As a full-time travel blogger, my “office” changes every day—from the rainy cobblestone streets of Edinburgh to the windy peaks of the Lake District. For a long time, my biggest headache wasn’t finding a good latte, but finding a mobile plan that didn’t trap me in a 24-month nightmare.
Last year, I was stuck with a contract from EE. While the signal was okay, I felt like I was paying a “loyalty tax.” Every time I wanted to call my family back in Australia or post a high-res Reel from a remote hiking trail, I’d hit a data cap or get hit with “international add-on” fees. I even tried O2, but the credit check process as a freelancer was a massive hoop I didn’t want to jump through again.
I actually stumbled upon Lebara while waiting for a delayed train at King’s Cross. I saw a fellow traveler easily topping up their phone and mentioning how they were calling home for free. I was skeptical. I thought, “A budget SIM? The 5G must be non-existent.” But desperation (and a desire to save £20 a month) made me order their SIM-only deal.
The moment the SIM arrived, I noticed the difference. The setup took minutes—no credit checks, no awkward phone calls to customer service.
I’ve since tested it in two key scenarios:
- The London Commute: While underground or in crowded stations, the 5G (running on the reliable Vodafone network) is snappy. I can upload 4K footage without that dreaded buffering wheel.
- Calling Home: On a lonely Tuesday night in a rainy Glencoe cabin, I spent an hour catching up with my parents abroad. With Lebara’s inclusive international minutes, I didn’t spend a penny extra.
If I had to nitpick, the physical SIM packaging felt a bit basic and “old school”—I’d love to see them go fully eco-friendly with less plastic. But honestly, for the price and the freedom of a 30-day rolling plan, it’s a tiny trade-off.
If you’re tired of being locked down by the “Big Two” and just want reliable data and cheap international calls, Lebara is definitely worth a look. I found a link to their best SIM-only deals below—it’s much cheaper than the high-street shops!