David Egglestone
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- September 5 2014
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Has anyone RECENTLY purchased a SIM card before arriving in Spain? I guess people mostly use their phones for booking ahead etc and with the advent of apps like WhatApp and Skype there really isnt a lot of need for calls sms etc mainly DATA? Also the ability to upload to the internet photos etc means I dont need to worry about losing my photos. Having a Spanish number must make it easier to be contacted too. So my questions are:
Which did you buy?
What was the cost including having it sent to you (I am in Australia)
Was it problematic to use/recharge/setup etc
Did you get data primarily?
What was the coverage like?
I bought Vodafone on line http://www.simcardspain.es/es/ this May
It arrived ok and I won´t have to stay hours in a tienda
Katia
Slightly off topic, but phone related so please bear with me.
My phone has a USB lead and USB charger plug, 3-pin UK. Can those who live in Spain tell me how easy it is to buy the 2-pin USB charger plug please, (not an adaptor) so that I don't have to carry the adaptor as well. We will be arriving in Santander and walking in the north. Thank you.
This page has a full list of worlwide socket types. Really useful for us all.If any Australian Pilgrims could assist. Similar question. Can I 'jam' a 2 pin Aussie plug into a Euro/Spanish socket?
This page has a full list of worlwide socket types. Really useful for us all.
http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/
Looking at the photos and compatability list on the webpage it looks like you might be lucky.Thanks. Yes I've seen those sites and I have a bag full of adapters. My question was more related to fitting an Aussie plug into a Spanish socket..... i.e. No adapter.
For example, I'm in Bangkok currently and I can squeeze a 2 pin Aussie plug into a Thai socket easily. Just wondered if the same thing would apply in Spain. Last time in Europe a few years ago I carried various adapters. I'd rather go 'adapter less' if possible.
Looking at the photos and compatability list on the webpage it looks like you might be lucky.
Only because you were able to fit it in the socket in Thailand.......Sorry, not sure how you are deducing that. Spain I presume is C. Australia is I. Not Compatible... But I suspect a 2 pin I might at a push, fit into a C.
In any Spanish town or city of reasonable size, you should be able to walk into any electronics store or phone store (Orange, Vodafone, etc) and buy a USB charger made specifically for the local outlet configuration. You might even find them in one of the shops in the airport where you first arrive in Spain.Slightly off topic, but phone related so please bear with me.
My phone has a USB lead and USB charger plug, 3-pin UK. Can those who live in Spain tell me how easy it is to buy the 2-pin USB charger plug please, (not an adaptor) so that I don't have to carry the adaptor as well. We will be arriving in Santander and walking in the north. Thank you.
Slightly off topic, but phone related so please bear with me.
My phone has a USB lead and USB charger plug, 3-pin UK. Can those who live in Spain tell me how easy it is to buy the 2-pin USB charger plug please, (not an adaptor) so that I don't have to carry the adaptor as well. We will be arriving in Santander and walking in the north. Thank you.
Hey Robo.
No, you wont be able to put a two pin Aus/NZ plug into an EU socket.
Reason: The pins are round in EU where as they are flat down under.
Slightly off topic, but phone related so please bear with me.
My phone has a USB lead and USB charger plug, 3-pin UK. Can those who live in Spain tell me how easy it is to buy the 2-pin USB charger plug please, (not an adaptor) so that I don't have to carry the adaptor as well. We will be arriving in Santander and walking in the north. Thank you.
It would certainly seem to be a much more convenient option...I keep seing posts about SIM cards, but what about something like this (a temporary rate from your local provider for use abroad)
http://www.telus.com/en/qc/mobility/travel/?country=spain#travel-passes
Hey Rob..
Is this the type of socket you are using in Thailand?
If it is I can see how you could get your two pin in there.
But the ones in Spain just have two small round holes so it isnt possible to get the two pin AU/NZ one in there.
Yes that is one of the types of socket used in Thailand. We have those in our home. Well similar, not quite the same as that. Then there are also sockets like USA, like Euro, both two and three pin. All manner of sockets can be found.... It's a veritable socket salesman's paradise... But let's forget Thailand. I'm sorry I ever mentioned Thailand. Let's reboot
Has anyone....ever actually....physically...'live'....in reality....ever...fitted an Aussie 2 pin plug into a Spanish socket? Just curious.
