Phone Service while traveling - Holafly?

[Kathy F.]

Has anyone used the phone service "Holafly" during their Camino?
Apparently it is a phone plan which eliminates the high cost of roaming charges and international phone plans offered from many U.S. phone companies (I'm looking at you, Verizon).
It seems to be offered around the world at very competitive prices. I've never heard of it before and am just wondering if it might be useful for anyone facing roaming charges. It has many good reviews.

 

[MaidinBham]

Has anyone used the phone service "Holafly" during their Camino?
Apparently it is a phone plan which eliminates the high cost of roaming charges and international phone plans offered from many U.S. phone companies (I'm looking at you, Verizon).
It seems to be offered around the world at very competitive prices. I've never heard of it before and am just wondering if it might be useful for anyone facing roaming charges. It has many good reviews.

I haven't used Holafly, but it doesn't seem like you can use SMS or local calling if that is important to you. You could download Whatsapp and communicate with local businesses and friends that way. What I usually do is go to the nearest Vodaphone shop in Spain when I arrive. I usually fly into Madrid and there is a shop there in the airport. This time (I just returned from my camino) and was at Madrid waiting for a connection and there was a Vodaphone rep. right there at the entrance to the Arrivals Hall and he sold me a 30 day plan 100GB data for 30 euro. It wasn't the plan I wanted - too expensive and I didn't need 100GB but it was quick and easy so I bought it. I have purchased SIM before for as low as 5 euro in Spain.
Holafly does look like it has good reviews and the price is good. As long as there would be no activation problems and you use Whatsapp it seems like a good option.

 

[Juspassinthru]

Has anyone used the phone service "Holafly" during their Camino?
Apparently it is a phone plan which eliminates the high cost of roaming charges and international phone plans offered from many U.S. phone companies (I'm looking at you, Verizon).
It seems to be offered around the world at very competitive prices. I've never heard of it before and am just wondering if it might be useful for anyone facing roaming charges. It has many good reviews.

I’ve been using Holafly for over a month starting in Oloron-Sante-Marie in France, across the Camino Aragónes and now on the Francés currently in Rabinal. The service has been fast and connections have been good. WhatsApp works great. Limited telephone time (60 mins) and you can’t access SMS with it but WhatsApp messages work great. I’d highly recommend Holafly.

 

[jfgough]

Has anyone used the phone service "Holafly" during their Camino?
Apparently it is a phone plan which eliminates the high cost of roaming charges and international phone plans offered from many U.S. phone companies (I'm looking at you, Verizon).
It seems to be offered around the world at very competitive prices. I've never heard of it before and am just wondering if it might be useful for anyone facing roaming charges. It has many good reviews.

I used Holafly last fall becausey US T-Mobile international plan didn't provide me with data outside of major cities. It was worth the cost to have data to use for maps and contacting albergues.

 

[asl]

Horrible experience with Holafly!!! Purchased a data and phone esim. Had issues with the phone. They offered a 'new' esim, with same services. Turned out it was only for data and I ended up with no phone service for a couple days. Went back and forth a dozen or more times on email / text trying to obtain a refund. Only after complaining on twitter did they finally, provide the refund. I've see posts on Camino FB groups of individuals having similar experiences.

 

[amchara]

Suggestions of alternatives DATA only esim options, consider Airalo or Saily. Can be connected either before or upon arrival. Use other app/s for phone calls-video or sms etc..

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

The two big names for data providers that I remember are Holafly and Airalo. Holafly gets recommended for heavy data users but I think there are few pilgrims that need this. You may find Airalo will better serve your needs cheaper. There are plenty of other providers but if you are a newbie these two may be the ones to get as it will be more likely for you to find experienced users to give you help.

 

[Rita Flower]

I have used Airola eSIM very successfully in a number of European countries.

 

[KenMiller]

I used Holafly last summer for a week in Paris and then on the entire CF, and found it to be a really great service. I had no issues at all using it with WhatsApp.

