Can you journey by way of Europe with out high-speed cellular knowledge in your smartphone? Probably. But would you need to? Probably not. But cellular knowledge may be very costly in the event you use your property nation’s worldwide knowledge plan. Luckily, even guests have quick access to Europe’s low-cost knowledge plans so you possibly can keep related very affordably. In this information, I’ll train you find out how to purchase a SIM card in Europe so you will get low-cost high-speed cellular knowledge whereas touring.
European SIM Card and Prepaid Data Plan Basics
Before diving into how and the place to purchase SIM playing cards, I needed to present some useful background data on cellular knowledge plans SIM card so you may have a greater concept of how issues work in Europe.
European Union Wide Coverage
A legislation was just lately handed within the EU which banned cellular carriers from charging roaming charges inside the EU — which implies you should utilize a SIM card you got in France and use it in Italy with out paying any additional charges. This is nice for vacationers as a result of you should utilize one plan all over the place.
- For reference, listed below are the nations/areas the place there isn’t a knowledge roaming: Andorra, Azores, Aland islands, Austria, Balearic Islands, Belgium, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Corfu, Crete, the Cyclades, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faeroe Islands, Finland, France mainland, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg. Madeira, Malta. Isle of Man, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Rhodes, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom, San Marino, Sardinia, Sicily, Slovakia, Switzerland, Sweden, Vatican
Your Phone Needs To Be Unlocked
Some cellular carriers (primarily within the US, Australia, and New Zealand) “lock” their telephones so that they’ll solely work on that provider’s community — this usually applies when you’ve got a plan that features a free telephone with a multi-year contract. You’ll have to contact your provider and have them “unlock” your telephone so it would settle for a third-party SIM card.
In the US, carriers are required to unlock telephones if the shopper requests it nevertheless it’s not often unlocked by default. That stated, a number of carriers nonetheless make prospects bounce by way of hoops to unlock their telephones so don’t put this off to the final minute or you possibly can be out of luck.
A New SIM Card Gives You A New Phone Number
Installing a brand new SIM card provides you a brand new telephone quantity so your outdated quantity received’t work till you reinstall your authentic SIM card. So, if folks want to achieve you, you’ll want to inform folks your new European quantity.
Furthermore, numerous web sites and apps use two-factor authentication that’s related to your telephone quantity so that may now not be an choice with the brand new SIM put in. And in the event you use Uber/Lyft, you’ll have to replace your new telephone quantity within the app whenever you set up your new SIM.
Why Is Mobile Data Cheap In Europe?
Europe’s shopper safety legal guidelines imply firms need to battle for patrons and this retains costs low. Many guests are stunned that they will get 20GB of pay as you go high-speed knowledge for €20/month.
Avoid “Global” SIM Cards
There are a number of firms that promote “global” SIM playing cards that declare to work in most nations on this planet. Avoid these because the service is usually horrible and a few merely don’t work. So follow SIM playing cards which might be particularly for Europe.
How Much Mobile Data Do You Need?
As lengthy as you’re not streaming music/movies or importing a ton of photographs, you most likely received’t use greater than 3-6GB of cellular knowledge every week. If you’re spending a number of time on social media (notably Instagram and TikTook) you then may use a bit extra however in the event you’re simply doing regular internet shopping and utilizing Google Maps you then may solely use 1-2GB every week.
How To Buy A European SIM Card With A High-Speed Data Plan
Ok, let’s dive into the completely different choices you may have for purchasing a European SIM card. You primarily have two choices:
- Buying A SIM Card Before Your Travel: This is a bit more costly nevertheless it’s rather more handy as a result of you will get the whole lot prepared earlier than arriving.
- Buying A SIM Card Once You Arrive In Europe: This may be cheaper however you’ll want to seek out the place to purchase the SIM and there might be points getting the service activated.
How To Buy A Prepaid SIM Card Before You Travel
Most main European cellular carriers have SIM playing cards with cellular plans which might be geared in the direction of vacationers. These plans are offered by way of third-party resellers that may ship them to your property deal with. The most well-known licensed SIM card reseller is SimOptions.com.
These SIM playing cards are barely costlier than shopping for them in Europe however you get the comfort of not having to trace down a SIM when you get to Europe.
For reference, you’ll most likely spend an additional $15-$25 over the course of a two-week journey in the event you purchase forward vs ready to purchase in Europe — so within the grand scheme it’s not an enormous distinction. However, in the event you’re touring for a number of weeks then I recommend shopping for a SIM when you get to Europe because the saving turn out to be extra substantial.
The Best Prepaid European SIM Cards
Here’s an inventory of the very best pay as you go SIM playing cards which you could purchase earlier than arriving in Europe.
