What does everyone do for phone cards when going to Europe? Telus is crazy expensive for international plans.

It's not just Telus, all Canadian cell phone providers are expensive ($10-$15/day is typical). It basically comes down to this:
1. Use an e-sim (downloadable SIM card). The most popular is airalo, followed by HolaFly or Nomad. They all basically work the same way.
Typical price: $20-$30 CAD for your entire trip.
Tradeoffs:
- your phone needs to support e-sims
- does not come with an actual phone number (for traditional texting) or traditional voice call capability (need to use data based apps like whatsapp, Facetime, etc, to chat or text).
more info: https://ydeals.com/buying-a-sim-card-for-your-next-trip
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or...
2. Use a physical SIM card
Typical price: $20-$30 CAD for your entire trip.
In a region like Europe, physical SIM cards are as ubiquitous as water and churches. They do typically come with an actual phone number and traditional texting.
So e-sims in Europe aren't quite as advantageous as they are in other countries where it can sometimes be a hassle to get a physical sim card.
And physical sim cards in Europe can still be a better deal than e-sims (some come with a ridiculous amount of data for $20-$30 CAD).
Trade offs:
- you need to hunt one down after arrival and physically swap it out
more info: https://ydeals.com/what-is-the-best-local-sim-card-or...

Karolina. I had great experience with ordering my SaiM card before I left…
https://ca.simcorner.com/?gad=1...

It saved having to find one when I arrived. And meant I knew my new phone number before I left.

Chris would this work in South Africa also?

Breanna Leonard See info in this thread.

I usually switch to my European account but you can by cheap SIM or eSIM cards on Amazon. Or check the European providers, they have different plans like for 3, 10, 15 or 30 day SIM cards. Super easy.

We just got back from A cruise to Europe. We waited until we arrived in Barcelona to buy a European SIM card. One tip: we were told the vodafone SIM that we bought in Spain was good all over Europe. But Italy only lets you use 50% of your data if bought in another country so Rob had to buy an Italian card but mine worked all the way through. So we might have been lied to about that.

Try airalo for eSIM. We used it for the US, worked well. Way better than paying Bell's ridiculous prices.

Mark I had a terrible time with airalo eSim for my iPhone when I was in the U.K. it totally messed up my phone. I ended up buying a SIM card while I was there.

Kim, interesting. What was your issue? I did have problems but it wasn't related to airalo. It was an issue on Bell's end.

Mark I could not get it to work. Android phones I was told are better. My brother in law told me to get it but he has an Android phone and he had no problem with using it in Europe. It took me ages to figure out how to take it off my phone.

We used airalo for data on my phone and my wife purchased a SIM card there for calling with limited data on her phone

Cheapest is to buy a European sim in the country you go to first.

I buy a SIM card when I get to what ever country I am visiting.

eSIM
Airolo

there is a bunch of europe sim card options on amazon. pick the plan, and timeframe that best suits your travel plans.

We did eSim for the iPhone, and bought one there for the Samsung phone. Both were awesome! We were there 5 weeks, 6 countries.

Yvonne How did you get it to work on your iPhone?

Kim
I’d like to know as well. Bought an airalo card $8US good for 15GB /30 days and though the eSIM was downloaded and recognized, I couldn’t hook up to the network.
I’m not tech stupid, but instructions were not that clear.

Ray you got further than me.

Kim my husband has the iPhone. Purchased it online, and he was able to follow the steps and load it. He did watch some YouTube videos to get instructions, but he didn't have a problem. He also removed his regular Sim, just to avoid any issues. We also purchased extra time when we were away, and it was seamless. If you are trying to load it in Canada and having trouble, then call their customer service for assistance. We have heard they are excellent in assisting.

Kim ps - we activated it when we got to the Netherlands.

Yvonne That is why I wanted a E-card so I would not have to remove my SIM card. I watched you tube videos but still had problems. Phone said it was downloaded and tried to activate it in the U.K. but no success.

Kim I had some problems getting it working at home here in Calgary but I gave it some time in Peru and about 2 hrs after I arrived it worked. It then connected smoothly to Chile, Argentina, Brazil, the US and even when I landed in YYC. You have to turn off your regular provider in your settings and not all phones accept esims. The airalo support chat works well on wifi if you are stuck.

