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Buying a Sim Card at London Heathrow in 2024

Avoid high roaming charges when traveling to the UK! Are you flying to London Heathrow for your trip to the United Kingdom and wondering if you can buy a prepaid sim card at the airport on arrival?

In this complete guide for buying a sim card at London Heathrow Airport you can find out everything about where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per March 2024, my recommendation, the best e-sim cards for the UK, a vlog of my experiences on arrival, info about international sim cards and more.

Buying a prepaid sim card on arrival at London Heathrow Airport for traveling in the UK isn't that complicated. Local prepaid sim cards are one of the cheapest ways to stay connected when traveling abroad and it doesn't cost as much as you may think. However, we are in 2024 and e-sim cards for traveling to London would be even easier.

Getting a local prepaid sim card or ordering an e-sim card on the internet is the first thing I do when arriving to a new country. It avoids high roaming charges and slow overseas data roaming plans. On my way to visit every country in the world I have written already more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world.

Some of the latest ones are: Bali ,  Malaysia ,  Kenya , South Africa , Sydney , Singapore , Shanghai , Australia , New Zealand , Brazil , Philippines  but also Europe , Asia , USA , New York , Miami , Bangkok . But you can also find every major airport and country in Europe on Traveltomtom as well as the other London airports:  London Stansted Airport , London Gatwick Airport , London Luton Airport .

Related: Best e-sim cards for traveling to UK in 2024 .

So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and e-sim card advice for your holiday destination. Bookmark me!

My recommendation

Traveltomtom recommends buying a Three (3) UK sim card at London Heathrow Airport. There is a prepaid sim card deal for £20 GBP ($25 USD) with 100 GB data and unlimited calls/sms. Where to buy and more info below.

However, the easiest, fastest and even cheapest way to stay connected when traveling to the UK is an e-sim card. Forget about buying a sim card at London Heathrow Airport. Be online as soon as the plane lands with an e-sim card. It is super easy to get your UK e-sim card on the internet and they already start from just $5 USD.

Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for the UK via Nomad , Airalo or SimOptions .

For a much more detailed guide about using e-sim cards when traveling to the UK check out my comparison of the best e-sim cards for the UK in 2024 .

If you decide to buy a prepaid sim card on arrival in the UK then London Heathrow Airport is of course the most convenient place to get your UK sim card for tourists. This is probably also the reason why prepaid sim cards at London Heathrow Airport are more expensive than in phone shops in the city center of London.

Check out my guide for buying a prepaid sim card for tourists in the UK in 2024  with more info about the best 4G/5G network in the UK, the best UK sim card deals and more.

you may also like...

If you are traveling to more countries around the world after visiting London then definitely look into my comparison of the best international sim cards in 2024  and you might find a great sim card for your trip, e-sim cards included.

When on a Europe trip then trust me... you want to buy a sim card for Europe online. All the UK prepaid sim cards have EU data roaming restrictions and limitations. Remember that the UK left the EU.

Click on the link above to see my comparison of the best prepaid and e-sim cards for traveling in Europe in 2024 .

Best e-sim cards for the UK

E-sim cards are the most convenient and easiest way to stay connected when traveling to London in 2024. No more visiting a sim card store or swapping physical sim cards. You arrange everything online within just a couple minutes.

You order an e-sim card for the UK on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a UK e-sim card installed on your phone.

Upon arrival in the United Kingdom it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.

Make sure your phone is e-sim compatible before ordering an e-sim card for the UK.

For all FAQ's about using e-sim cards when traveling to the United Kingdom click on the link to read my detailed guide.

There are several e-sim card providers, here are the most trusted ones.

Airalo offers multiple data-only e-sim cards for traveling in the UK and Traveltomtom has used Airalo lots of times without any problem Check out the Airalo e-sim card deals for the UK in 2024:

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $5 USD
• 2 GB data for 15 days = $7.5 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $10 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $15 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $22.5 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $36 USD

Click here for more info or to directly order an e-sim card for the UK via Airalo .

The above Airalo e-sim cards for the UK are from Uki Mobile and are data-only. Calling and texting is NOT supported. The data allowance is only valid in the UK, there is no free EU roaming with these e-Sim cards. They operate on the 4G/LTE networks of O2 and Three.

SimOptions offers different e-sim cards, so called international e-sim cards for traveling. These e-sim cards are valid in up to 39 countries and include EU data-roaming and as well as calling and texting.

Check out the SimOptions international e-sim card plans for 2024:

• 15 GB data + unlimited calls for 15 days = $21.90 USD
• 10 GB data (5G ready) + $2 calling credit for 30 days = $24.90 USD 
• 12 GB data + 30 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $29.90 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $34.90 USD (data-only, no EU roaming)
• 30 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $44.90 USD
• 30 GB data + 120 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $49.90 USD
• 50 GB data (5G ready) + unlimited calls/text for 28 days = $59.90 USD

Click here to order an international e-sim card for the UK via SimOptions  or find more offers and info in the link.

A third trusted and reviewed e-sim provider is Nomad. Traveltomtom has used Nomad in more than 10 countries around the world.

Here are the regular Nomad e-sim card plans for the UK in 2024:

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $7 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $8 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $11 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $15 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $21 USD

Click here to order an e-sim card for the UK from Nomad .

Before ordering an e-sim card for the UK make sure your phone is first of all unlocked and second, your smartphone needs to be e-sim compatible otherwise an e-sim won't work.

For more UK e-sim card offers and much more details check out my comparison of the best e-sim cards for traveling to the United Kingdom in 2024  with an answer to all FAQ's about using e-sims for traveling to the UK.

If your phone is not e-sim compatible but you still would like to order a sim card for traveling to London on the internet then don't worry. There are international prepaid sim cards with coverage in the UK and you order them directly online.

They will be delivered to your home address before your trip to London and on arrival it is plug and play. For $49.90 USD you get 30 GB data + unlimited calls within Europe and 120 minutes worldwide . Click on the link to order directly or find more info.

Free EU roaming with UK sim cards

Since 2017 roaming fees within the European Union are banned and you can use for example your sim card from Spain in Germany or your sim card from Ireland in Italy without any extra charges. 

However, Brexit has shaken things up and the United Kingdom is not part of the EU anymore. In some cases roaming charges are coming back. Vodafone UK started charging a daily roaming fee for prepaid costumers and since June 2023 O2 and EE also stopped providing free EU data roaming on their prepaid sim card plans. Three (3) UK still has data roaming in Europe included in their prepaid sim cards but there are limitations.

So when buying a prepaid sim card in the UK and you are traveling in Europe onwards then explicitly ask the mobile internet provider. For more EU roaming info and tips check out my complete guide for buying a local prepaid sim card on arrival in Europe in 2024 .

If you want to avoid all this hassle then simply order a prepaid or an e-sim card for traveling to Europe online . Click on the link to find my comparison of the best tourist sim cards for Europe in 2024.

Why buying a UK sim card at London Heathrow

Yes, your Airbnb in London  or your London hotel will have free public WiFi and so do restaurants and the bars, but keep in mind that public WiFi is through an unsecured network. The use of a VPN is recommended to protect your data.

Staying connected when traveling to London makes life so much easier. Getting direction for the nearest underground station, finding the museum or park that you are looking for, staying in touch with friends, looking up stuff on the internet, using your banking apps when something goes wrong, ordering a taxi through an app. Having no data on your phone makes life complicated these days!

Buying a sim card for the UK on arrival at London Heathrow Airport or getting an e-sim card for the UK is easy and takes just a couple minutes.

RELATED: Charming London Airbnb's for UNDER $100 per night !

London Heathrow Airport arrival

Being one of the biggest airports in the world you can understand that getting lost around here is pretty easy. There are 4 terminals in use: 2, 3, 4 and 5. There are free busses and trains running between the terminals, but for buying a sim card at London Heathrow there is no need to travel to another terminal. All terminals at London Heathrow offer the same UK sim card services for tourists. There are plenty of places to buy sim cards: baggage claim hall, arrival hall, sim card vending machines, tourists information desks and even at convenience stores.

Interested what it looks like arriving at London Heathrow Airport then check out my vlog below with my experiences buying a sim card at London Heathrow Airport.

Where to buy a sim card at London Heathrow

Regardless in which terminal you arrive there are several options for buying a prepaid sim card at London Heathrow Airport:

Sim card vending machines

• Sim Local sim card shops
• Travelex Currency Exchange

WH Smith convenience stores

• We Know London - Tourist Information

As you can see there are endless opportunities for buying a local prepaid sim card at London Heathrow Airport. All around you there will be signs for buying tourist sim cards for London.

Sim Local sim card stores

This sim card shop is specialized in selling tourist sim cards and here you will get the full service. They instal the sim card for you and make sure you walk out with a working data connection on your phone. For this service you pay a price of £5 GBP - $6 USD basically, all prices are already inclusive of this service fee.

There are Sim Local shops in the baggage claim areas as well as in the arrival halls of all terminals at London Heathrow Airport. International credit cards are accepted and the opening hours are from 06.00 am till 10.00 pm.

Also at the WH Smith convenience stores they sell UK prepaid sim cards for tourists. There is some good info available at all the WH Smith stores, but it is self-service. The staff at WH Smith is not specialized in selling prepaid sim cards, it is a convenience store. Don’t expect the same service as at a sim card shop. However, if you are looking for the cheapest sim card deals at London Heathrow Airport then you have to buy a sim card from WH Smith. But be ready to do the activation and registration of the sim card yourself.

The sim card vending machines at London Heathrow Airport are also from Sim Local and they sell the exact same prepaid sim cards as they sell in their stores. In the sim card vending machines as well as at the Sim Local stores you can buy UK prepaid sim cards from: Lycamobile, EE and Three.

The sim card vending machine obviously offer no service. You even have to find a place to borrow a paperclip to open the sim card slot in your phone. The info displayed is ok, but limited. There is no info available on the sim card vending machine about EU data roaming.

There are many sim card vending machines around at London Heathrow Airport. You find them in the baggage claim area, in the arrival hall and even in the parking lot.

Travelex - Currency Exchange

For changing money it is not recommend, but I can recommend Travelex for buying a sim card at London Heathrow Airport. They have the cheapest sim card deals starting from €20 GBP ($25 USD). They sell Lebara, Vodafone, Three and EE prepaid sim cards. The problem is that not all Travelex shops/kiosks offer these prepaid sim card deals. Some do, some don't! It is a hit or miss.

We Know London tourist info

WeKnow London is a tourist information desk / travel agency / sim card shop. They are not in every terminal at London Heathrow Airport, but in Terminal 2 and 3 they are right in front of you when you walk into the Arrival Hall. They also sell prepaid sim cards for tourists. They sell prepaid sim cards from Vodafone and O2 on top of the standard sim cards that you get in every sim card shop.

Terminal 2 LHR

Terminal 2 has plenty options to buy a prepaid sim card. In the baggage claim hall there are two Travelex - Currency Exchange, 3 sim card vending machines and 1 Sim Local store. When you walk out of arrivals there is a Sim Local and a Tourist Information Desk on your right hand side as well as a WH Smith convenience store. There is also a sim card vending machine next to the lift when you walk towards the parking garage and the trains.

Terminal 3 LHR

There are 2 sim card vending machines in the Baggage claim hall. When you walk out of arrivals you walk right into a Sim Local sim card shop and a WH Smith convenience store. They are next to each other. There are two more sim card vending machines in the arrival hall of London Heathrow Airport terminal 3

Terminal 4 LHR

When you walk out of the arrivals there is a WH Smith shop on your left hand side. In Terminal 4 there is NO Sim Local shop. There are two sim card vending machine just a couple meters away from the WH Smith shop.

Terminal 5 LHR

there is a Travelex Currency exchange and 2 sim card vending machines in the Baggage Claim area. As soon as you walk into the arrivals hall in LHR Terminal 5 you turn right and keep walking straight. After about 50 meters there is a Sim Local sim card shop and a little further there is a WH Smith convenience store.

Prices sim cards at London Heathrow

You can buy UK sim cards from 5 different mobile internet providers at London Heathrow: Lycamobile, Three, Vodafone, EE and O2. Many shops sell the same prepaid sim cards, but at different prices. Find out below where to get the cheapest prepaid sim card at London Heathrow Airport.

The prices for UK sim cards below are stated in GBP and updated with the latest info as of March 2024. £1 GBP = $1.28 USD and $1 USD = £0.78 GBP.

All the Sim Local sim card stores they sell Three, EE and Lycamobile prepaid sim cards for tourists. At the Sim Local stores they do the registration and activation for you and that is why the same prepaid sim card deals for traveling in the UK are £5 cheaper at other places at London Heathrow Airport.

Three prepaid sim cards

• 10 GB data* + unlimited calls/text in 70 countries for 30 days = £25 GBP - ($32 USD)
• 50 GB data** + unlimited calls/text in 70 countries for 30 days = £30 GBP - ($38 USD)
• 100 GB data** + unlimited calls/text in 70 countries for 30 days = £35 GBP - ($45 USD)
• Unlimited data** + unlimited calls/text in 70 countries for 30 days = £50 GBP - ($64 USD)

*10 GB free EU data roaming included, **12 GB free EU data roaming included.

Three UK prepaid sim cards are 5G ready and include some free EU data roaming.

Lycamobile prepaid sim cards

All the Lycamobile prepaid sim cards include international minutes to 41 countries.

• 10 GB data + unlimited calls/text in the UK for 30 days = £30 GBP - ($38 USD)
• 100 GB data* + unlimited calls/text in the UK 30 days = £30 GBP - ($38 USD)
• Unlimited data** + unlimited calls/text in the UK for 30 days = £35 GBP - ($45 USD)
• Unlimited data** + unlimited calls/text in the UK for 30 days = £40 GBP - ($51 USD)

*10 GB free EU data roaming included, **16 GB free EU data roaming included.

Lycamobile UK prepaid sim cards are 5G ready and include some free EU data roaming. Lycamobile is an MVNO and uses the 4G/LTE/5G network of O2 in the UK. 

EE prepaid sim cards

• 30 GB data + unlimited calls/text in the UK for 30 days = £30 GBP - ($38 USD)
• 100 GB data + unlimited calls/text in the UK + 60 international minutes to 41 countries for 30 days = £35 GBP - ($45 USD)
• 200 GB data + unlimited calls/text in the UK + 120 international minutes to 41 countries for 30 days = £45 GBP - ($57 USD)
• Unlimited data + unlimited calls/text in the UK + 180 international minutes to 41 countries for 30 days = £55 GBP - ($70 USD)

EE prepaid sim cards do NOT include free EU data roaming and the EE prepaid sim cards are NOT 5G ready. 4G/LTE is the max speed on EE prepaid sim cards for tourists. Because of all these restrictions and limitations it is not my preferred prepaid sim card for traveling to the UK.

The Sim Local stores are also the only place at London Heathrow Airport where you can buy an e-sim card. Only EE provides e-sim cards for tourists.

The sim card vending machines are operated by Sim Local and therefore they sell the same prepaid sim cards as in the Sim Local stores but then cheaper of course.

You get a discount of £5-10 GBP depending on the sim card, but you will have to do the activation yourself. I don't know what would happen if you buy a sim card from the sim card vending machine and then walk to the Sim Local store and ask for help with the activation! :)

I never recommend this store or kiosks for exchange money as their exchange rates around the world are crazy expensive. Anyway when it comes to sim cards they suddenly have the cheapest sim card deals at London Heathrow Airport, but you have to do the activation yourself.

• Lebara sim card for £40 GBP = Unlimited data, calls and sms in the UK for 30 days
• Vodafone sim card for £20 GBP = 40 GB data + unlimited calls/ sms in the UK for 30 days
• Three sim card for £20 GBP = 100 GB data + unlimited calls/ sms in the UK for 30 days
• EE sim card for £20 GBP = 50 GB data + unlimited calls/ sms in the UK for 30 days

As you can see these sim card prices are significantly cheaper than the sim card vending machines and the Sim Local sim card shops.

WeKnow London

The most expensive prepaid sim card deals and data plans at London Heathrow Airport are sold at the We Konw London information desk. Here they sell on top of the usual sim cards also Vodafone and O2 prepaid sim cards for traveling in the UK. But remember that both, O2 and Vodafone do NOT offer free EU data roaming.

WH Smith convenient stores

At the WH Smith convenient stores they sell the following prepaid sim cards for tourists and as you will see these are the same prepaid sim cards you can sell at the Sim Local stores but then £5 GBP cheaper. Remember that when buying a UK prepaid sim card from WH Smith you have to activate and register the sim card online by yourself.

• 10 GB data* + unlimited calls/text in 70 countries for 30 days = £20 GBP - ($25 USD)
• 100 GB data** + unlimited calls/text in 70 countries for 30 days = £30 GBP - ($38 USD)
• Unlimited data** + unlimited calls/text in 70 countries for 30 days = £45 GBP - ($57 USD)
• 10 GB data + unlimited calls/text in the UK for 30 days = £25 GBP - ($32 USD)
• Unlimited data** + unlimited calls/text in the UK for 30 days = £35 GBP - ($45 USD)

*16 GB free EU data roaming included.

• 30 GB data + unlimited calls/text in the UK for 30 days = £25 GBP - ($32 USD)
• 100 GB data + unlimited calls/text in the UK + 60 international minutes to 41 countries for 30 days = £30 GBP - ($38 USD)
• Unlimited data + unlimited calls/text in the UK + 180 international minutes to 41 countries for 30 days = £50 GBP - ($64 USD)

Best sim card at London Heathrow

The EE prepaid sim cards at London Heathrow Airport are the only ones that are NOT 5G ready, also EE does not include any free EU data roaming, that makes it very easy for Traveltomtom to not recommend EE sim cards. Also prices for EE sim cards are much higher than other sim cards at London Heathrow.

Sim Local shops offer the best service as they will activate and register your UK sim card properly, but you pay £5 GBP extra for that. Sim card vending machines and WH Smith convenience stores are cheaper but it is all self-service.

The cheapest sim card deals you can find at the Travelex - Currency Exchange as they offer UK prepaid sim card deals for £20 GBP ($25 USD) with a lot of data.

The Three prepaid sim card with 100 GB data, including 12 GB data roaming and unlimited calls/sms in 70 countries is therefore rated as the best prepaid sim card at London Heathrow. At Travelex kiosks they sell this sim card for £20 GBP ($25 USD).

E-sim cards for London do not come near that offer, but great thing about e-sim cards is that you can order them directly online and arrange everything within just a couple clicks. You are online as soon as the plane lands in London Heathrow. For $21 USD you already get a UK e-sim card with 20 GB data.

Check out Traveltomtom's comparison of the best e-sim cards for traveling to the United Kingdom in 2024 .

