City in Scotland, United Kingdom
Internet in Edinburgh: speed, SIM cards and coworking
Is the internet good in Edinburgh?
Median fixed broadband in United Kingdom is 184 Mbps and mobile is 75 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Free wifi in most cafés and pubs; coworking and libraries are fast. Wifi in tourist-heavy Old Town cafés can be crowded in August.
Getting online in Edinburgh
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Home fibre | Fibre or cable from BT, Virgin Media, Hyperoptic or Community Fibre; 150 Mbps to 1 Gbps for about £25–45 a month. |
| Cafés and coworking | Free wifi in most cafés and pubs; coworking and libraries are fast. Wifi in tourist-heavy Old Town cafés can be crowded in August. |
| Tourist SIM | Supermarkets, newsagents and phone shops sell prepaid SIMs (giffgaff, Lebara, Three, Vodafone); £10–20 buys a month of generous data. No ID needed. |
| eSIM | Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors. |
| Carriers | EE, O2, Vodafone, Three |
| Monthly data plan | £10–20 ($13–26) |
Coworking spaces in Edinburgh
Spaces we checked are open in 2026. Prices change; confirm on their sites.
| Space | Area | Day pass |
|---|---|---|
| CodeBase | Several Edinburgh buildings | — |
Internet speeds in Europe
National medians, Speedtest Global Index.
| Country | Fixed | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| France | 332 Mbps | 133 Mbps |
| Iceland | 283 Mbps | — |
| Switzerland | 281 Mbps | 120 Mbps |
| Denmark | 278 Mbps | 161 Mbps |
| Romania | 276 Mbps | 83 Mbps |
| Hungary | 271 Mbps | 94 Mbps |
| Spain | 263 Mbps | 84 Mbps |
| Portugal | 252 Mbps | 128 Mbps |
| Andorra | 244 Mbps | — |
| Netherlands | 226 Mbps | 158 Mbps |
| Luxembourg | 221 Mbps | 173 Mbps |
| Poland | 215 Mbps | 109 Mbps |
Quick answers
Is the internet fast in Edinburgh?
Median fixed broadband in United Kingdom is 184 Mbps and mobile is 75 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Free wifi in most cafés and pubs; coworking and libraries are fast. Wifi in tourist-heavy Old Town cafés can be crowded in August.
Which SIM card should I get in Edinburgh?
Supermarkets, newsagents and phone shops sell prepaid SIMs (giffgaff, Lebara, Three, Vodafone); £10–20 buys a month of generous data. No ID needed.
Can I use an eSIM in United Kingdom?
Yes. Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors, and travel eSIMs work too.
Are there coworking spaces in Edinburgh?
Yes: CodeBase.
More about Edinburgh
Going to Edinburgh solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Edinburgh meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Speedtest Global Index: United Kingdom
- EE
- O2
- Vodafone
- Three
- Lothian Buses
- Edinburgh Trams
- Edinburgh Airport
- VisitScotland
Speeds are medians from Ookla's Speedtest Global Index, cited for reference. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.