Renting a Cell Phone

[brendamarie]

Hi all,

I am walking the Camino Frances, leaving Canada August 28th and starting from SJDP on August 30 or Sept. 1. This is my first foray into the forum. I have certainly learned a lot from the forum and appreciate the thoughtful and thorough responses.

I need help. I have searched the site in vain for a response given by a contributor concerning renting a cell phone from National Geographic. A link to National Geographic was provided. I looked into it and it is an option I am considering.

However, I am unable to find the original chain of "blogs" that referred to this option. I'd appreciate if someone could provide the link as I have had no luck searching on my own.


Thanks in advance.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

http://www.cellularabroad.com/

 

[lynnejohn]

Also
http://www.onspanishtime.com/

We've used this company and were very pleased with the cost and service.

lynne

 

[renegadepilgrim]

You can also get a cheapo Nokia phone at the airport with a prepaid SIM card and load up on the Camino as you go along.

I managed to walk the entire Camino (and still traveling.....) without a cell phone. Everyone has their reasons for having one, but think about not having one. They are not necessary on the Camino,unless you really need to be in contact with home.

 

[KristinaMaria]

Would it be possible to buy a cellphone in the French airport and use it in Spain as well?

 

[newfydog]

You can also get a cheapo Nokia phone at the airport with a prepaid SIM card and load up on the Camino as you go along.

I managed to walk the entire Camino (and still traveling.....) without a cell phone. Everyone has their reasons for having one, but think about not having one. They are not necessary on the Camino,unless you really need to be in contact with home.

I picked one up at an Orange in France for 35 Euros. It was the first time I used any phone on a pilgrimage, but I needed it for various reasons.

 

[sillydoll]

Last year I took my own cell phone and bought a cheap sim and pay-as-you-go (± 12 euro) when I got to Spain. It worked perfectly.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Spain and France have different cellular companies, so a SIM chip/cell phone from one country will have large roaming charges in the other. If you are going to make frequent calls, two SIM chips will be the least expensive way to go. I don't know about renting two cell phones; that sounds expensive.

 

[newfydog]

Last year I took my own cell phone and bought a cheap sim and pay-as-you-go (± 12 euro) when I got to Spain. It worked perfectly.

That will work if your own phone is an unlocked GSM phone. Most phones used in Canada are not. Even my TMobile phone in the states is locked for their cards.

To see if it is really unlocked, try swapping sim cards with someone and see if the phone can use it.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

or just go to one of the many hsops or roadside booths and ask them to unlock your phone. I've done this several times with different phones and then you can by the SIM of your choice.

 

[Diegomartine]

I just purchased the Vodafone SIM card for Spain, 15 euros to purchase + 8 euros a month and I have 500mb data + 20 min + 20 SMS. After you use your data you can still use it with a lower speed for free.