Orange Holiday Europe Prepaid SIM Card
The Orange Holiday Europe Prepaid SIM Card might be the very best all-around choice for SIM playing cards that may be bought overseas as a result of it presents a number of knowledge for an excellent worth — and it contains a number of worldwide calls and textual content.
Additionally, Orange is among the largest cellular firms in Europe and so they have nice protection all through most of Europe (which isn’t at all times the case with smaller European carriers).
Plan Specs:
- PRICE: $50
- DATA: 30GB
- CALLS: Unlimted in Europe and 1200 minutes worldwide
- TEXT: Unlimted in Europe and 1000 worldwide
- USED AS A MOBILE HOTSPOT?: Yes
- CREDIT VALID FOR: 14 Days
The Orange Holiday Europe plan is nice as a result of it provides you a number of cellular knowledge for a good worth however the one attainable disadvantage is the 14-day validity interval — which doesn’t matter in case your journey is lower than two weeks. That stated, you should purchase an additional 10GB of credit score after the 2 weeks are up for round $25.
If you want much less knowledge and need to save a bit of cash, try the $30 Orange Holiday knowledge plan that offers you 15GB of knowledge for 14 days.
Update: The Orange Holiday plans are additionally out there as an eSIM—which implies you don’t have to attend for supply or pay for transport (assuming your telephone is eSIM suitable). Check out the eSIM knowledge plans at SimOptions to get the small print on each the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM and the Orange Holiday Zen eSIM plans.
Learn extra about eSIM knowledge plans and see in case your telephone accepts eSIM playing cards in my Guide to Prepaid eSIM Data Plans in Europe.
Three UK PAYG AIO15
Three UK is one other massive European cellular provider and their PAYG AIO15 plan is an effective worth for individuals who don’t want the 20GB provided by the Orange Holiday Europe plan. I like how the plan has a validity interval of 30 days so it’s good for longer journeys.
Plan Specs:
- PRICE: $30
- DATA: 10GB
- CALLS: Unlimted in Europe
- TEXT: Unlimted in Europe
- USED AS A MOBILE HOTSPOT?: No
- CREDIT VALID FOR: 30 Days
Bouygues Telecom Vacation Prepaid Plan
The Bouygues Telecom Vacation Prepaid Plan is similar to the Orange Holiday Zen however the Bouygues plan should be activated in France — in order that’s an enormous disadvantage.
- PRICE: $50
- DATA: 20GB
- CALLS: Unlimted in Europe
- TEXT: Unlimted in Europe
- USED AS MOBILE HOTSPOT?: NO
- CREDIT VALID FOR: 30 Days
- Must be activated in France however can be utilized wherever within the EU.
Note: SimOptions.com has different playing cards on the market however these are the very best choices/offers.
How To Buy SIM Card With High-Speed Data in Europe
Purchasing a SIM card in Europe is a reasonably straightforward and simple course of since they’re offered nearly all over the place — together with newsstands, airports, merchandising machines, grocery shops, cell phone outlets, and extra.
Here are a number of of the preferred locations you’ll discover SIM playing cards:
- Carrier-Specific Storefronts: The main cellular carriers could have their very own outlets in most main cities that promote their SIM playing cards. Most staff ought to communicate some English however they set up SIM playing cards all day so that they’ll have the ability to set you up with out a lot communication wanted.
- Third-Party Phone Shops: There are many cell phone outlets that promote a spread of telephone plans from a number of firms. Employees may have the ability to supply some assist getting arrange however service most likely received’t be pretty much as good as carrier-specific outlets.
- Newsstands, Tobacco Shops, Vending Machines, and so on: You can discover SIM playing cards in a number of smaller outlets at airports, prepare stations, and randomly all through most cities however don’t count on any customer support.
How Much Does It Cost To Buy A SIM Card with a Data Plan in Europe?
Mobile knowledge plan costs in Europe differ broadly based mostly on the nation, plan choices, and varied offers happening on the time—so it’s exhausting to precisely predict how a lot you’ll pay. However, listed below are some instance costs to present you a greater concept of how a lot you’ll probably pay:
- SFR (French) presents a €20($25) plan with 25 GB of cellular knowledge that’s good for 30 days or a €10 plan with 10 GB good for 8 days.
- TIM (Italian) has a tourist-specific plan referred to as Tim Tourist for €20 (+ €10 for the SIM) that included 15 GB of knowledge in Italy and as much as 6 GB within the EU for 30 days.
- Vodafone (Italian) has its Dolce Vita vacationers plan for €25($30)/month which incorporates 30 GB in Italy (15 GB within the EU).
- Orange Holidays Spain (Spain) Orange’s Holidays Spain is their vacationer plan that’s €20($25)/month for 30 GB of knowledge in Spain/EU.
