Spanish SIM Card

[Gypsea Moon]

Could anyone tell me where I can buy a Spanish SIM card as soon as possible after SJPP? which network are available? (Tuenti being my preference. ) Thanks a lot

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Could anyone tell me where I can buy a Spanish SIM card as soon as possible after SJPP? which network are available? (Tuenti being my preference. ) Thanks a lot

Pamplona will be your first opportunity. Vodafone and Orange are good. They have stores in Pamplona. Search Google Maps.

 

[long trails]

I have always used Orange and find the coverage great. In Pamplona they spoke good English in the Orange store.

 

[gregorygwilliams]

FYI I google orange in Pamplona and found 4 stores and then tried just Navarra and I found an Orange store just a block off the camino in Burlada, ( a suburb right before entering Pamplona) here is some info:-- Get there before 2PM as it appears they are closed from 2-430PM


Tienda Orange Merindad De Sanguesa Burlada
C/ Merindad De Sanguesa 5

Burlada

CP: 31600 Navarra

Teléfono: (948) 14 97 86

horario
Laborales 10:00-14:00;16:30-20:00

Sábados 10:30-13:00

 

[Gypsea Moon]

Thank you very much

 

[kmrice]

FYI I google orange in Pamplona and found 4 stores and then tried just Navarra and I found an Orange store just a block off the camino in Burlada, ( a suburb right before entering Pamplona) here is some info:-- Get there before 2PM as it appears they are closed from 2-430PM
Tienda Orange Merindad De Sanguesa Burlada
C/ Merindad De Sanguesa 5

The Vodafone store in Burlada on the main street walking toward Pamplona was great; the person who helped was very helpful, spoke excellent English, and made sure my new sim worked. I believe this is the same store as above. It was at Calle Mayor, 29, 31600 Burlada, Navarra, Spain, 3.4 km before Pamplona Center. 11.5 km after Larrasoana.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I believe this is the same store as above.

Vodafone is at 31 calle Mayor; Orange is at 29!!! It will be an opportunity to price shop. There also is a Vodafone store in the El Corte Ingles near the bus station.

 

[Gypsea Moon]

Very precise... thank you : )
Out of curiosity, did you walk without internet (except wifi) from SJPP?
... did you download maps / other infos on your phone, and reserve albergue beforehand?

Wondering how I will go without datas, not able to use apps or Google, esp. in winter, many albergues not open... my ready-to-go Spanish SIM card got damaged just two days before departure...
Not much I can do now, taking the bus to Bayonne tomorrow, starting to walk from SJPP on the weekend I guess

 

[camino-david]

There are so Orange and Vodaphone in Estella.
Regarding the damaged sim card, can't you simply get another in Pamplona. They are dirt cheap - about 2 At this time of the year there will be no need to book accommodation.
I have walked in April, May, June, Sept and Oct and never book ahead, except at Orisson and in Feb you will be walking the Valcarlos route. However I have noticed that many people now book ahead - one of the changes over time.

 

[MJB]

Could anyone tell me where I can buy a Spanish SIM card as soon as possible after SJPP? which network are available? (Tuenti being my preference. ) Thanks a lot

If you fly through Madrid, you can buy one at the phone/electronics shop in the Terminal 4.

 

[gittiharre]

Why bother. WiFi available in lots of cafes and accommodations. Use Internet and Facebook messenger, Skype or what's app and email. That is all one needs.

 

[Annie25a]

Why bother. WiFi available in lots of cafes and accommodations. Use Internet and Facebook messenger, Skype or what's app and email. That is all one needs.

Is that All We need to do
Pop our iPhone on Airplane Mode
& use WIFI

 

[gittiharre]

Is that All We need to do
Pop our iPhone on Airplane Mode
& use WIFI

You do not need airplane mode once landed. In cafes and tourist offices and restaurants and accommodations they give you a code to sign into wifi and bingo. If you want to book accommodation ahead use Internet based contacts rather than telephone nos, so no need for local Sim cards.

 

[Annie25a]

Thanks
I'm NEW to overseas phone coverage
When I went to BALI Ijust left my phone on Airplane mode
As I thought my Normal provider might charge me for useage

 

[gittiharre]

Thanks
I'm NEW to overseas phone coverage
When I went to BALI Ijust left my phone on Airplane mode
As I thought my Normal provider might charge me for useage

Don't know about that. My provider is monthly prepay and does not cover Europe.

