Dubai, Turkey and beyond: Guide to roaming charges and budget-friendly tips for visiting non-EU destinations
Brits are opting more and more to travel to non-EU destinations, such as Turkey and the UAE, specifically Dubai. According to recent reports, Turkey alone could welcome up to 5 million UK tourists on holidays outside the EU this year. But while Britons may be choosing places like Turkey due to their low cost, they should be aware of potential connectivity issues in these popular destinations.
Fortunately, with the right planning, you can stay connected abroad without overspending.
Top Non-EU getaways gaining popularity with British holidaymakers
Alongside Dubai and Turkey, destinations like Egypt and Morocco are also growing in popularity among UK travellers. Last year, Morocco was preparing to welcome over a million UK tourists, while Dubai welcomed over 1.33 million UK visitors in 2024. Travellers visit these countries for their rich history, distinctive architecture, local cuisine, natural landscapes, beaches, and welcoming atmosphere.
Most trips last between one and two weeks and attract a wide range of travellers — from families and couples to retirees and solo adventurers. These locations also tend to be cheaper than traditional EU holiday destinations like France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and they offer fresh, distinctive experiences for many of these travellers.
For families, it would be considerably more budget-friendly to travel to Turkey than Spain, as the average daily cost per person in Istanbul rounds up to around £145, compared to about £160 in many Spanish cities.
The shocking truth about mobile roaming costs outside the EU
Major UK mobile providers currently have similar roaming policies for destinations like the UAE, Turkey and Egypt. Customers can pay a daily roaming fee, typically somewhere around £5 to £7 per day, and they get a limited data allowance depending on the provider. If they spend more than that, they will be charged extra.
EE charge £5 per day roaming fee for Turkery and UAE for a 50GB data allowance.
Vodafone charge £17 for 8 days roaming for Turkey and £35 for 8 days in UAE, which gives you £25GB of data and you can pay an additional £3.13 per GB for more.
O2 charges £7 per day for both Turkey and UAE, giving customers 25GB of data and they’ll charge £3.50 per GB extra.
Three charges the same - £7 per day for Turkey and UAE, for just 12GB of data.
While anywhere from 12 GB to 50 GB might sound like more than enough for a one-week or even two-week holiday, it often ends up being insufficient. That is because there are many data-hungry apps and activities that will quickly deplete your allowance during international travel.
When you are in unfamiliar cities, you will depend on Google Maps or a similar app. You will probably want to post photos and videos from your trip on Instagram, which will also use a lot of data. Add video calls to friends and family, and you can easily burn through your allowance and face extra roaming charges.
Also, all of that is the bare minimum of using your mobile internet abroad. If you have automatic app updates and cloud backups enabled, you might use even more without realising it.
Smart options to stay connected without breaking the bank
There are several ways to maintain your connectivity during your holiday in Turkey without breaking the bank, and the same is true for Dubai, Egypt and any other popular destination. The first is traditional roaming, which is fine if you're only going for a short trip, say up to a week. If you plan to go for a longer period, perhaps a month or longer, or if you are particularly tech-savvy, then getting a local SIM could offer budget-friendly connectivity.
However, the third and likely the most attractive option would be to get an eSIM for travel. They are easy to set up, you can do it at home before you even go on holiday, and you can maintain a connection at all times.
Choosing traditional roaming may be the least hassle, but it could be the most expensive option, especially if you go over your allowance and end up with extra costs. A local SIM is the cheapest, but it comes with some challenges. You’d have to find a SIM vendor, deal with language barriers, pay for data locally and so on.
An eSIM’s biggest downside is that you need a relatively modern phone for it to work properly, which is not a big deal for most people, since many upgrade their smartphones every few years. Just in case, make sure that your device is compatible with providers like Yesim, which is a leading eSIM service in the UK that offers very low-cost plans for Turkey and similar destinations, starting at £0.83 per GB or £6.38 per day for unlimited data usage.
If you opt for the latter, you can have full coverage in Turkey for an entire week, all for under £50.
Destination-specific connectivity advice for hassle-free travel
Finally, here are some tips to keep in mind when travelling on a non-EU holiday. As for Dubai, you might experience issues with network coverage in some areas, as well as restrictions on VoIP services. However, there is pretty decent Wi-Fi availability throughout the UAE, so that could be a good option much of the time.
To stay connected in Turkey, you might need to rely on roaming or an eSIM, because getting a local SIM (except for limited tourist options) requires a Turkish ID, which you won’t have as a tourist.
As for Egypt, there are common network quality issues and security concerns, especially when it comes to public Wi-Fi, which is why an eSIM might be your best bet. Yesim is a good choice, not only for affordable prices and global coverage, but also because it offers a free VPN for iOS devices making public Wi-Fi safer when you need it.
Just make sure to activate your plan before departure to ensure immediate connectivity upon arrival.
Conclusion
If you are planning non-EU holidays in countries like Egypt, Turkey or the UAE/Dubai, make sure to plan for budget-friendly connectivity, as well. Roaming costs abroad tend to be rather high, especially if you happen to go over your allowance, which is often quite small. But with proper planning, you can ensure that you don’t break the bank.
All you need for travel is an eSIM like Yesim – the cheapest way to stay connected in Turkey and save money on mobile data abroad. Yesim is one of the best providers of eSIMs in the UK, with low prices, global coverage and a free VPN for iOS users, which could go a long way in further ensuring your safety.
At the end of the day, with an eSIM, you can forget about high roaming costs and unpleasant surprises upon returning home and getting the phone bill. It beats traditional roaming, local SIMs and public Wi-Fi, and it will give you peace of mind and let you enjoy your holiday.
Frequently asked questions about staying connected in non-EU destinations
Do I need to unlock my phone to use an eSIM abroad?
No, eSIMs are designed to work with compatible devices regardless of their SIM lock status.
Can I keep my UK number active while using an eSIM?
Yes, you can keep your UK number active even with an eSIM, assuming that your device has dual SIM functionality.
How much data do I typically need for a week-long holiday?
That depends on your usage, but likely anywhere between 5 and 20+ GB per week. 5 GB might be enough if you limit your usage and only stick to essentials, but if you stream YouTube, make video calls, and the like, then 20, 30, and even 50+ GB is a possibility.
Will an eSIM work in rural areas of Turkey or other featured destinations?
An eSIM could work in rural areas, but that depends on the network you are connected to. Providers like Yesim use SwitchLess Networks, which automatically connects to the best available option.
How do I set up an eSIM before my trip?
The process is short — simply purchase an eSIM from a provider like Yesim, scan the QR code or use their app to install it, and activate it before you go on your trip. Once you arrive, set it as your data line in mobile settings, and you’re done.