Data roaming in Spain: Which One Should I pick?

If your next travel destination is Spain, then you haven’t finished preparing the essential things for your travels, we must remind you that an internet connection is one of the fundamental things for any trip. And nowadays, one of the most used options to maintain an internet connection is international roaming. So, we will be talking about the best Spain roaming plan. 

Through this article, we will be helping you to understand a little more about the roaming that you can use while traveling to other countries. Also, we will discuss the alternatives that exist and with which you can also have cellular internet in Spain. So, you can live the best trip and share your experience. 

What is Roaming?

Understanding roaming is very simple, and we’ll explain it with an example. Imagine you are visiting a country, such as Spain, and you are using your cell phone just as if you were at home, with the possibility of using cellular data, calls, and text messages. 

This is possible because international roaming allows you to stay connected to your domestic carrier’s plans and services, but connected to the internet networks of operators from the country you are visiting. Roaming is one of the most traditional options to stay connected to the internet while traveling, and it is still one of the most used by travelers. 

Among the benefits of roaming, we find that they tend to be very easy to activate, and many operators worldwide tend to have promotions for their users. However, the downside of this service is that it tends to be quite expensive, so you will have to pay close attention to your plans’ consumption, to avoid returning home with very high bills. 

Roaming rates in Spain:

The roaming prices will depend a lot on the operator you have your phone connected to, as well as the plan you currently have. However, carriers usually have two ways of charging for international roaming, either through plans, which can range from $10 to $15 per day or pay-as-you-go. 

Pay-as-you-go rates can range from $2 to $3 per MB. Below, we will talk much more specifically about the pricing and features of different cellular provider companies. 

Verizon 

As a first option, we will tell you about the American company Verizon. They offer their users two alternatives to activate roaming. The first one is called International Travel Pass, which costs 10 dollars a day. This plan offers unlimited calls and messages, as well as allows the user to use cellular data, with the same amount as the local plan they have at the moment. 

On the other hand, the second option is the International Monthly Plan, which is priced at $100 per month. The big difference is that it gives access to 5 GB of cellular data. Also, you will be able to receive unlimited messages, and they offer 250 minutes to make calls. If you run out of the plan, you will also be able to use the service on a pay-as-you-go basis. The price is $0.25 per phone call, $0.05 per text message, and $20 per extra GB.

T-Mobile 

On the other hand, if you are a T-Mobile user, then you will be able to activate your roaming in Spain, and you will have the possibility to choose between different plans, each one with different prices and benefits. 

The first plan with which you will be able to activate your roaming is the Essentials Plan, with which people will be able to have access to unlimited calls and text messaging. They will also be able to use unlimited 3G mobile data for as long as they keep their roaming active; however, the speed may vary depending on consumption. 

Their second option is The Magenta Plan, which offers 5 GB of high-speed data with unlimited 3G service once they spend the 5G data, as well as unlimited messages and phone calls. The Magenta Plus Plan is their best option which offers up to 40 GB of high-speed data and unlimited 3G if people consume the 40GBs, it also offers unlimited messages and phone calls.

Telstra 

This Australian company offers its users the possibility to use International roaming in Spain at low prices. It offers an International Roaming Plan, which allows Telstra postpaid users to consume their plans services as they use them at home. 

However, you will also have the possibility to make use of the pay-as-you-go option. With this option, your MB usage will cost $3.00. Likewise, you will also be able to make calls and send and receive messages with a price per minute and message. 

A&T USA 

As the last option, we will talk about AT&T roaming, this is an American company that has expanded through different countries in the world, such as Mexico. So if you are a user of this operator, you can activate your roaming while traveling to Spain, and enjoy good connectivity. 

To use AT&T’s international roaming, you can make use of different options. First of all, this company has a plan called International Pass, which allows users to have an unlimited internet connection, calls, and messages, for only $10 a day. 

However, you can also use the pay-per-use option, which allows you to use the services on a pay-as-you-go basis. They cost 2.05 USD per MB. And if you want to make calls, it will cost you $1 per minute and $0.50 per text message. 

How to avoid roaming charges in Spain

In case that roaming is not your first choice to stay connected to the internet during your trip to Spain, then let us discuss the different alternatives to avoid the high roaming charges. 

Among the options, we will be talking about are International roaming eSIMs and SIM cards, Pocket WiFi, and places with free WiFi. Each of these alternatives has its advantages and disadvantages, so we will explain each of them in more detail below. That way, you will be able to choose the one that suits your needs. 

Prepaid International Spain SIM Card

If you want a different option to stay connected to the internet on your trip to Spain, then International SIM cards are a very good alternative. There is nothing better than arriving at your destination and having an internet connection immediately. This is possible by acquiring a SIM card and will make your trip more comfortable, and you won’t have to spend time searching for cellular data options. 

You will be able to purchase your SIM card either before you start your trip, through online stores, or when you arrive in Spain, in the physical stores. However, in our experience, we think that buying it in advance makes everything easier. In this case, we would like to recommend the online store Holafly to buy your SIM card in Spain.

With the Holafly SIM card, you will be able to use of data in Spains neighboring countries, you will have a 24-hour customer service, as well as other advantages. Specifically for Spain, Holafly has the following plans available: 

• 8 GB for 30 days at 38 USD
• 12 GB for 30 days at 49 USD

eSIM for Spain

These are improved virtual SIM cards for the new cellphone generation. It is a pretty decent option as it is easy to buy and easy to activate. These cards are a device that comes factory-installed in cellular phones and performs the same functions as a SIM card. 

Having an eSIM for your trip to Spain will be very useful as you will not have to pay roaming charges from your domestic operator in Spain. On the other hand, you can buy and activate your eSIM before you travel from the comfort of your own home without the need to have it delivered to your home address or to go out, as the whole process is done entirely online.

Our most recommended shop to buy your eSIM card for Spain is Holafly because it offers you incredible advantages and the best prices on the market. With your Holafly eSIM card, you will have the option to activate different cellular data plans, specifically 4, which are the following: 

• 3 GB for 7 days at 27 USD
• 5 GB for 15 days at 34 USD
• 8 GB for 20 days at 44 USD
• 10 GB for 30 days at 49 USD

Pocket WiFi

An old alternative for people who are still traveling worldwide is the Pocket WiFi device. These devices have become quite common over the years due to them being a pretty solid solution for people who want to travel throughout the whole world. In addition, it is also very feasible for those who travel in groups, as this Pocket WiFi allows several devices to connect at the same time. 

However, it is essential to know that this service tends to be a bit expensive because you will usually have to pay for the renting of the device, the shipping to your destination, and in some cases, insurance in case of losing it. Because if you don’t have insurance and lose the device, you will have to pay a large amount of money for the replacement. 

For Spain, renting a Pocket WiFi can range from $50 to $100. And as we told you before, if you lose the device, you will have to pay between 150 and 200 dollars as a penalty. 

Free WiFi

As a last alternative to stay connected to the internet on your trip to Spain, we’ll talk about the free WiFi, the cheapest option of all. In European countries, it is very common to find places that have free WiFi available, whether in a hotel, restaurant, shopping mall, or even transport. 

However, we do not recommend that this’d be your first option, as it could be a very unstable connection and unsafe. Even so, we know that there may be emergencies, so if you are rushing to find a place with free WiFi, we recommend applications that will help you find them, such as WiFi Map, WinMan, and Avast WiFi Finder.