Anyway a very simple conclusion is that if you are visiting London and traveling onwards in Europe it is very much recommended to looking into European sim cards that are valid in all countries. Check out my comparison of the best Europe travel sim cards for 2024 . Find the one that suits your needs and trip and order directly online. E-sim cards available as well.

My experience buying a sim card at London Heathrow

Obviously since I am a master in changing sim cards I didn’t need any help from one of the staff of the Sim Local shops so I chose to go to WH Smith shop like I also did at London Gatwick Airport . As a professional travel blogger I swap countries every month and the first thing I do is buying a local sim card. So when I was at London Heathrow Terminal 5, the last place for my research I bought a Vodafone 25 sim card at WH Smith shop, walked towards the train and inserted my sim card. It said: NO SIM! No way!

Out of all people why did particularly I get a faulty sim card? I already sat in the train and ended up in Terminal 2. There I found out that sim cards sold at WH Smith are also from Sim Local, so in case you have any issue you can go to the Sim Local shops. So did I do. At Sim Local they couldn’t fix the issue either and they made me buy a second Vodafone sim card package. I was reassured I would get the money back from the faulty sim card.

All the hassle took me about an hour to get it fixed and on top of that I had to call them the next morning and then later send two emails. Four days later after sending all the info over email to Sim Local, I finally got my money back through Paypal!

In case you are not in a hurry and are able to wait I recommend you  buying a tourist sim card for the UK in 2024  in the city center. Then click on the link and I show you all the prices and packages available. On top of the above mobile internet operators you can also find O2 shops in London. Prices for buying a sim card in London city are cheaper than at the airport.

Order a prepaid sim card for the UK online

If your phone is not e-sim compatible but you would like to order a sim card for traveling to the United Kingdom online before your trip then check out the following.

Arrive prepared for your trip to London with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in London, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.

SimOptions offers the following international prepaid sim cards for the UK:

1. O2 Go Card - $24.90

• $2 calling credit (no top-up)
• valid for 30 days
• valid in 34 countries

2. Three Data Pack - $24.90

• Unlimited calls/sms
• Valid 30 days
• Valid in 56 countries

3. Orange Holiday ZEN - $29.90

• Unlimited calls/sms in Europe
• 30 minutes worldwide
• 200 sms worldwide
• Valid 14 days
• Valid in 34 countries

4. Bouygues Telecom - $44.90

• Unlimited calls in Europe
• Valid in 39 countries

5.  Orange Holiday Europe - $49.90

• 120 minutes worldwide
• 1,000 sms worldwide

Click here to  order an international sim card for traveling to the UK via SimOptions .

In the days before e-sims Traveltomtom has used the Orange Holiday Europe multiple times for my trips to Europe and it always worked smooth as silk.

Another reminder that if your phone is e-sim compatible the easiest way to get connected when traveling to the UK in 2024 is an e-sim card. You can order your e-sim card for the UK directly online through either SimOptions , Airalo or Nomad .

For more info about using e-sim cards in the UK check out my complete guide for buying an e-sim card for traveling in the United Kingdom in 2024 .

I hope the above UK sim card comparison for London Heathrow was helpful for you. I wish you a safe trip to London and in case you are still looking for accommodation have a look at my article about best cheap Airbnbs in London . For a complete guide for the best prepaid UK sim card for tourists  or click here or for buying a sim card at Manchester Airport .

Questions? Please leave me a message below. I am happy to help you out making the most of your trip to London and or Europe. When interested in what visiting every country in the world looks like then head over to my Instagram account @traveltomtom . As per March 2024 I visited more than 155 countries.

      View this post on Instagram       A post shared by Adventure Traveler & Blogger (@traveltomtom)

Enjoy your trip to London!

Some links in this article about buying a sim card at London Heathrow are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don’t worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you.

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Where to Buy a SIM Card in London

If you’re soon arriving or have just arrived and are wondering where to buy a SIM card in London, there are three basic options: at the airport, from a local shop or order online. The best-value option is usually to avoid the big providers and order one of the alternative provider prepaid SIMs online.

Buying a SIM card at Heathrow Airport

At Heathrow, there are SIM-card vending machines in the baggage reclaim hall, as well as SIM cards for sale at the shops in the arrivals hall. This is probably the most straightforward way of picking up a SIM card on arrival in the UK. However, you may be limited in choice and you won’t be getting the best value. But if you’re reading this on your phone at the airport and don’t want to quibble over a few quid, then you might be happy with this as a quick solution.

The main things to bear in mind are: network provider coverage and the duration of your stay in the UK. If you’re staying in London only, then network coverage should be good on all providers, but if you’re visiting more remote ares, see the section below on network coverage. In short, you’ll probably get the most reliable coverage with a provider on the EE or Vodafone networks, like VOXI . In terms of duration, if you’re staying more than a month, then the airport options may not be ideal, and you will be better off ordering one of the prepaid SIMs with a rolling monthly plan .

Shops selling SIM cards in London

If you’re in central London, you won’t have to walk far to find a shop selling SIM cards.

The big mobile network providers—Three, O2, Vodafone and EE—all have multiple shops around London. For example, you’ll find the lot of them on Oxford Street. You’ll be able to buy a short-term prepaid or PAYG SIM in store, and have one of the staff help you install the SIM correctly.

Apart from the big network providers’ own stores, other shops you can walk into and buy a SIM card in London include:

• Carphone Warehouse
• WHSmith newsagents
• Boots drugstores
• Superdrug drugstores
• Various small independent newsagents/convenience stores

Carphone Warehouse is a mobile phone specialist that stocks multiple networks’ SIM cards, so you can compare options in store. Plus, staff will be on hand to help you choose. Superdrug offers it’s own branded SIM card (on the Three network), whilst WHSmith and Boots often stock SIM cards from some of the major providers as well as MVNO SIM cards (Lyca, etc.). Finally you’ll find some independent newsagents stocking SIM cards—if you’re away from central London, you might find this is the nearest option.

The best UK SIM card deals are online

You’ll very likely get the best value if you order a SIM card online, which is quick and easy to do. SMARTY and VOXI (300GB for only £ 20.00 !) are strong contenders for the best pre-paid UK SIM cards, and often have special offers with extra data. See our article on UK SIM cards for a fuller comparison.

Whilst you’ll have to wait a day or so for delivery, it will save you the time of walking around shops and schlepping across London for an afternoon. Also, if you’re yet to arrive in the UK, you can order in advance and have it delivered to your hotel, Airbnb or wherever it is you’re staying, before you arrive.

Network coverage and data speed

If you’re based in London, then it doesn’t really matter which network provider (the actual underlying telecoms network, sometimes different from the brand of the SIM card) you are using as they all have good 4G and sometimes 5G coverage in the UK’s major cities. If you’re going to stray off the beaten track and be spending time somewhere more rural, then you might want to check which network you’re about to sign up for, as coverage can get a little patchy in the countryside.

In terms of coverage, overall EE is probably the best network, followed by O2 and Vodafone, with Three coming in last. All the providers have a network coverage map (e.g. Three , Vodafone , O2 , and EE ), so if you want to be sure you’ll be covered, you can check the area you’ll be in.

With the MVNO providers, you’ll have to check which network they use, but for the main ones we recommend: VOXI is a subsidiary of Vodafone, Lyca Mobile and Plusnet operate on the EE network, SMARTY and iD Mobile run on Three, and GiffGaff uses the O2 network.

More on SIM cards

If you’re a world-cheapo, check out the articles about SIM cards and eSIMs for travel on our sister sites (Hong Kong Cheapo, and Tokyo Cheapo):

• Buying a Japan sim card
• Getting a SIM card for Hong Kong
• eSIMs for travellers (mainly about using them Japan)

While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change.

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Sim Local Expands to London Heathrow

July 12, 2022

London Heathrow expansion

Sim Local, the world’s largest pre-paid SIM card provider to the travel sector, today announces the opening of two brand-new stores at Heathrow airport – one in the newly reopened Terminal 4; landside arrivals hall, and the other in the baggage hall of Terminal 2.

These locations are both key for local SIM card sales – T4 over indexes in non-EU traffic, with most flights coming from the Middle East. The baggage hall model has already proved incredibly successful in numerous locations across Europe – including in T3 at Heathrow as the dwell time waiting for luggage in baggage halls offers the perfect opportunity for customers to get connected without disrupting their journey.

As well as offering local SIM cards to global travellers so they can stay connected and avoid expensive roaming charges, the stores offer a curated range of mobile accessories. They join Sim Local’s existing portfolio of stand-alone stores in airports including Heathrow, Athens and Brussels as well as their extensive network of vending machines and affiliate partnerships.

Ian Rankin, Chief Trading Officer at Sim Local, comments: “The opening of our latest store at T4 sees Sim Local operate at least one store in every terminal at London Heathrow, a long-held ambition for the business. Coupled with the new baggage hall unit in Terminal 2 we now run a total of eight stores in Heathrow. We continue to explore opportunities to bring our market-leading SIM card stores to other airport locations worldwide as well as ensure that all travellers passing through Heathrow are catered for.”  

Fraser Brown, Heathrow’s Retail and Property Director said: “As the UK’s front door, we are delighted to welcome long-standing partner Sim Local’s brand-new stores to the airport. Heathrow strives to provide passengers with a diverse retail experience and these two stores will enable our inbound passengers to stay connected to their loved ones at a lower cost whilst staying in the UK.”

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The environment is a hot button issue, and the telecommunications industry has a huge part to play. Could a move to eSIMs help reduce some of the effects this industry has on our planet? Sim Local invesitages...

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The best way to avoid high roaming costs when you travel to the UK is to buy a local SIM card when you arrive at Heathrow. This is the best way to stay in touch and it doesn't have to cost much. Save time on arrival by pre-ordering your SIM card online for collection at the airport. You'll collect your SIM from the WeKnow welcome desks located in every arrivals terminal at Heathrow and our friendly staff will set up and activate your SIM card for you to make sure you're connected from the get go.

Our SIM plans are valid for 30-days, which is long enough for most travellers, however, if you need to use your SIM for longer than a month you can top it up after your initial plan ends for £15 less than the original plan selling price. So, if you purchase a £30.00 SIM card, topping up for the next 30-days will only cost you £15.00.

For complete flexibility, our Three Unlimited SIM card offers unlimited calls, texts and data. This option is great for those wishing to use heavy data for maps, social media, music streaming and data-based messaging services such as WhatsApp. For those wishing to call internationally, O2 plans offer the best international rates. Get the best deals from the most popular UK Networks including Vodafone and EE.

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The Best Prepaid SIM Card for London in 2023

Considered one of the most important cities, London was ranked in 2015 as the most visited city in the world. Over 65 million people visited the city that year! You can find many places to go and have a lifetime experience in London, like the British Museum, the National Gallery and the Tower of London. 

If you are interested in visiting this city and you want to carry your phone with you to use it like at home, you will need a prepaid SIM card .  In this article, we will show you the best prepaid SIM cards for London. Enjoy the reading!

Looking for an alternative solution? We have eSIMs for the UK available!

What Are The Best SIM Cards for London?

What is the best london sim card, simoptions – the best sim card provider all around the world.

SimOptions offers the best quality in terms of mobile services and network coverage because they work with the best mobile network providers. If you get one of their prepaid SIM cards, you will live the best traveling experience in London from the moment you order it through the website.  

This company also works with the best carriers; this means that you will obtain your SIM card at the exact moment you arrive in the city.  Discover the different prepaid SIM cards available in London: 

Holiday Zen | $ 29.90 - 12GB

• Calls/SMS: Yes
• Credit Validity: 14 days

PAYG AIO15 | $ 29.90 - 10GB

• Credit Validity: 30 days

PAYG AIO20 | $ 39.90 - 12GB

Holiday europe | $ 49.90 - 30gb, payg mbb 12gb | $ 59.90 - 12gb.

• Calls/SMS: No
• Credit Validity: 1 Year

PAYG MBB 24GB | $ 79.90 - 24GB

• Credit Validity: 2 Year

Stop depending on a WiFi connection and get one of these prepaid SIM cards! Visit the SimOptions website for more information.

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EE – Everything Everywhere

Since 2010, EE operates as an Internet and mobile network services provider. With 29.6 million customers, it is considered the largest mobile network operator in the United Kingdom. You can get one of their prepaid SIM cards in a SIM card vending machine at the Heathrow Airport or on their website. There you will find two options: a Pay Monthly SIM (packed with unlimited minutes, texts and generous 4G data allowance) and the Pay As You Go SIM that you can get without contracts. Those SIM cards will allow you to use your phone in the U.K. and Europe.

First, let’s see the Pay Monthly SIM cards that have a validity of 12 months:

Essential Plan 20GB | £20 ($24.67) – 20GB

• Calls: Unlimited
• SMS: Unlimited
• Credit validity: 1 month

Smart SIM | £37 ($45.63) 

• Data: Unlimited
• Gift*: 2 Swappable Benefits included

Essential Plan 1GB | £16 ($19.73) – 1GB

Essential plan 100gb | £27 ($33.30) – 100gb.

• Data: 100GB

5G Smart SIM | £44 ($54.27) 

• Data: unlimited
• Calls: unlimited
• SMS: unlimited
• Gift*: 3 Swappable Benefits included

*BT Sport, Roam Further and Amazon Prime Video.

Now, let’s take a look at the Free Pay As You Go EE SIM Card. 

£10 Data Pack | £10 ($12.33) – 2GB

• Calls: 100min
• Credit validity: 30 days

£15 Data Pack | £15 ($18.50) – 5GB

• Calls: 500min

As shown in the information above, with EE you can choose the SIM card that best suits your trip to London, whether you need unlimited data to have internet connection or unlimited calls and texts. To get one visit the EE website. 

O2 – The second most important mobile company

O2 is a mobile network operator in the United Kingdom that is based in Slough. It operates as a brand of Telefónica UK Limited, providing its services to 25.1 million subscribers. This company runs 2G, 3G and 4G services across the U.K. and the prepaid SIM cards they offer can be obtained at any of their stores or on their website.

They have different options according to your needs in case you require your SIM card for 30 days, 12 months or 18 months. O2 also offers alternatives for those who wish to travel to other European countries, so you can travel from London to other countries and take your SIM card with you.

Here we show you more information about this section:

Package 500MB | £ 14 ($17.30) – 500MB

• Data: 500MB

Package 1GB | £ 16 ($19.77) – 1GB

• Calls: 1,000min

Go Card | $ 24.90 - 10GB

Package 15gb | £ 25 ($30.90) – 15gb, package 40gb | £ 40 ($49.44) – 40gb, package 50gb | £ 47 ($58.09) – 50gb.

As you can see, with O2 you can get a U.K. SIM card that includes services for browsing, calling and texting. To get one prepaid SIM card in London with a data plan, visit their website. 

Vodafone – One of the world’s leading mobile communications providers

Located in London, Newbury, and Berkshire, this company offers services in regions of Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania. This company has different prepaid SIM cards; with the Pay monthly SIM you can choose the contract length (30 days, 12 months or 18 months), or if you prefer not having a contract you can get a free Pay as you go SIM.

Thinking about traveling to London? Getting a Vodafone prepaid SIM card could be a good option for you, then you can have a local SIM and use your phone without roaming costs. 

The Pay monthly SIM with a contract for 30 days are the next ones:

Unlimited Max | £ 32 ($39.46)

• Includes: 77 roam-free destinations

Unlimited Lite | £ 25 ($30.83)

• Includes: 48 roam-free destinations

Unlimited | £ 28 ($34.53)

Red 20gb | £ 22 ($27.13) – 20gb.

Finally, if you prefer the free Pay as you go Sim card, you will not be charged on the days you do not use your phone, and if you do, the rates are as follows: 20p ($0.25) a minute, 20p ($0.25) a text and 20p ($0.25) for every 5MB of data.

We know very well that getting to a foreign country can be overwhelming sometimes. However, if you are worried about staying connected, in this article we have shown you many different options when it comes to the acquisition of prepaid SIM cards.  Just choose the one that suits you best and enjoy your stay in London!

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Buying SIM Card at Heathrow Airport – Travelers Guide

Heading to London and need a SIM card? This guide has all the key information you need to get connected with a UK SIM card at Heathrow airport.

Table of Contents

I. where to buy a sim card at heathrow airport.

There are a few main options for purchasing a SIM card at Heathrow:

1. SIM Local Stores

• Location : In the baggage claim areas as well as in the arrival halls of all terminals
• Opening hours : 6am-10pm

2. Vending Machines

There are also automated vending machines that sell SIM cards located throughout Heathrow’s terminals. You can find it easily in the baggage area, arrival hall, even in the parking.

The main downside with vending machines is the lack of customer support if you need help activating your SIM card. Overall they offer a quick self-service option.

3. Supermarkets & Convenience Stores

There are also mini supermarkets and stores like WHSmith located across Heathrow’s terminals that sell SIM cards from major UK networks. These include:

• Boots – Boots stores located in Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 sell SIMs from O2, Vodafone, EE and others. Open hours are generally 5am – 10pm.
• WHSmith – Found in all terminals, WHSmith shops open from 5am – 10pm. Offer SIM cards from Vodafone, EE, O2, GiffGaff, and more.
• Spar – Small Spar convenience stores in Terminals 2 and 3 also stock SIM cards from many providers.

While slightly less convenient than dedicated SIM card retailers, these shops provide another option if needed.

II. Heathrow Airport SIM Card Options and Costs

There are plenty of SIM card options from major UK networks available at Heathrow Airport. Here’s an overview of key providers and current pricing:

* Prices are approximate conversions to USD at time of writing. Actual costs in GBP. Data packages valid for 30 days

Getting a SIM card at Heathrow airport means you’ll have data right after landing.

III. What You Need to Prepare for Getting a SIM Card at Heathrow Airport

To purchase and set-up a UK SIM card when you land at Heathrow, make sure you have:

• Unlocked Phone – Your phone must be unlocked to accept a foreign SIM card. Contact your home carrier to unlock before traveling if needed.
• Passport or Photo ID – Some SIM card providers require you show your passport or national ID when buying.
• Nano/Micro SIM – Older phones use regular or micro SIM cards. Newer devices need a nano SIM, so bring an adapter if your current SIM isn’t nano sized.
• Activate Instructions – Print out or screenshot instructions from the SIM provider on how to activate the SIM card once inserted into your phone.
• Credit/Debit Card – Many SIM card vending machines and stores only accept credit or debit card, not cash. Have a card ready to pay.

With those items, buying and setting up a SIM card immediately after your flight lands at Heathrow Airport is quick and hassle-free.

IV. eSIM as an Alternative to Physical SIM Card at Heathrow Airport

Using an eSIM is a great alternative to buying a traditional plastic SIM card at Heathrow Airport. Here are the main benefits:

• Convenience – eSIMs are digital, meaning no need to go to a store. Just download the eSIM profile and get connected.
• Multi SIM Capability – eSIM allows you to have both your existing home SIM and a local data SIM active simultaneously.
• Flexibility – You can switch eSIM profiles as you travel to different countries. Or have multiple local profiles on one phone.
• Better Security – An eSIM can’t be physically removed from your phone like a plastic SIM card. Provides better protection against SIM swap fraud.

