US International Phone plan or Spanish SIM card while on the Camino?

[JillGat]

Call me dense, but I always get confused using a Spanish SIM card while on the Camino. And I always deplete it sooner than I expect and I have to find a place to fill it up again. I just saw this on the Verizon site. I just want data, as I can use Whatsapp for calls. Texts are free. Why wouldn't this be a good deal?

International Monthly Plan

$100/Monthly

Ideal for trips of 10 days or more. Add as a one time or recurring charge. Use your phone in 210+ countries and destinations.

Includes

• Unlimited data*
• 250 minutes
• Unlimited texts

*After first 20GB of high speed data get unlimited 3G data.

 

[trecile]

That's what lots of people use. It's certainly the easiest way to go, but not the least expensive.

 

[J Willhaus]

Call me dense, but I always get confused using a Spanish SIM card while on the Camino. And I always deplete it sooner than I expect and I have to find a place to fill it up again. I just saw this on the Verizon site. I just want data, as I can use Whatsapp for calls. Texts are free. Why wouldn't this be a good deal?

International Monthly Plan

$100/Monthly

Ideal for trips of 10 days or more. Add as a one time or recurring charge. Use your phone in 210+ countries and destinations.

Includes

• Unlimited data*
• 250 minutes
• Unlimited texts

*After first 20GB of high speed data get unlimited 3G data.

We use our US ATT plan which let's us use our phone, data, text. It comes at a price. Sim cards are probably cheaper.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Why wouldn't this be a good deal?

Because it is expensive but, really, it looks like it may be the plan for you; simple to use for $3 a day.

 

[SJE]

Call me dense, but I always get confused using a Spanish SIM card while on the Camino. And I always deplete it sooner than I expect and I have to find a place to fill it up again. I just saw this on the Verizon site. I just want data, as I can use Whatsapp for calls. Texts are free. Why wouldn't this be a good deal?

International Monthly Plan

$100/Monthly

Ideal for trips of 10 days or more. Add as a one time or recurring charge. Use your phone in 210+ countries and destinations.

Includes

• Unlimited data*
• 250 minutes
• Unlimited texts

*After first 20GB of high speed data get unlimited 3G data.

I have the same issue with SIM cards. I got the Verizon ultimate unlimited or some overpromising name like that and it cost me $25/month on top of my normal monthly plan. Data and phone. Anywhere in the world.

 

[Juspassinthru]

I’m using Holafly eSIM, it’s working great. I have unlimited data and 60 mins. of tele. Using WhatsApp for communication and the connection has been very good here in France. Spain tomorrow, I’ll update then. 90 days, $99. They offer shorter plans as well.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

I've met friends out there using SIms. About half of them end up asking me to use my personal hotspot when they can't connect (for various reasons). I like my ATT international plan... works out to about $3 / day after 30 days. Yah, it's $10/day but they only charge for the first 10 days in the billing cycle. When I arrive at the airport in Spain I get a pleasant message saying, "Congratulations... u are using..." it just works.

 

[pkonopka]

Call me dense, but I always get confused using a Spanish SIM card while on the Camino. And I always deplete it sooner than I expect and I have to find a place to fill it up again. I just saw this on the Verizon site. I just want data, as I can use Whatsapp for calls. Texts are free. Why wouldn't this be a good deal?

International Monthly Plan

$100/Monthly

Ideal for trips of 10 days or more. Add as a one time or recurring charge. Use your phone in 210+ countries and destinations.

Includes

• Unlimited data*
• 250 minutes
• Unlimited texts

*After first 20GB of high speed data get unlimited 3G data.

Like many others on this thread I used AT&Ts international plan. Maybe slightly more expensive than a esim but it was convenient and reliable.

 

[Cuttooth]

I have been using eSims for international travel (including my last Camino) and they are super easy and affordable. Buy it before your departure, turn it on when you are in country and you are good to go. I like being able to have data in the airport when I land. Message me if you have questions.

 

[trecile]

I have been using eSims for international travel (including my last Camino) and they are super easy and affordable. Buy it before your departure, turn it on when you are in country and you are good to go. I like being able to have data in the airport when I land. Message me if you have questions.

In addition to Airalo and Holafly you can buy an eSIM online from Vodaphone.