 

[lt56ny]

I haven't used Holafly, but it doesn't seem like you can use SMS or local calling if that is important to you. You could download Whatsapp and communicate with local businesses and friends that way. What I usually do is go to the nearest Vodaphone shop in Spain when I arrive. I usually fly into Madrid and there is a shop there in the airport. This time (I just returned from my camino) and was at Madrid waiting for a connection and there was a Vodaphone rep. right there at the entrance to the Arrivals Hall and he sold me a 30 day plan 100GB data for 30 euro. It wasn't the plan I wanted - too expensive and I didn't need 100GB but it was quick and easy so I bought it. I have purchased SIM before for as low as 5 euro in Spain.
Holafly does look like it has good reviews and the price is good. As long as there would be no activation problems and you use Whatsapp it seems like a good option.

Did you buy this plan at a Vodafone store in the airport or at Tech and Fly store? Last year before my camino I stopped in Tech and Fly in the Barcelona airport and the plan for Vodafone was really poor. I just waited and bought my plan at a vodafone in Barcelona near my hostel.

 

[MaidinBham]

Did you buy this plan at a Vodafone store in the airport or at Tech and Fly store? Last year before my camino I stopped in Tech and Fly in the Barcelona airport and the plan for Vodafone was really poor. I just waited and bought my plan at a vodafone in Barcelona near my hostel.

If you go to YouTube and search for "how to buy a SIM card at Madrid airport" you will find useful info. Last year though, I went in search of WHSmith shop and it didn't open until 9am, so I believe I bought a Vodafone SIM (Vodafone is supposedly the best carrier) at a Vodafone shop in Burgos.
This trip, I landed in Madrid but was waiting for a connection so I went to the Arrivals Hall and told the security guard I would need to reenter the terminal for my connecting flight and I just needed a SIM card. He told me that would be okay. As soon as I entered the Arrivals Hall there was a Vodafone rep. and thats who I bought a SIM card from and he set everything up for me. It was not a store and I'm not sure if there is a Vodaphone shop at Madrid Airport. I figured out how to top it off so next trip all I need to do to go online and pay for prepaid plan I want, or I can top it off at petrol station, or Vodafone store. Vodafone is on WhatsApp and they even have a English language version on WhatsApp.

 

[TravellingMan22]

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[lt56ny]

If you go to YouTube and search for "how to buy a SIM card at Madrid airport" you will find useful info. Last year though, I went in search of WHSmith shop and it didn't open until 9am, so I believe I bought a Vodafone SIM (Vodafone is supposedly the best carrier) at a Vodafone shop in Burgos.
This trip, I landed in Madrid but was waiting for a connection so I went to the Arrivals Hall and told the security guard I would need to reenter the terminal for my connecting flight and I just needed a SIM card. He told me that would be okay. As soon as I entered the Arrivals Hall there was a Vodafone rep. and thats who I bought a SIM card from and he set everything up for me. It was not a store and I'm not sure if there is a Vodaphone shop at Madrid Airport. I figured out how to top it off so next trip all I need to do to go online and pay for prepaid plan I want, or I can top it off at petrol station, or Vodafone store. Vodafone is on WhatsApp and they even have a English language version on WhatsApp.

Hi and thanks for your reply. I have used Vodafone for the last 4 of my caminos. I used Orange before. They are both good and have good coverage area. The reason I have gone to Vodafone is because their prepaid plans suit my needs better and as you said it is super easy to recharge on line. I have never seen a Vodafone agent in either the Barcelona or Madrid airports. I am sure there are no Vodafone stores within the airport either. Their customer support is good and they do send a link to recharge (you can change to English) your plan. Super easy on line. I am not sure how quickly you will be back in Spain but I was told awhile ago after a period of non use (I believe it was 4 or 6 months)I would need to get a new sim. This was about 4 years ago so it is old information. Maybe it is different now.

 

[MaidinBham]

Hi and thanks for your reply. I have used Vodafone for the last 4 of my caminos. I used Orange before. They are both good and have good coverage area. The reason I have gone to Vodafone is because their prepaid plans suit my needs better and as you said it is super easy to recharge on line. I have never seen a Vodafone agent in either the Barcelona or Madrid airports. I am sure there are no Vodafone stores within the airport either. Their customer support is good and they do send a link to recharge (you can change to English) your plan. Super easy on line. I am not sure how quickly you will be back in Spain but I was told awhile ago after a period of non use (I believe it was 4 or 6 months)I would need to get a new sim. This was about 4 years ago so it is old information. Maybe it is different now.

