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E-sim for both portugal and Spain

mainardguy

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
May 2024
Buen Camino everyone. First timer here. Going to be starting my camino from porto at the end of this month and trying to find an e-sim that will work in both Portugal and Spain. I will there for approx 35 days. Should I buy online before I leave or just get at the airport when I arrive?
 
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Buen Camino everyone. First timer here. Going to be starting my camino from porto at the end of this month and trying to find an e-sim that will work in both Portugal and Spain. I will there for approx 35 days. Should I buy online before I leave or just get at the airport when I arrive?
Boost Mobile, Airolo and T-Mobile have esim plans that work all over the world. At your last location in your home country, take out physical sim card and switch to esim. If you're doing regula sim card, purchase from Vodafone at the airport when you arrive. I've found their reps honest and helpful.
 
I’m just back from this walk. I ordered an eSIM online from travel.vodaphone.com before I left and installed it. I then activated it when I landed in Portugal. It worked very well and was not very expensive.

There was one adjustment I needed to make whenever I crossed a national border, e.g. after walking across the bridge into Tui. I needed to change the “Network Selection” iPhone setting from “Automatic” to one for Spain. Did similar when I took a bus back into Portugal.
 
Last edited:
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
If you want to keep the same SIM or eSIM for 35 days you should look into being able to recharge it online in Spain or Portugal. It's been reported that SIMs bought in Portugal can't be recharged once in Spain. It's not a crisis as you could always buy a new SIM but if you want to retain the same phone number for the length of the trip you have to consider the recharge.
 
alosim’s Mediterranean Europe esim includes Portugal and Spain, as well as France and Italy. I haven’t used mine for more then 30 days yet so can’t address top-up/recharge, but I had no problems and had to do nothing when I went from France to Spain.
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
I’m just back from this walk. I ordered an eSIM online from travel.vidaohone.com before I left and installed it. I then activated it when I landed in Portugal. It worked very well and was not very expensive.

There was one adjustment I needed to make whenever I crossed a national border, e.g. after walking across the bridge into Tui. I needed to change the “Network Selection” iPhone setting from “Automatic” to one for Spain. Did similar when I took a bus back into Portugal.
travel.vidaohone.com doesn't seem to work. Can you kindly clarify? Thanks!
 
In my recent Camino I used Aíralo. I just got data. Something like $8.00 for 3Gb. It is like having wifi all the time. I did not have a number but could call with WhattApp to other countries from any location. It allowed me to use google map or any gps based map. I also posted pictures from anywhere if I wanted. It lasted me for about 12 days. I would use it again.
 
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
Buen Camino everyone. First timer here. Going to be starting my camino from porto at the end of this month and trying to find an e-sim that will work in both Portugal and Spain. I will there for approx 35 days. Should I buy online before I leave or just get at the airport when I arrive?
 
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
I bought a SIM from Vodafone store in Barcelona. I'll be traveling all over Europe. 50 Gigabytes for 15 Euro for 30 days and can renew online. Data only, but I've been using WhatsApp for calls and texting. It's been working great so far.
 
Boost Mobile, Airolo and T-Mobile have esim plans that work all over the world. At your last location in your home country, take out physical sim card and switch to esim. If you're doing regula sim card, purchase from Vodafone at the airport when you arrive. I've found their reps honest and helpful.
I had a different experience with Vodaphone, I purchased in Porto and it only worked in Portugal even though I stressed to the woman in the store I needed for both countries. She assured me it would work in Spain and it didn't. Just be careful when you purchase your plan.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
I had a different experience with Vodaphone, I purchased in Porto and it only worked in Portugal even though I stressed to the woman in the store I needed for both countries. She assured me it would work in Spain and it didn't. Just be careful when you purchase your plan.
I don't know when the EU mandated that SIMs work throughout the EU but they should now. Be sure to check your phone settings though to ensure that roaming is enabled.
 
Yes, I figured that out eventually but I still didn't get coverage in Spain. I think I was sold the wrong package by the salesperson which is why I advised caution when buying.
 
Buen Camino everyone. First timer here. Going to be starting my camino from porto at the end of this month and trying to find an e-sim that will work in both Portugal and Spain. I will there for approx 35 days. Should I buy online before I leave or just get at the airport when I arrive?
Hey Mainarguy, It depends on the provider and the data plan. But, you can usually activate your virtual SIM card before travelling. At least that's what it says in an article by one of the providers here. First of all, I recommend that you don't get hung up on the brand, as they all work with the same providers anyway. Look first and foremost at having a user-friendly app, 24/7 online support, and cost. And good luck on your first trip mate ;)
 
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).

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