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I had better luck with the SIM card option, but make sure your phone is Unlocked for this to work. When I tried MetroPCS’s (powered by TMobile) international plan, it simply didn’t work, and I had to rely on a friend’s phone. Just my experience, though.Planning Camino for April / May and would like help in determining which cell phone plan to use. My choices:
1. Purchase international phone plan in U.S. utilizing the T-Mobile network. I would be able to use for unlimited data, talk and text for 12 cents per minute. If anyone has used this option, please comment on the how the T-Mobile network works on the Camino.
2. Purchase a SIM card in Pamplona. Same questions - cost? and how does it work in Spain? (talk, data, text).
Thanks in advance.
Used it on the Camino?I've been using T-Mobile both at home and when I travel for years.
When I'm in Spain it works pretty seamlessly. I receive a "welcome to Spain" text when I arrive, and an offer to spend more for faster speeds, but I never bother with that - the data has always been sufficiently fast without upgrading for me to read emails, upload pictures, use maps, etc.
I don't normally use it for phone calls - my plan is 25 cents a minute while I'm abroad. Instead, I use WhatsApp to call friends and family back home, or if I need to call a landline I use the Viber app. I buy $5 worth of credits, and it lasts me ages because the calls are only 2cents a minute.
Yes, I've used it on 6 Caminos.Used it on the Camino?
It just seems to me that this question has been asked many times and the replies to all the those previous questions all seem the same.
It might help if this topic was highlighted in some place on the forum where new members can find relevant answers and information, and then if there is a specific issue not dealt with previously, then a subsequent question can be asked.
This crowd seems exceedingly forgiving or tolerant of repetition, or perhaps enjoys it.
Although this approach allows new members to avoid searching and reading the 100s of previous replies to find the specific one that helps.
That sounds like a forum that I would like to belong to.This crowd seems exceedingly forgiving or tolerant of repetition, or perhaps enjoys it.
We did our Camino in June of 2022. Our cell carrier is T-Mobile. So, we bought a 30 day international pass from T-Mobile. We had no issues at all. I do recommend downloading WhatsApp because all service providers and pilgrims from outside the US, and now more and more US pilgrims also use it. Whatsapp is how people communicate on the Camino. We also use it to stay in touch with the friends we made on our Camino. I hope this helps.Planning Camino for April / May and would like help in determining which cell phone plan to use. My choices:
1. Purchase international phone plan in U.S. utilizing the T-Mobile network. I would be able to use for unlimited data, talk and text for 12 cents per minute. If anyone has used this option, please comment on the how the T-Mobile network works on the Camino.
2. Purchase a SIM card in Pamplona. Same questions - cost? and how does it work in Spain? (talk, data, text).
Thanks in advance.
$10 a day vs $30 (max) sim card for a month... I like myI highly recommend AT&T if you are from the US View attachment 140431(unusual for me). $10 per day (a day is 24 hours from when you turn it on). It then mirrors your plan at home in this case the US. I have an unlimited data, phone, and text plan. Here is the kicker. Max charge for one billing period is $120.00. You are doing the camino to enjoy it not track your cell phone usage. Comes in handy for mapping, (Gronze, Booking.com etc.)making reservations for next night, good food places, places of interest and communicating home via text or Whats App with photos. It is a great deal. See attached. My wife and I did Norte from Irun to Compostela in 34 days then to Sevilla, Barcelona and hiking Cami De Cavalls on Menorca. Total of almost 2 months and cost was $240.00. Saved us many times. Seer attached. T Mobile may have same plan.
With T-Mobile you can avoid the 25¢ a minute charge for phone calls back to your home country if you switch you your phone to airplane mode and then connect to the internet. I’ve done this now for a few years and it works great.
Not all service providers use WhatsApp. Quite a few are still on landlines.I do recommend downloading WhatsApp because all service providers and pilgrims from outside the US, and now more and more US pilgrims also use it.
That sounds like a forum that I would like to belong to.
Just as the topic of phone usage comes up frequently, so too do the posts pointing out that the search function is an invaluable resource.
I think it’s a great idea to answer questions that come up frequently by posting links to recent threads on the same topic and by offering to help with searching if a member isn’t familiar with it.
But some people can’t figure out the search function or don’t know it’s there, others know it‘s there but figure that there will be some forum members with the answer on their fingertips, and others just want the reassurance that the answers they get are up to date.
This issue seems to me to be of the “no harm no foul” category. Since no one forces anyone to open up a thread entitled “cell phone usage,” I don’t see any cause for complaint.
Thanks, Peregrina2000! You said a mouthful. I, being a newbie on the forum, appreciate all the info I can get from all you kind and experienced folks. Shoot, at this early stage of the game, I don't even know what I don’t know yet. I hope others will be as understanding as you when a rookie asks a question just looking for help. Gracias.That sounds like a forum that I would like to belong to.
Just as the topic of phone usage comes up frequently, so too do the posts pointing out that the search function is an invaluable resource.
I think it’s a great idea to answer questions that come up frequently by posting links to recent threads on the same topic and by offering to help with searching if a member isn’t familiar with it.
But some people can’t figure out the search function or don’t know it’s there, others know it‘s there but figure that there will be some forum members with the answer on their fingertips, and others just want the reassurance that the answers they get are up to date.
This issue seems to me to be of the “no harm no foul” category. Since no one forces anyone to open up a thread entitled “cell phone usage,” I don’t see any cause for complaint.
