Travelling to Spain with iPhone

Kerber0s34 · Feb 14, 2011

iPhone 4 unlocking issues aside, what would my best option for getting a micro-SIM for voice and data during my stay in Madrid and Sevilla? I've heard that Vodaphone is a good option, however I'm lost on their Spanish website.

I've also seen a couple of websites that allow you to pre-order your sim and they will ship it to you before you leave. Are these legit? I'd like to have the convenience of a phone for local voice calls, data for navigation / location search, and the ability to keep in touch with home via sms.

My local carrier offers a roaming package, but the cost is ridiculous - $50CAD for 10mb... seriously?? I'll go through that checking my email when I get off the plane.

himesh · Feb 15, 2011

Best bet would be to buy a sim card whilst out there I think. Only thing is whether they will have micro sim's available or not in the stores.

This should help with the costs etc. click

seajay96 · Feb 15, 2011

If you can wait till monday, I will be in Madrid this weekend and will have to answer this very question in person. If no one else has by then, I'll post the current prices/options.

EvilEvil · Feb 15, 2011

Just rent a phone when you get there.

Acejam2k · Feb 15, 2011

http://tinyurl.com/4a6qk4z

2nd hit

chestvrg · Feb 15, 2011

Provided that your iPhone is factory or Jailbrek unlocked you can just get a micro SIM cutter and put a prepaid one in there. I got my micro SIM cutter for $10 on craigslist.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jmmo20 · Feb 15, 2011

I'd recommend a simyo prepaid card.. you get 250 mb daily for 2.5 euro/day.
But you need a spanish delivery address.

if that's not an option then go to any Vodafone, Orange or Movistar shop and get a prepaid card.
Most of them offer daily tariffs for data.. between 1 and 3 euro daily. You would have to trim down the SIM into a microsim, since they only sell microsims with a contract.

Kerber0s34 · Feb 15, 2011

Thanks for all the info so far, i didn't realize you could cut the standard SIM down. Do the pre-paid SIMs allow internaltional SMS and voice?

@Seajay96 - That would be great of you to post up and let me know your experience in Madrid. My trip isn't for another 5 weeks, so I have time.

I considered renting a phone there, but I'm trying to keep the number of devices down that I carry. I'm already taking a Nikon DSLR, so I was planning to use the iPhone 4 as my quick point and shoot camera when I don't want to lug the big guy around. Then I have camera, communications, and navigation all in one. Plus it feels good in my hand. I'm not sure I know how to use physical buttons anymore.

Lekaks · Feb 15, 2011

Where a WiFi connection is available Skype works like a charm on the iphone all over Europe. To use the cell network just by a cheap cell phone from Voda phone or similar and charge it with minutes to suit your needs.

This way, you won't get dinged with a surprise cell phone bill. And again, Skype works great. Anyway that's what we did and we were stoked.

Via con dios...

Kerber0s34 · Feb 15, 2011

Good call on Skype - I always forget about internet communication apps. I suppose FaceTime would work as well - the people I want to keep in touch with all have iOS devices or Macs.

So i guess I only really need data and voice. And if I can hack a European map update onto my GPS i wont really need data.

JackSpearo · Feb 15, 2011

also check movistar. I used them when I lived in Valencia, Spain

efp1 · Feb 15, 2011

Depending on how long your stay will be, you have different options. If it's around a week, you should go with vodafone. I just read on their site that data costs 50 cents a day (must have it for 7 days minimum) for 20mb daily allowance for 3,6mbps download speeds. After the 20mb, your download speed would be reduced to 128kbps. It's unlimited data, though.

And yes, they have micro-sims and that plan is for prepaid. Also, I'm a native Spanish speaker

Hope that helps

Edit: By the way, here's the page where I got the info from. It's in Spanish, though:

http://360.vodafone.es/TarifaPlana/tarjeta/diaria/

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