Vodafone Travel eSIM Europe

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

travel.vodafone.com

 

[Newspix1]

I just call Verizon and pay the $100 for the month. I like to keep it simple. Unlimited data and text, with 180 minutes talk time if I recall.

 

[lt56ny]

In addition to Airalo and Holafly you can buy an eSIM online from Vodaphone.

Vodafone Travel eSIM Europe

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

travel.vodafone.com

I checked this out on their website. You can get much better plans if you go to a Vodafone store when you arrive. It takes about 10 minutes to set up a plan that will give you much more service options at a much lower price. Here is a screenshot from Vodafone that I took this morning: The eSim option is pretty weak compared to this one. There are also two more expensive plans that charge up to 40 Euros a month but unless you are downloading lots of movies or uploading the 25,000th camino vlog the three plans I showed are more then enough. Also according to the website you only get data. No calls or texts with the ESim.. Unless I am missing something it sure seems to me that the little extra inconvenience of going to a vodafone store is well worth the savings. If you are staying longer than 28 days you get a link to recharge. The link allows you to switch from Spanish to English if you can't read Spanish. The recharge takes less than a minute. The thing to remember is you must recharge with the same plan you originally bought.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Be careful with the monthly international plans. If your regular home plan starts at the beginning of a month and you are taking a month long trip starting in the middle of a month you could end up paying twice as much for what you use.

 

[Cuttooth]

I checked this out on their website. You can get much better plans if you go to a Vodafone store when you arrive. It takes about 10 minutes to set up a plan that will give you much more service options at a much lower price. Here is a screenshot from Vodafone that I took this morning: The eSim option is pretty weak compared to this one. There are also two more expensive plans that charge up to 40 Euros a month but unless you are downloading lots of movies or uploading the 25,000th camino vlog the three plans I showed are more then enough. Also according to the website you only get data. No calls or texts with the ESim.. Unless I am missing something it sure seems to me that the little extra inconvenience of going to a vodafone store is well worth the savings. If you are staying longer than 28 days you get a link to recharge. The link allows you to switch from Spanish to English if you can't read Spanish. The recharge takes less than a minute. The thing to remember is you must recharge with the same plan you originally bought.

That is correct, the beauty of an eSim is that you can keep your sim installed and when you are on wifi you will still get texts and can make calls with your normal number. When you get one of their sims (not esim) you will have to replace your sim.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

When you get one of their sims (not esim) you will have to replace your sim.

Some phones allow multiple eSIMs and your regular plan could be on an eSIM allowing your travel plan to be either a physical SIM or an eSIM.

 

[lt56ny]

That is correct, the beauty of an eSim is that you can keep your sim installed and when you are on wifi you will still get texts and can make calls with your normal number. When you get one of their sims (not esim) you will have to replace your sim.

You do have to replace your sim but it only takes a few seconds to do it. Yes there are a few minor inconveniences but for me at least, going to Vodafone and getting a new sim and Spanish telephone number works best. When you get your new sim the people at Vodafone give you the choice of keeping your original number or getting a new Spanish number. (The Spanish number has no effect on people sending you messages or calling on whatsapp who only have your original number). A few years ago, for some reason I said I wanted to keep my old number. When I tried to register my cell phone with Alert Cops with my Mexican number it would not take it. I really like the security of having Alert Cops on my phone especially now that I just turned 70. But like I said whatever works for each person is the best plan for them.

 

[peregrinaTrish]

Call me dense, but I always get confused using a Spanish SIM card while on the Camino. And I always deplete it sooner than I expect and I have to find a place to fill it up again. I just saw this on the Verizon site. I just want data, as I can use Whatsapp for calls. Texts are free. Why wouldn't this be a good deal?

International Monthly Plan

$100/Monthly

Ideal for trips of 10 days or more. Add as a one time or recurring charge. Use your phone in 210+ countries and destinations.

Includes

• Unlimited data*
• 250 minutes
• Unlimited texts

*After first 20GB of high speed data get unlimited 3G data.

I also have Verizon & have used their intl plan on Portuguese & Frances caminos. It worked well for me. Maybe not the least expensive option but easy. I only got kicked over to 3G data a couple times - didn’t love that when it occurred.

 

[jas11]

Hello pilgirms! For the last 3 caminos/3 years I used Vodafone and I kept my Sim card and used it when Im in EU.
€10 for 50gb including Sim card for 28 days. I registered my account and able to top-up online.
In Madrid to Puerta del Sol location have a vending machine for Sim cards, you’ll need your passport to get one.
Hope this helps!

