Why buy a Spain SIM card?

If one thing, it would be the fact that travelling is so much more comfortable when you have access to the internet through your mobile phone.

Yes, travelling in Spain is super easy and feasible without internet, but unless you’re a die-hard who insists on paper maps and guidebooks, why would you withhold yourself from an even smoother experience?

You see, whether you’re navigating the winding streets of Barcelona, looking for a trendy rooftop bar in Valencia with Google Maps, booking a last-minute train ticket to watch Real Madrid play in the Bernabeu, sharing your tapas adventures on Instagram, or simply keeping in touch with your family and friends back home, it just adds to the overall travel experience.

Let’s not talk about potential emergency calls, or access to your bank account, all things we take for granted, until they are suddenly no longer at your fingertips. 

Add to that that a Spain SIM card will set you back only a few bucks, and it should be a no-brainer to purchase one.

Though Spain has plenty of cafés, restaurants, and hotels offering free public Wi-Fi, it’s not always reliable, and unsecured networks can put your personal data at risk. Psst, that’s something you don’t wanna do.

If you do intend to use public WiFI, make sure always to use a VPN such as NordVPN to keep your data secure when travelling.

Online – an eSIM before you travel

These days, the best way to stay connected when travelling is with an eSIM, and if you’re anything like me and prefer to have everything sorted before you start your journey to Spain, I’d highly recommend opting for one.

You see, an eSIM is a digital SIM card that you can effortlessly activate by scanning a QR code you receive after your online purchase – it’s super easy, quick, and takes significantly less effort.

While it’s completely possible to buy your eSIM directly from local carriers, opting for this means you will not be connected to the internet until you purchase one from the respective carrier in person.

That’s where third-party options such as Airalo, Holafly and Sim Local come into play. Those eSIM providers offer excellent eSIMs with data packages for over 200 destinations, including Spain.

With an eSIM, you’ll be connected to the World Wide Web from the moment you land in Spain, so no need to search for a SIM card kiosk or deal with paperwork first thing after your journey.

Upon arrival at the Airport – Barcelona and Madrid

Generally speaking, travellers tend to get their hands on a Spain SIM card by going to a SIM kiosk at the airport as soon as they arrive in the country.

In both the Barcelona–El Prat Airport and Madrid–Barajas Airport, you’ll find several phone stores or bookshops that offer prepaid SIM cards from Spain’s leading mobile providers, including those of Vodafone, Orange, Yoigo, and Movistar.

From what I’ve seen, these providers have a wide variety of data plan packages on offer, so it is easy to choose an option that suits your online data needs. 

As with anything you purchase at the airport, you will likely pay more for the same SIM you can also purchase in the city centre of the city you’re visiting.

When purchasing your SIM at the airport, make sure you allow some extra time, as it will take some time to get your paperwork done, which is something you should keep in mind.

Mobile provider stores

If you prefer a more traditional approach or wish to keep your hard-earned money in your pocket instead of wasting it at the airport, rest assured.

There is no shortage of mobile provider stores situated in the major cities of Spain, including Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Seville, to name but a few. These stores are typically in the heart of the city centre, so it shouldn’t be hard to find one near your hotel.

For those keen to buy a SIM card from a mobile provider store, make sure to bring your passport, as well as a copy, since it is often required when registering a new SIM.

Spain has plenty of mobile data providers, offering both eSIM and prepaid options for travellers. 

While there are plenty of reliable prepaid options, I always choose an eSIM before my arrival, as it’s the most convenient solution for someone like me who works primarily online.

To help you find your perfect fit, I’ve listed the most reputable SIM card providers below:

Sim Local

I’ve recently stumbled upon Sim Local, an online eSIM retailer that actually practices what it preaches. You see, stating that you can be online with solely one click is one thing, but delivering on that promise is something entirely different – yet, Sim Local managed to do just that. 

The process is impressively quick; from browsing their plans to downloading the actual eSIM, within minutes, you’re connected. Also, everything in their app works intuitively and smoothly.

One thing I absolutely loved about Sim Local is that they also offer small data packages at low costs, which is ideal if you’re going on a shorter trip or a city break.

With lots of options available, it can be a little overwhelming to pick the eSIM. To help you, I’ve listed some of the most notable options below:

• 1 GB of data that is valid for 7 days | €3,50
• 3 GB of data that is valid for 30 days | €7,-
• 5 GB of data that is valid for 30 days | €9,50
• 10 GB of data that is valid for 30 days | €14,25
• 20 GB of data that is valid for 30 days | €20,75
• Unlimited data that is valid for 30 days – this one works for the whole of Europe | €65,-

For me, Sim Local ticks all three boxes that I believe are crucial for any traveller: flexibility, reliability and value for money – making it a no-brainer.