I keep seing posts about SIM cards, but what about something like this (a temporary rate from your local provider for use abroad)
http://www.telus.com/en/qc/mobility/travel/?country=spain#travel-passes
Are people not using this? And if so, is there a reason? I have rented phones here that already had a Spanish number, but the prices have skyrocketed. So I was hoping for a different solution.
These are two of their plans:
$C50:
$C85:
- 50 minutes
- 100 MB of data
- 150 outgoing text messages
- Free incoming text messages
- Can be used in all European countries.
- 100 minutes
- 300 MB of data
- 200 outgoing text messages
- Free incoming text messages
- Can be used in all European countries.
Thank you for your input.
I keep seing posts about SIM cards, but what about something like this (a temporary rate from your local provider for use abroad)
http://www.telus.com/en/qc/mobility/travel/?country=spain#travel-passes
Are people not using this? And if so, is there a reason? I have rented phones here that already had a Spanish number, but the prices have skyrocketed. So I was hoping for a different solution.
These are two of their plans:
$C50:
$C85:
- 50 minutes
- 100 MB of data
- 150 outgoing text messages
- Free incoming text messages
- Can be used in all European countries.
- 100 minutes
- 300 MB of data
- 200 outgoing text messages
- Free incoming text messages
- Can be used in all European countries.
Thank you for your input.
Yes that is one of the types of socket used in Thailand. We have those in our home. Well similar, not quite the same as that. Then there are also sockets like USA, like Euro, both two and three pin. All manner of sockets can be found.... It's a veritable socket salesman's paradise... But let's forget Thailand. I'm sorry I ever mentioned Thailand. Let's reboot
Has anyone....ever actually....physically...'live'....in reality....ever...fitted an Aussie 2 pin plug into a Spanish socket? Just curious.
It doesn't, but thank you. Amazon uK has very limited 2 pin choice and very expensive postage on them, which is why I would rather buy one in Spain
It doesn't, but thank you. Amazon uK has very limited 2 pin choice and very expensive postage on them, which is why I would rather buy one in Spain
Why would you even want give Telus your hard earned money for so little in return?
Look a what the Lebara SIM card has to offer for data: http://www.lebara.es/passes/internet 1GB of data for €8, 2GB for €14, and €25 for 3GB.
For voice and texts: http://www.lebara.es/prepago/tarifas type in Canada in the international page, €0.01 for voice calls, and €0.24 for SMS.
For less than €50 a month, you can have a fully functioning smartphone with free incoming calls and SMS.
I'd recommend a local SIM card.
Thank you Bajaracer. For some reason I was under the impression unlocking the phone would void its garantee or cause me issues at the end of my contract. But I see on the Telus site that it can be done, for a fee of 35$ ;0)
The truth is, with WIFI so readily available, that data is not really an issue for me. I am happy to check email when in an albergue, bar or restaurant. For voice I only want to have it to book my albergue for the following night, to make an outgoing call in case of emergency or to receive an emergency call from home so I don't need a lot of minutes. So with the unlocking fee added to a local SIM price, even at the good prices you mention, I'm basically breaking even. But then again, since I have been going out on the Camino annually with the same phone, it would start to make sence.
I can see how the SIM card could be a much better option, especially for those who use their phone more than I do. Thank you for the information.
Yah, well, work pays for the phone, so maybe not ;0)You can probably unblock your Telus using codes obtained over the net before you leave for Spain
Google will give you lots of options
Yah, well, work pays for the phone, so maybe not ;0)
I really think getting an older phone and having it unlocked is the way to go. Thanks!See if you can talk to Telus and pay for the unlock yourself, that might work, or ask around if any of your friends have an out of contract smartphone they'd be willing to give away and have it unlocked and make it your dedicated "world travel phone"
I really think getting an older phone and having it unlocked is the way to go. Thanks!
