Ordering Taxi with Only Data (No Phone)

[jennh]

In order to split up the walk into the distances we want to do, we wish to walk one day from Betanzos to Leiro, arrange a taxi back to Presedo, and then the next morning taxi back to Leiro as our starting point. I am looking at getting an Airalo e-sim which provides data (WhatsApp, Messenger etc) but does not allow you to make phone calls. Does anyone know how we can arrange for a taxi by using data? I've tried searching many resources but can't find a specific answer. Thanks.

 

[peregrina2000]

Does anyone know how we can arrange for a taxi by using data? I've tried searching many resources but can't find a specific answer. Thanks.

I have used WhatsApp to contact a number of taxi companies over the years. Just based on a quick google search, there is a taxi in Betanzos that uses WhatsApp. I’ll be you’ll find more.

Taxi en Betanzos - Radio Taxi Coruña 981 24 33 33

www.radiotaxicoruna.es

I think the best thing would be to set something up the day before or so, giving approximate times, and then confirm. You may have to be flexible because in rural Spain taxis often provide school transportation or medical transfers. I would definitely make contact a few days before you are planning to use the service.

 

[trecile]

I use the Viber app to make very cheap phone calls over cell data to landlines and other numbers not on WhatsApp. $5 of Viber Out credit lasts me several Caminos.

Cheap International Calls Worldwide | Viber Out

Make free internet calls with Viber. Call friends and family on any landline or mobile phone with Viber credit, sign up today at Viber.com

account.viber.com

 

[jennh]

I have used WhatsApp to contact a number of taxi companies over the years. Just based on a quick google search, there is a taxi in Betanzos that uses WhatsApp. I’ll be you’ll find more.

Taxi en Betanzos - Radio Taxi Coruña 981 24 33 33

www.radiotaxicoruna.es

I think the best thing would be to set something up the day before or so, giving approximate times, and then confirm. You may have to be flexible because in rural Spain taxis often provide school transportation or medical transfers. I would definitely make contact a few days before you are planning to use the service.

Thank you for the info and link. I'm very new to using WhatsApp and have only messaged with it so far so I appreciate the help.

 

[peregrina2000]

Thank you for the info and link. I'm very new to using WhatsApp and have only messaged with it so far so I appreciate the help.

I used the messaging feature to connect with taxi drivers and always got a quick response. Much easier than trying their audio feature, I think, and then you have a written record.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

The only time I got a taxi in Spain I messaged him via WhatsApp. I also used the WhatsApp 'share location' feature which led him literally to my feet.

 

[Hapa Dude]

One option I'm going to try next month is to use Roamless eSIM. It's like Airalo, which I love and have used successfully in several countries, but it's cheaper and also includes an app that allows you to make outgoing calls over cellular data for 1-2 cents/minute. So, it's like combining Airalo and Viber in one eSIM. What's also nice is that the data you pay for doesn't expire. Most eSIMs are for 7 days, 30 days, etc. Roamless data will stay in your account and you can even use it back in your home country, including the US and it's cheaper per GB than most cellphone data plans. I found the following post on Reddit last week from someone from Roamless about how to stack a bunch of discount codes to get 5GB of free data. As I suspected the post got taken down as promotion, but I had copied and saved it elsewhere, so here it is below. I can't vouch for the service or these codes, but my reading of reviews of the app and the service has me optimistic. I'm headed to Spain next month with Roamless.

----------

Get 5GB Free Data in 36 Countries with Roamless
Here are the steps:

Download the Roamless app for iOS or Android (https://roamless.com)
Create your account —> Get $1.25 free credits
In the app, use code SUMMER24 —> Get $3.75 free credits
In the app, use code G9FGQ —> Get $3.00 reward credits (will be auto-applied after first payment)
Make your first top up for $20 USD (or more) —> Get $5.00 reward credits
So you pay $20.00 USD and get $13.00 in free credits/rewards (5GB in 36 countries) for a total of $33.00 USD worth of never-expiring, usable-everywhere Roamless credits.
This gives you 13.5 GB of mobile data in:

Europe (31 countries)
Turkey
The US
Puerto Rico
US Virgin Islands
Australia
The same $33.00 USD balance also gives you data in all 130+ other Roamless countries (rates vary by country). For example:

Switzerland —> 11.5 GB
Indonesia —> 8.5 GB
Thailand —> 8.3 GB
Canada —> 6.6 GB
The best part is: The Roamless eSIM and the Roamless account balance NEVER expire. Meaning, you can use $20 of your $33 credits on a trip, go back home and when you travel again (in 3-6-12-24 months etc), your eSIM and your Roamless balance will be ready to use again. (Just turn on the eSIM and you’ll be good to go).
You can also use the Roamless eSIM as back-up data in your home country (a lot of Australian, UK and US friends do this —as Roamless is multi-operator in most destinations) for when your local operator has weak signal (or you just need a data boost).

