Description
France is the short hop many of us make more than any other: a Eurostar weekend in Paris, a ferry and a drive to a gîte in the Dordogne, a family week on the Côte d’Azur or a ski trip in the Alps. A travel eSIM gives you mobile data for all of it without swapping SIM cards or relying on café Wi-Fi.
You add the eSIM next to your UK SIM, so your usual number stays in the phone for calls and bank texts, while the eSIM looks after maps, train tickets, restaurant bookings and WhatsApp. Choose a plan that fits the length of your trip and switch it on once you arrive.
Choose your France data plan
There are 17 plans for France. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 100MB – 1 day | £0.52 |
| 1GB – 1 day | £0.72 |
| 1GB – 7 days | £0.79 |
| 3GB – 15 days | £1.83 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £4.44 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £5.18 |
| Unlimited – 3 days | £8.14 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £8.14 |
| Unlimited – 5 days | £12.58 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £12.58 |
| 20GB – 30 days | £17.02 |
| Unlimited – 7 days | £17.39 |
| Unlimited – 10 days | £21.46 |
| 50GB – 90 days | £22.27 |
| Unlimited – 15 days | £31.08 |
| 100GB – 180 days | £43.43 |
| Unlimited – 30 days | £43.66 |
- Weekend in Paris: 1GB for 7 days or 3GB for 15 days covers maps, the metro and messages.
- Fortnight at a gîte or campsite: 5GB for 30 days or 10GB for 30 days leaves room for photos, route planning and video calls home.
- Ski week in the Alps: Unlimited for 7 days suits sharing videos from the slopes and keeping in touch with the group.
- Second homes and long stays: 50GB for 90 days or 100GB for 180 days.
How ordering works
- Choose a plan and place your order. Pay by UK bank transfer or PayPal.
- Once your payment is confirmed, we prepare your eSIM and send you the QR code by email or live chat. Orders are handled by hand, so we suggest ordering at least a day before you fly.
- Scan the QR code at home over Wi-Fi, then switch the eSIM on when you arrive in France.
Installing your eSIM
- iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service (or Mobile Data), Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM, then Scan QR code.
- Google Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add SIM, then Download a SIM instead.
Install it before you travel, while you have a steady Wi-Fi connection. A QR code can usually be installed only once, so do not delete the eSIM from your phone until your trip is over. When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it as the line for mobile data and switch on data roaming for that eSIM.
Using mobile data in France
Most visitors arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle or Orly, at Nice Côte d’Azur, at Paris Gare du Nord on the Eurostar, or by ferry into Calais, Caen or St Malo. Switch the eSIM on as you arrive and you can book a taxi or ride app, check SNCF train times and follow directions out of the station or port.
Data is handy for motorway toll and fuel stops, parking apps, translating menus and finding a boulangerie in a small village. In the Alps, the Pyrenees and deep countryside, signal can drop in valleys and on mountain roads, so download offline maps before you set off.
Check your phone first
Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later can use one. Some models sold in certain countries have no eSIM, so look for an Add eSIM option in your settings. If you are not sure, ask us before you order.
Good to know
- Data only: these plans give you mobile data, not a local phone number. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls and messages.
- For travel only: the plans work in France and are not meant for use in the UK.
- Your UK SIM: keep it in the phone to receive texts such as bank codes, but turn off data roaming on it so it does not use data abroad.
- France only: Monaco, Andorra and Switzerland are separate countries. If your trip crosses one of those borders, ask us which plan suits your route.
- Unlimited plans: a fair-use policy can apply to unlimited plans. Ask us if you expect very heavy use.
Questions
Can I use it if I drive through France to Spain or Italy?
This plan is for France only. If your route continues into Spain, Italy or Switzerland, order a plan for each country or ask us which option suits your journey.
Can I share my data with the family in the car?
Most phones can share data through a personal hotspot. This draws on your allowance, so pick a larger plan if several people will connect, and ask us if you want to check first.
When should I buy my France eSIM?
A day or more before you travel is best. That leaves time to receive the QR code and install it at home.
When do the days start counting?
The number of days is how long the plan lasts once it is active. Install it before you go and switch it on when you arrive.
Can I cancel after the QR code is sent?
No. Like our other codes, an eSIM cannot be returned once the QR code has been sent. See our refunds and cancellations page.
Would a physical SIM suit me better?
If your phone has no eSIM, look at our EU roaming SIM cards, which we post to UK addresses.
