Three roaming in China: what it costs, and when an eSIM is cheaper
Data in China is included with Complete. Otherwise, it costs £8.00/day (Daily roaming charge – Go Roam Around the World Extra). 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: Three
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
Three or an eSIM in China: our verdict
Depending on your plan and trip length, at the prices read on October 21, 2026.
If your plan includes China
Keep Three
With Complete, data in China is included at no extra cost, within your allowance abroad.
Otherwise, with Three
£8.00/day
Daily roaming charge – Go Roam Around the World Extra. For 7 days and 6 GB, expect £42.00.
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Data in China with Three: our analysis
What Three’s rate sheet and eSIM prices show, as checked on October 21, 2026.
The right pass for your trip length
- 3 daysGo Roam Around the World Extra pass, 3-day£17.50
- 1 weekGo Roam Around the World Extra pass, 7-day£42.00
- 2 weeksGo Roam Around the World Extra pass, 14-day£84.00
- 1 month10 × Go Roam Around the World Extra pass, 3-day£175.00
Against the cheapest eSIM
Three charges in GBP and the cheapest eSIM is sold in USD: we convert nothing. For a week, expect £42.00 with Three 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).
Three applies the same rate in 10 other destinations we track, including Canada, Egypt, India, Japan, and Mexico.
Plan by plan
What applies in China depending on your Three plan.
What Three’s official rate sheet sets out in China, offer by offer. “Included” means at no extra cost, within your allowance abroad: your Three account shows the one on your line.
| Plan or offer | Data in China |
|---|---|
| Daily roaming charge – Go Roam Around the World Extra | £8.00/day |
| Complete | Included |
| Go Roam Around the World Extra pass (3-day) | £17.50 for 3 days |
| Go Roam Around the World Extra pass (5-day) | £29.75 for 5 days |
| Go Roam Around the World Extra pass (7-day) | £42.00 for 7 days |
| Go Roam Around the World Extra pass (14-day) | £84.00 for 14 days |
What your trip costs
With the Three roaming rate, against today’s cheapest eSIM, for everyday use.
| Trip | With Three | Cheapest eSIM | The offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days · 3 GB | £17.50 Go Roam Around the World Extra pass, 3-day | $6.50 Jetpac | See the plan |
| 7 days · 6 GB | £42.00 Go Roam Around the World Extra pass, 7-day | $13.00 Jetpac | See the plan |
| 14 days · 12 GB | £84.00 Go Roam Around the World Extra pass, 14-day | €17.99 Orange Travel | See the plan |
| 30 days · 24 GB | £175.00 10 × Go Roam Around the World Extra pass, 3-day | $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
O2
VodafoneTurn off Three 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 Three for calls
In your settings, keep your Three line for calls and texts, and pick the eSIM for mobile data.
- 3
Turn off Three roaming
On iPhone: Settings › Cellular › your Three 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.
Three roaming in China: your questions
Answered from the Three price guide and today’s prices.
Is data in China included in my Three plan?
Yes, with Complete. Otherwise, it costs £8.00/day (Daily roaming charge – Go Roam Around the World Extra).
How much does data cost in China with Three?
£8.00/day (Daily roaming charge – Go Roam Around the World Extra), so £56.00 for 7 days and 6 GB. An eSIM covering the same week costs from $13.00 (Jetpac), checked on October 21, 2026.
Which Three pass should I get for China?
The best Three option depends on how long you stay: for 3 days, Go Roam Around the World Extra pass, 3-day (£17.50); for a week, Go Roam Around the World Extra pass, 7-day (£42.00); for two weeks, Go Roam Around the World Extra pass, 14-day (£84.00); for a month, 10 × Go Roam Around the World Extra pass, 3-day (£175.00).
Three or an eSIM in China: which is cheaper?
Three charges in GBP and the cheapest eSIM is sold in USD: we convert nothing. For a week, expect £42.00 with Three 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 Three line. You keep your number for calls and texts.
Can I keep my Three number with an eSIM?
Yes, on an eSIM-compatible phone: your Three line stays on for calls and texts while the eSIM carries the data.
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