I'm going to Portugal for 3 weeks with my Canadian cell phone, unlocked. I'd like to buy a card in Lisbon that will provide, say, 100 minutes of phone time, unlimited texting, and 20-30 GB of internet data. What specific card have you used that you recommend, at what cost? Thanks and happy travels!
Posted by
425 posts
We used Vodafone Travellers.
We bought the sim card at the Vodafone booth at the Lisbon airport.
https://www.vodafone.pt/content/digital-sites/en/products-services/visiting-portugal/jcr:content/
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
5205 posts
We also used Vodaphone. We stopped in their store near the train station in Lisbon and they set us up.
What network are you on at home? Telus now has a 30 day roaming package for $60. The only downside is that it only allows texting and phoning to whatever your plan allows at home, i.e. Canada/US/Mexico. If you want to call a number in Portugal you'd be paying long distance fees.
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1922 posts
There is a Vodophone quiosque in the airport arrivals area. However, I have recently started using an eSIM, which is much easier since you can have it already when you land. And, you can add more data easily if needed. It’s just like having your normal phone at home. I use Airalo and am pleased with it. But there are many available. Just Google eSIM if you want more information.
Posted by
OP
Coquitlam, British Columbia
53 posts
Thanks everyone. Kathryn, I thought esims were just for internet data, not phone minutes?
Posted by
West Michigan
419 posts
Most esim's are data only. Although, with data, you can still make phone calls and text for free or cheaply, with various services like Google Voice, TextNow, and the Apple and Facebook apps.
The following esim providers do have an option for a phone number for more cost:
Airalo, Airhub, aloSiM,
Roamless is data only, but their app allows you to make phone calls.
Posted by
OP
Coquitlam, British Columbia
53 posts
Thanks travelerguy for clearing that one up...