E-sim for both portugal and Spain

[mainardguy]

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?

 

[LuckyOnMaui]

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.

 

[kaesler]

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.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

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.

 

[christianjule]

I’ve just finished my Camino SJPDP. to Burgos. I used Holafly eSIM, covers the whole of Europe, worked brilliantly, will use on my next Camino stage.

 

[hhw]

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.

 

[LuckyOnMaui]

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!

 

[amchara]

Suggest you check out either airarlo or saily eSim to set up data only, either before or after you arrive, very easy.

 

[Raulvamir]

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.

 

[Cuttooth]

I am going to be traveling before and after the Camino so I got an eSim from Vodaphone that I can top up as needed for up to 90 days. https://travel.vodafone.com/product-details?i_code=CS-F-12-CTA

 

[Ernie Fraser]

Airalo has a regional e-sim that covers Spain and Portugal (and other countries). It is inexpensive and it has worked well for me.

 

[trecile]

I’m just back from this walk. I ordered an eSIM online from travel.vidaohone.com before I left and installed it

travel.vidaohone.com doesn't seem to work. Can you kindly clarify? Thanks!

I think that @kaesler meant travel.vodaphone.com

Vodafone Travel eSIM Europe

Buy your Vodafone Travel eSIM, install it quickly and enjoy our fast internet in Europe.

travel.vodafone.com

 

[loohoorn]

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.

 

[CalgaryLynn]

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.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

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.

 

[CalgaryLynn]

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.

 

[Velas08]

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

 

[EstherSTL]

Hi all, I have a question regarding data usage average on the Camino for 25 days. I am doubting if I need 10GB or just 5GB and top up then. The intention is to use data while on the Camino for maps, whatsup calls and texts, not sure what else do we need data for. Your comments are appreciated.

 

[Tincatinker]

Hi all, I have a question regarding data usage average on the Camino for 25 days. I am doubting if I need 10GB or just 5GB and top up then. The intention is to use data while on the Camino for maps, whatsup calls and texts, not sure what else do we need data for. Your comments are appreciated.

You shouldn’t need data for maps provided you’ve downloaded them to your phone before you start. The GPS refresh eats battery not data. Likewise wotsup. 5 gig should be more than enough. If you’re likely to be bored stiff in your albergue at 1 in the afternoon and desperately seeking comfort from Farcebook you’ll need at least 10gig and maybe more

 

[EstherSTL]

You shouldn’t need data for maps provided you’ve downloaded them to your phone before you start. The GPS refresh eats battery not data. Likewise wotsup. 5 gig should be more than enough. If you’re likely to be bored stiff in your albergue at 1 in the afternoon and desperately seeking comfort from Farcebook you’ll need at least 10gig and maybe more

Thank you Tincatinker for clarifying that I do not need data to refresh the GPS. I will better take a charge bank, just in case. I do not entertain myself with Facebook, then, I may be fine with 5GB. Thanks again.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

@EstherSTL, I think you will be fine with 5 GB with what you plan to do if you have an easy top-up. Do note that @Tincatinker says that you will want to download the base maps. This can be done either by downloading a region as you need it using available free wifi or else download all the ones you need at home. Each app is likely to have its own method. Check out how to do this before leaving.

Voice calls over data, such as with WhatsApp, will use about 1 MB per minute so about 16 hours of calls for 1 GB of data. Long calls home may be possible over wifi but that depends on a number of variables. Research this now. Another use of data would be backing up your photos to the cloud but you should do that over free wifi when available.

A battery bank is a good idea. Besides using when needed along the way once you arrive at your daily destination you can charge it and then use it at night to charge your phone. This helps prevent theft of the more expensive phone.

 

[EstherSTL]

@EstherSTL, I think you will be fine with 5 GB with what you plan to do if you have an easy top-up. Do note that @Tincatinker says that you will want to download the base maps. This can be done either by downloading a region as you need it using available free wifi or else download all the ones you need at home. Each app is likely to have its own method. Check out how to do this before leaving.

Voice calls over data, such as with WhatsApp, will use about 1 MB per minute so about 16 hours of calls for 1 GB of data. Long calls home may be possible over wifi but that depends on a number of variables. Research this now. Another use of data would be backing up your photos to the cloud but you should do that over free wifi when available.

A battery bank is a good idea. Besides using when needed along the way once you arrive at your daily destination you can charge it and then use it at night to charge your phone. This helps prevent theft of the more expensive phone.

Thank you @Rick of Rick and Peg, you have brought to my attention more items on the technical aids: 1. Before leaving home, download big maps from GoogleMaps, but also, maps from each of the apps that I want to use. 2. Use free wifi to download photos to the cloud, and whatsup usage. 3. Use the battery bank to charge phone at night. I had not thought of this one, very valuable.
Great information from all. Thanks.

 

[LuckyOnMaui]

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?

I tried setting up my esim when I landed at Lisbon airport, but I was unsuccessful. I purchased a regular sim card from Vodofone in the airport, which only took a few minutes and was reasonably priced.

Following are notes I took after speaking with my engineer friend, which will hopefully work for you:

Airalo has good coverage in Europe and fair prices.

At your last location in US, switch to esim:

Open Airalo app. Follow prompts. Choose a name that is distinctive for this trip (such as Camino 2024, as opposed to a general name, such as "Travel" that could be confused with future esims). Choose destination country. Purchase plan.
Leave physical sim card in
If confused, read directions within the Airalo app.

For Airalo, if you start in France, can choose France, but then it only works in France. Or you can choose Regional, for all of Europe, but it’s more expensive.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

The two big names in the eSIM world are Holafly and Airalo. I chose Airalo for my last overseas trip because I preferred having a bit more money in the bank than all the data the Holafly provided.

I recommend the Airalo app. It is not required but it made eSIM installation easy, provided information on how much data was being used and allowed easy top-off if needed. It also allows you to quickly find plans for single countries, regions or globally for either data only or data/calls/text. I posted a number of videos on the Airalo app here:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/esim-for-spain.84326/#post-1205342

 

[Josuentag]

I walked it last year and had an amazing experience. For e-sims, I recommend buying online before you leave. It saves you the hassle of finding one at the airport when you're already tired from traveling. You can activate it as soon as you land. Also, don't forget to download some offline maps and maybe a translator app.