For years, British travellers relied on Three’s ‘Go Roam’ as the go-to for avoiding hefty international roaming fees. But since Brexit, the landscape of mobile data abroad has changed dramatically. Daily charges and restrictive fair use policies have made many globetrotters question if their loyalty to traditional network providers is still the smartest choice. Is ‘Go Roam’ still the champion of travel connectivity, or is there a more flexible, cost-effective alternative?
In this 2025 deep-dive, we’ll compare Three UK’s ‘Go Roam’ service with the modern solution of a Yoho Mobile eSIM. We’ll break down the real costs, data limits, and overall convenience to help you decide the best way to stay connected on your next adventure. Before you even pack your bags, see how much you could save by exploring Yoho Mobile’s flexible eSIM plans.
What is Three UK’s ‘Go Roam’ in 2025?
‘Go Roam’ is Three’s international roaming service that allows its customers to use their domestic plan’s allowances (calls, texts, and data) in a selection of destinations outside the UK. While this was once a free perk, it now comes with significant costs and limitations.
Here’s the breakdown for 2025:
- Go Roam in Europe: There’s now a £2 daily charge to use your plan’s allowance in 71 European destinations.
- Go Roam Around the World: For a smaller selection of destinations like the USA, Australia, and Hong Kong, the daily charge is £5.
- The Fair Usage Policy: This is the most critical limitation. You can only use a maximum of 12GB of your data allowance per month while roaming. If you exceed this, your data is either cut off or severely throttled, even if you have more data left in your UK plan.
For a two-week holiday in Spain, you’re looking at an extra £28. For a fortnight in the USA, that’s a steep £70 on top of your existing contract. While convenient, the costs add up quickly, and the 12GB data cap is a major drawback for anyone who uses navigation, streams video, or works remotely.
Introducing the Modern Alternative: Yoho Mobile eSIM
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM card that lives inside your phone. It allows you to activate a mobile data plan from a provider like Yoho Mobile without needing a physical SIM card. For travellers, this is a game-changer.
Yoho Mobile offers prepaid data plans for over 200 countries and regions, giving you control, flexibility, and transparency. Here’s why it’s a powerful alternative:
- Pay-As-You-Go Flexibility: You buy exactly the data you need for the duration of your trip. Heading to Japan and South Korea? Get a single Asia-Pacific plan instead of worrying about different roaming zones.
- Transparent Pricing: No daily charges, no surprise fees. The price you see is the price you pay. You can easily track your usage in the Yoho Mobile app.
- Instant Connectivity: Purchase your plan online and install your eSIM in under a minute on iOS devices—no need to find a local SIM shop upon arrival. Android users can install quickly via QR code.
- Risk-Free Trial: New to eSIMs? Yoho Mobile offers a way to test the service with a free trial eSIM. You can ensure your device is compatible and experience the convenience firsthand before you travel.
With a Yoho Mobile eSIM, you’re not just avoiding roaming charges; you’re adopting a smarter, more modern way to travel. You can find out if your phone supports eSIM technology by checking our compatibility list.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Yoho Mobile vs. Three Go Roam
Let’s break down how these two services stack up in the areas that matter most to travellers.
Cost & Value for Money
This is where the difference becomes stark. Let’s imagine a 10-day trip.
| Destination | Three ‘Go Roam’ Cost (10 Days) | Yoho Mobile eSIM (Example Plan) | Potential Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe (e.g., Italy) | £2/day x 10 = £20 | Europe 5GB/30 Days ≈ £12 | ~40% |
| USA | £5/day x 10 = £50 | USA 10GB/30 Days ≈ £21 | ~58% |
| Turkey | Not in Go Roam (Standard Rates Apply) | Turkey 3GB/30 Days ≈ £7 | Massive |
Note: Yoho Mobile prices are illustrative and can be checked for live rates here.
The numbers speak for themselves. For almost every scenario, a prepaid eSIM from Yoho Mobile provides significantly better value, especially for trips longer than a few days or outside of Europe.
Data Speeds & Fair Usage
Three’s 12GB fair usage limit is a trip-killer for many. Once you hit that cap, your internet becomes practically unusable for anything beyond basic email. This policy on data throttling means your connection can be deprioritised.
Yoho Mobile offers clear, defined data packages. You know exactly how much high-speed data you have. If you run low, you can easily top up your plan. Plus, with the peace of mind from Yoho Care, you have a safety net to ensure you’re never left completely disconnected, even if your main data package runs out.
Convenience & Flexibility
Activating a Yoho Mobile eSIM is effortless. For iOS users, it’s a one-click installation process directly after purchase. There’s no fumbling with tiny plastic cards or SIM ejector tools. You can also keep your UK physical SIM in your phone, allowing you to receive calls and SMS messages on your primary number while using the affordable Yoho eSIM for all your mobile data needs. This dual SIM functionality is perfect for maintaining contact while saving money.
‘Go Roam’ is tied to your Three contract, offering zero flexibility if you’re with another UK provider. With Yoho Mobile, anyone with an eSIM-compatible phone can get connected.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Three Go Roam still worth it in 2025 after the changes?
For very short trips (1-2 days) within the £2 European zone, the convenience might appeal to some. However, for most travellers, especially those on longer holidays, travelling outside Europe, or who use more than 12GB of data, a Yoho Mobile eSIM offers far better value and flexibility.
What’s the cheapest way to use mobile data in Europe as a UK tourist?
Using a region-specific prepaid eSIM is almost always the cheapest way to get high-speed data in Europe. It allows you to bypass the daily roaming charges imposed by UK networks like Three, Vodafone, and O2, offering larger data bundles for a lower one-off price. You can find European travel eSIM plans here.
Can I keep my UK number with a Yoho Mobile eSIM?
Absolutely. Your eSIM handles your mobile data, while your primary UK SIM card can remain active for calls and texts. This is one of the biggest advantages of using a dual SIM-capable phone, allowing you to stay reachable on your main number without paying for data roaming.
What happens if I go over Three’s 12GB Go Roam limit?
According to Three’s policy, your data speeds are reduced to a very slow rate (often around 128kbps) for the rest of the billing cycle. This is too slow for streaming, video calls, or even loading image-heavy websites smoothly. With Yoho Mobile, you simply use the data you’ve purchased and can easily add more if needed.
Conclusion: The Verdict for British Travellers
While Three’s ‘Go Roam’ was a pioneer in affordable roaming, its value has been significantly eroded by daily fees and restrictive data caps in 2025. The modern traveller, who needs reliable, fast, and affordable data without worrying about hidden limits, has a clear winner.
Yoho Mobile eSIMs provide a superior alternative for British travellers through transparent pricing, greater flexibility, and freedom from restrictive fair use policies. You get more data for your money, control over your spending, and the convenience of instant digital activation.
Don’t let outdated roaming plans dictate your travel budget. Make the smart switch and experience the freedom of global connectivity. Explore Yoho Mobile’s eSIM plans for your next destination today!