 

[jfgough]

I’m using Holafly eSIM, it’s working great. I have unlimited data and 60 mins. of tele. Using WhatsApp for communication and the connection has been very good here in France. Spain tomorrow, I’ll update then. 90 days, $99. They offer shorter plans as well.

I used Holafly on my CF last fall. My T-Mobile International plane didn't provide data outside of major cities.

 

[Pathfinder89]

Call me dense, but I always get confused using a Spanish SIM card while on the Camino. And I always deplete it sooner than I expect and I have to find a place to fill it up again. I just saw this on the Verizon site. I just want data, as I can use Whatsapp for calls. Texts are free. Why wouldn't this be a good deal?

International Monthly Plan

$100/Monthly

Ideal for trips of 10 days or more. Add as a one time or recurring charge. Use your phone in 210+ countries and destinations.

Includes

• Unlimited data*
• 250 minutes
• Unlimited texts

*After first 20GB of high speed data get unlimited 3G data.

Lots of responses are offered. My US plan (Visible with Verizon) does not offer an international plan. Last month I got a Vodafone eSIM with only data. It worked very well for me to use apps and WhatsApp to call home. 12€ for 5GB for 10 days. Then top up at 2.50€ for 1GB for 5 days. My friend used his AT&T at $100 for one month.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

I think it boils down to convenience/reliability vs price. I like keeping my USA number. I like unlimited data and calling. And I know, on multiple occasions, friends that went the other route and have experienced difficulties... (though they may not have been the most tech savvy or understood the language.) Just saying I've never been dissatisfied with my choice, YMMV. It's all about your risk tolerance. For me, I like to know my phone always works.

 

[trecile]

I have the same issue with SIM cards. I got the Verizon ultimate unlimited or some overpromising name like that and it cost me $25/month on top of my normal monthly plan. Data and phone. Anywhere in the world.

Do you have a link to that plan? It almost sounds too good to be true. I have only found the $100 International Plan from Verizon.

International Plans: Monthly Plans - Verizon

Verizon's monthly international plans are perfect for a one-time or occasional travel to 185+ countries. Learn how to easily add this plan today.

www.verizon.com

 

[krystianw]

If your international plan has "unlimited data" that slows down to 3G after that first 20GB, then that's really just a "20GB data" plan in practice. You can do much better with a local SIM. When my parents were doing the Camino last year, I got them Vodafone SIM cards. A 50GB SIM would cost you 10 EUR/month right now:

Tarifas Prepago: las mejores tarifas móviles de prepago

Disfruta de las Tarifas Prepago de Vodafone: datos, llamadas ilimitadas y la máxima velocidad 5G.

www.vodafone.es

And bear in mind, 50GB/month is A LOT. You'd need to stream a lot of videos to use that up.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

If you are trying to estimate how much data you will need figure on 1 mb per minute for calls made with cellular data. You'll get about 16 hours of calls for 1 gb at that rate. I see various numbers given but most have the 1 mb rate at the high end of costs.

 

[A Crackpot Abroad]

Inflation or I got ripped off in Barcelona today. Jas11 and krystianw above said they purchased their 50 GB plan for 10 euro at Vodafone. I went to the nearest Vodafone store near Placa de Catalunya and bought their least expensive prepaid plan (15euro/$16.26 USD/for 28 days): 50 GB data/ 300 minutes to call in Spain or back to the U.S. No contracts. Keep pre paying before your 4 weeks expire and you are all set for the next 4 weeks.

Copied the text I received after the sim was activated and Google translated:
VF Info: Ya tienes 50GB, 300Min nacionales e internacionales + Min ilimitados a Prepago VF hasta 01/05/2024 +Info m.vodafone.es o en WhatsApp vodafone.es/tobiwa

VF Info: You already have 50GB, 300Min national and international + Unlimited Min to Prepaid VF until 05/01/2024 +Info m.vodafone.es or on WhatsApp vodafone.es/tobiwa

Nicest staff. I don't speak Catalan nor Spanish The sales rep didn't speak English (and I never expect anyone to either). Despite my lack of language skills, I was in and out in less than 10 minutes (I was the only customer at that time). Of course it helps going in respectful, patient, kind and pleasant (easy for me).