Many providers now offer global eSIM plans targeted at travelers, especially is GIGAGO

The benefit of an eSIM service like UK eSIM from GIGAGO is you can download the eSIM profile before you fly using Heathrow’s free WiFi. Then your UK data is ready to use immediately after landing – no need to find a store.

Let’s take a look at their best plans

Overall, eSIM provides maximum flexibility and convenience for staying connected while traveling. Heathrow’s WiFi makes it easy to set-up your eSIM after landing.

👉eSIM tips: Check eSIM- compatible device list before purchasing your eSIM.

Can I buy a SIM card late at night or early morning at Heathrow Airport?

Most SIM card stores and vending machines are open 24 hours a day at Heathrow, even very early or late. So you can purchase a SIM no matter what time your flight arrives or departs. 24/7 availability makes getting a SIM after a red-eye flight easy

What are the opening hours for SIM card shops at Heathrow terminals?

The major SIM card retailers like BT Mobile, Dixons and airport convenience stores generally open from 5am or 6am and close around 10pm-11pm. Smaller shops may have more variable hours. But you’ll always find multiple options open early morning through to late evening.

Can I pay by credit/debit card for a SIM card at Heathrow?

Yes, paying by credit or debit card is widely accepted at Heathrow Airport SIM shops and vending machines. Contactless or chip payments are the most common method. Some smaller stores may only take cash, so have some GBP on hand just in case.

Do Heathrow Airport SIM shops sell both contract and prepaid (Pay As You Go) SIMs?

Most SIM card retailers at Heathrow focus on selling prepaid SIMs as these are more convenient for short term visitors. But some do offer local contract SIMs for UK residents. Stores like BT Mobile also sell 12 month SIM only contracts for tourists needing long-term UK connectivity.

Is VAT included in the SIM card price at Heathrow?

Yes, SIM card prices advertised at stores and vending machines in Heathrow Airport will include the standard 20% VAT. Taxes are incorporated into the listed rates.

VI. Final Words

Purchasing a UK SIM card at Heathrow Airport is super quick and easy. Don’t forget to get ready with our UK eSIM after landing!

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Prepaid SIM card for London: Where to Buy in 2024?

Check out our guide to connecting to the internet in London - find out where to buy the best SIM card for the UK.

Leoneska R.

January 1, 2024

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Holafly saves you +30% compared to other roaming fees

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So you’re going to London. Home of the royal family, quirky pubs, and those famous black cabs. To take it all in, there’s one thing you can´t do, don’t have an internet connection. That’s why with a SIM card for London, you’ll be able to use your cell phone during your trip.

Modern travelers rely on a solid internet connection to get by. This is why you need to buy a London SIM card to avoid excessive charges from your telephone company. On the other hand, if you have a phone compatible with the new eSIM technology, you can also buy a virtual SIM card with which you will be communicated even faster.

Let’s find out how you can buy a SIM card or digital SIM card for London and what the best options are.

Virtual SIM card for London

>> Buy unlimited data virtual SIM for London from here << Get 5% OFF. Code: MYESIMNOW5

Where can I buy a SIM card for London?

We have clarified that the best way to stay connected to the internet on your trip is through a prepaid SIM card for London. But if you haven’t traveled lately or you don’t know the city it is normal to have doubts about where to do it. The good news is that as a tourist, you have many options to buy your SIM card for London; you need to choose the one that best suits your needs.

Each option has its clear advantages , and it will almost always depend on when you want to buy your SIM card. In the last few years, a new trend known as embedded SIM card or eSIM has emerged and is here to stay with more advantages than the traditional SIM card.

In this article, we will give you information on each option, but generally speaking, travelers visiting London have three ways to buy their SIM card for tourist:

• You can buy them before arriving in the city . This is thanks to the virtual stores that offer the service with deliveries worldwide. 
• You can buy them once you are in London . You have to know the local phone companies, go to one of their physical stores and buy your SIM card.  

The last option and solution for many travelers are to buy a virtual SIM card before arriving in London through virtual stores but with immediate delivery no matter where you are.

Buy before you travel.

We already know that the best way to stay connected to the internet in London is through a prepaid SIM card. In turn, for many travelers, the best way to buy one of these SIM cards is before arriving in the city through online stores. There are a lot of options on the web that offer tourist SIM card services for London and other destinations. They also offer international shipping to almost any destination and with a lead time that often depends on the delivery zone. A solution with immediate delivery is the virtual SIM cards, which we will know more about later. 

It is true that on the internet, you can find many options for SIM cards for London, but what should we take into account to choose one ? Well, important points such as coverage and connection speed that they offer are fundamental. These remote providers rely on local phone companies to offer you the service, so you should choose one that enjoys the coverage of a good operator in London . It is also important to check if the online store does not have any usage policy that may affect your connection speed.

Last but not least, it is important to confirm if the online store has delivery in your country, what would be the cost of this delivery and what are the available payment methods. After having all this information, you will be ready to buy your SIM card for London and enjoy its benefits.

Pros of buying a data plan for abroad before traveling

These advantages are shared by physical SIM cards and virtual SIM cards. However, the digital options have some more benefits that we will get to know later:

• Always connected

Buying your SIM card before arriving in London will allow you to activate it as soon as you are in the city, so you will always be connected to the internet. This is ideal for keeping in touch with those close to you, requesting a location, or even finding a means of transport.

• More time to enjoy

You can complete the task of sorting out your internet connection in London before you arrive. This way, you won’t waste time looking for physical stores to buy your prepaid SIM card once you are in the city.

• More plans for tourist

It is very common that online stores have more options for plans for tourists than local operators. So there are options for short, long, and medium stays.

Buy your tourist SIM card in London.

Before the virtual stores took part in the telecommunications market, the traditional way to have a SIM card for tourists in London was through a local operator . These companies within their services offer packages aimed at tourists , just locate a physical store and request your SIM card. It is important to mention that in this way, it will always be necessary to register your chip as indicated in the internal policies. This process, besides requesting an identification document , can take time. With this in mind, we will be talking about the operators that offer services for tourists in London.

Vodafone UK

This company, with a presence in several European countries, also has operations in the UK and coverage in London. Vodafone prepaid SIM card for London has five plan options available for tourists. These data packages range from 7GB to 100GB , and even a final but more expensive unlimited data option. In all versions, the plans include unlimited messages and minutes to local numbers. The duration of the packages is 30 days with an automatic renewal option . In case of no credit for ninety days in a row, the SIM card will be suspended. You can find a map of London’s physical stores on their website to locate them more quickly.

Three 

This UK-based company has excellent coverage in London and SIM card options for tourists. Three SIM card has a Pay-as-you-go format with options of 10GB, 50GB, 100GB, and a final package with unlimited data . Along with the data, you will have unlimited calls and messages to local numbers and the option to roam in other European countries for an additional daily fee. The duration of the plans is 30 days , and you can renew it as long as you have enough credit. These SIM cards, in addition to being available in physical stores in the city, are available at Amazon UK with local home delivery.

Another option to buy a local SIM card for London is through O2. This phone company offers plans known as rolling plans with options from 10GB to 150GB to be used in 30 days. In case you do not use up the data and renew the plan, the data will be available in the next period. In addition to the data, you can enjoy unlimited calls and messages to local numbers . O2 offers the option to associate the payment of your plan to a credit or debit card so that the debit and renewal will be done automatically. In case of no credit within six months, the SIM card will be suspended.

How much does a prepaid SIM card for internet in London cost?

The local UK phone companies are well established in London, so you will be able to find a physical store not far from you. All options have similar prices for each of the data quantities. The choice of which one to select may be more about ease of purchase and proximity to your location. You can expect to pay between $15 and $50 for a local SIM card for London . The more data the plan offers, the more expensive it will be. As you will also notice, all plans are for 30 days, so if your stay is shorter, you will be paying more for a service that you will not fully use.

For this reason, we will introduce you to an excellent alternative known as a virtual SIM card or just eSIM. Online stores like Holafly offer this type of virtual SIM card for London and many other destinations, with plans adjusted to any type of stay.

eSIM card for London, the future of SIM cards

Telecommunication is advancing faster and faster, and the latest evolution that has arrived is the embedded SIM card or eSIM. These are completely digital versions of the physical SIM cards that you have been using for years. They bring with them, in addition to all the features of the physical versions, the possibility of getting into your hands faster .

An example of this is the Holafly eSIM for London, with which you can be connected only after a few clicks. Being digital, online stores like Holalfy can sell and deliver them anywhere in the world and instantly . In addition to having coverage available in more destinations around the world.

Along with what we have already mentioned below, we will give you some of its advantages and disadvantages so that you know in depth about the new trend in telecommunication.

Advantages and disadvantages of virtual SIM cards

Advantages:

• Purchase and activation in minutes

It is very easy to buy them; just visit the Holafly website, select your destination and plan, then proceed with the purchase, and that’s it. The eSIM being digital will be sent immediately to your email from which you can activate it.

• Unlimited data is yours.

All plans available for London also offer unlimited data within the period of use. You will never stop communicating with the Holafly eSIM card for London. And if you are visiting other places, the European eSIM will work for you!

• Top up at your fingertips.

If your stay in London extends a little longer, with Holalfy’s eSIM UK, you can top up your service. It is as easy as entering the store and selecting another plan for the same destination. This will be automatically activated on your eSIM card.

• Customer service every day 

Holafly eSIM users recommend customer service. Available 24 hours a day every day in more than five languages and several communication channels to solve any situation from the smallest to the most complex.

Disadvantages 

• You must confirm the compatibility. 

Please note that unless your phone is eSIM compatible, you will not be able to use eSIM. It is more common in the latest generation phones. If you are not sure if yours has it, you can check Holafly’s list of compatible phones.

How much does the eSIM for London cost?

Let’s take a look at the different eSIM plans offered by Holafly.

Frequently asked questions about London SIM cards

You can activate data roaming and use data from your current provider. But this will be very expensive. If you plan on using this option, you can expect a hefty phone bill when you return home. Alternatively, you could buy Pocket Wi-Fi (a portable device that generates WiFi for your phone). This option is also expensive, and you’ll have to carry the device everywhere. A physical or virtual SIM card for London is the cheapest and most convenient way of connecting to the internet.

The cost of data roaming depends on the provider, but you can expect to pay between $7 – $15. So if you watched a movie on Netflix, it could cost you hundreds. That’s why we recommend a London SIM card.

If you buy your virtual SIM card from Holafly, you can contact their customer support team 24/7. All SIM cards come with set-up instructions.

In order for your mobile phone to work in London, you must make sure that it has unlocked bands. That way, you will be able to connect to the internet through local operators in London.

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Buy The Best Prepaid SIM Card for London (Heathrow, Gatwick & UK)

So you need a travel SIM card for London and the UK in 2023? After googling this and looking at the top results littered with terrible choices for travelers that make them pay more for an affiliate commission we knew we had to share this. So, do you want the real, no bullsh*t guide that’s going to save you money AND give you more data + more days for that money? If so, read on, and we’ll share exactly what you need to do .

Why trust us? We live in the UK so we know exactly what you need to do to get a cheaper SIM card and get more bang for your buck. Use this technique to save you £10-15/month during your stay here.

Our writer Nicole used this article on her recent trip to London and saved herself 50% on SIM Card plans in the UK!

The Cheapest Way To Get A SIM Card For The UK | Head To The Shops

The Airport sells SIM cards for tourists and prices are double what you’ll find in a shop. To save money, leave the airport and go to a Tesco, Sainsbury’s, or corner shop (convenience shop). Here, buy a prepaid SIM card (with data), or a SIM without a plan and add data online. We recommend Giff Gaff (cheapest, decent coverage) or EE network (best speed & coverage).

Here’s how to get a SIM card in London:

• Find a convenience shop or purchase at the airport (double price) – Tesco, Sainsbury’s, or any convenience shop will do
• Look for a SIM card – GiffGaff offers best bang for buck, EE offers best speeds & coverage, Three has great speeds but poor coverage, Vodafone has ok speeds and ok coverage, O2 is expensive and slow but great coverage
• Purchase a pre-paid PAYG SIM plan – read the packets, they show what’s included for the price, purchase a suitable one (you do not need a passport)
• Put the SIM card in your phone – use a SIM pin to eject the tray and put your new SIM in your phone
• You are good to go! – you should have data, minutes and texts almost instantly

Contrary to what you might find online, you do not need a passport to purchase a pay-as-you-go SIM card in the UK. However, if you purchase a SIM card without a plan and want to top up online, when you register to do so, you may need to provide your identification documents. For pre-paid plans, this is not the case.

Purchasing a plan online is generally cheaper, so if you want to purchase just the SIM (usually around £0.99-£1.50) and choose a plan online, it’s a very easy process and only takes a few minutes. If you’re staying for 2 weeks to a month in London or the UK you’ll be able to purchase a monthly plan for a low cost that will include quite a bit of data. This will support your travels around the entire of London and the UK.

We recommend looking for a GiffGaff SIM Card. This will be the cheapest option with the best coverage and speeds for the price. However, be aware that 5G coverage is not as good on Giff Gaff as it is on EE.

If want the fastest speeds and best coverage, but are happy to pay more, look for an EE SIM Card.

Both of these brands can be picked up in any convenience shop or supermarket in the UK. Go to a Tesco and you will find both Giff Gaff and EE SIM cards. Some will have pre-paid plans, but it’s usually best to just get the SIM card and purchase the plan online later on. Additionally, if you go to a phone shop you may be able to get a SIM card for free, however, you might have to show your passport for this and Giff Gaff does not have physical stores like EE does.

With GiffGaff pay-as-you-go, you can get:

• 15GB data & unlimited calls + texts (£10)
• 30GB data & unlimited calls + texts (£15)
• 80GB data & unlimited calls + texts (£20)
• 150GB data & unlimited calls + texts (£35)

With EE pay-as-you-go you can get:

• 8GB data & unlimited calls + texts (£10)
• 25GB data & unlimited calls + texts (£15)
• 50GB data & unlimited calls + texts (£20)
• 125GB data & unlimited calls + texts (£30)

As you can see, compared to airport prices, you’re saving quite a bit of money.

In general, it’s best to avoid Lyca and Three Mobile, as both have pretty poor coverage in the UK, however Three speeds are great. In London you should be ok, but across the country you’ll experience connection drops.

GiffGaff uses O2’s signal masts, which means the coverage is fantastic. In the UK O2 currently has the best coverage for 4G with 99% of the country covered. However, if you want 5G, it will be best for you to get EE, as they have 99% coverage for both 4G and 5G. If you are staying in London, you will get 5G everywhere with GiffGaff, but outside major cities, the signal is not as good for 5G specifically.

If you’re going up to Scotland (which many UK travelers do), Giff Gaff’s 5G connectivity is much worse, but 4G is 99%.

You can check the coverage where you’re staying before flying to London , by entering the postcode into their coverage map, which can be found here to see if it’s worth looking for another SIM type. You can also check EE’s network coverage here.

Shops That Sell SIM Cards in London

In London, there are many shops that sell both monthly and prepaid SIM cards. All major brands, Vodafone, Three, O2 & EE have physical stores that you can go into and buy a prepaid UK sim card or a pay monthly plan. You will also be able to head to any Supermarket or Convenience shop to get yourself online.

In London here is a list of the shops that will sell pre-paid SIM cards:

• Sainsbury’s
• Curry’s
• Any brand corner shop (convenience store)

Most SIM cards that do not come loaded with a data plan should cost you no more than £0.99 ($1.21). You’ll then be able to top-up any of these SIM cards online and purchase a data plan online. You do not need a passport to do this.

If you want to browse multiple SIM card deals, you can go to Curry’s or Argos. They stock different network SIM cards and will have shop assistants that will be able to help you choose a plan.

The Best SIM Card Deals Are Online

If you want to save money, it’s best to order a SIM card for your accommodation and purchase a SIM plan online. If you already know your address before traveling, we recommend doing this as you’ll save a lot.

Some of the cheapest UK SIM cards are:

• SMARTY – network run by Three UK, 91% coverage, 30.7/5.6Mbps
• VOXI – network run by Vodafone UK, 99% coverage, 21.2/7.1Mbps
• Giff Gaff – network run by O2 UK, 99% coverage, 16.8/4.9Mbps

Every UK network will send you a SIM card totally free of charge, so it’s good to check the plans online ahead of time. You can check a website like moneysupermarket.com to see the latest and best deals.

Getting A SIM Card At London Heathrow Airport

To get a UK SIM card at Heathrow Airport, go to Terminals 2&3 or 4 and go to “sim LOCAL” shop or vending machine. You can purchase a SIM from either. You can also find SIM cards at “WHSmith”. Keep in mind you’ll pay double the local price in supermarkets and will get less data, so to save money, avoid this & wait to leave the airport.

At any convenience shop or supermarket, you can find the best prepaid SIM cards. You do not need passport verification to buy. We recommend doing this instead (explained below), but if you like the convenience of getting a SIM at the airport, we’ve listed the places you can do so below.

Where Are The SIM Card Stands Located?

You will find SIM card stands at Terminals 2,3 & 4 at London Heathrow Airport. There will be a stand near baggage claim, the arrivals hall, and close to the information desks dotted around. There are no retailers that sell SIM cards in Heathrow. If however you land in Gatwick, you will find WHSmith stores that sell SIM cards.

Close to baggage claim aisle 7, there is a simLOCAL stand and a vending machine. In the arrivals hall and baggage claim section, look for the claim aisle 7 if you are lost trying to find the SIM card stall.

Buying A SIM Card At Gatwick Airport

To get a SIM card at London Gatwick Airport, go to North or South Terminal and find “WHSmith”. You can purchase a SIM card from here. We recommend EE because it has the best coverage and speeds in the UK. Keep in mind you’ll pay double the local price in supermarkets and will get less data, so to save money, avoid this & wait to leave the airport.

At any supermarket, or convenience shop you can find cheaper, better SIM card plans (explained below). When leaving the airport look for any Tesco, Sainsbury’s or convenience shop. You do not need a passport to purchase a pay-as-you-go SIM plan.

At North Terminal in the arrivals hall you will find a shop called “WHSmith”, located close to the “Costa Coffee”. This sells pre-paid SIM card plans from EE and Three networks. EE is the best choice of network for speed an coverage. You will also find another WHSmith shop in South Terminal.

When you enter the shop, you should see a stand at the front of the shop that will have SIM card packets from both EE and Three. Look at the images below to help you locate it.

Buy A UK SIM Card Before Arriving in London – What Are My Options?

