I have used sims from UK Three in Austria, Switzerland and France and had a good experience. They cover most of Europe and can be purchased from Amazon and set up before you leave. You get a UK based number and we used it with iMessage no problem.
When I went to Europe a few years ago, I used this SIM card, which worked great. I just looked on amazon, and it still has great reviews. I set it up before leaving the USA, and voilá!
I used a Three SIM I bought ahead of time (actually, my method was more convoluted that just buying the month sim) and used it in Edinburgh and London, then my wife used it when she went to France the next year. Note: do not use voice minutes, they're stupid expensive; call using whatsapp or facetime/data. I'm pretty sure you can get it, put it in the phone, and test it out.
When I signed in and it asked for a physical address I think I used one of the bars near where I was going to be staying in Edinburgh.
I'm on T-mobile now, so int'l texts are free, calls are 25c/min, and data is slow (like dial-up slow - 128kbps) but unlimited. Voice is 25c/min, but if I'm calling via old-school voice it's because I'm probably about to die.
Get this.
PrePaid Europe (UK THREE) sim card 12GB data+3000 minutes+3000 texts for 30 days with FREE ROAMING / USE in 71 destinations including all European countries https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01FI1JW72/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_PK8HHMEP6MFCDST9R3AR
Tmobile will also give you a temp unlock if you need it. Pop your tmobile sim into an old phone if you want to continue receiving texts while abroad since they have free global text and really slow data.
I recommend Three, it's from UK. I used it when I was hitting up a bunch of countries in Europe. It covers EU and Iceland. https://www.amazon.com/PrePaid-destinations-including-European-countries/dp/B01FI1JW72/ is an example, but you could get it elsewhere.
Have you tried calling your carrier? If you have been a customer for a several years, they may unlock your phone as a courtesy if you explain you're going to be using it overseas. Mainline carriers (Verizon, AT&T) are more generous than discount providers who resell mainline service.
Of note, many prepaid SIMs don't allow for tethering. For example, the SIM I used when I spent three weeks in Europe a couple years ago worked like an absolute champ in my iPhone but explicitly disallows tethering.
If your carrier won't unlock, you may be better off buying/borrowing a phone and buying a prepaid SIM than rolling the dice on a tethered mobile hotspot and prepaid SIM. Doesn't everyone have an old phone or two in a drawer somewhere?
“How to activate: 1. Simply insert SIM into your unlocked phone, make sure you enable roaming in settings. 2. Wait for the signal, accept Three UK setting messages, then you are all set to go. 3. Test it in the US before your travel”
I got this from Amazon ahead of time and it worked perfectly! Data only but that’s fine if you use Messenger or WhatsApp. The one through Birthright is a rip-off, especially if you’re extending at all. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FI1JW72?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I got this from Amazon ahead of time and it worked perfectly! Data only but that’s fine if you use Messenger or WhatsApp. The one through Birthright is a rip-off, especially if you’re extending at all. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FI1JW72?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Use the 3 UK Sim Card. You can buy it on amazon for $19 and it comes with a local number with unlimited minutes to Europe(when in Europe) and 12GB of LTE data(though it will show as 4G because that’s how it works in the UK).
You can activate it in the US if you have coverage on ATT or T-Mobile when you activate, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FI1JW72/
Hotspot is allowed in the UK and EU but not outside the EU(such as when roaming in the US, Brazil or Australia which is also included with the sim)
Thanks for helping!
> So you did reload it and say you still have 1 or 2 GB left. More than plenty for 9 days in my opinion...?
In Sweden, I first bought a SIM with about 5GB. I used it after a few days, so I loaded more at a gas station there. I have 1GB or so left from that.
What about this? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FI1JW72/ Is it not as easy as just buying it and putting it in my phone? It is cheaper than loading the equivalent GB on the Telia SIM I have.
https://www.amazon.com/PrePaid-destinations-including-European-countries/dp/B01FI1JW72/
Buy this one instead for 12GB.
Source: have it and use it in a cellular iPad and live in the US.
OP will be in a different country. He might be satisfied with 6GB in a country where he has home internet and knows directions and stuff but he definitely will use a lot more when traveling.
Ok, so if I buy this SIM card, it will work for me overseas?
PrePaid Europe (UK THREE) sim... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FI1JW72?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Make sure your activate it in the US the day before you leave. Also make sure you have an unlocked phone. Also of you wanna make calls to the US I found out you can use Google Hangouts and Hangouts Dialer to do so. Those apps use your data connection to dial out. The card normally doesn't allow US calls/texts, these apps saved my life because I had to get hold of my bank for some prior stAtement issues that I needed to clear over the phone.
Check out stuff like this. Do you need YOUR phone number to work while you are there? If so this is not an option.
She's going to make friends so she's going to want a local number. That's not to say that there aren't options like WhatsApp, but it'll make life easier for whatever official things she may need to do with a local number.
For yourself, I've picked up sim cards from Amazon for European travel. Stupid cheap for gigs of data from 3UK, with international roaming for pretty much all of Europe. I'll go find the link and edit my post.
You could purchase a pre-paid SIM card from a service provider on any member country. Roaming is mandatory within the EU. So you can buy a card in France & use it with the same rates in the Netherlands.
