We are leaving shortly for Spain/Portugal and, because of a potential family health emergency, need to have access to a cell phone that will work between U.S. and Spain/Portugal. Is is possible to rent a cell phone; does anyone know if U. S. cell phones will work in Europe? Thanks.
Posted by
Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
324 posts
Just buy a Spanish cell phone (anywhere from €39 upwards) at any cell phone store. This will include a sim card and a small amount of credit. You will be able to receive calls without a problem, but may find making international calls to be too expensive. Look for a "locutorio" in most neighborhoods for cheap int'l calls. Hope your family member gets better.
Posted by
Washington, DC
180 posts
depending how often you travel, I would suggest going to mobal.com - they have int'l cell phones that are $49 (it's UK number) and you can use it virtually anywhere in the world - very easy to use. You only pay for what you use. Some rates are a bit pricier and your family member would have to call a UK number but it's easy.
Posted by
Rocklin, California, USA
24 posts
We spent 2 weeks in Spain & Portugal this summer and used a Verizon Global Phone. Verizon mailed the phone to our home, and once we called them to program it, it used our local US Verizon cell number. We were able to receive calls from the US while we were in both countries, and we were able to make calls as well. It all cost 10.00 in shipping, plus minimal charges for usage. The catch was you had to get it back to Verizon within 30 days of receiving it. No problem, as they even included return postage in the deal. You have to call them, not go into a Verizon store. At the stores they just want to sell you the very expensive global phone. In the end, it cost us a whopping 29.00!!!