Before arriving in London you have two options for SIM cards:

• Prepaid SIM card – a physical SIM card that can be ordered online and sent to your door, most networks offer them free
• E-SIMs – a virtual SIM that any iPhone newer than 2018, and any Samsung or Google Pixel newer than 2020 can use

If you know where you are traveling and have accommodation listed, many providers will send free SIM cards. If you have your accommodation address we recommend doing this, then activating it once you arrive and adding a plan online. This is an easy process and doesn’t require a passport.

The main advantage of getting an E-SIM over a UK prepaid SIM card is that you never have to remove your current one. This allows you to keep receiving authentication texts for logins like banking, PayPal etc., and also removes the possibility of losing your original SIM card.

Personally, we don’t think it’s worth the cost and, unless you really need to access your old SIM card a lot abroad, we recommend getting a pre-paid SIM and keeping your old one in a safe place, like an electronics case.

Should I Get An E-SIM Card For The UK?

The main providers for E-SIMs in London, UK & Europe are:

The best options for Europe, UK, and London are the networks – Spusu and Nomad. These are the cheapest, cover most European countries and offer the most data as well as European country-to-country calls included in the price. SimOptions, Airlo and Holafly are quite expensive and poor value for money, and despite them having lucrative affiliate programs, we will never recommend you something based on our personal commission gain. Spusu and Nomad are best. Spusu is the best and has no affiliate program.

Spusu is specifically best for the UK, London, and Europe because it offers a large amount of data for a small monthly cost, you can cancel your subscription at any time, and it covers over 36 countries in the EU. So, if you are on a European backpacking trip, you can purchase this SIM plan and not have to worry about constantly changing SIM cards between countries- essentially giving you a SIM card for Europe (nice!)

Spusu offers 36 countries in the EU where roaming and calls are available at no extra charge. So, if you’re on a travel throughout Europe, the $12/month plan would cover you for all of these countries and offer more than enough data of 20GB per month unless you’re hot-spotting everywhere. This is the cheapest EU roaming E-Sim plan for the UK and EU.

For unlimited data, the price comes in slightly lower than most of the Sim Options, Airlo, Holafly, and Nomad plans at $43/month. This appears to be the most cost-effective plan for travel to the UK & Europe and is in fact almost the same costs as some of the PAYG plans you’ll find when arriving in the UK.

Nomad is a little more expensive than Spsusu and is more in line with the higher-priced E-sim options available for the UK and Europe. However, Nomad often has sales, so you can get some pretty great monthly deals compared to the likes of Sim Options, Airlo or Holafly. $25 for 20GB/month and free EU data roaming to over 35 countries is not bad. It’s not the best, but it’s not bad.

Unfortunately, Nomad does not include any unlimited options on their EU and UK E-Sims which is where they fall short.

If you are traveling to other parts of the world like South East Asia, and Thailand specifically, then Nomad is a great plan of choice compared to the options available there.

Sim Options

Sim Options offer a wider range of plans including some UK exclusives, so if you are traveling Europe, make sure you check before purchasing. The higher priced “Travel Basic +”, “My European Sim” & Orange packages can be used in European countries as well as the UK, but comparing them to Spusu, they’re really not worth it. Other online publications have recommended these for European travel, but you can get more data in more countries for a lower price with Spusu.

If you’re going to use Sim Options, we recommend getting a pre-paid PAYG SIM plan when you arrive in the UK instead, or just opting for another E-Sim option.

Which is The Best Network For The UK?

There are 4 main networks in the UK:

And, although there are other brands, these brands piggyback off the masts of these 4 listed above. For example: Giff Gaff uses O2’s masts for connection, but is a different brand to O2 and provides a different service.

Generally, the networks that piggyback off the main network masts are cheaper, and you will get more for your money. We recommend purchasing a plan from one of the networks that piggybacks off a main network’s masts because they are cheaper and the coverage and speeds you get are pretty much the same.

Below are the best SIM networks in London & the UK (in order):

After personally using EE, O2, and Vodafone, as well as getting experience from family and friends using Three, we can confidently say any network that uses EE or O2 masts is the best. Any network that uses Vodafone masts is 2nd best, and anything that uses Three masts is the worst and you will drop connection frequently through the country, but you get great speeds from Three when it works.

None of these networks will give you a “bad” experience. All have good coverage and decent speeds. However, EE hands down provide the best speeds and coverage for both 4G & 5G connections. This personal experience is backed up with coverage tests done by both the Independent and USwitch . Additionally a Rootmetrics report of the UK showed that many experienced the best connectivity and speeds across the whole of the UK on EE.

We personally use Giff Gaff & VOXI at the current moment but have past experience with O2, Vodafone & EE. These are brands that use O2 & Vodafone masts. Our reasoning for this choice is they are much cheaper than alternatives, and we live in a fairly populated place where the connection is not likely to drop, never traveling much of the UK.

Our experience with Giff Gaff, Vodafone, O2, VOXI, and EE has been very positive in London & the UK. All networks rarely drop the connection and provide decent speeds throughout the country.

EE (Best UK SIM)

EE has the best coverage for 4G & 5G connections with 99% of the UK covered. Additionally, with EE you will receive the fastest connection speeds throughout the UK & London. It is one of the more expensive networks, but it is thoroughly worth it if you have the extra cash to hand.

You can get an EE sim at any London Airport, supermarket, or convenience shop. We recommend a supermarket or convenience shop. At the Airport you will pay 2x price for the same plan.

Below is a map of the coverage that EE provides in London & the UK:

You can see the full coverage map of the EE connection here.

Giff Gaff (Cheapest, Best Coverage UK SIM)

Giff Gaff uses O2 masts to provide connectivity, meaning you will experience great connectivity throughout London and the UK. However, the speeds on O2 are slow compared with other network providers. A Rootmetrics report showed O2 was the slowest network in the UK for speed. Giff Gaff has great connectivity and low prices, which is why we rate it highly.

Our experience with Giff Gaff has been fantastic. We currently pay £10/month for 15GB of data. Connection rarely drops and speeds are fast enough for our personal use. However, you can get better speeds using other networks like Three, EE, and Vodafone. Although, may experience less coverage with Three and Vodafone compared. This is ok if you are not traveling far from built-up areas in London and the UK.

Here is the coverage map of Giff Gaff:

You can check the coverage of the area you’re staying for Giff Gaff here.

VOXI uses Vodafone masts to provide connectivity. This offers 97% connectivity throughout the UK and average speeds of 21.2/7.1Mbps. Unfortunately, you cannot purchase a VOXI SIM in a convenience shop, so it will be hard for a traveler to get a hold of. Prices are very low, and VOXI offers unlimited social data on all plans.

We personally use VOXI at the moment and have a great experience with it, currently paying only £12/month for 25GB of data. The connection very rarely drops and the speeds are good for the price.

You can see the full coverage that VOXI provides here

When testing VOXI for speed it performed better than O2 and Giff Gaff, but EE and Three had better speeds. Below we’ve left an image of the speed test we conducted on 4G connection with 3 bars.

O2 offers 99% coverage across the UK and average speeds of 16.8/4.9Mbps. Most people report that O2 has some of the slowest speeds but is rated 2nd best when it comes to coverage. Plans are extremely expensive on O2, which is why you might want to look into other networks that piggyback off O2’s masts.

Having used O2 before we have been happy with the service provided. Coverage was good throughout the UK with few dropouts and speed was good enough for our personal use. However, the price was far above any of the other networks we used. We personally used O2 on a contract for £50+/month on a Samsung Galaxy S15 with an 8GB data plan.

Here is the coverage map of O2 in the UK:

You can see the full coverage that O2 provides here

Vodafone offers 97% coverage across the UK and average speeds of 21.2/7.1Mbps. Most people report that Vodafone is 2nd best when it comes to speed, but coverage is rated 3rd. Plans are mid-range on Vodafone, but if you look into a network that piggyback’s off the masts, you’ll be able to get much cheaper plans with the same network experience.

Having personally used Vodafone for the past few years we can confirm that the coverage is worse than O2, but speeds are generally better. With Vodafone, the plans are relatively affordable on PAYG and pay monthly. For £15 you can get 20GB of data per month. When you compare this to their sister brand VOXI this is pretty expensive.

Here is a map of Vodafone’s coverage in London & the UK:

To check the coverage of Vodafone you can head to this link.

When testing Vodafone’s speeds on speedtest.net, with a 4G connection and 3 bars available, the results we found were as follows. The average speeds were quite low, but generally better than O2 speeds, however slower than both Three and EE.

Three offers 91% coverage across the UK and average speeds of 30.7/5.6Mbps. Three offers the best speeds next to EE, but the coverage is pretty poor and you might experience more drop-outs if you travel into the countryside and go more off-beaten-path. Pay as you go plans are also very cheap on Three network, with plans as low as £15 for 40GB of data per month.

We have no personal experience using Three, however, based on friend’s and family’s experience we don’t want to have experience with Three. Most of the time they drop connection far more frequently but experience good speeds. With other networks like VOXI and Giff Gaff offering competitive rates, going with Three seems pretty pointless.

If you are in London or somewhere built-up Three should be fine for connectivity.

Here is a coverage map of Three in London & the UK:

To check the coverage of three you can use this website.

I’m Harry – and I was tired of the same old “10 best places I’ve never been but I’m writing about for some reason” blog posts. So… I’m a young traveller on a mission to travel the world and share my true, unfiltered experience, including all the gristly details. From packing my life into one bag for a year, to traveling Vietnam by motorbike, to sorting out Visas for specific countries – I’ve done it all, am doing it all and only give my advice on things I have done – not regurgitated cr*p from another source *cough* most publications *cough* . So bear with us! This project will take some time to grow, and will take a fair bit of money. But I’m determined to make it the single best source of information about traveling on the internet.

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Best Prepaid SIM Card for UK Tourists with Data

Last Updated on December 3, 2023

by Michael Rozenblit

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

One of the most popular destinations to visit anywhere in the world is the United Kingdom. And whether you’re planning a city break in London , explore rural Scotland or anything in between, it’s undeniable that finding the best prepaid SIM card for tourists to the UK will make your time in Britain easier to navigate.

Even if you’re planning to combine your trip in the UK with Ireland or many other countries in continental Europe, you’ll still be able to use any of these prepaid SIM cards in many other countries.

So if you’re wondering what the best UK sim card for visitors is and how to best buy them, check out our guide below to ensure you can easily stay connected while in the UK!

Want a quick answer? My choice for the best UK SIM card that can be purchased online is the  Orange Prepaid SIM with 30GB Data (eSIM available)  or the  Three Prepaid SIM with 12GB data

Prepaid SIM Card for UK Visitors Comparison

How to purchase a travel sim card for the uk.

If you’re used to buying SIM cards in the USA , you might be pleasantly surprised to know that you can actually buy a local SIM card in many arrival ports of the UK such as Heathrow or Gatwick Airport. However, while this might seem like a convenient option, there are a few disadvantages to taking this approach.

The first and perhaps most obvious one is that if you’re coming to the UK after a long flight, you probably prefer to get as quickly as possible to wherever you’re staying, rather than dealing with shopping for SIM card for the UK.

Secondly, a lot of the SIM cards sold at airports often are marked up meaning you are paying more than you should. And if you’re only travelling in the UK for a short period of time, you probably don’t want to waste your precious time going to the various telecom shops.

Finally, it’s undoubtedly more convenient to be able to connect to data as soon as you land in the UK either to be able to order a cheaper taxi through an app or simply to let your family back home know that you’ve arrived!

With a plethora of great UK prepaid sim cards available online, I personally suggest travellers pre-order one a few weeks before they’re due to leave, pop it into their phone and know that they’ll have data as soon as they land in the UK!

If you prefer to pick one up when landing in the UK and are prepared to pay an inflated price, then you can head to shops like WH Smith and Sim Local or look for vending machines that exist in some airports.

Will a UK SIM Card Work in my Phone?

Before you travel to the UK and buy a SIM card, you want to make sure that your mobile phone is unlocked completely and will work with a different carrier to what you use back home.

If you have bought your mobile phone on a contract plan, you should call your provider at home and check to see if your phone can be unlocked. If you’re not under contract, your phone might still be locked but the provider should unlock it for free.

Be aware that your mobile phone provider might try to upsell you an expensive roaming package — this is undoubtedly the most costly option for travellers heading abroad. If, for whatever reason, you can’t get your phone unlocked, a cheaper option might be to purchase a mobile WiFi hotspot or an unlocked phone online.

Alternatively, you can always rely on public WiFI in cafes and your accommodation, however, this isn’t always ideal for a short trip! If you choose to go down this route, then make sure to subscribe to a quality VPN such as ExpressVPN .

Best SIM Cards for UK Tourists

These are some of the best UK SIM cards for travellers that can be purchased online and allow you to have data as soon as you land!

Three Prepaid SIM with 12GB Data

Whether you’re travelling only in the UK or looking for a SIM card for all of Europe , the Three Prepaid SIM with 12GB Data is undoubtedly one of the best deals available for travellers.

This SIM card comes with 12GB data, 3000 minutes of calls and 3000 texts which can be used for 30 days across a total of 71 countries including the EU countries and even in the US, Canada & Australia!

If you’re travelling for more than 30 days you have the option of recharging your phone, or alternatively, you can consider purchasing a Three SIM Card with 1-year validity here . The only difference to be aware of with these SIM cards is that they don’t include phone calls or SMS credits.

Some things to be aware of with this Three SIM is that you can only use calls or texts for other UK and other European numbers and it’s not possible to use this SIM card as a mobile hotspot.

Orange Prepaid SIM Card with 30GB Data

If the disadvantages of the Three Prepaid SIM card make it not a suitable option for your needs, you’ll be happy to know that the Orange Prepaid SIM card might be the perfect choice for you. It is available as a physical SIM card or an eSIM.

Coming with a whopping 30GB of data it also includes 120 minutes of phone calls and 1000 SMS that can be used to call or message any number around the world.

It also has no restrictions in terms of being able to use the SIM card as a hotspot so you have the guarantee of a reliable internet connection for your laptop!

This SIM card only has 14 days of validity however you can easily recharge online so it’s ideal for heavy data users that will probably be using this SIM card as a hotspot during their travels.

It also has a smaller country list than the Three Prepaid SIM card, as it only works in 30 countries however they do still cover all the major European destinations.

All in all, the Orange SIM card is a fantastic option for a UK sim card for visitors who need a large data allowance and the ability to make some short phone calls back home!

O2 Prepaid SIM Card with Unlimited Data

Another good option for travellers looking for a UK prepaid SIM card is the O2 SIM Card .

This SIM card gives you unlimited data in the UK, however, it doesn’t include any roaming options for Europe so it’s not a great option if you plan on country-hopping.

It also doesn’t include any calls or texts so it’s really designed for people that want a lot of data in the UK only.

The credit is valid for 30 days and it is possible to recharge this SIM card. You can also use it as a mobile hotspot, unlike the Three Prepaid SIM card.

Overall, the O2 SIM Card is a great SIM card choice if you’re planning to primarily stay in the UK and don’t need any calls or texts.

Giffgaff Prepaid SIM Card with 20GB Data

If you want to have flexibility on your trip to the UK when it comes to your data allowance then the Giffgaff SIM with 20GB data is a great option.

This SIM card allows you to purchase 20GB of data with the lowest tier option but you also have options to buy larger data plans which have 35GB or 100GB of data.

This SIM card utilises the O2 network and also includes unlimited calls and texts across the UK. You are also able to use 5GB for data roaming in the EU. There is also the option to pay extra if you would like to call or text the USA.

The Giffgaff SIM card is rechargeable and remains active for up to six months of no usage so is a good option if you plan to do multiple trips to the UK and don’t want to always be buying a new SIM card for every trip.

Cellhire Prepaid SIM Card with 12GB Data

If you’re simply looking for a throwaway SIM Card to use for a one-off trip to the UK & possibly Europe then the Cellhire SIM Card with 12GB data might be a good option for you.

This SIM card doesn’t come with any calls or texts included and isn’t rechargeable which means it’s most suitable for travellers looking for a basic data SIM card.

You can activate it in Europe rather than the UK so it’s ideal if you’re first stop is outside of the United Kingdom.

The Cellhire SIM Card can be purchased with different data limits and has an expiry of 60 days.

It can also be used as a hotspot making it great if you want to share data with friends across devices for a long period of time. In other words, this might be a great option for long-term backpackers in Europe!

If you’re a visitor looking for a travel SIM card for the UK, then you’ll be happy to know that there are a number of great options that can be purchased online to ensure you have internet access as soon as you land!

Are you looking to buy a prepaid SIM card for the UK? Have any questions about these SIMs? Let us know in the comments below!

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About Michael Rozenblit

Michael is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Both solo and with his partner, Maggie, he has travelled to over 50 countries across the globe and has a particular affinity for the Balkans and Eastern Europe. He’s lived in numerous countries worldwide but currently resides in his hometown of Melbourne, Australia. Read more about Michael

Hi Micheal, I am a visitor in Uk and will stay there for 3 weeks.I need just internet data service on my phone as I am planning to use it for just navigation or texting / calling via whatasapp whenever I am out .I will arrive in Heathrow.As far as I check it seems that there is no good deal for me at the airport.I need a simcard that can be bought and activated right there .I checked O2 deals ,but not sure any option would be there that can be bought right in place in any O2 stores or any other service providers that meets my requirement.what is your recommendation?Thanks in advance.

Hello Michael, Flying in from Austria (EU) we do not have the free roaming option between EU to GB and vice versa anymore due to Brexit . I’m going to London only for a five-day stay arriving in Stansted . I have a Samsung mobile A52 with Dual SIM and need a prepaid SIMcard only for roaming from London to EU with 4 to 5 GB data . What is your recommendation , Thanks

Hi Andy, The Orange or Three SIM would be my choice.

Hello Michael! I’ll be traveling to both UK and Greece for a total stay of 10 days, and would like to know which SIM card would suit my travel plans considering that I am arriving in UK first. I mainly need the internet data service as am planning to use both FaceTime and iMessage as my main means of communication. Thank you in advance!

Good evening Michael, I will be travelling thru Scotland, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Wales and England on self drive holiday mid next year. I am hoping to use Apple maps as a navigation tool in our hire car and am looking for a SIM only arrangement that provides enough data for 42 days touring (est. 20GB) and allows some text and call time. Any suggestions, as it seems nothing available currently achieves my requirements. Thanks Steve

Hi Stephen, I would suggest choosing a SIM card that you can recharge.

Hi Michael,

Thanks for the info. Do you know average price of sims purchased locally? Since I’m travelling to Scotland next week I don’t think I’ll be able to order sim online.

Thanks, Hadas

Hi Hadas, It will depend entirely on how much data/credit you’ll want for your trip.