 

[Mark McCarthy]

I used these guys https://www.facebook.com/freemovilpamplona/ They are just off the big main square in Pamplona (Plaza del Castillo) on the South East corner of the square on Calle Espoz y Mina (the side street by Bar Txoko) (GPS reference 42.816153,-1.641764). It is independent so offers a good range of SIM cards and were very helpful getting the SIM card setup and charged. They also offer unlocking and repair services. Alternatively, if you happy to have just 3G+ rather than 4G you cannot beat this offering from Three in the UK which gives you 12 GB right across Europe for just £30. http://store.three.co.uk/view/content/basket?ID=15

 

[mvanert]

Why bother. WiFi available in lots of cafes and accommodations. Use Internet and Facebook messenger, Skype or what's app and email. That is all one needs.

Well, for me there was a good reason to bother. I had a quad bypass in 2010 and this summer and my wife was, naturally, concerned. I walked from St Jean to Orrison that first day where there is no wi-fi. Before I left my wife made me promise to stay in touch every day and I said I would. When I got to Orrison I found someone who let me use their phone with a working sim to send her an email saying while very tired I was fine. Unfortunately since it came from someone she didn't know it went straight to email trash and she never saw it. To say she was very worried for the next 24 hours would be an understatement. I was able to reach her using the wi-fi at Roncesvalles and after a time assuring her I was fine, so was she.

So for my next camino I have promised her I will have a sim that works everywhere from the minute I leave!

 

[Roger Deee]

Could anyone tell me where I can buy a Spanish SIM card as soon as possible after SJPP? which network are available? (Tuenti being my preference. ) Thanks a lot

As you walk in Pamplona, about 2ks before the town centre there are 2 phone shops on the right hand side. Orange is one of them.

 

[C clearly]

You do not need airplane mode once landed.

No, there is no requirement for it. However, if you don't want to be receiving miscellaneous phone calls and text messages from home, and having the associated long distance charges, it is best to keep your phone on airplane mode. You can still turn wifi ON while you are in airplane mode, but not receive any calls/messages on the cell phone.

 

[gittiharre]

Well, for me there was a good reason to bother. I had a quad bypass in 2010 and this summer and my wife was, naturally, concerned. I walked from St Jean to Orrison that first day where there is no wi-fi. Before I left my wife made me promise to stay in touch every day and I said I would. When I got to Orrison I found someone who let me use their phone with a working sim to send her an email saying while very tired I was fine. Unfortunately since it came from someone she didn't know it went straight to email trash and she never saw it. To say she was very worried for the next 24 hours would be an understatement. I was able to reach her using the wi-fi at Roncesvalles and after a time assuring her I was fine, so was she.

So for my next camino I have promised her I will have a sim that works everywhere from the minute I leave!

Of course!

 

[jsalt]

I agree with @gittiharre there is no need for local sim cards.
I use my sim card from home with international roaming enabled.
I Whatsapp my husband every evening, with free wifi, so he knows I’m OK.
If there is no wifi I text him, which costs a few cents only.
I don’t book ahead for a bed, but the few occasions I have had to make a call (e.g. ring the number on the door for someone to come and open up), it was for a couple of minutes only and the cost was minimal.
My international roaming account stays well topped up, so if I have to make emergency calls there are funds to cover it.
Jill

 

[C clearly]

I agree with @gittiharre there is no need for local sim cards.
I use my sim card from home with international roaming enabled.

Unfortunately, international roaming charges vary a lot. With Canadian plans, the charges would very quickly add up to the cost of getting a Spanish sim card for a month.

 

[Steven Dwyer]

I've never bothered with a sim card. I have Sprint for my cell phone provider and their free global roaming provides unlimited text and data, with a per minute charge on phone calls. Fellow hikers and I used whatsapp to keep in touch. It was great to be able to bring up a map, make a reservation and check the internet for information without having to find a spot to get wifi. In addition to Sprint, T-Mobile also has free text and data.

 

[jsalt]

Unfortunately, international roaming charges vary a lot. With Canadian plans, the charges would very quickly add up to the cost of getting a Spanish sim card for a month.

Yes, I agree that international roaming charges can be expensive, but what I was trying to say in my post is that I would use international roaming only in an emergency. But it’s there if I need it. With free wifi almost everywhere, and Whatsapp, there is no need to buy a local sim.

 

[C clearly]

Yes, I agree that international roaming charges can be expensive, but what I was trying to say in my post is that I would use international roaming only in an emergency. But it’s there if I need it. With free wifi almost everywhere, and Whatsapp, there is no need to buy a local sim.

Yes, that true. Having it available in an emergency is the important part. The sim is only for additional use.