Why purchase a Sim Local eSIM | Sim Local offers unmatched value for money, making it feel like you’re travelling like a local, which is exactly how I’d like to experience my travels.

Readers of WTSW will receive 5% off any eSIM when they use my code WTSWTRAVEL.

Airalo

From the moment the eSIM came on the market, Airalo has proved its name as one of the leading companies in terms of this innovative digital alternative to traditional SIM cards.

For Spain, Airalo released the Guay Mobile eSim, a data-only SIM card that operates on the popular networks of Vodafone, Movistar and Yoigo, offering instant connectivity.

At Airalo, you can choose the following data packages:

• 1 GB of data that is valid for 7 days | €4,-
• 2 GB of data that is valid for 15 days | €5,50
• 3 GB of data that is valid for 15 days | €7,50
• 5 GB of data that is valid for 30 days | €10,50
• 10 GB of data that is valid for 30 days | €16,-
• 20 GB of data that is valid for 30 days | €23,-
• Unlimited data that is valid for 10 days | €31,-

Those planning to travel around Europe, I’d advise opting for the Eurolink instead, as it is available throughout the whole of Europe, including Spain.

Why purchase an Airalo eSIM |An Airalo eSIM allows users to make a personal hotspot, making it the perfect option for those working remotely.

Holafly

Another big name in the eSIM space is Holafly, offering unlimited data packages in over 160 destinations worldwide.

What sets Holafly apart from the competition is that they exclusively offer unlimited internet packages, where you can customise the number of days you wish to be online.

This makes it a great option for travellers who want a hassle-free data connection, one where worrying about running out of data mid-trip is left out of the conversation.

While Holafly’s pricing tends to be a little on the higher end, their unlimited data packages and the ease of mind that comes with it make it worth the investment.

At Holafly, you can choose the following data packages:

• 1 Day plan with ‘unlimited’ data | €4,-
• 3 Day plan with ‘unlimited’ data | €10,80
• 5 Day plan with’unlimited’ data | €17,95
• 10 Day plan with ‘unlimited’ data | €32,20
• 20 Day plan with ‘unlimited’ data | €54,05
• 30 Day plan with ‘unlimited’ data | €65.45

These are just a few examples, as Holafly makes it easy to change your plan to the exact number of days you need the eSIM for.

It is also worth mentioning that Holafly’s eSIM for Europe comes at exactly the same price, making it perfect for those visiting several European countries in one trip.

Why purchase a Holafly eSIM | Holafly offers a unique opportunity to customise your data plan to the exact needs for your upcoming trip to Spain.

Vodafone Spain

One of the leading mobile network providers in Spain, as well as in Europe, Vodafone is known for its extensive coverage and reliable services.

For travellers, Vodafone now offers both prepaid SIM cards and eSIM options, making it more flexible for both preferences alike.

With a wide range of data packages, Vodafone is a strong option for both short-term and long-term visitors to the country.

The prepaid data packages at Vodafone include:

• 270 GB of data that is valid for 28 days | €15,-
• 330 GB of data that is valid for 28 days | €20,-
• 380 GB of data that is valid for 28 days | €30,-
• 430 GB of data that is valid for 28 days | €40,-

Orange

With millions of users across Spain, Orange is famous for its fast network and strong coverage. Additionally, most major stores have English-speaking staff, which makes setup easier.

At Orange, the following data-only prepaid packages are available:

• 60 GB data that is valid for 28 days | €10
• 240 GB data that is valid for 28 days | €15
• 300 GB data that is valid for 28 days | €20,-

My personal favourite – Purchasing an eSIM for Spain

Since most of my work involves the online world, I always opt for an eSIM, so I am connected as soon as I set foot in the country that I am visiting.

For the sake of this article, I used Sim Local, Airalo, and Holafly, and all of them exceeded my expectations; thus, I highly recommend anyone using one of these options.

So far, my favourite eSIM has been from Sim Local. While I didn’t notice any differences in terms of coverage and speed compared to Airalo and Holafly, I just liked how both their installation process and app were intuitive and smooth.

Since I live in Spain, I opted for unlimited data, which gave me the freedom to use my hotspot and work from cafes, without putting my trust in their limited WIFI connections.

Those preferring to purchase directly on-site, rest assured, Sim Local also has a physical store at the Madrid International Airport, perfect if you like to receive some extra guidance during the setup of your SIM.