O2 roaming in China: what it costs, and when an eSIM is cheaper
Data in China is included with Ultimate Plans (O2 Travel Inclusive Zone Ultimate). Otherwise, it costs £7.00/day (O2 Travel Bolt On). An eSIM for 7 days and 6 GB costs from $13.00 (Jetpac).
Rates checked on October 21, 2026 in the official price guide · Source: O2
The best eSIMs in China for a week
For 7 days and 6 GB
- 1Best unlimited
Ubigi
Unlimited · 7 days
$24.00$3.43 per day- 5 GB a day at full speed, then reduced speed
- Network: China Telecom
- Hotspot allowed
- 2Cheapest
Jetpac
10 GB · 7 days
$13.00$1.30 per GB- Lowest total price for 7 days
- Network: China Unicom
- Hotspot allowed
- 3Best price per GB
Orange Travel
20 GB · 14 days
€17.99€0.90 per GB- Lowest price per GB for this trip
- Networks: China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom
- Hotspot allowed
Three steps, three questions: the best unlimited plan, the cheapest and the best price per GB, from three different providers. How we pick the podium · Affiliate links
O2 or an eSIM in China: our verdict
Depending on your plan and trip length, at the prices read on October 22, 2026.
If your plan includes China
Keep O2
With Ultimate Plans (O2 Travel Inclusive Zone Ultimate), data in China is included at no extra cost, within your allowance abroad.
Otherwise, with O2
£7.00/day
O2 Travel Bolt On. For 7 days and 6 GB, expect £49.00.
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Data in China with O2: our analysis
What O2’s rate sheet and eSIM prices show, as checked on October 22, 2026.
The right pass for your trip length
- 3 days3 × O2 Travel Bolt On£21.00
- 1 week7 × O2 Travel Bolt On£49.00
- 2 weeks14 × O2 Travel Bolt On£98.00
- 1 month30 × O2 Travel Bolt On£210.00
Against the cheapest eSIM
O2 charges in GBP and the cheapest eSIM is sold in USD: we convert nothing. For a week, expect £49.00 with O2 and $13.00 with the eSIM (Jetpac).
eSIMs in China at a glance
- In China, we compare plans from 7 eSIM providers: GigSky, GoMoWorld, Jetpac, Nomad, Orange Travel, Ubigi, and Yesim.
- The cheapest unlimited plan for a week is from Ubigi: $24.00 (Unlimited · 7 days).
O2 applies the same rate in 14 other destinations we track, including Australia, Canada, Egypt, India, and Indonesia.
Plan by plan
What applies in China depending on your O2 plan.
What O2’s official rate sheet sets out in China, offer by offer. “Included” means at no extra cost, within your allowance abroad: your O2 account shows the one on your line.
| Plan or offer | Data in China |
|---|---|
| O2 Travel Bolt On | £7.00/day |
| Ultimate Plans (O2 Travel Inclusive Zone Ultimate) | Included |
What your trip costs
With the O2 roaming rate, against today’s cheapest eSIM, for everyday use.
| Trip | With O2 | Cheapest eSIM | The offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days · 3 GB | £21.00 3 × O2 Travel Bolt On | $6.50 Jetpac | See the plan |
| 7 days · 6 GB | £49.00 7 × O2 Travel Bolt On | $13.00 Jetpac | See the plan |
| 14 days · 12 GB | £98.00 14 × O2 Travel Bolt On | €17.99 Orange Travel | See the plan |
| 30 days · 24 GB | £210.00 30 × O2 Travel Bolt On | $29.99 Jetpac | See the plan |
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China with other UK carriers
The same trip with the other UK carriers we track, from their official rate sheets.
Of the 4 UK carriers we track, 3 include China in at least one plan: EE, O2, and Three.
EE
Three
VodafoneTurn off O2 roaming and use an eSIM
Four settings, before you leave or on the plane.
- 1
Install the eSIM at home
Buy it and scan its QR code before you leave: with most providers, the plan only starts when you first connect at your destination.
- 2
Keep O2 for calls
In your settings, keep your O2 line for calls and texts, and pick the eSIM for mobile data.
- 3
Turn off O2 roaming
On iPhone: Settings › Cellular › your O2 line › Data Roaming. On Android: Settings › Mobile networks › Roaming.
- 4
Keep eSIM roaming on
A travel eSIM uses the local networks: its data roaming must stay on.
O2 roaming in China: your questions
Answered from the O2 price guide and today’s prices.
Is data in China included in my O2 plan?
Yes, with Ultimate Plans (O2 Travel Inclusive Zone Ultimate). Otherwise, it costs £7.00/day (O2 Travel Bolt On).
How much does data cost in China with O2?
£7.00/day (O2 Travel Bolt On), so £49.00 for 7 days and 6 GB. An eSIM covering the same week costs from $13.00 (Jetpac), checked on October 22, 2026.
Which O2 pass should I get for China?
The best O2 option depends on how long you stay: for 3 days, 3 × O2 Travel Bolt On (£21.00); for a week, 7 × O2 Travel Bolt On (£49.00); for two weeks, 14 × O2 Travel Bolt On (£98.00); for a month, 30 × O2 Travel Bolt On (£210.00).
O2 or an eSIM in China: which is cheaper?
O2 charges in GBP and the cheapest eSIM is sold in USD: we convert nothing. For a week, expect £49.00 with O2 and $13.00 with the eSIM (Jetpac).
Which UK carriers include China?
Of the 4 UK carriers we track, 3 include China in at least one plan: EE, O2, and Three.
Which network does an eSIM use in China?
The cheapest one-week eSIM (Jetpac) uses China Unicom. Depending on the plan, the 7 providers we compare in China list China Unicom, China Telecom, and China Mobile.
How do I avoid roaming charges in China?
Use a travel eSIM for data and turn off data roaming on your O2 line. You keep your number for calls and texts.
Can I keep my O2 number with an eSIM?
Yes, on an eSIM-compatible phone: your O2 line stays on for calls and texts while the eSIM carries the data.
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