Kim we weren't in the UK this trip. Previously we bought our Sims for UK there.

Lana did that.

Bought a SIM from Amazon and used it. Worked great

I just used Holafly esim. It was great.

We bought an orange SIM card from Amazon for our trip to Greece and Croatia. Worked great!

We just buy a SIM card at our destination. Usually good for other countries. $25

I’m using eSim in Poland right now

Buy one there from a provider, which will work throughout the EU

orange from Amazon.ca
Slightly cheaper to buy on arrival, but I wanted to have data as soon as we arrived and not have to waste time on my vacation buying a SIM card.
I spent $30 and had more than enough for the full month .

I got a European SIM card in arrivals at Hethrow that was good for all Europe. They installed it and it was really reasonable.

Cyndy is it a kiosk? Easy to find?We are flying into Heathrow. Spending 8 days. Then onto Germany.

Donna yes it's right at arrivals . It's against a wall. I just asked someone that worked there and they pointed me to it. We landed at terminal 3

London airports have SIM cards in vending machines. European mobile costs are dramatically lower than Canadian costs.

Do a lot of people buy SIM cards, or can you just use wifi at most places? We are travelling to Ireland and Paris.

Tori I use wifi and I am ok.

Tori I personally need data for maps and transit in real time. Lots of places prefer you to buy tickets online. I travelled alot last year and could not have been without data.

I did ireland scotland 8 months ago...yes there is wifi available but the amount I used it to map locations and even just walking to destinations (with their streets the way they are id often miss the turn because it wasn't super clear which of the 5/6/7 intersecting roads I was to go down) until I could see I was on the wrong one...along with research, transit, buying tickets for things (many places its cheaper to buy online than in person even at the door)....even helping other travelers I ran into who didn't have it...the sim was worth it

ESIM!

I bought a SIM from Amazon and it was not very good at all. I would suggest buying one there.

We got simm cards in Spain and Portugal las year. Best option as we always had access to data when we out and about

I use airalo eSIM which I’ve used for multiple countries. Enough data for 2 weeks for about $7 US. I use whatsapp if I need to call anyone. Here’s a code for $3 US off. TAMMY8004

Just buy a local prepaid phone card. That is what I did in Portugal and Mexico. If you go with someone else and they get one too at least you can communicate if you need to.

I just buy a new sim at the airport. I have a spare phone I use to put it in so I don't have to mess with my work phone.

Allison
Good idea!

I only use with wifi

Fahreen Nanji

When we were in Ireland I got a phone chip right at the airport for $20. It was good for 30 days just put it right into my phone and it worked.

We bought a Vodaphone SIM card in the airport in Dublin. It was €30 euros for one month unlimited data and texting (we didn’t choose a plan with actual phone minutes but they’re available) and that €30 included €10 for the SIM card. We travelled to 6 different countries from there and any time we crossed a border I got a text stating we were covered for texting. It was awesome service and much cheaper than silly Telus!

I have Koodo and their rates are high too ($13/day). I thought I could do without it and just use wifi at the hotel and cafes. Worked okay for a while, especially in the small towns, but I gave in towards the end of the trip. You definitely need it to manage with transportation and finding your way around the big cities. Whenever I would ask for directions (especially other tourists), they just said, check your phone.

Buy at Dollar Rama

Just get a sim card over there and swap them out

We have used Ubigi in Europe (March). Last fall I bought a Sum card for my iPhone in Heathrow. Have had SIM cards in Italy, Korea and Barbados. No issues with any of it. Just make sure you turn off your carrier’s data as your phone will default to that with an eSim.

Buy a local Sim when you land

E-sims! Unfortunately only Data but works like a charm if you connect it properly.. I'd suggest trying airalo app or alo-sim but gotta make sure your Phone is unlocked.

I’m in the UK right now and purchased the orange SIM card on Amazon for $60 before I left. 20Gig data and 1000 texts and calling minutes and it has been working great for me so far for the last 3 days. It is good for 14 days after activation. Also good for France and Italy which I will be going to next.

Wait until you get where you are going then get a SIM card there.

I’m going to Ireland next week and I think I’m just going to buy a phone there.

Download Airolo app before you travel. Used 8gb in Spain and Portugal for about $12. You can use your own phone number

Airolo eSim was great in Spain and Portugal. Bought online before leaving Canada. We bought the Data only package, using Skype for phone calls, if needed, and whatsapp for communication between fellow traveller's.

