reliable performance for online gaming and VoIP calls.

Three provides sufficiently fast speeds for social media, web browsing, streaming, and navigation across most parts of the UK. Speeds are constantly improving as they roll out more 5G and boost 4G capacity.

In summary, Three offers excellent coverage and speeds that should satisfy most travelers exploring the UK.

III. Three UK Connectivity Options for Travelers

As a tourist visiting the UK, you have three main options to connect to the Three network:

1. Purchase a Three UK SIM card
2. Use a Three MiFi/Pocket WiFi device
3. Roam from your home network to Three UK

Here is an overview of the pros and cons of each option:

Connectivity Options

In summary, getting a local Three SIM card is generally the most convenient and affordable way to stay connected in the UK as a tourist. Purchasing a Three eSIM online in advance is even more simple.

IV. Best Three UK SIM Card for Tourists & Cost

Three offers both Pay As You Go and pay monthly SIM plans for tourists visiting the UK. Below are some of the best options with pricing:

SIM card plans

Prices converted to USD as an estimate only. Updated as of October 2022.

As you can see, Three does not offer very short term options less than 1 month. Prices are mid-range, not the cheapest but still good value compared to other major UK networks.

V. Does Three Support eSIM in the UK?

Yes, Three launched eSIM support in the UK back in 2019 for compatible Apple and Android devices. Here are some benefits of using an eSIM:

• No need to physically switch out SIM cards
• Remote activation
• Dual SIM functionality on iPhone
• More secure and resilient

There are many providers offering tourist eSIMs for Three, such as UK eSIM. With these eSIMs, you don’t need to visit a Three store and can activate before departure.

Let’s see some best plans:

• United Kingdom eSIM 3 Days – from $6.00
• United Kingdom eSIM 5 Days – from $6.00
• United Kingdom eSIM 7 Days – from $6.50
• United Kingdom eSIM 10 Days – from $6.50
• United Kingdom eSIM 14 Days (Voice & Data) – from $21.90
• United Kingdom eSIM 15 Days – from $6.50
• United Kingdom eSIM 20 Days – from $7.00
• United Kingdom eSIM 25 Days – from $7.00
• United Kingdom eSIM 30 Days – from $7.00

VI. Where Can You Buy a Three UK SIM Card or eSIM?

6.1 Where to Buy a Three UK SIM Card

There are a few options to purchase a Three SIM card after you arrive in the UK:

1. Airport Pickup

You can find Three stores and kiosks at major UK airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester. Prices are similar to online but you can get set up on the spot.

2. Three Stores

Visit one of over 700 Three stores nationwide to buy a SIM. Have your passport ready for identification. Find a store here.

3. Other Retailers

You can also purchase Three SIMs at electronics stores like Carphone Warehouse or newsagents like WHSmith. Look for the official Three logo.

Top tips when purchasing a local Three SIM:

• Have ID and passport ready
• Know your SIM card size – standard, micro, or nano
• Buy vouchers to top up if required

6.2 Where to Buy a Three UK eSIM

To purchase a Three eSIM for your trip to the UK, simply visit a provider website like UK eSIM. There’s no need to go to a physical store.

It’s super convenient to order your eSIM ahead of time and have connectivity right on arrival. No need to hunt around stores.

Some eSIM activation tips:

• Check if your device is eSIM compatible first
• Have an active data connection to download eSIM profile
• Follow activation instructions carefully
• Contact support if you encounter any issues

VII. How to Activate a Three UK SIM Card or eSIM

Activating a Three SIM card or eSIM when you arrive in the UK is straightforward. Here’s what to do:

7.1 Activating a Three UK SIM Card

Follow these steps when you insert your new Three SIM:

1. Locate the SIM tray – Insert the SIM into the correct slot
2. Power on your device – Allow 1-2 minutes for the SIM to be recognized
3. Activate the SIM – Three SIMs come pre-activated so should work instantly
4. Configure APN settings – Usually not required but refer to Three’s instructions
5. Check your connectivity – Open the browser or use the internet to test

You should now be ready to start using your Three SIM in the UK!

7.2 Activating a Three UK eSIM

Here is how to get started with your Three eSIM:

1. Install eSIM – Scan QR code or download eSIM profile during activation
2. Activate eSIM – Follow the on-screen prompts to finish activation
3. Set up cellular plan – Go into Settings > Cellular to select your eSIM
4. Start using – Once activated and set up, you can begin using the eSIM

Refer to detailed eSIM activation guides:

• Activate eSIM on iPhone
• Activate eSIM on Samsung
• Activate eSIM on Google Pixel

With a few quick steps, you’ll be ready to use your Three eSIM in the UK!

VIII. Three UK Call & SMS Rates

If you purchase a Three SIM card with calling and messaging, here are the current PAYG rates:

Call & SMS Rates

Note these call and text rates are only for PAYG SIMs, not data-only SIMs.

IX. Useful Three USSD Codes

Here are some useful USSD codes for checking your Three UK SIM status:

USSD Codes

X. How to Top Up Your Three UK SIM Card

To add more funds to your Three Pay As You Go SIM, you have a few options:

• Online via the Three website: Go to three.co.uk and log in to your account. Select “Top Up” and choose an amount to add to your account via debit/credit card. Funds are added immediately.
• Text message: Simply text the numerals of the top up amount to 250 (e.g. “20” to add £20). You’ll get a confirmation text once completed.
• Over the phone: Call 333 from your Three phone and follow prompts to pay with a debit/credit card. Top up occurs during the call

XI. FAQs about Three UK

XII. Final Words

In summary, Three UK SIM Card is an excellent choice for tourists thanks to their widespread coverage, sufficiently fast speeds, and competitive SIM pricing.

For ultimate convenience, purchase UK eSIM in advance online before your trip and enjoy seamless connectivity on landing. Happy exploring!