Hi Michael, I’ll be traveling through out Scotland and a portion of England, then to Republic of Ireland over the course of about 25 days. Is there one sim card that will work in both areas?

Thanks, Mike

Hi Mike, All the listed SIMs should work in both the UK and Ireland.

Hi Michael, I’m planning on being in the UK for 50 days. I notice most SIM cards are for 30 days or less. Do I need to purchase 2 sim cards? Thanks, Kevin

Hi Kevin, Several of the SIM cards listed in this article are rechargeable.

I will be in UK only for 32 days and spend much my time in rural West Somerset, Wales, and Cornwall.

Hi Michael!

Do you know which would work best in the Scottish Highlands?

Thank you in advance and Happy New Year.

The Orange SIM is a good option if travelling in more rural areas.

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Getting a sim card at London Heathrow - My Experience - London Forum

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Getting a sim card at London Heathrow - My Experience

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This post was determined to be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed.

One word - DON'T.

Wait until you get into the centre of London where you can pick up SIMs for the princely cost of nothing - NADA, ZILCH, ZERO.

Carphone Warehouse...in every High Street.

Can you explain how to get a SIM card for nothing?

SIMs are often free if you top up £10 at the time.

Or they cost 99p or a £1.

I am sorry to hear that stc. And also for JoeintheUK's bad mannered and irrelevant posting.

To summarise for Joe, you were advised to not to buy in Heathrow for cost reasons only. Wherever you bought it, you had the right to believe that it would work, or that they would fix the problem. Unacceptable.

For the record I completely agree with Joe, who was 100% correct. There is nothing worse than coming across an extremely long unbroken block of text that someone expects you to read. It makes it very difficult so most of the time I don't bother. Inserting paragraphs isn't rocket science, and is something most of us got taught about in primary school.

The OP posted 8 months ago and the thread was woken up by #3 (at least it was a relevant question).

I tend to think those that post with no paragraphs are copying/pasting onto multiple forums and not bothering to check if the carriage returns are lost or not.

I am sorry to hear that stc.

What, nine months after the event ? I guess he's gotten over it by now,whatever "it" was since judging by the number of replies to his post, most people felt the same as me about the difficulty of reading massive slabs of text.

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Best Prepaid UK SIM Card for Travel in 2024

Traveling to the UK and wondering what is the best way to stay connected? Don’t waste money on high roaming costs or slow overseas data roaming plans. In this complete guide for finding the best  UK SIM card  for your trip, you will read everything you need to know about buying a prepaid SIM card in the UK.

Find out everything about the best 4G/5G network coverage, a comparison of the UK mobile internet providers, up to date prices as per March 2024, the best eSIM cards for the UK , where to buy a SIM card, all about EU roaming with UK prepaid SIM cards, international SIM cards and more.

Where to Buy a UK SIM Card

The easiest place to buy a SIM card in the  United Kingdom  is directly on arrival at the airport. It’s more expensive but very convenient. Check out my guides for buying a UK SIM card at London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Stansted, Luton or Manchester Airport and I will tell you exactly where to go, how much UK SIM cards cost at the airport, if you can get an eSIM card at the airport and more.

In this article you will find a UK SIM card comparison of all the pay-as-you-go deals from the mobile internet providers in the UK and the most well known MVNOs. All the prepaid SIM card deals mentioned can be bought in any official retail store or reseller shops across the UK.

Unfortunately as per March 2024 you can still only get physical prepaid SIM cards, there are no eSIMs for tourists available from the major providers. Are you looking for eSIMs for the UK? Then check out my comparison of the best eSIM cards for traveling to the UK in 2024.

Why You Need a Local UK SIM Card

Being a full-time nomadic travel blogger since 2012 and also trying to visit every country in the world, you can understand why I constantly change countries. In 2022 I visited a total of 62 different countries and in 2023 I traveled to 34 countries.

Nowadays I pretty much all the time use eSIM cards as they are the easiest way to stay connected, but sometimes I prefer local prepaid SIM cards, depending on my trip.

Looking for the best way to stay connected is the first thing I do when I get to a new country and I like to document my research for the best SIM cards and all my travel tips. On Traveltomtom you can already find more than 200 SIM card guides from all over the world: USA, Asia, Malaysia, Brazil, Cameroon, Kenya, South Africa, Costa Rica, Bali, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia.

But also places like New York, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Mexico, Canada, Panama, Thailand, Bangkok, Hong Kong, etc.

So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and eSIM card advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me!

My Recommendation

Traveltomtom recommends a Three (3) UK SIM card for traveling to the UK. For £20 GBP ($25 USD) you get 50 GB data for 30 days on one of the best 4G/5G data networks in the UK. Plus Three UK still offers (limited) free data-roaming in Europe with their prepaid SIM card plans.

None of the mobile internet providers in the UK offer eSIM cards for prepaid users. So tourists looking to get an eSIM card for the UK will have to order one online. But don’t worry… Traveltomtom wrote a complete guide for the best eSIM cards for traveling to the UK in 2024.

Best eSIM Cards for the UK

The easiest way to get internet on your phone when traveling to the UK in 2024 is an eSIM card. eSIM cards are Traveltomtom’s first recommendation on how to stay connected when traveling to the UK.

You can get a UK eSIM card with 30 GB data + unlimited calls in Europe for $44.90 USD. Or simply get an eSIM card for just $5 USD, the cheapest way to stay connected when traveling to the UK.

Traveltomtom recommends ordering UK eSIM cards via either Airalo, Nomad or SimOptions.

Traveltomtom has used Airalo countless times without ever facing a problem. Airalo offers eSIMs for pretty much every country in the world.

Check out the Airalo eSIM card plans for the UK in 2024:

Click here to directly order an Airalo eSIM card for the UK.

All the above eSIM cards for the UK from Airalo are data-only and calls are NOT supported. The data allowance is only valid in the UK, there is no free EU roaming with these eSIM cards. They operate on the 4G/LTE networks of O2 and Three.

SimOptions offers different kind of eSIM cards, so called international eSIMs. Traveltomtom has used SimOptions in more than 50 countries around the world.

If you are looking for UK eSIM cards that support call and texting as well as EU roaming then check out the following international eSIM cards for the UK from SimOptions:

• 10 GB data (5G ready) for 30 days = $24.90 USD
• 30 GB data + 120 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $49.90 USD

Click here for more info or to order an international eSIM card for the UK via SimOptions.

Before ordering an eSIM card for the UK make sure your phone is eSIM compatible and unlocked. If not sure, contact your mobile internet provider in your home country before traveling to the UK.

For more info about using eSIM cards when traveling to the UK check out my guide with everything you need to know about UK eSIM cards, including up to date prices, a comparison of the best eSIM cards, my recommendations, more about UK eSIM cards with unlimited data, FAQs about eSIM cards and much more.

Do UK Prepaid SIM Cards Allow Free EU Roaming?

One of the best things the European Union came up with after the Euro was the ban on roaming charges within the EU countries. That means you can use a SIM card from Italy also in France, Spain, etc. without extra charges – so called free EU data roaming.

The UK was always part of this deal but unfortunately since Brexit most mobile internet providers in the UK stopped offering free EU roaming. That means if you buy a SIM card with 30 GB data in London and 2 days later you travel to Paris, your SIM card won’t work unless you pay an extra fee per day!

Only Three UK still offers free EU roaming on their prepaid SIM cards. Vodafone UK, EE and O2 started charging an extra fee for EU data roaming on their pay-as-you-go plans.

This makes UK prepaid SIM cards pretty useless for traveling to Europe. If you are traveling onwards in Europe after visiting the UK, you’re better off choosing one of the best SIM cards for traveling in Europe in 2024, which you can also use in the UK.

Read more info about EU roaming and all my tips and tricks in my guide for buying local SIM cards in Europe in 2024.

Mobile Internet Providers in the UK

There are 5 main mobile internet providers in the UK:

• Virgin Mobile

Virgin Mobile UK does not offer prepaid or pay-as-you-go SIM cards for tourists. All the other providers sell prepaid SIM cards, often called pay-as-you-go SIM cards in the UK.

On top of these main mobile internet providers, there are dozens of other local SIM cards available in smaller shops which I did not take into consideration, so called MVNOs. For tourists on a short stay I do not recommend any of these SIM cards. But you can check out Lebara or Lycamobile SIM cards for the UK. Sometimes they have good prepaid SIM card deals.

When arriving at London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted or London Luton Airport you are able to buy a Lebara SIM card or a Lycamobile SIM card at the airport. Both SIM cards also work fine for traveling in Europe. The problem is they have a lot of restrictions, surprises, hidden fees or very limited EU roaming, etc.

UK Prepaid SIM Card Comparison in 2024

Prices for prepaid SIM cards and data plans constantly change. Traveltomtom does everything in his power to keep all the information up to date. The below info and data plans are updated as per March 2024. Prices are in GBP: £1 GBP = $1.28 USD and $1 USD = £0.78 GBP.

Vodafone UK Pay As You Go SIM Card

Vodafone has 5 different UK prepaid SIM cards, so called pay-as-you-go plans. If you are not a heavy data user, the smallest plan with 7 GB will be enough to use data for keeping in touch, navigation, emails, etc. All plans are valid for 30 days, but only on 4G.

• 7 GB data + unlimited calling and texting = £10 GBP – $13 USD
• 20 GB data + unlimited calling and texting = £15 GBP
• 40 GB data + unlimited calling and texting = £20 GBP – $25 USD
• 100 GB data + unlimited calling and texting = £30 GBP

If you want to use the Vodafone 5G network and you are looking for a UK SIM card with unlimited data:

• Unlimited data + unlimited calling and texting = £40 GBP – $51 USD

There is NO free EU-roaming included anymore in the Vodafone pay-as-you-go prepaid SIM card. For using your data allowance in Europe you have to pay £2 GBP per day, £8 for 8 days or £15 GBP for 15 days. For some reason there is free roaming in Norway and Iceland.

Vodafone does NOT offer eSIM cards for prepaid users. For more info see the Vodafone UK website.

Three UK Prepaid SIM Card

There are 4 different Three UK SIM card plans for tourists available. Three UK SIM cards are free, no activation costs required and great thing is that they are all 5G ready at no extra costs.

• 10 GB data + unlimited calls/sms = £10 GBP – $13 USD
• 25 GB data + unlimited calls/sms = £15 GBP
• 50 GB data + unlimited calls/sms = £20 GBP – $25 USD
• Unlimited data + unlimited calls/sms = £35 GBP

Three UK still offers free EU roaming but it is limited. You can use up to 12 GB of your data allowance in the EU. Which is not bad at all and the most generous of all the UK prepaid SIM cards. See the Three UK website for all the details.

Three UK does NOT offer eSIM cards for prepaid customers.

O2 UK Pay As You Go SIM Card

O2 has 4 different pay-as-you-go SIM card plans for the UK:

• 7 GB data + unlimited calls/sms = £10 GBP – $13 USD
• 15 GB data + unlimited calls/sms = £15 GBP
• 100 GB data + unlimited calls/sms = £30 GBP

All plans are valid for 30 days and on the 4G network. O2 does not offer any 5G prepaid plans or unlimited data plans.

EU roaming is NOT included with O2 pay-as-you-go SIM cards. You need to pay an extra £1.99 GBP per day for using your UK data allowance in the EU. More info on the O2 UK website.

O2 does NOT support eSIM for prepaid customers.

EE Mobile Pay As You Go SIM Card

EE Mobile offers 3 different prepaid SIM card plans for the UK:

• 5 GB data + unlimited calls/sms = £10 GBP
• 20 GB data + unlimited calls/sms = £15 GBP
• 100 GB data + unlimited calls/sms = £25 GBP – $32 USD

EE Mobile sells the only UK SIM card with unlimited data:

• Unlimited data + unlimited calls/texts = £35 GBP

All the above EE SIM card plans are valid for 30 days and work on the 4G and 5G network.

There is no free EU roaming included on the EE pay-as-you-go SIM cards. You need to buy an add-on for EU roaming. For £3 GBP per day you get 500 MB daily. See the EE Mobile website for more details.

EE Mobile does NOT support eSIM for prepaid customers.

There are only a few prepaid  UK SIM card  providers to choose from, which makes it easy. Three UK is my recommended provider with the most generous data plans at the best prices.

If you want an eSIM card for traveling to the  United Kingdom , you will need to order one online before your trip as eSIM is not available for prepaid from any of the UK mobile providers.

No matter if you go for a physical SIM card or an eSIM, having data on your phone while traveling makes everything so much easier – from hailing cabs to checking maps, restaurant reviews, staying connected and more.

Public WiFi is available but is often slow, requires login, has time limits and is unsecured. It’s best not to rely solely on WiFi. Get yourself a local prepaid  UK SIM card  or eSIM and enjoy seamless, secure connectivity throughout your trip to the UK.

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These e-sim cards are valid in up to 39 countries and include EU data-roaming and as well as calling and texting. Check out the SimOptions international e-sim card plans for 2024: 15 GB data + unlimited calls for 15 days = $21.90 USD. 10 GB data (5G ready) + $2 calling credit for 30 days = $24.90 USD.

Where to Buy a SIM Card (or eSIM) at London Heathrow Airport. Several stores, booths & vending machines at London Heathrow Airport sell SIM cards (and eSIMs) from the four British mobile operators and a Mobile Virtual Network Operator: EE UK, O2 UK, Vodafone UK, Three UK & Lycamobile UK. Sim Local and WHSmith have stores, booths & vending ...

Heathrow's top travel tips; At Heathrow Accessibility and mobility ; Facilities; Lost property; ... Save on roaming charges with A UK SIM card. Various UK operators & call/data bundles giving you everything you need to make & receive calls and texts in the UK. ... SERVICES SIM Local SIM Local is the one stop shop for all your cell or mobile ...

Best Tourist London Airport SIM Card Options and Price. Tourists can get UK SIM cards from major UK mobile network operators at Heathrow airport: Three, Vodafone, EE, and O2. Stores sell the same prepaid physical SIM cards but at different costs. Good to know: £1 GBP = $1.28 and $1 USD = £0.78 GBP (January, 2024)

For £20 you get unlimited data, or for £10 you get 30GB data plus unlimited calls and texts. Plus you can use the sim card in Portable WiFi devices, laptop and tablets - not just phones. Other companies you can order UK sim cards from include: Vodafone, from £10 for 5GB data. Asda, from £10 for 10GB of data.

The best UK SIM card deals are online. You'll very likely get the best value if you order a SIM card online, which is quick and easy to do. SMARTY and VOXI (300GB for only £ 20.00!) are strong contenders for the best pre-paid UK SIM cards, and often have special offers with extra data. See our article on UK SIM cards for a fuller comparison.. Whilst you'll have to wait a day or so for ...

Prepaid SIM and eSIM Costs. The EE outlet I went into was offering packages with 100 minutes of calls, unlimited texts, and 4GB of data for £10. Going up to £15 gave unlimited calls and texts and 8GB of data. Over at O2, you got unlimited calls and texts and 6GB of data for £10, or 15GB for £15.

Sim Local Expands to London Heathrow. July 12, 2022. In this article. Sim Local, the world's largest pre-paid SIM card provider to the travel sector, today announces the opening of two brand-new stores at Heathrow airport - one in the newly reopened Terminal 4; landside arrivals hall, and the other in the baggage hall of Terminal 2.

Our SIM plans are valid for 30-days, which is long enough for most travellers, however, if you need to use your SIM for longer than a month you can top it up after your initial plan ends for £15 less than the original plan selling price. So, if you purchase a £30.00 SIM card, topping up for the next 30-days will only cost you £15.00.

If you want buy the SIM card before you fly out from Australia, Simcorner charges $50 for this 12GB/month SIM plus $5 for delivery. Another option is the vending machine neat the luggage carousels at Heathrow Airport Terminal 3 (the terminal used by for Qantas and Cathay Pacific flights, among others) which charges £30 ($52) for the 12GB card.

Vodafone - One of the world's leading mobile communications providers. Located in London, Newbury, and Berkshire, this company offers services in regions of Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania. This company has different prepaid SIM cards; with the Pay monthly SIM you can choose the contract length (30 days, 12 months or 18 months), or if you ...

For more detailed info about buying sim cards at London Heathrow Airport check out my complete guide with up to date info and more about e-sim cards for the ...

Open hours are generally 5am - 10pm. WHSmith - Found in all terminals, WHSmith shops open from 5am - 10pm. Offer SIM cards from Vodafone, EE, O2, GiffGaff, and more. Spar - Small Spar convenience stores in Terminals 2 and 3 also stock SIM cards from many providers.

This offers significant savings on data, calls and texts versus roaming. Sim Local stores also stock a range of mobile phone handsets and a selection of accessories carefully selected to meet every traveller's needs. Heathrow Airport Limited, The Compass Centre, Visit Sim Local at Heathrow. Find contact details, opening hours and map location.

Vodafone UK. This company, with a presence in several European countries, also has operations in the UK and coverage in London. Vodafone prepaid SIM card for London has five plan options available for tourists. These data packages range from 7GB to 100GB, and even a final but more expensive unlimited data option.

SMARTY - network run by Three UK, 91% coverage, 30.7/5.6Mbps. VOXI - network run by Vodafone UK, 99% coverage, 21.2/7.1Mbps. Giff Gaff - network run by O2 UK, 99% coverage, 16.8/4.9Mbps. Every UK network will send you a SIM card totally free of charge, so it's good to check the plans online ahead of time.

Three Prepaid SIM with 12GB Data. Whether you're travelling only in the UK or looking for a SIM card for all of Europe, the Three Prepaid SIM with 12GB Data is undoubtedly one of the best deals available for travellers. This SIM card comes with 12GB data, 3000 minutes of calls and 3000 texts which can be used for 30 days across a total of 71 ...

1,260 reviews. 1,160 helpful votes. Tourist Sim Card. 1 year ago. Save. We will be arriving at Heathrow Airport on 6th February and staying in the UK for almost 6 weeks. I'm just wondering what would be the best SIM card to get with regards to price and whether it would be valid for 6 weeks. I also heard that it's possible to buy a SIM card at ...

Having read the advice online that buying a sim card in town would be cheaper than getting it at the Heathrow airport , I thought if paying a bit more would save me the trouble of finding a mobile shop in central London, I don't really mind.So I went to the Sim Local in terminal 1, got a sim card with a 30-pounds vodafone "3GB data+ 1000 mins call + text messages" bundle plan that the staff ...

Best eSIM in London. Experience fast internet speeds for your UK trip when you purchase any of the following London eSIMs. Compared to a physical SIM card, using an eSIM will save you the trouble from having to physically install a SIM card to your phone — all you need to do is to activate the eSIM on your phone and you're all set! 3. 4G London eSIM by Frewie (Unlimited Data)

There are two types of mobile operators in the UK, network operators and virtual operators. Last time I landed at Heathrow terminal 1 there was a stand selling sim cards from one of the virtual operators between passport control and baggage claim though in central London you shouldn't have a problem finding a store of one of the network operators or the likes of phones4u or the carphone warehouse.