Take an extra phone. Buy a Euro SIM card for the phone you usually use and put your Telus SIM in your secondary phone. Turn off cellular data on the phone with Telus SIM - operate only with wifi. Notify those that matter your international number ICE

airalo for sure. Was in Barcelona recently and it worked great! If you have a friend who has recently used it, they can get you a $3 discount code, if not - you can use this: Hey, have you tried an eSIM? Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack from airalo. Use code DEBBIE1356 when you sign up or apply it at checkout. https://ref.airalo.com/XZW2
You can download it before you go and just activate it when you get to your destination. Instructions on how to use it were given and very straightforward to use the eSIM. I purchased a 20GB package for just $25 US. My 12 day trip would have cost close to $200 with Telus roaming charges.

I highly recommend waiting til you get to Europe before purchasing a physical sim. It will save you a ton. And stay away from anywhere close to an airport as their markup will be crazy. Came back from Italy, France and UK about 2 weeks ago.

I did go the safe route and used Holafly eSIM. Cost me a fair amount but it was a data only and unlimited data plan. Installed before I left, the morning of. Activated when I landed in Europe.

Steph we got the physical cards in England as well. I think it was like 20 pounds for 30 gigs of data that lasted a month. It was perfect!

Paige there we go. Proof it is truly cheaper.

Steph yeah it’s a fantastic option

Paige I recently bought a lebara sim card from the first seller I saw at heathrow. No doubt the most expensive place possible. But it was £20 or £30 for a month with 25 Gb of data, unlimited calls, and texts, to 41 countries! If you are used to Canadian deals either price is a stupid cheap. They installed it for me and it worked perfectly.

Paige I’ve done both as well, and it is much cheaper to buy there. Got a sim in Barcelona for 30GB of data for 20€. Good in every country we went to (except Switzerland) for 30 days.

Keith wow this is great!!!

Candice Lynn could you make calls and text?

Sylvia Syl yep!

Ivana Sea

Try airola esim

Kari Elizabeth
I bought a SIM card off Amazon. Shipped to my door and brought it with me once I got to my destination.
You just have to pop the SIM into your phone and you’re good to go.

airalo!!

There is a company called o2. I just bought a new SIM card 29 (something?) and it has 3G for 30 days. Don’t forget to put the data roaming on!! Works like a charm!

Try airalo. I used it in the Netherlands and France, very reasonable and good.

vodafone ! We have used in Greece & Portugal.

We used 3 mobile, it was awesome

My daughter is in Italy rn and we bought her a Holafly sim card. It's awesome and a good price. When we went to Bali we bought a card there which was a pain.

I did an eSim with unlimited data. Worked great!

Liz Where and did you have an iPhone?

Kim I have an iPhone and I downloaded the Holafly app. I purchased unlimited data (15 days) for around $50.
I used it all the time in the Netherlands- for maps, the 9292 app for using the subway (trains, buses, speed trains etc)
You download it before you go and turn it on SIM card once your there.
They have instructions on how to do it

Kim there is a few digital ESims. If your u see your App Store, type in eSim and several will come up. Holafly, airalo, Nomad. And you can see what their prices are and what works for you

Kim a referral code will give you a few bucks off, too! JO8247 works for airalo eSim

A referral code will give you a few bucks off, too! JO8247 works for airalo eSim

Jo Yes, I used one I received from family.

airalo if you are going to more than one country. No need to look for a sim just turn it on and it searches for the network and connects.

airalo esim purchased at home. Many different plans. Most Euro sims don't include calling long distance so if you need to call home frequently, use wifi to call on WhatsApp...just make sure your contacts know they can call you or message you on WhatsApp...create your account and connect your peeps before you go. I used airalo global for a 7 country trip and it connected easily after the first connection (which took a few hours for me but worked instantly for me friend). I will use it unless something better comes along. Very cheap for the amount of data and avoiding the hassle of finding a sim seller.

airalo. Virtual sim.

