Hi !
we will be in France this sumemr for 38 days, and we are trying to find waht would be the best phone plan. We will need it mainly for Data. We need 3 plans (my wife, our 15 years old and me). Having our local plan activated is out of question (that would be way too expensive). Most prepaid got max 30 days validity and we need one for 38 days.
Anyone know options would work for us ?
Thanks !
We're getting a pre-paid plan through T Mobile. Our current phones won't work in Europe.
The easiest way is to get an eSIM data plan - I used Airalo and found it very easy and the price was very reasonable. For example, if you want one for France, they have several options depending on how much data you need. The longest period is for 30 days, however all you need to do to extend that period is just top it off with a new plan. You buy the 30 day plan and then before it expires, just add a 7 or 15 day plan to your account. Very easy.
Here is the link for the Airalo France eSIM plans. https://www.airalo.com/france-esim To see the "top off" plans, just click on each box for that particular plan. If you want more information about eSIMs, there are many more posts in the Technology Tips forum, and also on this thread: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tech-tips/buying-an-international-esim-data-plan-for-your-regular-phone-with-esim-no-more-burner-phones
Hi and thanks for the answers. esim wont work on our kid's phone !
Well, the two of you can get eSIM data plans and then get a SIM card for your son, with low data. Then you could tether his phone to your data plan if needed - or just get him a high data plan as well. You can buy an Orange SIM card online.
For that matter, you can get Orange eSIM data plans for you and your wife also, then get him a physical SIM card. Orange eSIMs and SIM cards are issued in France. https://travel.orange.com/en/
The only issue with the eSIMs is that you cannot get one for more than 14 days - you can top it off, however, in 14 day increments, but you need to register the card.
Here's a section from a post I wrote a few weeks ago about registering the Orange eSIM plan:
Orange is a French company and France requires registration of any phone number within 30 days. It looks like it's pretty easy to register - you just go to the link at the end of this sentence and fill out the information, then upload a copy of your passport ID page (jpeg, png and pdf allowed). https://travel.orange.com/en/welcome-travelers The page says SIM cards but the eSIM plan page led me to there also, so I'm assuming it's for both. Orange said it takes 10 days to finalize the registration after they receive it so it would make sense to register it as soon as you activate it in case you need to top it off after the 14 days period is up.
Or, change over to a T Mobile plan here that includes international calling. Or, keep one or two of the phones on your current carrier and activate the overseas, and get a SIM card for the other or buy some burner phones and put SIMs in them and use Whatsapp.
Thanks for all the answers !
I live in Canada and we dont have T-Mobile here. The carrier i'm with (Telus) only have one international plan and it cost 15$ per day.