Examples from Amazon using UK phone numbers.
Amazon has a 3 Uk sim with 3000 minutes and 12gb data. It works in France and can be activated from the US. It’s generally around $20.
For convenience, buy a 3 sim from Amazon in the US before leaving.
https://www.amazon.com/PrePaid-destinations-including-European-countries/dp/B01FI1JW72
PrePaid Europe (UK THREE) sim card 12GB data+3000 minutes+3000 texts for 30 days with FREE ROAMING / USE in 71 destinations including all European countries https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01FI1JW72/
Amazon! I recently visited the UK and Ireland and used the 3 prepaid sim. It works perfectly and also supports other European counties.
PrePaid Europe (UK THREE) sim... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FI1JW72
May not be the cheapest option, but we purchased these SIMs from amazon. https://www.amazon.ca/PrePaid-destinations-including-European-countries/dp/B01FI1JW72/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1ELIWSMEHEKKN&keywords=europe+sim+card&qid=1566398612&s=gateway&sprefix=europ%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-3
We've had two groups of friends use them without issue. One group stayed in Italy only and other group did a cruise and visited multiple countries. We trusted them and will be using it as well on our trip in 2 weeks.
You can't order a prepaid phone, sim card included, from Amazon using a gift card-type credit card, and having your package delivered to one of those lockers where you enter a code to open the specific box that your order is in? I found the following in just a few seconds on Amazon:
A (modified) example of the product I am referring to can be found here.
Edit: link changed to show example of SIM cards that can be purchased without ID for use in the EU as well as other locations. See image for text stating no ID required: https://i.imgur.com/Bzre0Cu.jpg
As others have mentioned, you may need to get a local sim card; Not clear what "calling" you require, whether it is to French numbers or back to US.
If calling back to the US - sign up for a free Google Voice number, then use it over Hangouts (on Android phones or laptops) to make calls and texts. You may need to forward your AT&T number to the GV number in order to receive calls (note this is different from the normal way of using GV, in your case calls come in on the US AT&T number so you need to have it forwarded.).
For data requirements in France - 3 possible options.
1) Data only : The Three UK roaming sim is available from Amazon, costs $19, 12GB data allowance, roaming in France is supported.
https://www.amazon.com/PrePaid-destinations-including-European-countries/dp/B01FI1JW72/
2) Lesser data but with a little local calling allowance : Orange (France) Holiday sim available through Amazon: costs $28.90 : 8 GB data + 30 mins local France calling + 200 local texts.
https://www.amazon.com/Orange-Holiday-Europe-currently-promotion/dp/B07NLCL9SP/
3) Not available at Amazon, but you should be able to buy at the Relay bookstore / travel store at most airports and train stations : Bouygues Vacation prepaid sim at Euro 39.9; 20 GB data, unlimited local talk and text. https://www.bouyguestelecom.fr/carte-prepayee/vacation-prepaid-plan/
Note that all options support hotspot and have 30 days validity.
So, I just got off chat with Visible and I thought I would share what I found out.
First of all, my main goal here was to be able to send/receive SMS messages and make/receive Phone calls on my main number as I travel abroad. Obviously, Visible does not have international roaming so I could not do this. So, I purchased an international SIM Card from UK Mobile Three that works throughout Europe on Amazon ( https://www.amazon.com/PrePaid-destinations-including-European-countries/dp/B01FI1JW72/ )
Now for visible. Unfortunately, there is NO way to port out your number AND keep your Visible Service. So this is what I am doing:
I have not done any of this yet, but will do so in the next 1-2 days and let you know how it works out!!!
The above statement about Three SIM cards requiring a UK credit card is not accurate. There are plenty of on line sites that will allow one to purchase credit vouchers using PayPal or a US credit card. There is a slight convenience fee charged but it can be done without a UK credit card. Three SIM cards are the best. Better than GiffGaf because they work in more countries worldwide. Switzerland is included as a "go roam" destination which means you can use your data allowance there. Do not wait until you get to Switzerland to purchase your SIM card.
This is a link to the Three SIM card for $24 includes 12 GB of data good for one month on Amazon with prime shipping.
Don't follow the advice below! Go to Amazon, purchase this three sim. It will allow you to roam all over Europe and many other countries. $24 for 12 GB for one month including free Prime delivery. If you need more GB during the month you can add value to the sim card using a voucher purchased from www.mobiletopup.co.uk
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To unlock your iPhone go to this link UNLOCK As long as you own the phone outright ATT will unlock it for you within 5 hours. Vodafone ES is very affordable. I was able to get a 7gb sim for €15 with talk and text. My other travel hack is to buy British SIM cards when visiting the EU off of Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FI1JW72 ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_CD76BbEKZ3JES) that are meant for tourists because you can refill them easily because the website is in English and use them in the EU (yes, Spain counts) for no extra cost with EU regulation.
Something like this should work. Note, to call back to the U.S from Ireland requires an additional top-up ($0.03/min).
I have a Verizon model iPhone X and only connected to 4G networks inside France. Everywhere else was 3G. It’s actually 12GB (the one my friend bought anyway): amazon link
Then he should get the 3 UK roaming SIM card from amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FI1JW72/