We will be in Spain from Dec 25 to Jan 6 (Madrid, Seville, Granada, Barcelona). What's the best way to buy data for our phones? I googled, orange is the cheapest, 10 GB for $20. My husband will also be in Switzerland from Dec 22 to Dec 25, any good data plan for just three days in Switzerland?
Posted by
Washington DC
28082 posts
Can your phones handle eSIMs? I bought eSIMs from Airalo during my most recent trip. They worked fine, and one of them was only for a week, so quite inexpensive. I think you may need to download their app to see what they have.
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
8000 posts
You can also check online at Airalo.com, to see what they offer. I’ve used Airalo and really like it a lot.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2726 posts
FWIW I just got this offer for Airalo eSims in a travel Tuesday deal email from Journeywoman (note the coupon codes don't start until Dec. 1):
Airalo eSIM card: Say goodbye to roaming fees when you travel and have
access to data anywhere you need it around the world. Starting
December 1st, new customers can get 15% off all data packages with the
code DEC15. Existing customers, take 10% off your data packages using
the code DEC10. Click here to buy your eSIM card.
Posted by
Denver, CO USA
492 posts
There is a reason we use T-Mobile
Posted by
Hudson Valley
2267 posts
Vodafone is less that that Orange price you cite. (But maybe you’d need to pay to get a SiM or set up an eSIm?)
EU carriers aren’t obligated to offer free roaming in Switzerland, as it’s not an EU member. And vice-versa. I understand Arlo is made for tourists, so maybe it’s a good solution. (Check the counties included)
People love to praise T-Mobile, but it’s simple not an option for a lot of Americans that live in more rural areas.
Posted by
OP
17 posts
Yes, my phone can use e-sim. Should I buy it now, or buy it when I am in Spain? I remember how hard it was to set up the e sim when the e sim was bought a month ago. Had to call Verizon several times.
Posted by
Washington DC
28082 posts
I was already in Europe when I bought my eSIMs, but I don't see any reason why you can't buy them here. I didn't have a major set-up issue, but I had purchased data-only eSIMs, and I had to do something on my phone to restore texting capability with my Google Fi SIM. (Fi had cut off my data service but not my calling or texting.) And then I was slightly befuddled about the set-up procedure on the second eSIM because it happened to be different from what I'd needed to do with the first eSIM; the instructions were crystal clear, but I hadn't read them all the way through. Both issues were quickly resolved. The texting solution varies with different phones, I think.
As I recall, Airalo says your usage clock doesn't start ticking until you connect to the phone provider whose eSIM you've purchased.