Bought a physical 6G SIM card, inserted when we landed, no activation needed. Worked awesome! Used in Portugal, Spain and France. Used all the time with navigating and still had plenty of data after 16 days. Karolina I actually have a brand new unopened one that I can sell for cheaper than what I bought. I bought 2 in case I needed more data, but I didn’t.
(My husband used an eSim, it worked good too, but he had to turn on/off phone each time we were in a different country.)

Sorayda this is great! What was the brand? Where did you purchase? What was the cost?
You were able to make phone calls and texts?

Sylvia Syl hi! Got from Amazon after reading all the reviews and comparing. From all the SIM cards I’ve researched, most can’t make calls, but I did use FaceTime and whatsapp with no issues for both video and phone calls. Texts and messages no problem at all.

Sorayda this is great! What was the brand and cost? Sound like a good one!!

I did orange sim from Amazon prior to leaving. When I Landed I popped it in and worked great. It was only good for 2 weeks. I was gone for 3...when I tried to extend it it didn't work, wasted money and got no help. Ended up buying an esim from holifly and was simple and amazing. Next time skipping orange and going straight to holifly if I'm going longer

I’ve done wifi only and would not recommend. We’ve also bought orange SIM cards that worked really well. Bought them on Amazon.

Buy a SIM card in Europe! Super cheap. 10g was $20 euros and I had data leftover because there was wifi everywhere

eSim seems the best idea but my phone is too old .
Was just in Europe in May . Vodaphone SIM card I got in Italy was great , also worked in Greece and England .

Kaitlyn Fehr

Pull your SIM card in Canada buy a European in Europe . Avoid the ding welcome to roaming. Beat Canadian telephone companies at their own game

Terry Don’t like to do that. As I need it straight away when I get back to Canada. Don’t want to be carry my SIM card around with me. Too much of a chance of me losing it.

I just traveled to a bunch of countries and found that buying a SIM at the airport is the best deal then ALL my calls were through what's app

Get a SIM once you get there. My Samsung has two slots, so I was able to leave my home sim in the phone. We got the card at a corner store like a 711 type.

airalo is so easy and inexpensive.

We just bought sim cards in the airport in Paris.$35 Euros for the whole month and it was well worth it. Worked in France, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. Shared our new phone number with my whatsapp contacts back home and it worked great.

Carol not sim related question but curious to know the best places to go to in those countries you mentioned as those are exactly where i’m planning to visit next week. Thank you.

JM Paris is wonderful but that is the only place we visited in France other than Versailles of course. My favorite place was Lucerne, Switzerland (the most beautiful city)! We loved Amsterdam and would go back for longer next time. And all of the little towns/cities along the Rhine in Germany were wonderful. Cologne, Rudesheim, Ludwigshafen and Heidelberg, Strasbourg. Fabulous trip and the European train system is just great for getting around.

Carol awesome!!! Thank you for the heads up!

Had a SIM card in Mexico. Worked well but totally screwed up my whatsapp! Any suggestions?

Just back from 6 weeks in UK , Spain bought a Labara SIM card and 1 month £10 plan unlimited UK text and phone , 7 gig data and 100 mins international, worked in Spain as well , 4th time using Labara

Grab a SIM when you’re there. Not at the airport but a shop around where you’re staying. They are everywhere. £20 for 25-50 GB.

We just got back and used airalo eSIM and it was $20 USD for 5 GB

Why do you need a phone? I used my iPad for two weeks, FaceTime, messanger.

Christin it’s nice to have the data to look at maps and stuff while you are out for the day and you aren’t always close to a free wifi spot.

Just buy local sim cards. Usually very cheap/reasonable. We have one it in multiple countries around the world in our travels, including Europe.

Following

Buy Europe sim from Amazon .. it works everywhere
New PrePaid Europe (UK Three) SIM Card 30GB Data Unlimited Minutes/Texts for 30 Days with Free Roaming/USE in 71 Destinations Including Europe, South America and Australia (30GB) https://a.co/d/9HX1rPN

Everywhere else is cheaper than Telus, I’m in Australia at the airport 80 gigs for 40$

SIM card on Amazon

Telus SUCKS. Crooks. I got an orange SIM card from Amazon (around $25) for my trip to Spain and it worked amazingly.

Jaime Storm

I'm in France now, I just bought a SIM card from the free mobile phone company. They charged me €22.50 (including a one time €10 fee for the SIM card) for one month with a 110 GB data plan. The plan is extendable on a monthly basis