Airalo offers eSIMs for pretty much every country in the world. Check out the Airalo eSIM card plans for the UK in 2024: 1 GB data for 7 days = $5 USD. 2 GB data for 15 days = $7.5 USD. 3 GB data for 30 days = $10 USD. 5 GB data for 30 days = $15 USD. 10 GB data for 30 days = $22.5 USD. 20 GB data for 30 days = $36 USD.

Everything You Need to Know About Armagnac, Southwestern France’s Other Famous Brandy

• By Catherine Rickman
• April 6, 2022

When it comes to French brandies, you might think cognac is the only game in town. But this heavily-marketed spirit has an older, more artisanal cousin, the kind of beverage you need to be in the know to come across. We’re talking about Armagnac, which has enjoyed a niche popularity for centuries, though it is little known outside of France. We spoke with Tom Fiorina, holder of France’s prestigious Diplôme National d’œnologue wine expert certification, and longtime blogger behind The Vine Route , to find out more.

Could you tell me a little bit about the history of Armagnac, and its relationship with the region?

Dating from the 13 th century, Armagnac is the world’s oldest brandy. It can only be made in Southwest France, in what historically was called Gascony. Originally used for medicinal purposes, Armagnac the spirit can be traced to the early 15 th century. Armagnac is the product of three innovations: the grapes from vines brought by the Romans, the oak barrels developed by the Celts, and the Alembic still, brought by the Moors and used to distill liquids by heating to selectively boil and then cooling to condense the vapor.

It can only be produced in one of three sub-regions: Bas Armagnac, Tenarèze and Haut Armagnac . The spirit, depending on where it is produced, has different characteristics, primarily because of the “terroir” effect of different soils, climate, and topography of the land.

What makes Armagnac different from other brandies like Cognac, both in terms of flavor and production?

Armagnac is often confused with and compared with Cognac. Both are wine-based spirits ( eaux-de-vie de vin ) from Southwest France. The two brandies are made in essentially the same way from white grape varieties. Traditionally, Cognac is made from 98% Ugni Blanc grapes, while Armagnac producers primarily use four grape varieties: Bacco, Folle Blanche, Ugni Blanc and Colombard. The best Cognac grapes are grown on chalky soil with predominantly mild temperatures. The best Armagnac grapes, which arguably come from its westernmost sub-region, the Bas Armagnac , are grown on sandy soil with predominantly warm temperatures. 

In brief, Armagnac is more deeply flavored, weightier, earthier and darker in color than Cognac. Cognac is slightly lighter, finer and fruitier.

The most obvious way, beyond region and style, in which Armagnac and Cognac differ is that most Armagnac is distilled just once, in a continuous still. This single distillation creates a heavier spirit – lower in alcohol and with more flavor than Cognac (which is distilled twice in a traditional pot still). This double distillation process separates the spirit from its heavier flavor compounds. Most Armagnac is distilled to between 53 percent and 60 percent ABV, versus Cognac’s 72 percent ABV (after the two distillations).

When ready Armagnac is aged in oak casks made from dark Gascony oak wood. The aging process takes 4 to 20 years, during which time, because of the alcohol evaporation, the brandy finishes with an alcoholic content between 46° and 48°. Cognac is reduced with petites eaux (a blend of Cognac and distilled water) to 40°.

There are historical and financial reasons why Cognac is much better known than Armagnac. Personally, I had never heard or tasted Armagnac before moving to Southwest France. Because the Charente department, where Cognac is produced, has easy river access to Bordeaux, and its historic wine-exporting capabilities, this brandy benefited from British and Dutch investment in the wine trade. Armagnac producers were caught in a geographic trap; transporting the distilled spirit to Bordeaux overland was problematic. 

Transporting Armagnac is no longer a problem, but the difference in sales figures between the two French brandies is astounding. Over 180 million bottles of Cognac are sold annually, while only 6 million bottles of Armagnac are sold in the same amount of time. The reason is mostly explained by 250 years of marketing muscle. 

Cognac sales are primarily driven by four, powerful Cognac Houses: Hennessy, Martell, Rémy Martin and Couvoisier. Between them, they export 98% of the bottles of cognac produced. Armagnac production isn’t global; only about half of the bottles made are exported. There isn’t a single global Armagnac brand, with more than 40 commercial producers representing most of its production, and not counting the many farmers who distill their grapes mostly for home consumption. 

But I would argue that this is the value of Armagnac, and why those interested in craft beer and spirits, particularly single-malt Whisky, should be drinking Armagnac. Cognac is, for the most part, a blended, standard spirit. Someone who buys a brand-name Cognac wants it to taste like the last bottle of the same brand that they purchased. Armagnac is artisanal, with important differences in the sense of place where it was made (the terroir ), the grapes (including single-variety Armagnacs), the vintage ( millésime ), and its inherent complexity. 

Although increasingly Cognac is labeled with one of the six appellations of the region, and, recognizing increased interest in craft spirits, there are vintage Cognacs, and single-vineyard and single-grape variety Cognacs. 

What is the best way to consume Armagnac?

To truly appreciate good Armagnac, you need a Brandy snifter glass with a generously large bowl. This allows the aromas and flavors to blossom and to build inside the glass, enhancing the drinking experience.  

Armagnac is generally enjoyed as an after-dinner liqueur, at the end of a meal, served neat, but Blanche Armagnac , a colorless Armagnac, bottled after just a couple of months of aging, can be a fresh and flavorful start to a meal if it is slightly chilled, or it can also be paired with smoked seafood, caviar, and carpaccio.

It is best to enjoy vintage or any older Armagnac at room temperature, but slightly warming the Armagnac by cupping the glass in the palm of your hand will help to release the aromas, enhancing the drinking experience. 

Where should visitors go in Armagnac to try the best of this brandy?

During Armagnac distillation, which takes place in the wintertime (which is an excellent period to visit this region in Southwest France), there are many festivals and events, and numerous dinners that are organized around the Alembic stills on different estates.

Sue Aran , whose French Country Adventures offers tours in the south of France, has an Armagnac tour in the Fall around the grape harvest and distillation of the brandy in the Bas Armagnac region.

The BNIA ( Bureau National Interprofessionnel de l’Armagnac ), an organization that controls and promotes Armagnac, is also an excellent source of information.

What Armagnac brands would you be likely to find in the U.S., and what should someone look for when picking a bottle?

Avoid Armagnacs packaged in what I call the luxury cognac look–heavy glass and glitzy labels, with a cloyingly rich, sweet taste. These are not authentic Armagnacs, and they’re aimed squarely at the Far East, luxury-goods market. Like Cognac, Armagnac is blended and labeled frequently with indications like V.S.O.P., X.O. and Reserve to show the minimum age. Avoid these, unless it’s the only sort of Armagnac that you can find.

Try to find vintage Armagnacs, which, in comparison to aged malt whisky, are great value. A bottle of Armagnac from an early 1980s vintage might be found for around $125, while a malt whisky from the same era could cost over $1,000. Vintage Armagnac is a great way to commemorate a birthday or anniversary.    

Armagnac brands, such as Delord, Castarede Château de Maniban, Château de Laubade, Marquis de Montesquiou, Francis Darroze, Janneau, Baron de Sigognac, Sempe, Domaine du Tariquet, Domaine Chiroulet and Domaine de Pellehaut, among others, can be found in the U.S.

Charles Neal, whose wife is from the Armagnac region, wrote, in my opinion, the best English-language guide about Armagnac, Armagnac: The Definitive Guide to France’s Premier Brandy (somewhat out-of-date, as it was first published in 1998). His online store, Charles Neal Selections , offers an excellent selection of Armagnac.

Is there anything else we should know about Armagnac?

Education is very important in appreciating Armagnac. Cognac might set sales records, but Armagnac is a connoisseur’s drink, and, like under-the-radar wine appellations that often deliver better value and enjoyment than big-name wine regions, France’s oldest brandy is beloved by professionals and others in the know. 

Barmen now make a wide variety of cocktails with Armagnac, and the BNIA is heavily promoting this effort to expand sales of the brandy. 

Similarly, another way to enjoy Armagnac is with white or red (depending on the color of the grapes used) Flocs de Gascogne , a refreshing combination of two-thirds fresh grape juice and one-third young Armagnac. This vin de liqueur (a fortified sweet wine) has existed in Gascony since the 16 th century. It is mostly used as an aperitif, but it also can be a dessert drink. It should always be consumed while cool, and it is superb on ice. It goes beautifully with foie gras (albeit difficult to find in the U.S.), cheeses and fruity desserts. Floc should be drunk within a year after the production. Once a bottle is opened, it may be stored for up to three months in the refrigerator.

One of the best, which is available in the U.S., is a white Floc de Gascogne made by  Domaine Chiroulet. It’s made with Gros Manseng, Ugni Blanc, Colombard and Sauvignon Blanc, combining notes of freshly squeezed grapes with white fruit and Armagnac.

I hope that Armagnac never becomes too mainstream, or it may lose its authenticity. Enjoy it, but don’t tell too many others.

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Armagnac: The jewel of the Gascony region

Colours and scents characterize Armagnac, the centuries-old brandy. The vines brighten the valleys of the Gers district, where the local villages enjoy a lifestyle which celebrates wellbeing, fine food and wine.

At the heart of the Gascony region , the Armagnac vineyards have an authentic local heritage : remnants of the ancient Romain empire, chateaux, Flaran Abbey, and villages listed among the ‘Most Beautiful Villages of France’ . These villages include Larressingle, often described as the ‘little Carcassonne’ , the famous ancient fortified town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site , or Fourcès, the historic circular-walled village. In between a visit to a museum or a walk along part of the famous Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle pilgrims’ trail, you can meet the winemakers in the friendly Gascony villages during a tasting, and savour the world-famous local delicacies . The vines flourish in three wine districts which give Armagnac its unique character : the Bas-Armagnac (between Eauze and Nogaro), the Armagnac-Ténarèze (around Condom and Vic-Fezensac) and the Haut-Armagnac (between Auch and Lectoure).

Its traditional method of production gives Armagnac a unique spirit. France’s oldest brandy is made by the distillation of white wine in a traditional still . This production process is controlled by government regulations, dating back to 1936, which apply to the specific region where it is produced. Armagnac matures for many years in oak casks, where the contact with the wood produces its unique aromas and amber colour .

1. Enjoy a unique landscape: the soft light on the rolling hills and valleys of the Gers region and the great views of the Pyrenees mountains.

2. Taste rare vintages in the numerous vineyards which are part of the Escapades in Armagnac network .

3. Participate in many events, such as the autumn Flame of Armagnac festival , and enjoy the farmers’ markets.

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Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, Baco, Colombard

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A day trip to Bas Armagnac – what to do and see

Armagnac, like its more famous sister Cognac, is also produced in the southwest of France. However, most people are not aware that this region, located less than two hours’ drive from Bordeaux, is one of the gems of the region, priding itself with charming medieval villages ancient chateaux, and family-owned distilleries. this beautiful region. Bas Armagnac (the lower Armagnac) is located in the heart of the Landes department, about 120 km to the southwest from Bordeaux, which makes it a perfect day trip. In this article, you will discover the best things to do in the Bas Armagnac area in the Landes department. I’ll take you to the most beautiful villages in Armagnac, help you find distilleries to visit, and suggest the perfect day trip to the Landes. Let’s start!

Armagnac is actually produced in three different departments in the southwest of France:  Les Landes, Gers, and Lot et Garonne, representing a large part of the old Gascony. The whole 15,000 hectares region is divided into three producing districts: Bas-Armagnac, Armagnac-Ténarèze, and Haut-Armagnac, each with their appellations and methods of production. I’m not going to dwell on the details of how Armagnac is made as I’m not an expert, that is something you will learn by visiting one of the distilleries I write about in this article. What I will talk about is how to have an amazing day visiting Armagnac. For the sake of this article, I focused only on the Bas Armagnac district which is the closest one to Bordeaux (or Bayonne for those coming from the Basque country). Armagnac-Ténarèze and Haut-Armagnac are equally beautiful and interesting to visit for those who have more time. 

If you need more information about traveling in these regions or any other part of the southwest join my group “ Travel in the southwest of France ” on Facebook. You can find plenty of other ideas for day trips from Bordeaux in my article about the best day trips from Bordeaux .

Visit the beautiful villages of Landes d’Armagnac

La bastide d’armagnac.

La Bastide d’Armagnac is a classic bastide town with a central arched square (Place Royal) that was built at the end of the 13th century by the Count of Armagnac, Bernard VI. This is one of the more lively villages in this part of the Landes department. In the main square, you’ll find several restaurants and coffee places as well as an Armagnac shop so if you don’t have time to visit a distillery, this is a good place for tastings. The main square is surrounded by many narrow streets with old wooden houses, most of which are the original houses, adding to the authenticity of the village. 

Apart from the beautiful center, there are a few things to do around La Bastide d’Armagnac. When visiting there don’t miss the Chapel Notre-Dame de Cyclistes , a cute little church located in a very serene setting and dedicated to cyclists. Also just next to the village you can find the Ecomusee de l’Armagnac . The museum is dedicated to the history of Armagnac making and will help you discover all the techniques, tools, and different crafts that went into making this lucrative spirit over the centuries. It’s also a fun place to visit with kids as you can take them for a walk in the beautiful park on the domain. 

Saint Justin

Less than five km from La Bastide d’Armagnac you’ll find another beautiful village called Saint Justin. Here the central square is quite simple and doesn’t give away the charm of this little town, but a short stroll will make you fall in love with Saint Justin. My favorite part is the string of beautiful houses covered with flowers peacefully overlooking the little river that crosses the town. The calming sound of the stream can bring you into a very deep level of tranquility, which is something all of us badly need right now 🙂 

View this post on Instagram Saint Justin in Bas Armagnac is one of the most charming villages in the Landes. Most people kind of avoid this beautiful region of Nouvelle Aquitaine but it's totally worth a visit. A post shared by Lost in Bordeaux (@lost_in_bordeaux) on Jun 28, 2020 at 1:38pm PDT

If at this point you’re starting to be hungry, Saint Justin is a great place to stop for lunch or dinner. Along the main street, Allée Gaston Phoebus, you’ll find several good restaurants. One that I particularly liked was Le Cadet de Gascogne.

Mauvezin d’Armagnac

Mauvezin d’Armagnac is a small village located just next to La Bastide d’Armagnac. It’s very small without any specific monuments but there are a few beautiful old houses with wooden fronts in the center and it’s worth a short stop on the way. 

Another beautiful town in Lower Armagnac is Roquefort, not to be confused with the famous blue cheese that is produced in Roquefort-sur-Soulzon in Aveyron (I’m sure plenty of visitors pass by wondering where all the Roquefort producers are hiding). This little town is somewhat overlooked but it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re traveling to the Bas Armagnac region. Roquefort, founded in the 10th century, is a fortified town situated on the road to Vézelay (one of the roads to Camino de Santiago). There are a few points of interest I recommend seeing when visiting the town, among them the beautiful Eglise Saint Marie, the bridges, and the 1949 art deco building, the foyer municipal. The best day to visit Roquefort is Saturday when the weekly market takes place on Avenue des Arenes. 

Visiting distilleries in Armagnac

If you made it all the way to the Bas-Armagnac region I would highly recommend visiting at least one Armagnac distillery. Unlike Cognac, here in Bas – Armagnac most of the distilleries are still owned by small families which are usually eager to host and talk about their Armagnac. It’s always inspiring to meet people who are so devoted to the complicated process of producing Armagnac and the visits are usually quite enriching.

I should warn you that visiting an Armagnac Chateau is a bit more complicated than visiting wineries around Bordeaux, which are more tourism-oriented. Here they don’t have a lot of visits and so they don’t have people to welcome visitors. This means that you usually need to call them in advance and ask for a private visit, especially if you are visiting outside the touristic season. Having said that, many of them will gladly welcome you to their distilleries so don’t hesitate to call. Here are two places I recommend visiting (there are many more of course).

Chateau de Lacquy  

The beautiful Chateau de Lacquy is the oldest Armagnac house in the Bas-Armagnac region. The Chateau is owned by the de Boisséson family that has been producing Armagnac since acquiring the property in 1711.  We were welcomed by the owner, Gilles de Boisséson, who gave us a very interesting and extensive tour of the vineyards and the cellars and served us so many glasses straight from the barrels that my husband finished the tour quite “pompette” as they say in French. On our private tour, Gilles shared a few fascinating family stories with us, including the part his grandmother took in the French resistance during WW2. You can contact them through their site to book a tour. The owner speaks English which makes communication very easy. 

Chateau de Ravignan

Chateau de Ravignan is a family property, built in the 17th century in the Louis XIII style and is labeled a historic monument. The Ravignan family has been occupying the place and producing Armagnac there since 1732. Apart from tasting Armagnac and visiting the cellars, you can also take a guided tour in the impressive chateau and discover the history of the family through their art, furniture, and decorations. The chateau is surrounded by beautiful French gardens that can be visited separately from the chateau. 

This chateau is open daily in the summer so you don’t need to call ahead if you want to visit the chateau itself. However, if you want to do some tastings it’s better to contact them in advance. All the details are here . 

Taste Floc de Gascogne

Before I end my article about a day trip to Armagnac I want to talk about another spirit you should taste there. While Armagnac is quite a familiar name among spirit lovers, Floc de Gascogne is a much more local drink that’s popular mostly in the Southwest of France. Floc de Gascogne is a regional aperitif, a vin de liqueur fortified with Armagnac which is mostly consumed in the old Gascony region where Armagnac is produced. Many of the Armagnac houses produce Floc de Gascogne as well so if Armagnac is a bit too strong for you, try this drink. I’m sure you’ll love it! 

La Fete de la Distillation 

In case you missed the summer season, you can visit the region in November during Fete de la Distillation. The Fete de la Distillation takes place every November when the new Armagnac is being born after the harvest season. This year (2020) Chateau de Ravignan will celebrate la Fete de la Distillation on November 21-22, see all the details here .  For more details about these events in other domains please contact the tourist office of Bas Armagnac directly through their site . 

The Bas Armagnac (lower Armagnac) is best visited during summer as it’s not very lively outside of the tourist season and many places tend to be closed. However, some of the villages are still nice to visit on Saturdays and most chateaux will welcome you if you call them a bit in advance. 

Hope you enjoyed this article and marked Armagnac in your to-go list. When you go there, don’t forget to tag me in your posts and stories on Facebook (@ Lostinbordeaux ) and Instagram (@ Lost_in_Bordeaux ). 