Safe travels
-SA

 

[trecile]

One option I'm going to try next month is to use Roamless eSIM.

@Elle Bieling has also sung the praises of Roamless:

I'm a Roamless person now. Set it up at home, then switch when you land. No individual data plans. You have a wallet, where you only pay for what you use, in a pay-as-you-go model. It is inexpensive and the data that you buy never, ever expires. You never again have to purchase multiple eSIMS, but use your same eSIM account whenever and wherever you travel. In my experience, it is seamless moving from one country to another.

You can now make calls through Roamless, but, that service is brand new - I have only ever used data. Roamless to Roamless calls and messaging is coming soon for free. Roamless.com. Check it out.

 

[henrythedog]

Functionality, simplicity, price. 99% of the time you can have two out of those three.

If I were taking a transatlantic flight for roughly a month’s walking holiday, saving $10 on my cellphone data would be quite a long way down my priority list. I’d just buy a Spanish sim for <€30 which would suffice.

It’s hard to argue with ‘but surely you want a better deal’, but that attitude can suck the joy out of a day very quickly. Sometimes ‘good enough’ is good enough.

 

[Rosella25]

Perhaps I've misunderstood, but it's easy to use WhatsApp for calls as well as messages. There's no need for another app. WhatsApp calls use data, not the telephone system, and it's widely used for calls in Spain (and other countries). For some phones, you may need to put the relevant number into your contacts before using it, but you would possibly need to do that anyway to use it to send a message.

 

[Anamiri]

In order to split up the walk into the distances we want to do, we wish to walk one day from Betanzos to Leiro, arrange a taxi back to Presedo, and then the next morning taxi back to Leiro as our starting point. I am looking at getting an Airalo e-sim which provides data (WhatsApp, Messenger etc) but does not allow you to make phone calls. Does anyone know how we can arrange for a taxi by using data? I've tried searching many resources but can't find a specific answer. Thanks.

I used Whatsapp messaging for just about everything.

 

[trecile]

Perhaps I've misunderstood, but it's easy to use WhatsApp for calls as well as messages. There's no need for another app. WhatsApp calls use data, not the telephone system, and it's widely used for calls in Spain (and other countries). For some phones, you may need to put the relevant number into your contacts before using it, but you would possibly need to do that anyway to use it to send a message.

The person or business that you want to call also needs to use WhatsApp. This leaves out landlines, and those who don't use WhatsApp. That's what I use Viber for. The calls only cost me about 2 cents a minute.

 

[witsendwv]

In order to split up the walk into the distances we want to do, we wish to walk one day from Betanzos to Leiro, arrange a taxi back to Presedo, and then the next morning taxi back to Leiro as our starting point. I am looking at getting an Airalo e-sim which provides data (WhatsApp, Messenger etc) but does not allow you to make phone calls. Does anyone know how we can arrange for a taxi by using data? I've tried searching many resources but can't find a specific answer. Thanks.

We walked from Betanzos to Meson-Museo Xento No Camino. Enjoyed a snack and a drink- watched some Spanish perigrinos from Andalucia dance. We asked the bartender to call a taxi for us. When he arrived to take us back to Betanzos we asked him if it would be possible to pick us up in the AM and return us to Meson-Museo to continue our walk. He was down the street at 8AM as promised.

​

 

[WalkingLester]

I have not been on the Ingles but have used WhatsApp texts to arrange for taxis on many other Caminos. Also @witsendwv recommendation to arrange with the taxi you are in today for pick up the next day is a great idea; really efficient.

 

[Juspassinthru]

In order to split up the walk into the distances we want to do, we wish to walk one day from Betanzos to Leiro, arrange a taxi back to Presedo, and then the next morning taxi back to Leiro as our starting point. I am looking at getting an Airalo e-sim which provides data (WhatsApp, Messenger etc) but does not allow you to make phone calls. Does anyone know how we can arrange for a taxi by using data? I've tried searching many resources but can't find a specific answer. Thanks.

I use Holafly, you get the data plan that you choose plus an EU number (free roaming) and 60 minutes of calls, in and out total of 120 minutes. 64 days in the EU (mostly Spain) earlier this year, good connections and no problems. It may offer you the flexibility you need. It is an eSIM so your device must support them. Good luck.