I use Mint mobile at home which means I can use the albergue, bar or hotel wifi to call, check voice mail, or text to the U.S. for free.
Also, you will receive calls and texts when connected to wifi and your Mint sim turned on. The texts are saved for several days and pop up once the wifi connects. I have a dual Sim phone.

Also, been using Vodafone since 2017 or so after using Yoigo's poor service (I don'tknow if they are still around). I was surprised by their coverage when I first used them on VdP. I would be in the middle of nowhere and had no problem connecting by phone or internet.

crackpot

 

[Gekkosan]

Got Holafly. I used the T-Mobile international plan before, and it worked pretty well, until they stated sending unpleasant messages about my “excessive data usage”.
Holafly is a bit more expensive, and I find that the setup instructions could be a lot clearer, particularly regarding how to work in tandem with your original eSim. But it worked great, and I never got any harassment about the amount of data I used.

 

[Juspassinthru]

Holafly eSIM update. I’ve now been using Holafly for 10 days in France an rural Spain. I’ve had good tele signal almost everywhere ranging from 3G (didn’t know it was still used), LTE, 4G and most of the time, 5G. The few calls have connected easily and WhatsApp works great. At this point, I highly recommend.

 

[SJE]

Do you have a link to that plan? It almost sounds too good to be true. I have only found the $100 International Plan from Verizon.

International Plans: Monthly Plans - Verizon

Verizon's monthly international plans are perfect for a one-time or occasional travel to 185+ countries. Learn how to easily add this plan today.

www.verizon.com

Sorry for the delay. I just saw this. I just called Verizon to verify this. The plan is called Unlimited Ultimate and is added $25 per month to my bill for unlimited data and calling. Who knows if it slows everything down and wrecks my life—Verizon is good at that— but that’s the plan i got. I always have WhatsApp as a backup.

 

[JennyG716]

I just call Verizon and pay the $100 for the month. I like to keep it simple. Unlimited data and text, with 180 minutes talk time if I recall.

Do you find that the coverage is good with Verizon? I need to keep my number active/useable so this seems like the easiest option versus switching back and forth from Verizon Travel Pass and a European SIM.

 

[SJE]

I actually haven’t made a single call so i don’t know. But I’ve been using it for data access and that seems to be working.

 

[JennyG716]

I actually haven’t made a single call so i don’t know. But I’ve been using it for data access and that seems to be working

Thanks SJE! Data on the trail is the main thing so I can use the app map. I would only need to make calls from my accommodation at night (where I assume service is fine in town) or in case of emergency. I am also getting the Unlimited Ultimate. Fingers crossed!

 

[JennyG716]

Thanks SJE! Data on the trail is the main thing so I can use the app map. I would only need to make calls from my accommodation at night (where I assume service is fine in town) or in case of emergency. I am also getting the Unlimited Ultimate. Fingers crossed!

Replying to myself in case this helps someone...If you have Verizon 5G Home Wifi you can also have that line put on hold and it will only cost $10 per month instead of your regular charge.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

I always buy a Spanish SIM and prepay service from Vodafone Spain and usually I manage to get a data boost by topping up online so that I have either 70Gb or 100+ GB.

In the past I have had a dual SIM phone but I use both SIMs at home and so I still need to swap SIM cards.

This year I have a new Pixel phone that can take one physical SIM and multiple eSIMs and so I will be experimenting with three SIMs this year. One Spanish and two Kiwi.

 

[A Crackpot Abroad]

Update: So I thought my plan was €15 a month. Just recharged (extraordinarily easy task online). It was only €10. Maybe I was charges an extra 5 for the sim. Not sure.

Service? I was on top of the hill of the first stage (south west of Irun) with the magnificent views. I received an urgent message from my bank. I took advantage of some of the 300 minutes to the U.S. and cleared up a problem.

Data usage: 15 GB (of 50) for the last 28 days.

Screaming deal.

Crackpot

 

[CWBuff]

Got Holafly. I used the T-Mobile international plan before, and it worked pretty well, until they stated sending unpleasant messages about my “excessive data usage”.

WOW! Never had any of those and I've been to France, Camino Frances w\Finisterre & Madrid extension, Canada, Italy & Barcelona to name few places. Use my data a lot esp when it comes to my FindPenguins
never ogt any of these messages.
(Kinda hope that it is not something 'new' because, yes, that would be annoyzing)