Pre-paid SIM Card UK
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: WS Platinum, former AC E35K
Posts: 6,335
Pre-paid SIM Card UK
hi,
I will be in the UK for a week and renting a car to travel around the South. I was planning to use my iPhone 5 as a GPS, so I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a pay as you go data plan? A few minutes and texts are nice, but certainly not required. Hoping there is something that I can buy in Canada.
Also, does anyone have any idea how much data the GPS function uses? I won't be going more than a couple of hours from London.
thanks
I will be in the UK for a week and renting a car to travel around the South. I was planning to use my iPhone 5 as a GPS, so I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a pay as you go data plan? A few minutes and texts are nice, but certainly not required. Hoping there is something that I can buy in Canada.
Also, does anyone have any idea how much data the GPS function uses? I won't be going more than a couple of hours from London.
thanks
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Programs: BA Silver, EY Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 12,200
hi,
I will be in the UK for a week and renting a car to travel around the South. I was planning to use my iPhone 5 as a GPS, so I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a pay as you go data plan? A few minutes and texts are nice, but certainly not required. Hoping there is something that I can buy in Canada.
Also, does anyone have any idea how much data the GPS function uses? I won't be going more than a couple of hours from London.
thanks
I will be in the UK for a week and renting a car to travel around the South. I was planning to use my iPhone 5 as a GPS, so I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a pay as you go data plan? A few minutes and texts are nice, but certainly not required. Hoping there is something that I can buy in Canada.
Also, does anyone have any idea how much data the GPS function uses? I won't be going more than a couple of hours from London.
thanks
I would say you need around 100mb but both operators offer a 500mb plan for 7.50 so you will have to go for this one.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,278
Here's some recent discussion:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/u-k-i...imcard-uk.html
which then refers you to this lengthy (but recently updated) one:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...and-wales.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/u-k-i...imcard-uk.html
which then refers you to this lengthy (but recently updated) one:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...and-wales.html
#5
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: CGX
Posts: 168
in google maps for iPhone you can download the maps ahead of time - should save some data.
E.g., search for London. Zoom out to how far you need. tap the London bar at the bottom. tap download on the right. Then there's a menu setting for "offline areas"
E.g., search for London. Zoom out to how far you need. tap the London bar at the bottom. tap download on the right. Then there's a menu setting for "offline areas"
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Programs: BA Silver, EY Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 12,200
There is no London bar at the bottom when I follow your instructions. Can you advise? This would be very handy.
#7
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: CGX
Posts: 168
let me know if it works or send me a PM
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Programs: BA Silver, EY Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 12,200
maybe "Bar" is not the right word for it, but for me it's a white band across the bottom of the screen. When I search London and select it, google maps shows the map of London in the center and at the bottom is a white band that says London, UK on the left and "Route" on the right side. Tap the white bar/band at the bottom and then another page should swipe up with a brief description, weather, etc. The "Download" is on the right side after "save" and "share"
let me know if it works or send me a PM
let me know if it works or send me a PM
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,378
I'm not a tech expert, but I could really use some data while in the UK for a few weeks in August. I have an AT&T compatible phone from the USA. Can I simply remove my USA SIM card and pop a cheap UK SIM card (for short term use) into that -- preferably a SIM card I can pick up easily?
Thanks.
Thanks.
#10
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: CGX
Posts: 168
I'm not a tech expert, but I could really use some data while in the UK for a few weeks in August. I have an AT&T compatible phone from the USA. Can I simply remove my USA SIM card and pop a cheap UK SIM card (for short term use) into that -- preferably a SIM card I can pick up easily?
Thanks.
Thanks.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,378
Aw, that stinks. Is there an easy way to get the phone unlocked?
Alternatively, is it possible to get a "hot spot"? When we were in Portugal last year, the rental car agent offered us a hot spot rental for a few dollars a day. It was great. Everyone in my family was able to get data everywhere we went. I've never seen this technology in the USA. As I said, we're far more interested in data access than we are in making phone calls.
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 2,833
Downloading google maps (in advance of our foreign trips) has been a lifesaver. It's truly revolutionary if you drive overseas. No more worrying about whether you'll have a GPS.
Aw, that stinks. Is there an easy way to get the phone unlocked?
Alternatively, is it possible to get a "hot spot"? When we were in Portugal last year, the rental car agent offered us a hot spot rental for a few dollars a day. It was great. Everyone in my family was able to get data everywhere we went. I've never seen this technology in the USA. As I said, we're far more interested in data access than we are in making phone calls.
Aw, that stinks. Is there an easy way to get the phone unlocked?
Alternatively, is it possible to get a "hot spot"? When we were in Portugal last year, the rental car agent offered us a hot spot rental for a few dollars a day. It was great. Everyone in my family was able to get data everywhere we went. I've never seen this technology in the USA. As I said, we're far more interested in data access than we are in making phone calls.
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,168
Alternatively, is it possible to get a "hot spot"? When we were in Portugal last year, the rental car agent offered us a hot spot rental for a few dollars a day. It was great. Everyone in my family was able to get data everywhere we went. I've never seen this technology in the USA. As I said, we're far more interested in data access than we are in making phone calls.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,378
I bought a Pay as you Go Mobile WiFi hotspot last year when we were back in the UK which included 2gb of data....mine cost around 24. You can connect up to 5 devices on it. All the networks sell them either through their shops or major PC stores and supermarkets. They're great, although be warned the service in the wilds of Scotland can be non existent.
#15
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: CGX
Posts: 168
Never tried the hotspot. But unlocking your phone is easy, with ATT and my iPhone you can request online and they send you instructions via email.
Just for price comparison I pay Vodafone UK 30 for 6 GB data. I don't have to share the data though which isn't allowed with my plan. Unlimited talk/text.
Just for price comparison I pay Vodafone UK 30 for 6 GB data. I don't have to share the data though which isn't allowed with my plan. Unlimited talk/text.