Iphone/ipad simms for a visitor to the UK

freebo_2

Hi,
We're visiting the UK for a couple of weeks (we live in Australia), and need simms for 2x iphone and 1x ipad (all unlocked) need to just rock into a high st shop and get them. We're looking for local calls/SMS and 1-2GB each to last 2 weeks.

Can anyone let me know which shop I should go to (O2, EE, Voda etc). I'm not worried about saving the last penny, just need good coverage and no lock-in.

Many Thanks!

Mike

grumbler

Coverage depends on location.
PAYG prices, especially on data, can be prohibiting on all major networks except '3' where you get 3p-2p-1p for min-text-MB (or bundles for £10 and £15: http://www.three.co.uk/Store/SIM/Pay_As_You_Go

I guess you can buy a sim in many high street stores.

For a tablet Currys/PC World sell pre-loaded sims, e.g.
http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/phones-broadband-gps/mobile-phones-and-broadband/mobile-broadband/three-pay-as-you-go-nano-sim-19597894-pdt.html
http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/phones-broadband-gps/mobile-phones-and-broadband/mobile-broadband/ee-pay-as-you-go-combi-sim-21499086-pdt.html
(http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/search-keywords/xx_xx_xx_xx_xx/preloaded/xx-criteria.html)
They sell sims for mobiles as well: THREE Pay As You Go SIM Card

• Stores

tyllwyd

Will you be staying in a hotel? You might find you can get away without a data sim for the ipad, because a lot of UK hotels/cafes etc have free wifi.

NFH

http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/United_Kingdom gives a very good guide for all UK SIM cards suitable for visitors to the UK.

I would recommend either giffgaff or Three. Three is slightly cheaper, because you only have to pay for what you use (no need to buy bundles), but its coverage is the worst of all UK networks. Giffgaff runs on the O2 network, which has good coverage, but you have to buy bundles, some of which will be wasted.

grumbler

As the OP wanted to buy it in a shop, it's worth saying that giffgaff sims hardly ever can be seen in stores.
That said, I think it can be sent to a hotel.

Im_just_careful

Their 3 2 1 PAYG SIMs are easily available and the tariff is ideal for a tourist who probably needs a bit of data for a smart phone.


http://www.three.co.uk/Support/Store_locator


Don't ask why, but 3 2 1 isn't available for the iPad but they also do PAYG data SIMs


Broadband - Pay As You Go + 1 might be the answer for the iPad.