As I understand it, Canadian plans are worse!love it when people from the US discover how their mobile plans at home are some of the worst in the world. You might be able to use them abroad, if you have any arms and legs left.
I walked from SJPDP to Santiago in May-June 2022. I have T-Mobile, for $15 a month I went to ADD On's and selected One Plan Plus. It has enhanced international data and speed. You can read up on their standard international plans, I just wanted to have access to a speedier connection for Google Maps and Camino Ninja. I always had a connection and never had a problem with connecting. There is also great wifi available along the way in most bars.Planning Camino for April / May and would like help in determining which cell phone plan to use. My choices:
1. Purchase international phone plan in U.S. utilizing the T-Mobile network. I would be able to use for unlimited data, talk and text for 12 cents per minute. If anyone has used this option, please comment on the how the T-Mobile network works on the Camino.
2. Purchase a SIM card in Pamplona. Same questions - cost? and how does it work in Spain? (talk, data, text).
Thanks in advance.
Perhaps don't overdo it - many of the people answering your questions did their first Camino after almost no questions and fewer answers, and had a good experience.Shoot, at this early stage of the game, I don't even know what I don’t know yet.
Thanks, Sirage. I appreciate the advice. I will be new to el camino and caminando solo, but my Spanish isPerhaps don't overdo it - many of the people answering your questions did their first Camino after almost no questions and fewer answers, and had a good experience.
Start with the usual basics of travelling, such and cell/mobile phones, money, a brief introduction to the route & albergues, and off you go.
It isIt might help if this topic was highlighted in some place on the forum where new members can find relevant answers and information
Trecile, except for Viber, I did the same thing last May/June. I have the magenta program with T-Mobile. No problems whatsoever! The phoneI've been using T-Mobile both at home and when I travel for years.
When I'm in Spain it works pretty seamlessly. I receive a "welcome to Spain" text when I arrive, and an offer to spend more for faster speeds, but I never bother with that - the data has always been sufficiently fast without upgrading for me to read emails, upload pictures, use maps, etc.
I don't normally use it for phone calls - my plan is 25 cents a minute while I'm abroad. Instead, I use WhatsApp to call friends and family back home, or if I need to call a landline I use the Viber app. I buy $5 worth of credits, and it lasts me ages because the calls are only 2cents a minute.
I have always purchased a SIM card. But then again, I'm Canadian and Canada is notorious for the cost of our telecommunications, so the option 1 may be cheaper for you than the equivalent would be for me.Planning Camino for April / May and would like help in determining which cell phone plan to use. My choices:
1. Purchase international phone plan in U.S. utilizing the T-Mobile network. I would be able to use for unlimited data, talk and text for 12 cents per minute. If anyone has used this option, please comment on the how the T-Mobile network works on the Camino.
2. Purchase a SIM card in Pamplona. Same questions - cost? and how does it work in Spain? (talk, data, text).
Thanks in advance.
Thank you for sharing that is information - very helpful. I also have T-mobile and typically just pay the .25 a minute for local calls, as well as using what's app and Messenger for texting when traveling internationally. I will check this "add-on" out. Still trying to figure out what Camino app to load - but that is an entirely different question!I walked from SJPDP to Santiago in May-June 2022. I have T-Mobile, for $15 a month I went to ADD On's and selected One Plan Plus. It has enhanced international data and speed. You can read up on their standard international plans, I just wanted to have access to a speedier connection for Google Maps and Camino Ninja. I always had a connection and never had a problem with connecting. There is also great wifi available along the way in most bars.
Consider loading up WhatsApp. I communicated with many Albergues and JacoTrans using WhatsApp. Very convenient. Buen Camio!
Thanks very much for your response. This is all new to me so I do have a couple of questions as a follow up. First, I assume you use the Spanish SIM card to make calls only in Spain. Correct? Does it cover texts as well? Am I assigned a different phone number or do I use my current one? What do you do for email?I purchased a sim card in Spain from the provider Orange for the CF in 2021. It was easy and cheap. I think I paid $20 for more data than I could possibly use. Used WhatsApp to call home for free. If you have a newer phone that has e-sim capability I understand it's even easier and you can switch back and forth between your home plan and the Spanish plan easily if you choose to.
That's a bit supercilious of you to say.I love it when people from the US discover how their mobile plans at home are some of the worst in the world. You might be able to use them abroad, if you have any arms and legs left.
Buy a local sim and make use of things like Whatsapp on the abundantly available free WiFi
You can get Sim cards with both data and calls. There are different packages. Yes, you will have a new Spanish number. You can use wifi for email or your data allocation with your Sim.Thanks very much for your response. This is all new to me so I do have a couple of questions as a follow up. First, I assume you use the Spanish SIM card to make calls only in Spain. Correct? Does it cover texts as well? Am I assigned a different phone number or do I use my current one? What do you do for email?
Lots of questions so thanks very much in advance.
Robert
Some of us have it worse and really envy those US plans.I love it when people from the US discover how their mobile plans at home are some of the worst in the world. You might be able to use them abroad, if you have any arms and legs left.
Yes, you do get a new number with a new Spanish SIM card. Most plans you can get cover text also. I shared my new number with family and friends, and it worked well.Thanks very much for your response. This is all new to me so I do have a couple of questions as a follow up. First, I assume you use the Spanish SIM card to make calls only in Spain. Correct? Does it cover texts as well? Am I assigned a different phone number or do I use my current one? What do you do for email?
Lots of questions so thanks very much in advance.
Robert
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