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Maybe you know this, but some might not. For clarity, you probably do have a SIM card in your phone. I think what you are saying is that you have never changed your SIM card when you travel. You just have used the SIM card that the phone service provider installed when you bought your phone service. That card identifies you with your phone number. You really don't need to be aware of it for use at home.I have never used a sim card in my phone.
Pick one up anywhere when you land. You want talk and text plus data, not just a "Data Only" SIM, which will give you a french or spanish phone number. Tell them all the countries you want it to work in. If you are staying longer than 30 days, make sure you can top it up, and ask exactly HOW to top it up. You might want to buy a top up voucher at the same time, and save it until you need it. Make sure they set your phone up, and that it works before you leave the shop. Most people are puzzled by APN settings, but the clerk in the shop won't be. Other than that, the network provider doesn't matter, they all work. Make your choice on the price, and the rates for calls home as well as the size of the data bundle and top-ups.Thanks, Rick. I want to use it in the EU countries mostly for reservations etc., and occasional calls to the US. I do have an unlocked phone and WhatsApp, but unfortunately many of my (US) friends don't (yeah, I know!), so SMS access is important, too, and I'll definitely check on that. And check this forum. Thanks for your input. Ami
Suggest start by finding a friendly teenager to discuss how phones work and what options there are for SIMs.I have never used a sim card in my phone. If I buy one in Spain, would it work if I then went to France, or would a call within France be considered an international call? And calls to the US , I would guess, would be incredibly expensive? Any other advice? Thanks for enlightening me.
This.I used to have T-Mobile and there were no additional charges in Europe for data and only a small cost for calls. Now we have ATT (since we moved to a location where there is no T-Mobile service) and it was about $250 per month total for both my husband and I to keep our home service while in Spain last summer. For one person/phone $150 per month, but with the second line it was slightly less. It is so much per day up to a cap each month.
Depending on where you start your Camino, if you want a Spanish card you have to wait until Pamplona (if you fly into France). That is the first big city where Sim cards would be available. We always fly into Madrid now so it is easier to get a Spanish sim card. as @Rick M mentions, there are limitations with all the plans. You can read through the threads and see all the variations.
I always buy a sim card in Spain when I arrive. I now use Vodafone as it is so easy to recharge. I usually accept the new Spanish number that I get. I don't lose any contacts and when I am on the camino I only speak with my wife and kids on Whatsapp anyway. I get plenty of data. I think I paid 15 Euros for unlimited calls (not to the United States and I think 30 or 40 gigas. I was told I could use my phone anywhere in Europe. It was really easy and they do everything for you to set up your phone in the store. When I get on the plane to go home I take out the sim card and put my sim card in my phone. Easy as can be.I have never used a sim card in my phone. If I buy one in Spain, would it work if I then went to France, or would a call within France be considered an international call? And calls to the US , I would guess, would be incredibly expensive? Any other advice? Thanks for enlightening me.
If you have a newer phone you might be able to get an e SIM card which you simply download into your phone. No need to physically switch one in. I did that last fall and used it in France and Portugal. With Orange it’s good all over Europe. Check into it online and see if your phone is compatible and how much it costs. Good luck!I have never used a sim card in my phone. If I buy one in Spain, would it work if I then went to France, or would a call within France be considered an international call? And calls to the US , I would guess, would be incredibly expensive? Any other advice? Thanks for enlightening me.
I had the exact same question when I did my first camino this fall. I used What's app for calls home, every night and it was free in wifi. I purchased a vodaphone SIM card in Pamplona and it was all I needed. I used 140 gb of data in 4 weeks which cost 40 euros at the time. They will tell you that you don't need so much data, but it was the plan that worked for me. I did stream some music on my phone when I was walking but only occasionally. It was rechargeable after the 4 weeks and I was able to recharge on the day the card expired. I didn't go to France at all so I'm not sure how it would work there.I have never used a sim card in my phone. If I buy one in Spain, would it work if I then went to France, or would a call within France be considered an international call? And calls to the US , I would guess, would be incredibly expensive? Any other advice? Thanks for enlightening me.
I do have an unlocked phone and WhatsApp, but unfortunately many of my (US) friends don't
You can use Skype phone to call friends or anyone anywhere - very cheap - eg calls from Australia to US = $2 per ho
Were you able to top up your card through their app or website? I used Orange in 2021 and I had to find a physical store to top up as their app and website would not accept my Canadian CC. I'm trying to plan ahead for my Camino in autumn and trying to figure out the best options. TYIAI had the exact same question when I did my first camino this fall. I used What's app for calls home, every night and it was free in wifi. I purchased a vodaphone SIM card in Pamplona and it was all I needed. I used 140 gb of data in 4 weeks which cost 40 euros at the time. They will tell you that you don't need so much data, but it was the plan that worked for me. I did stream some music on my phone when I was walking but only occasionally. It was rechargeable after the 4 weeks and I was able to recharge on the day the card expired. I didn't go to France at all so I'm not sure how it would work there.
Yes on the day it expired I received a text from vodaphone asking if I wanted to add data and I used my Visa card to do it. When I purchased the card initially they told me at the vodaphone store that I would have to find a bank, gas station or grocery store where I could recharge it. So I was pleased to get the text and not have to go looking for a bank, gas station or grocery store on the Camino. I am not sure why they couldn't tell me that from the start. But I stopped at vodaphone store in Leon and I got the same story.Were you able to top up your card through their app or website? I used Orange in 2021 and I had to find a physical store to top up as their app and website would not accept my Canadian CC. I'm trying to plan ahead for my Camino in autumn and trying to figure out the best options. TYIA
the plan I use in Australia- (Vodafone)-……. calls to the US , I would guess, would be incredibly expensive? Any other advice?
This was what I did in oct/Nov 2022. My new phone uses the esim for home. I visited Vodafone in Almeria and they put the physical Spanish sim into the slot in my phone. They last 28 days. Either drop back into another Vodafone store or do the ‘top up’ online. Just make sure you’re familiar with your phone selection to switch/toggle from one to the other (I mean if you have ESim and physical. ). Once I had the physical sim I stayed with it until I toggled back before boarding flight at Madrid for home.Many newer phones use an "e-SIM card" that is built into the phone and they also have a slot for a second physical SIM card so you can switch between 2 service providers and numbers .
If you want to speak to friends in the US who are on WhatsApp, do so over WhatsApp on a wifi connection. Free of charge.
Excellent! Thank you!Yes on the day it expired I received a text from vodaphone asking if I wanted to add data and I used my Visa card to do it. When I purchased the card initially they told me at the vodaphone store that I would have to find a bank, gas station or grocery store where I could recharge it. So I was pleased to get the text and not have to go looking for a bank, gas station or grocery store on the Camino. I am not sure why they couldn't tell me that from the start. But I stopped at vodaphone store in Leon and I got the same story.
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