• Remove ads on the forum by becoming a donating member. More here.
This is a mobile optimized page that loads fast, if you want to load the real page, click this text.

Phone Plans

J

Jme

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Planning on walking the Camino.
Hi Guys,
Coming from Australia with plans to do the Camino next year. I've had a bit of a look around but was just hoping for a few more opinions on what people think is the best option in terms of a phone plan while in Spain (if it's a local sim do people have specific companies in mind?) I am a bit of an over preparer and would love any useful links to websites that possible offer Sim shipping from Spain so I can have it from day one
Thank you for any advice
Much appreciated!
 
Camino Preparation Guide
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
A few years ago I bought an Orange PAYG sim and I top it up when I get to Madrid - it's a bit of a pain because I can't recharge it online (it won't accept a foreign credit card).

I've heard very good reports about Le French Mobile - which is now not just for France but also works in Spain and other EU countries. Here's the website:
http://www.lefrenchmobile.com
 
I've used both Orange and Vodaphone on the Camino Francés and Camino Portugués. I had no problems topping them up with cash at the Orange and Vodaphone stores in major cities along both routes.
 
Get a Spanish mobil number + data while on the Camino
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
Fellow aussie here, we used Lebara for our first camino (Frances) because they were giving free Sim cards at the Barajs airport. For Camino Portugues this year, we bought an Orange Sim card at theBarcelona airport (our entrance poinf to Europe).

All major Spain airports have shops that sell and recharge local Sims, so be confident that is an easy issue to deal with. Looking at prices, I do not think it is a good idea to get it beforehand in Australia, shipping costs are a bit ridiculous. As much as I understsnd the security of sorting it in advance, it is such an easy thing to sort out that it tends to be my first step to enter 'camino mode' - sorting each thing when it becomes necessary and not stressing with problems before they exist
 
I would advise against having a prepaid Spanish SIM shipped to AUS, they mark it up and also charge a fortune to mail it over.
Say you have one shipped over, you install it, it doesn't work, what is your recourse?
Wait till you get to Spain and visit the phone store, that way you can make sure it works before you leave the store
 
I did a Spanish SIM in 2011 and 2013, but in 2017 I found a plan in Canada that was $100 extra for the month. Kept my number and my texting used my iPhone like I was at home. Plans are changing so quickly, don't eliminate the possibility of having your home cell company come up with a roaming plan that is reasonable. [Note: My company paid the $100 so I may have fought harder for a discounted method if I was paying myself.]
 
Camino Ready, Backpacks, Boots etc
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
Just go to the first shop you find in Spain. Consider that cards need some setting up, follow instructions (in Spanish!), etc. The clerk at the shop will do it for you while you browse a magazine or re-arrange your backpack.
 
Last edited:
Just to add - I had no end of problems with a prepay Vodafone sim this year. Although I recharged as normal in (supermarket, kiosko) and received the confirmation text, the actual recharge was not added to my sim number. In the end I had to ask a Phone Shop to assist. Apparently I needed to enter a code on my mobile to activate the recharge. In all my caminos I’ve never had such a complex plan. I won’t use Vodafone again.
 
I got the orange plan as I passed through the Madrid airport last year. I used it exclusively for data (internet) as I never could figure out how to make or receive phone calls with the number they gave me.
 
Camino wristwatch
Perfect memento/gift in a presentation box. Engraving available, 25 character max.
JillGat said:
I got the orange plan as I passed through the Madrid airport last year. I used it exclusively for data (internet) as I never could figure out how to make or receive phone calls with the number they gave me.
Click to expand...

You can pick up most any cell phone around the world and call back to the USA, I enter all my US numbers as +1(area code)number, for Spanish numbers, +34(number)
 
Bajaracer said:
You can pick up most any cell phone around the world and call back to the USA, I enter all my US numbers as +1(area code)number, for Spanish numbers, +34(number)
Click to expand...

Yeah, I guess I was able to call there but they couldn't call me on my new number, even with the area code. Not sure what we were doing wrong. I didn't want to talk on the phone anyway!
 
Bajaracer said:
You can pick up most any cell phone around the world and call back to the USA, I enter all my US numbers as +1(area code)number, for Spanish numbers, +34(number)
Click to expand...
As @Bajaracer says, take the habit of storing your phone numbers in international format (ie +.....).
This will allow you to use them anywhere on the planet, as this format is known to all phone exchange.
As for the emergency number 112, which will be automatically translated and forwarded to the local police or emergency authority.

Buen Camino, Jacques-D.
 
Let us pick up your suitcase once you arrive in Europe....
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Camino Photo

❓How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.

Most read last week in this forum

Similar threads

  • Tags phones/apps/gps/maps
    • Camino phone SIM
    Replies
    34
    Views
    4K
    TassietoVP
  • Tags phones/apps/gps/maps
    • Reviving a dormant Orange cellular plan
    Replies
    10
    Views
    505
    hfenton
    C
  • Tags phones/apps/gps/maps
    • Options for cell service on Camino Norte
    Replies
    5
    Views
    906
    lt56ny
    J
  • Tags phones/apps/gps/maps
    • SIM cards and e-sim advice
    Replies
    7
    Views
    2K
    Marianne Hansen
  • Tags phones/apps/gps/maps
    • Verizon’s International Plan Debacle
    Replies
    77
    Views
    3K
    chinacat
    Menu
    Log in
    Register