If you’re looking for more ideas for day trips in the Bordeaux region here are a few other articles you might want to read: The best beaches around Bordeaux Day trips around Bordeaux – wine, beaches and villages   10 day trips from Bordeaux by Public transport A weekend in Medoc – Bordeaux wine tours What to do and eat in Saint Emilion

You can also get plenty of tips on things to do in the Southwest of France  via lost in Bordeaux’s social media accounts and email list, check them out here:

Facebook  | Instagram  | Email  |  Facebook group

Related Posts

Top 10 things to do in Cognac, France

The best theme and amusement parks in southwest France

Please keep the trip information coming. Even with Covid I can still dream. And…plan my next trip to Bordeaux and south of Bordeaux. Had thought I would be there right now but as soon as it’s safe!!! Cheers

Thank you so much Lise!!! You’re right, now is not the best tome to travel but Bordeaux is not going anywhere, I’m sure you’ll visit the region soon 🙂

Cépages et Terroir

Les terroirs

En Armagnac, le terroir aussi se décline au pluriel. Le Bas-Armagnac, l’Armagnac-Ténarèze et le Haut-Armagnac constituent ensemble un vignoble à la forme d’une feuille de vigne qui représente 15000 hectares de vignes plantées (partagées avec l’IGP Côtes de Gascogne et l’AOP Floc de Gascogne, dont aujourd’hui 5300 ha sont identifiés pour produire expressément l’Armagnac) sur une partie des trois départements : le Gers, les Landes et le Lot-et-Garonne.

Le climat y est tempéré et doux. L’influence océanique, humide, atténuée par la forêt des Landes, est surtout sensible dans l’ouest de l’Appellation. A l’est, c’est le climat méditerranéen qui s’exprime avec le vent d’autan.

• Le Bas-Armagnac, avec sa capitale Eauze, à l’ouest du pays d’Armagnac, s’étend sur une partie des départements des Landes et du Gers et représente 67 % des surfaces identifiées en Armagnac. Dans cette zone aux sols sablolimoneux, dits sables fauves, les meilleures eaux-de-vie sont délicates et très fruitées.
• L’Armagnac-Ténarèze, autour de Condom, couvre le nord-ouest du Gers et le sud du Lot-et-Garonne. Elle représente environ 32 % des surfaces identifiées en Armagnac. Les Armagnacs produits sur ces sols boulbènes et argilo-calcaires sont souvent puissants et corsés.
• Le Haut-Armagnac, dit Armagnac Blanc en raison des calcaires qui affleurent dans cette partie du pays, comprend l’est du département du Gers et une partie du Lot et Garonne. La culture de la vigne s’y est développée au XIXè siècle en période de forte demande et quelques producteurs y maintiennent encore aujourd’hui la tradition armagnacaise.

Parmi les dix cépages autorisés dans l’élaboration de l’Armagnac, quatre impriment leur personnalité à l’eau-de-vie :

• L’Ugni-blanc est le cépage de distillation par excellence. Il donne des vins acides, peu alcoolisés, qui après distillation produisent des eaux-de-vie fines et de qualité. Ce cépage s’adapte aussi bien à tous les terroirs de l’Armagnac.
• La Folle Blanche est le plus connu. C’est le cépage historique de l’Armagnac qui dominait le vignoble avant la destruction de celui-ci par le phylloxéra en 1878, on l’appelait alors le " piquepoult ". Aujourd’hui, sur porte-greffe sa culture est plus difficile aussi est-il peu représenté. La Folle Blanche produit des eaux-de-vie fines, souvent florales et d’une grande élégance qui sont particulièrement valorisées en Blanche ou dans les Armagnac jeunes.
• Le Baco (anciennement appelé « Baco 22A ») est une originalité dans le paysage viticole français. C’est un hybride, fils de la Folle Blanche et du Noah inventé par un instituteur landais, Monsieur Baco à la suite du phylloxéra. Il s’est particulièrement adapté aux sables du Bas-Armagnac où il donne aux eaux-de-vie de la rondeur, de la suavité et des arômes de fruits mûrs, particulièrement après un long vieillissement. Outre sa richesse organoleptique, le Baco a aujourd’hui un avantage de poids : c’est un cépage plus robuste, qui nécessite donc une utilisation moindre de traitements phytosanitaires, et c’est pourquoi la profession a œuvré pour qu’il soit définitivement inscrit au cahier des charge de l’appellation (il était auparavant voué à disparaître en 2011), ce qui a été acté en 2005 lors de la révision du cahier des charges de l’AOC Armagnac.
• Le Colombard est aujourd’hui très utilisé et valorisé dans la vinification des Vins de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne. Sa distillation est donc confidentielle ; ses arômes fruités et épicés sont appréciés en assemblages.
• Le Plant de Graisse (qui suscite un regain d’in­térêt ces dernières années parmi les produc­teurs), la Clairette de Gascogne, le Jurançon blanc, le Meslier Saint François ou le Mauzac blanc et rosé sont tous des cépages anciens, autorisés dans le décret d’appellation, mais ils ne sont représentés aujourd’hui que par quelques hectares de vigne.

Une vinification naturelle

Les raisins récoltés au mois d’octobre sont pressés, et le jus mis en fermentation de manière tout à fait naturelle, sans produit oenologique. Le vin est généralement acide et peu alcoolisé ; il a ainsi une bonne capacité à conserver toute sa fraîcheur et ses arômes jusqu’à la distillation.

L'INAO, de la parcelle au fût

Si les alcools mondiaux sont devenus souvent des produits industriels, l'Armagnac tient à renforcer sa place d'eau-de-vie viticole, inscrite dans un terroir et des usages, en un mot, une AOC de la vigne et du vin. Cette préoccupation associée à la refonte par l'INAO* des conditions d'agrément a conduit la profession à réfléchir, négocier, entériner et maintenant faire appliquer de nouvelles règles de suivi, contrôle et agrément de la production par l'INAO.

C'est l'identification des outils de production : parcelles, alambics et chai qui est le socle de ce suivi, chacun est expertisé selon un cahier des charges établi en concertation avec la profession. De nouvelles conditions d'agrément renforcent le contrôle de la qualité.

• L'Armagnac est issu d'une parcelle de vigne conduite de façon spécifique sur un terroir approprié. L'identification parcellaire de chaque exploitation détaille les parcelles destinées à l'Armagnac.
• L'Armagnac est distillé avec un alambic traditionnel à taille artisanale. L'identification des alambics atteste que les capacités, nombre de plateaux ... sont conformes aux usages et au décret d'appellation.
• L'Armagnac est élevé dans des chais appropriés où les conditions de vieillissement (qualité du bois de chêne, capacité des contenants, bâtiment, aérations ...) sont attestées par l'Identification des chais. L'Armagnac est contrôlé qualitativement la première année d'élevage afin d'écarter des eaux-de-vie qui ne mériteraient pas l'Appellation. C'est le Contrôle Produit de l'INAO.

Chacun est bien convaincu que ces contrôles ne sont pas à eux seuls des arguments de vente, ils renforcent cependant le sérieux de la profession, la traçabilité de la production et à terme la qualité des Armagnacs.

* INAO : Institut National de l'Origine et de la Qualité

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Sables Fauves 2007, 11°alc./vol. VDP Terroirs Landais       75cl                             €10,00

D’un or soutenu. Nez de pruneaux et épices doux.  En bouche fruit soyeux et frais soutenu par une douce et élégante minéralité. 

Accords: apéritifs; huitres, poissons, viandes blanches, fromages à pâte molle.

Sables Fauves 2010, 11°alc./vol. VDP Terroirs Landais     75cl                               €10,00

L’or d’une belle maturité, au nez agrumes et miel aux notes fumées. Fruit juteux et gourmand, le rappel des agrumes sur sa persistence minéral. 

Accords: apéritifs; fruits de la mer, viandes blanches, agneau, plats épicés sucré salé.

La Grive Blanche 2008, 12°alc./vol. Vin de Table       75cl                                     €10,00

Or blanc cuivré. Parfum floral et iodé des soirées douces au bord de la mer. Vif et salin, la matière épicée soutient une trame minéral de citron vert désaltérant. 

Accords: crustacées, poissons, fromages à pâte molle, salaisons

Papillon de Nuit, 2009 13,5°alc./vol. Vin de Table      75cl                                    €12,00

Or paille profond. Nez de melon au miel et amandes grillées, le fruité épicé cède aux agrumes rafraichissantes. 

Accords: apéritifs, palourdes, magret de canard…

Papillon de Nuit, 2010 12°alc./vol. IGP Landes      75cl                                       €12,00

Or blanc lumineux. Nez de jasmin et acacia miellé et délicatement fumé. Souples en bouche avec arômes fruitées et exotiques d’ananas confit et touches florales. Belle persistence, fruité et miellée.

Accords: Apéritifs, cuisine asiatique, volailles…

Vieilles Vignes 2009, 14°alc./vol. Vin de France       75cl                                       €16,00 

Or blanc lumineux. Arômes de fleurs blanches, pomme, fruits exotiques et tabac. Rieur et avec de la sève, en bouche les fruits promises de pommes fraiches et ananas s’attardent avec douces épices pour une finale vive et minéral. Au fond du verre pruneau et foin sèche signent l’enracinement de ce vin dans le grand Bas Armagnac.

Accords : huitres, épaule d’agneau aux herbes, blanquette de veau, andouillette aux truffes, poissons, volailles, curries.

Vieilles Vignes 2011,  14°alc./vol. IGP Landes      75cl                                                  €16,00

Robe dorée teintée verte. Le nez évoque agrumes, ananas, tilleul avec une touche ligneuse et fumée. La bouche est ronde d’une matière généreuse et suave ou des légers tannins et de la puissance apporte au fruit relief et épicée. Le miel envahi la rétro-olfaction. En finale pommes, ananas murs et notes végétales sont étayés par des accents minéraux frais et une touche d’amertume. Ce vin devra s’étoffer avec quelques années de garde. 

Accords: apéritifs, fruits de mer, viandes blanches, turbot, thon suchi.

Cuvée Céleste 2009, 14°alc./vol. VDP Côtes de Gascogne     75cl                         €18,00

Or cuivré. Au nez: foin, fleurs blanches et propolis. Une ossature droite et minérale en bouche, vivacité et gras enveloppant. Un vin de pureté et dynamisme.

Accords: lotte, cassoulet, volailles, agneau, fromages gras, salaisons.

Les Mille Fleurs, 2009 14°alc./vol. VDP Côtes de Gascogne    75cl                        €24,00

Robe d’or blanc cuivrée. Minéral d’emblée, notes de fleurs blanches et agrumes confites, finement mentholé, iodé. Souple et énergique en bouche sur arômes gourmands de brioche beurrée évoluant sur une minéralité et une matière dense évoquant les agrumes confites. Intense et complexe persistence minéral et gourmand. Conseil du vigneron : un petit passage en carafe.

Accords: Coquilles St Jacques, foie gras, veau, risotto, fromages gras …                                                               

 avec quelques grammes de sucres résiduels:

Summertime 2010, 11°alc./vol. IGP Terroirs Landais   75cl                                 €12,00  

Or blanc lumineux. Fruité et minéral aux arômes de pêches blanches et mandarines. En bouche, pur et vivement gourmand avec une belle persistence sur le fruit et la fraicheur.

Summertime 2010, 11°alc./vol. IGP Terroirs Landais   50cl                                     €7,50

Apéritifs, plats sucrés salés, fruits de mer, calamars, tempura, poulet…

Summertime 2011, 14°alc./vol. IGP Landes    75cl                                                    €16,00

D’un or ensoleillé. Nez exotique, de mandarines miel et épices briochées. Fuit charnu, ample en attaque, frais et moelleux. L’opulence évolue vers une finale épicée ou la complexité du fruit est rehaussé par une pointe d’amertume rappelant le citron confit. Un vin blanc structuré de garde cinq à dix ans.

Accords: Apéritifs fruits de mer, foie gras, viandes blanches en sauce, agneau, plats épicés sucré salé.

en moelleux…

La Toison d'Or 2009, 12,5°alc./vol. Vin de France    75cl                                       €24,00

Or pale éclatant aux reflets cuivrés, ce vin vendangé après les premiers givres allie la fraicheur de saison aux maturités poussées. Nez d'abricot et de pamplemousse rose avec notes de sous-bois et chocolat blanc, rond au palais avec une sève puissante qui porte les 23 g/l de sucres résiduels vers une finale persistante et poivrée. Un Ugni Blanc qui sort des sentiers battus.

Accords: apéritifs, foie gras, homard grillé, volaille à la crème, fromages varies…

en moelleux pétillant…

Fruit de la Passion 2011, 13°alc./vol. IGP Landes     50 cl                                       €12,00          

Or fauve, nez gourmand de fruit de la passion, litchi et pain d’épices. En bouche les boules pétillantes apportent notes de fruits secs et de miel, en finale des touches de pain d’épices sur une discrète acidité. 52 grams de sucres résiduels, un vin de fête gourmand qui peut s’accommoder aux repas.

Accords: Apéritifs, foie gras, sucré salé, moments gourmands…

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Domaine Tariquet: A taste of Armagnac history

It was 1912 when the Grassa family took over Domaine Tariquet in Gascony, where fine eaux-de-vie have been produced since 1683.

The wines are distilled in a traditional armagnac alambic fired with wood from recycled vine stakes. The 100-year-old cellars quietly safeguard the barrels during maturation. Each grape variety and each vintage are distilled and aged separately for the first years. After several years of ageing in fine grain oak barrels from the most renowned French forests, these eaux-de-vie become Bas-Armagnacs of great finesse and rare elegance.

This year, the Grassa family is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its partnership with Waitrose with its Bas-Armagnac XO.

A blend of Ugni blanc (60%) and Baco (40%), it is aged from 12 to 15 years, producing a supple and complex eau-de-vie, combining finesse and strength. The perfectly mellow tannins are a testament to the subtle alliance between wood and fruit. The finish delivers wonderful aromas of toasted bread, rancio and candied fruit. The natural colour of Domaine Tariquet’s Bas-Armagnacs comes exclusively from the ageing in oak barrels, without any caramel added. The naturally light tint is due to the alchemy between the delicately toasted oak and the eau-de-vie, thus truly respecting their natural colour.

DOMAINE TARIQUET ARMAGNAC XO: TASTING NOTES

An amber-yellow colour with a powerful bouquet dominated by nuts (almonds) and quince jelly, with notes of dried flowers and a hint of coconut which will open up as the brandy breathes. The attack is fleshy with a hint of honey. On the palate, the XO achieves a remarkable balance between fruity and woody notes, with a sustained strength of flavour. Hints of prunes, almonds and rancio build to a finish founded on toasted aromas with a subtle hint of leather.

DOMAINE TARIQUET ARMAGNAC XO: SERVING SUGGESTIONS

Serve at room temperature after a good meal (it can also be enjoyed alongside a blue cheese, a crème bûlée, apple pie, a chocolate fondant), or at the end of a long day.

DOMAINE TARIQUET ARMAGNAC XO: AWARDS

International Wine & Spirit Competition 2020, UK – XO: 95 points.

International Wine & Spirit Competition 2019, UK – XO: Gold.

International Spirits Challenge 2020, UK: Domaine Tariquet has been designated Armagnac Producer of the year 2020.

FAMILY HISTORY

Run by the Arnaud and Grassa families since 1912, Domaine Tariquet has a longstanding history of developing the production of Bas-Armagnac AOC and pioneered the production of white and rosé wines from Côtes de Gascogne IGP, during the 1980s.

Pierre Artaud was born during the reign of Napoleon III in Ercé, a small village in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Ercé had a long standing tradition of training bears and Pierre Artaud was one of the best. Pierre and his bears toured France, Great Britain and eventually the United States, where he took up residency.

One of Pierre’s sons, Jean-Pierre worked as a bartender at the Lafayette in New York and had two children with his wife Pauline. Homesickness got the better of Pierre and Jean-Pierre, and in 1912 they returned to France and purchased the Domaine Tariquet, a 17 th -century estate located in the picturesque hills of Gascony.

In 1946, Pierre Grassa married Jean-Pierre’s daughter, Hélène Artaud. With heads full of ideas, they took over Domaine Tariquet (with 10 hectares of vines in production) and set about developing the property by buying more land to grow corn. With their four children, Maïté, Christiane, Françoise and Yves, the family was virtually self-sufficient.

In the early 1970s, Maïté and Yves, took over the estate, which had 50 hectares of vines in production. The first decision was to bottle their Armagnac at the property instead of selling it in barrels to negociants.

A NEW GENERATION

In 2005, Yves Grassa, handed over the reins of the family business to his sons, Rémy and Armin. Since then, more vineyards have been either been purchased or planted, with total estate holdings expanding to 1125 hectares in production.

As wine growers (propriétaire-récoltant), all their wines and Armagnacs are produced exclusively from the estate’s vines. Local varieties such as Ugni blanc and Colombard have been preserved and developed: the first expresses notes of spices and apricot, the second offers citrus fruit and mango. But a maverick spirit and even a touch of rebelliousness seem to run in the Grassa family, who were the first to plant varieties that previously had been virtually unknown in the region such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc.

Continuing this pioneering tradition, Yves Grassa was the first to produce sweet wines in the region from the seductive Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng grapes, indigenous varieties from the South West of France.

Armin and Rémy Grassa share the same pleasure of innovating and have created over the last two years new wines such as Amplitude, a dry Gros Manseng, and Entracte, their first sparkling white wine.

Armin said: “Amplitude is a surprising, unusual dry white wine, with beautiful tension and ample on the palate. It’s produced from Gros Manseng, an indigenous variety. Entracte is a blend of Chenin and Chardonnay for which the second fermentation takes place in a closed vat. We wanted to produce a sparkling white wine which would offer light, refreshing and very delicate bubbles. The alcohol level also had to be low; the 2018 vintage is only 10.5%, like Domaine Tariquet Classic”.

Armin and Rémy remain strongly attached to the production of Armagnac which covers about 10% of the family-owned vineyards. This way, the estate’s hundred-year-old cellars quietly safeguard about 5,000 barrels of Armagnac which is slowly ageing.

Both brothers share the same passion and vision. Armin underlines that “they consider it to be their duty to preserve and look after Domaine Tariquet’s soils to pass them on to the next generation in the best conditions”.

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Cheeses of Southern France

L’Armagnac est la plus vieille eau-de-vie de vin produite dans le Sud-Ouest de la France.

L’Armagnac est né de la confrontation de trois cultures : les Romains introduisirent la vigne, les Arabes, l'alambic et les Celtes le fût.

On retrouve cette diversité dans ce produit noble, artisanal, élaboré en petite quantité par des vignerons et des artisans éleveurs (négociants) porteurs d'un savoir-faire ancien. Une diversité de terroir, de vignerons, de cépages qui donnent aux Armagnac des personnalités riches et diversifiées. Il n’y a pas UN armagnac mais DES armagnacs. C’est une une Appellation d’Origine Controlée depuis 1936.