I keep seing posts about SIM cards, but what about something like this (a temporary rate from your local provider for use abroad)
http://www.telus.com/en/qc/mobility/travel/?country=spain#travel-passes
Are people not using this? And if so, is there a reason? I have rented phones here that already had a Spanish number, but the prices have skyrocketed. So I was hoping for a different solution.
These are two of their plans:
$C50:
$C85:
- 50 minutes
- 100 MB of data
- 150 outgoing text messages
- Free incoming text messages
- Can be used in all European countries.
- 100 minutes
- 300 MB of data
- 200 outgoing text messages
- Free incoming text messages
- Can be used in all European countries.
Thank you for your input.
Thank you Heather, will try to visit a Telus shop and ask them about this solution.Hi there,
I spoke to a Telus rep here in Ottawa (Canada) and she said the best option would be to put your phone plan on hold, pay the $35 to have your phone unlocked and buy a new Spanish SIM card when you arrive. She said it would be much more affordable and easier. Just remember to have the phone unlocked by the carrier.
David, I have just been looking at the Lebara site and do not understand how this works. Gives me the impression it requires me to already have a phone number? Is that correct? Thanks for the info on your Orange Sim.Hi
Just an update since I am back in Spain again. I bought an Orange sim card in Logrono for 9E which gave me unlimited calls and 1 Gb of data last year. Now in Madrid for longer I signed up for a month by month prepago tarjeta with Vodafone. 20E for 1.6 Gb of data and unlimited calls and texts to anywhere in Spain.
Either way you will need an unlocked phone and your passport to purchase the sim. It takes about 5 minutes.
Hi there,
I spoke to a Telus rep here in Ottawa (Canada) and she said the best option would be to put your phone plan on hold, pay the $35 to have your phone unlocked and buy a new Spanish SIM card when you arrive. She said it would be much more affordable and easier. Just remember to have the phone unlocked by the carrier.
Heather, I have a question: if I put my plan on hold, I assume I will not be able to access my regular emails that I now get on my Iphone? Some one suggested using the little pin that comes with Iphones to simply change the Sim cards back and forth. Seems too easy ... Any thoughts?Hi there,
I spoke to a Telus rep here in Ottawa (Canada) and she said the best option would be to put your phone plan on hold, pay the $35 to have your phone unlocked and buy a new Spanish SIM card when you arrive. She said it would be much more affordable and easier. Just remember to have the phone unlocked by the carrier.
Heather, I have a question: if I put my plan on hold, I assume I will not be able to access my regular emails that I now get on my Iphone? Some one suggested using the little pin that comes with Iphones to simply change the Sim cards back and forth. Seems too easy ... Any thoughts?
Heather, I have a question: if I put my plan on hold, I assume I will not be able to access my regular emails that I now get on my Iphone? Some one suggested using the little pin that comes with Iphones to simply change the Sim cards back and forth. Seems too easy ... Any thoughts?
Right, why should I concern myself with work While on Camino;0)I think that could work but you may not be able to access your email with the Canadian SIM card if the plan is in hold. Best to ask Telus because technology is not my thing.
However, I know I can add any gmail/hotmail account to my iPhone 5. And I do know that if you have a private co. /government email you can forward it to a gmail account. That may be an option? Now if you don't need your work emails coming through (which you probably don't!) Just open a gmail account and pass the address out to friends and family) Would that work for you?
Oh the joys and strangle hold technology provides for us right? ;-)
What Spanish SIM/data pack is best if you just use it in a tablet?
Hi ThisisSpain. we are arriving late in the evening into Mardrid T4 and need to call the apartment we are staying in to collect the key. Will there be a kiosk open for me to purchase a SIM that late at night (11pm)? if not, is there something you can suggest I do? thanks!!I live in Spain (15 years) and have been in telecom 30+ Happy to help. Most everything covered here. Prepaid cards available everywhere - shops, supermarkets, post office etc etc
Yoigo, Lebara, Lycos, Orange ..... unless you are a huge user you won't notice much difference. Easy set up (all with guides/websites in English) 5 euros and a passport
Don't expect much in the way of speed .... this is Spain!
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