Note: Some, however not all, cellular plans cost an activation payment of €5-€10 — which is sort of costly in the event you’re solely touring for every week or two.
How To Install A SIM Card
Installing a SIM card is easy and solely takes a minute — all you must do is take the outdated SIM out and put the brand new one in. Most SIM Cards will include a bit of software that may allow you to come out the SIM card holder however you should utilize a paper clip or thumbtack.
- Installing SIM Card In An iPhone: On an iPhone, the SIM card is situated in a bit of slot on the facet of the telephone. You pop it out with a SIM card software or a paper clip. Simply take the outdated SIM out and put the brand new one in (put your outdated SIM card in a secure place).
- Installing SIM Card In An Android Phone: Android telephones usually have the SIM card situated the place the battery is situated or in a slot just like the iPhone. Simply take the outdated SIM card out and put the brand new one in (put your outdated SIM card in a secure place).
How To Activate Your European SIM Card
Activating your European SIM Card must be comparatively easy and easy however there could be a few quirks right here and there. In this part, I’ll cowl the overall activation course of and attempt to deal with frequent points folks have.
First, set up the brand new SIM card in your telephone. In many instances, your telephone will robotically acknowledge the brand new SIM card and the service will merely begin working (it’d take a couple of minutes for the service to attach).
For pay as you go plans, your service will begin as quickly as you put in the cardboard. If you got a SIM with no plan, you then’ll have to comply with the directions on find out how to add credit score to your plan.
In some instances, chances are you’ll be requested to register your SIM — every nation has its personal legal guidelines. For instance, some may ask for a neighborhood European deal with (simply use a legitimate native deal with like your resort or rental condominium). Other nations may ask for a duplicate of your passport whenever you purchase it in particular person otherwise you may have to ship in a scan of your passport (it’s at all times a good suggestion to e mail your self a scan/photograph of your passport everytime you journey overseas).
If you’re nonetheless working into bother, you may have to tweak some settings in your telephone to get the service working accurately. The commonest technical problem is needing to activate Mobile Data or Mobile Data Roaming in your telephone settings.
Another attainable problem is needing to configure your Access Point Name (APN) — that is often computerized however typically you must configure it manually. Each provider could have its personal login data (verify their web site or do a Google search) however right here is an instance for Orange:
- Open your iPhone and click on on Settings > Mobile > Mobile Data Network (or Edge in early variations).
- Fill within the fields as follows:
- Access Point Name (or APN): orange
- User identify: orange
- Password: orange
Most firms comply with an analogous username/password format.
How To Top Up Your SIM Card
Once you run out of credit score you’ll have to “top up” your SIM card so as to add extra credit score to your account. Most firms allow you to prime up through their web site or you should purchase credit score at newsstands, grocery shops, and so on. Typically you’re given a code that you simply enter into your telephone and that’s how the credit score is added.
More Tips On Using Your Mobile Phone In Europe
Get A Portable Battery Charger
Traveling together with your telephone will rapidly drain your batteries so I extremely advocate a conveyable battery. I take advantage of Anker PowerCore 10000 as a result of it’s tiny and inexpensive however there are a number of choices.
How To Lower Your Mobile Data Usage
Data may be costly and it’s extraordinarily straightforward to unknowingly burn by way of a number of knowledge as a result of many apps use knowledge within the background. Facebook, e mail, Instagram, Snapchat… these all consistently use knowledge all through the day with out you figuring out it. That’s it’s necessary to know find out how to restrict your knowledge utilization.
Use Airplane Mode And Block Data to Specific Apps
I’ll put my telephone in Airplane Mode as a result of that disables all knowledge (however GPS nonetheless works in Airplane Mode). You also can go into the settings and disable knowledge entry to every particular person app. I’ll go in and switch each off apart from issues like Google Maps or others that I’ll use extra ceaselessly — this fashion after I flip off Airplane Mode solely these apps that may use knowledge. Then I’ll flip Airplane Mode again on after I’m performed.
Download Offline Maps
Google Maps enables you to obtain complete metropolis maps to allow them to be used offline. As an added bonus, GPS doesn’t use knowledge so offline Google Maps works pretty nicely (however not all performance works). Here is an effective YouTube video that explains the whole lot.
Make Calls Over WiFi
WhatsApp is a superb app free of charge calling and textual content messages — I’ve discovered that many Europeans completely use WhatsApp to speak (together with many Airbnb hosts).
More Europe Travel Advice From The Savvy Backpacker
James Feess is the creator of The Savvy Backpacker and the writer of the guide “The Savvy Backpacker’s Guide To Europe On A Budget”. He’s been running a blog about finances journey in Europe since 2010.
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