On my Vodafone packet that came with SIM, above where your new telephone is printed "F. Cad. 22/02/2025" I'm guessing this might be the expiration date. But if it is renewed in September when I plan to return to Spain, it should be good. Even if I wasn't planning to return, a plan starts as low as 5 euro, so I would just keep it active. It is cheaper than what my USA carrier would charge me and it is a better plan.
I have never seen a Vodafone rep. in Madrid Airport and I usually fly in here.

 

[forwardwego]

I’ve been using Holafly for over a month starting in Oloron-Sante-Marie in France, across the Camino Aragónes and now on the Francés currently in Rabinal. The service has been fast and connections have been good. WhatsApp works great. Limited telephone time (60 mins) and you can’t access SMS with it but WhatsApp messages work great. I’d highly recommend Holafly.

...what"Juspassinthru" said

 

[Juspassinthru]

I wanted to wrap up loose ends, this thread started a couple months ago regarding data/phone plans while on the Camino. I was using Holafly for the first time and it seemed to be working well but it was early on.

I had an Holafly eSIM with unlimited data (90 days), an Austrian phone number (60 minutes) which allows for EU roaming and it cost $99. It did not allow sms/mms but iMessage worked because it uses data.

I used WhatsApp extensively including calls and video and had good results and no problems. Most/many albergues use WhatsApp to communicate.

In 64 days in Europe, I used 12 minutes of my 60 minutes of phone, it’s actually 120 minutes because it’s 60 in and 60 out.

I was in populated and very rural areas in France and Spain and rarely had no connection, the Spaniards I was walking with had no better connection using Orange.

The mobile connection ranged from 5G/4G/LTE and even 3G in the most remote areas.

Finally, the setup and activation was easy and worked first time. I had connection the moment I arrived in France on March 29th until I left. It also does not require proof of ID, for better or worse.

So, if you’re looking for a data plan with some phone connectivity, I suggest you look at Holafly and see if it offers you what you’re looking for. It delivers what it promises.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

So, if you’re looking for a data plan with some phone connectivity, I suggest you look at Holafly and see if it offers you what you’re looking for. It delivers what it promises.

I like your review, it covers a lot. It seems very positive and Holafly will be pleased. I would like to know some more about your data usage though. Holafly has it over Airalo for heavy data users (the voice number is nice too) but how much data did you use? I don't use much myself but others knowing how you use data, and how much, could help them decide whether Holafly or another plan would be more cost effective.

 

[Juspassinthru]

I like your review, it covers a lot. It seems very positive and Holafly will be pleased. I would like to know some more about your data usage though. Holafly has it over Airalo for heavy data users (the voice number is nice too) but how much data did you use? I don't use much myself but others knowing how you use data, and how much, could help them decide whether Holafly or another plan would be more cost effective.

I don’t know how much data I used, not streaming much. Used Google Maps occasionally and video chats with my wife. Mostly WhatsApp calls which worked very well. I was more concerned about it working when I needed/wanted and it did.

 

[Juspassinthru]

I wanted to wrap up loose ends, this thread started a couple months ago regarding data/phone plans while on the Camino. I was using Holafly for the first time and it seemed to be working well but it was early on.

I had an Holafly eSIM with unlimited data (90 days), an Austrian phone number (60 minutes) which allows for EU roaming and it cost $99. It did not allow sms/mms but iMessage worked because it uses data.

I used WhatsApp extensively including calls and video and had good results and no problems. Most/many albergues use WhatsApp to communicate.

In 64 days in Europe, I used 12 minutes of my 60 minutes of phone, it’s actually 120 minutes because it’s 60 in and 60 out.

I was in populated and very rural areas in France and Spain and rarely had no connection, the Spaniards I was walking with had no better connection using Orange.

The mobile connection ranged from 5G/4G/LTE and even 3G in the most remote areas.

Finally, the setup and activation was easy and worked first time. I had connection the moment I arrived in France on March 29th until I left. It also does not require proof of ID, for better or worse.

So, if you’re looking for a data plan with some phone connectivity, I suggest you look at Holafly and see if it offers you what you’re looking for. It delivers what it promises.

One final note, I often did not connect to public WiFi if I had a 4G/5G connection as the mobile connection was often faster and certainly more secure. I did use a VPN on public WiFi.