L’Armagnac est obtenu par la distillation de vin blanc, dans un alambic armagnacais, qui en chauffant extrait les vapeurs d’alcool qui se liquifie en refroidissant. Puis l’élevage en barriques, l’échange entre le bois, l’air et l’eau de vie donne de somptueux Armagnacs.

La commercialisation est proposée en assemblages (de plusieurs eaux-de-vie issues de plusieurs récoltes) et en millésimes (une seule et même année de récolte). C’est une spécificité armagnacaise.

La dégustation d'un Armagnac est le révélateur d'un moment magique et d'un instant de plaisir.

Les terroirs et le climat

Le terroir est réparti sur 3 départements : le Gers, les Landes et le Lot-et-Garonne.

3 terroirs. Les appellations IGP Côtes de Gascogne et AOP Floc de Gascogne sont sur le même terroir et la même zone géographique de production. Cette zone, de 15000 hectares dont 5300 sont identifiés pour faire de l’Armagnac, a la forme d’une feuille de vigne.

Le Bas-Armagnac , à l’ouest du territoire, s’étend sur une partie des Landes et du Gers et représente 67 % des surfaces identifiées en Armagnac. Les sols sablolimoneux, dits sables fauves, donnent des armagnacs délicats et très fruités. C’est dans cette zone que la Maison Fontan produit ses Armagnacs

L’Armagnac-Ténarèze , autour de Condom, couvre le nord-ouest du Gers et le sud du Lot-et-Garonne. Elle représente environ 32 % des surfaces identifiées en Armagnac. Les Armagnacs produits sur ces sols argilo-calcaires sont souvent puissants et corsés.

Le Haut-Armagnac , dit Armagnac Blanc en raison des calcaires qui affleurent dans cette partie du pays, comprend l’est du département du Gers et une partie du Lot et Garonne.

Le climat y est tempéré et doux. L’influence océanique, humide, atténuée par la forêt des Landes, est surtout sensible dans l’ouest de l’Appellation. A l’est, c’est le climat méditerranéen qui s’exprime avec le vent d’autan.

Les cépages

Il y a dix cépages autorisés dans l’élaboration de l’Armagnac, les plus utilisés sont :

L’Ugni-blanc est le cépage de distillation par excellence. Il donne des vins acides, peu alcoolisés, qui après distillation produisent des eaux-de-vie fines et de qualité. Ce cépage s’adapte aussi bien à tous les terroirs de l’Armagnac. C’est ce cépage qu’utilise la Maison Fontan.

La Folle Blanche est le plus connu. C’est le cépage historique de l’Armagnac qui dominait le vignoble avant la destruction de celui-ci par le phylloxéra en 1878, on l’appelait alors le "piquepoult". La Folle Blanche produit des Armagnac plus fins, souvent floraux et d’une grande élégance.

Le Baco (anciennement appelé " Baco 22A ") est une originalité dans le paysage viticole français. C’est un hybride, fils de la Folle Blanche et du Noah inventé à la suite du phylloxéra par un instituteur landais, Monsieur Baco.

Le Colombard est aujourd’hui très utilisé et valorisé dans la vinification des vins des Côtes de Gascogne. Sa distillation est confidentielle ; ses arômes fruités et épicés sont appréciés en assemblages.

Le Plant de Graisse , la Clairette de Gascogne , le Jurançon blanc , le Meslier Saint François ou le Mauzac blanc et rosé sont tous des cépages anciens, autorisés dans le décret d’appellation.

Le processus

Schema de l'alambic.

Armagnac AOC

L'Armagnac est issu d'une parcelle de vigne conduite de façon spécifique sur un terroir approprié. L'identification parcellaire de chaque exploitation détaille les parcelles destinées à l'Armagnac.

L'Armagnac est distillé avec un alambic traditionnel à taille artisanale. L'identification des alambics atteste que les capacités, nombre de plateaux sont conformes aux usages et au décret d'appellation.

L'Armagnac est élevé dans des chais appropriés où les conditions de vieillissement (qualité du bois de chêne, capacité des contenants, bâtiment, aérations ...) sont attestées par l'Identification des chais. L'Armagnac est contrôlé qualitativement la première année d'élevage afin d'écarter des eaux-de-vie qui ne mériteraient pas l'Appellation. C'est le Contrôle Produit de l'INAO.

En bouteille, l'Armagnac n'évolue plus, il est prêt à être dégusté dès sa commercialisation.

Comprendre les étiquettes

Les mentions d'âge Ces mentions se réfèrent toujours à l'âge de la plus jeune des eaux-de-vie entrant dans l'assemblage. Elles se présentent généralement sous la forme : 15 ans, 20 ans, 30 ans, etc...

Les dénominations commerciales On trouve aussi sur le marché des Armagnacs portant des dénominations spéciales, comme le Trois Etoiles (***), le V.S.O.P., le Hors d'Age, le X.O... Par exemple, le "Hors d'Age" est un mariage d'eaux-de-vie dont la plus jeune a vieilli sous bois pendant plus de dix ans.

Les millésimes Enfin, le Millésime (10 ans minimum), spécificité armagnacaise, correspond exclusivement à l'année de récolte mentionnée sur l'étiquette (1934, 1965, 1976,...)

Les alliances gourmandes

La Blanche (Armagnac non vieilli) que l’on peut proposer en trou gascon au cours du repas, pour "digérer" (glace à la prune + eau de vie blanche, ou un petit verre de blanche frappée). Elle se marie avec le saumon fumé, le caviar, le foie gras, les charcuteries, la tarte au citron.

Les Armagnacs jeunes sont utilisés pour les flambages (crustacés, viandes, pâtisseries) les sauces. Un trait d’Armagnac peut remplacer avantageusement le vinaigre dans la vinaigrette. Ils accompagnent parfaitement des fromages à pâtes persillées (fourme, roquefort).

Les Armagnacs vieux avec la pintade aux fruits, le magret au miel, l’omelette aux cèpes...

Avec les desserts à base de fruits : la tarte tatin, la charlotte aux poires, oranges confites... à bases de chocolat : forêt noire, mousse au chocolat...

Le sucre du dessert adoucit la vivacité de l’eau-de-vie.

Et ensuite... Avec le café.

L’association met l’accent sur les arômes liés à l’élevage de l’Armagnac (boisé, grillé, fumé, torréfaction, café, cacao…) qui correspondent bien aux arômes du café. Un Armagnac vieux avec des arômes tout en finesse prolongera la délicatesse et la finesse d’un café du Kenya.

Un Armagnac jeune et vigoureux se mariera avec la puissance d’un café éthiopien. L’amertume du café "gomme" l’acidité de l’eau-de-vie et renforce l’impression de moelleux.

Et pourquoi pas un " café gascon " : café + 2 ou 3 cl d’Armagnac servi à côté du café pour la dégustation.

Enfin, n’oublions pas non plus les vertus digestives de l’Armagnac : deux doses de dégustation de 2 à 3 cl en fin de repas. Et pour les amateurs de cigares, l'association des deux est des plus heureuses.

Nos Armagnacs

• Les meilleurs vins du Sud de la France : une symphonie de saveurs
• À la découverte des trésors d’Armagnac : les meilleures bouteilles à savourer
• La Gascogne : un voyage authentique au cœur du Sud-Ouest
• Fest’Armagnac : le rendez-vous incontournable des amateurs de spiritueux à Bordeaux
• Rhum arrangé : ce que vous devez savoir

L’Armagnac : un trésor du Sud-Ouest de la France

L’Armagnac est une eau-de-vie de vin produite dans la région historique de l’Armagnac , située dans le Sud-Ouest de la France. C’est la plus ancienne eau-de-vie de France, qui remonte au Moyen Âge. Elle bénéficie d’une appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) depuis 1936 et d’une appellation d’origine protégée (AOP) depuis 2005.

Dans cet article, nous allons vous présenter les caractéristiques de cette eau-de-vie, son histoire, sa production et sa dégustation.

Qu’est-ce que l’Armagnac ?

L’Armagnac est une eau-de-vie de vin de couleur ambrée, qui a été vieillie en fût de chêne. Elle est obtenue par la distillation d’un vin blanc sec, élaboré à partir de cépages locaux comme l’ugni blanc, le baco blanc, le colombard ou la folle blanche. La distillation se fait dans un alambic à colonne spécifique, appelé alambic armagnacais, qui permet d’obtenir une eau-de-vie riche en arômes et en saveurs.

Voici une vidéo parlant de l’histoire de l’Armagnac :

L’Armagnac est ensuite élevé en fût de chêne pendant au moins deux ans, mais souvent beaucoup plus. Pendant cette période, l’eau-de-vie va se colorer, se concentrer et se complexifier, grâce aux échanges avec le bois et l’air. L’élevage se fait dans des chais naturellement ventilés, qui favorisent l’évaporation d’une partie de l’alcool et de l’eau, appelée la part des anges.

L’Armagnac peut être millésimé, c’est-à-dire issu d’une seule année de récolte, ou assemblé à partir de plusieurs millésimes et de plusieurs crus. Il existe quatre appellations différentes selon la zone géographique de production :

• Le Bas-Armagnac, qui produit des eaux-de-vie fines et fruitées, sur des sols sablonneux ;
• L’Armagnac-Ténarèze, qui produit des eaux-de-vie puissantes et épicées, sur des sols argilo-calcaires ;
• Le Haut-Armagnac, qui produit des eaux-de-vie légères et florales, sur des sols calcaires ;
• La Blanche-Armagnac, qui est une eau-de-vie blanche et transparente, non vieillie en fût de chêne.

Comment produire et déguster l’Armagnac ?

La production de l’Armagnac repose sur un savoir-faire ancestral et des règles strictes. Elle se déroule en plusieurs étapes :

– La viticulture : elle consiste à cultiver la vigne et à récolter les raisins. Les cépages utilisés sont principalement l’ugni blanc, le baco blanc, le colombard et la folle blanche. Les vendanges ont lieu entre septembre et octobre.

• La vinification : elle consiste à transformer le jus de raisin en vin blanc sec. Le vin doit avoir une faible teneur en alcool (entre 8 et 10 %) et en acidité (entre 3,5 et 4 g/l). Il ne doit pas être chaptalisé ni sulfité.
• La distillation : elle consiste à séparer l’alcool du vin par chauffage et condensation. La distillation se fait dans un alambic à colonne spécifique, appelé alambic armagnacais, qui permet d’obtenir une eau-de-vie riche en arômes et en saveurs. La distillation doit avoir lieu entre le 1er novembre et le 31 mars suivant la récolte.
• L’élevage : il consiste à faire vieillir l’eau-de-vie en fût de chêne pendant au moins deux ans, mais souvent beaucoup plus. Pendant cette période, l’eau-de-vie va se colorer, se concentrer et se complexifier, grâce aux échanges avec le bois et l’air. L’élevage se fait dans des chais naturellement ventilés, qui favorisent l’évaporation d’une partie de l’alcool et de l’eau, appelée la part des anges.
• L’assemblage : il consiste à mélanger plusieurs eaux-de-vie de différents millésimes et de différents crus pour obtenir un produit harmonieux et équilibré. L’assemblage est réalisé par le maître de chai, qui est le responsable de la production. Il peut également ajouter de l’eau-de-vie jeune ou de l’eau pour ajuster le degré d’alcool.
• La mise en bouteille : elle consiste à remplir les bouteilles avec l’Armagnac assemblé. Les bouteilles doivent être fermées avec un bouchon en liège ou en verre. Elles doivent porter une étiquette indiquant le nom du producteur, le cru, le millésime ou la mention d’âge (VS, VSOP, XO…), le volume et le degré d’alcool.
• Oban, la ville construite par le whisky
• Comment choisir un armagnac millésimé de qualité ?

Séverine L.

Fille de vigneronne, j'aime mon terroir et le patrimoine gascon. L'Armagnac est le spiritueux star de notre région mais il y a bien d'autres choses à découvrir ici :)

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Armagnac Lassalle Baqué

Notre Histoire

C’est en 1884 que Valérien Morlan viticulteur et producteur d’Armagnac sur la commune de Montréal du Gers, devient propriétaire du château de Lassalle Baqué.

Située au cœur de la Gascogne, la famille Morlan perpétue de génération en génération le savoir-faire de l’ Armagnac.

Aujourd’hui, Rémi Brocardo continue d’écrire l’histoire qui lui a été transmise, et il est fier de vous faire découvrir son univers où passion, authenticité et terroir sont en parfait accord.

Au cœur de l’Armagnac, “La Ténarèze” abrite un terroir vallonné entremêlé de boulbène, terre riche en limons, et de terrains argilo-calcaires. A Lassalle Baqué, ces deux types de sol sont présents, cela permet d’obtenir des eaux de vie avec des typicités aromatiques différentes, idéales pour l’élaboration des assemblages.

Sur la propriété familiale, autrefois, les cépages du Baco, de la Folle Blanche et de l’ Ugni Blanc étaient produits puis distillés. Aujourd’hui l’Ugni Blanc est roi sur le domaine mais le Baco vient le rejoindre suite à une nouvelle plantation en 2021.

Il se situe sur les hauteurs de Montréal du Gers. Datant du début du XIV siècle, une tour de guet en est l’origine. C’est au XVIIIe siècle que les agrandissements ainsi que le mur d’enceinte sont construits. C’est alors que Lassalle Baqué devient “Château”.

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🇫🇷 Whisky, Cognac & Armagnac Trail in France 🥃

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• Folle blanche

Parc naturel régional des Landes de Gascogne

Domaine de saoubis s.c.e.a les vignobles de mandelaëre, distillerie gimet, domaine d'ognoas, bordeneuve châteaux&collections, domaine de pellehaut, armagnac delord frères, domaine d'arton.

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BLANCHE ARMAGNAC PURITY

This eau-de-vie, blended exclusively from the Folle Blanche grape variety, is intensely aromatic, fresh, and fruity.

On the palate, Château de Laubade Blanche Armagnac is round and well-balanced, with a soft aftertaste.

Blanche Armagnac over ice reveals its wonderful aromatic palette and also makes an excellent premium base for revisiting classic cocktails and creating new ones.

Download the product sheet

CURIOSITÉ XF

Prolong your laubade experience by visiting the estate.

Winegrowing heritage

Whether you come to taste our wine spirits or visit the estate, you will learn the secrets of Bas Armagnac and discover all our special production techniques in a place with a rich historical heritage and well-maintained expertise.

First steps at Château de Laubade

Take the time to stop and taste three of our classic Armagnacs. Come and feel the pulse of the estate where history is being written every day. Share a precious moment with us and enjoy the traditional local welcome.

The essence of Château de Laubade

Get to know Château de Laubade by walking around the winery and vineyards. The estate also showcases monumental sculptures that shed an unexpected light on the Lesgourgues family’s passion for art. This unusual tour concludes with a tasting of five Armagnacs.

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Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

Write your review

• Preplanned tours
• Daytrips out of Moscow
• Themed tours
• Customized tours
• St. Petersburg

Moscow Metro 2019

Will it be easy to find my way in the Moscow Metro? It is a question many visitors ask themselves before hitting the streets of the Russian capital. As metro is the main means of transport in Moscow – fast, reliable and safe – having some skills in using it will help make your visit more successful and smooth. On top of this, it is the most beautiful metro in the world !

. There are over 220 stations and 15 lines in the Moscow Metro. It is open from 6 am to 1 am. Trains come very frequently: during the rush hour you won't wait for more than 90 seconds! Distances between stations are quite long – 1,5 to 2 or even 3 kilometers. Metro runs inside the city borders only. To get to the airport you will need to take an onground train - Aeroexpress.

RATES AND TICKETS

Paper ticket A fee is fixed and does not depend on how far you go. There are tickets for a number of trips: 1, 2 or 60 trips; or for a number of days: 1, 3 days or a month. Your trips are recorded on a paper ticket. Ifyou buy a ticket for several trips you can share it with your traveling partner passing it from one to the other at the turnstile.

On every station there is cashier and machines (you can switch it to English). Cards and cash are accepted. 1 trip - 55 RUB 2 trips - 110 RUB

Tickets for 60 trips and day passes are available only at the cashier's.

60 rides - 1900 RUB

1 day - 230 RUB 3 days - 438 RUB 30 days - 2170 RUB.

The cheapest way to travel is buying Troyka card . It is a plastic card you can top up for any amount at the machine or at the ticket office. With it every trip costs 38 RUB in the metro and 21 RUB in a bus. You can get the card in any ticket office. Be prepared to leave a deposit of 50 RUB. You can get it back returning the card to the cashier.

SamsungPay, ApplePay and PayPass cards.

One turnstile at every station accept PayPass and payments with phones. It has a sticker with the logos and located next to the security's cabin.

GETTING ORIENTED

At the platfrom you will see one of these signs.

It indicates the line you are at now (line 6), shows the direction train run and the final stations. Numbers below there are of those lines you can change from this line.

In trains, stations are announced in Russian and English. In newer trains there are also visual indication of there you are on the line.

To change lines look for these signs. This one shows the way to line 2.

There are also signs on the platfrom. They will help you to havigate yourself. (To the lines 3 and 5 in this case). 

Guided Walking Tour of the Moscow Metro

Description, good to know.

• Pricing details

Departure place

You would like, admiring the frescoes in kurskaya and komsomolskaya metro stations, marvelling at the architecture of the moscow metro, listening to your guide's commentary, essential information *, duration 1 hour 50 minutes, starting time 2:00 pm.

Set off to discover the most breathtaking stops on Moscow’s beautiful metro system on this walking tour.

Some of the stops on the Moscow metro are real masterpieces. Head underground and admire the Moscow metro with your guide.

During your guided tour, you will get to admire the Ploshchad Revolyutsii , designed by the architect Dushkin. There are no fewer than 72 sculptures in this station!

You will then explore Kurskaya station, built in 1938. The design, mosaics and slogans will immerse you in the era of Stalin. You will also see the frescoes depicting Russian victories in Komsomolskaya station.

Then, continue to one of Moscow’s must-see metro stations, Novoslobodskaya , which resembles an underground palace: marble, stained glass windows...

Join your guide to explore the most lavish and important metro stops in Moscow! 

• Availability: every day (excluding exceptional dates)
• Duration: 1 hr. 50 mins approx.
• Departure point: The Kremlin
• Languages: English
• Please wear comfortable shoes
• Metro tickets are included for the metro stations visited during the activity 
• A valid student card will be requested from participants who have booked the reduced student tariff
• A minimum of 2 participants is required to book this activity

Price includes

• Metro tickets
• The services of an English-speaking tour guide
• The guided tour of the Moscow metro

Price doesn’t include

• Access to stations not included in the tour
• Hotel pick-up/drop-off
• Tips (optional)
• All other extras

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