If you’re visiting Madrid, the vibrant capital city of Spain, having connectivity during your trip is key to making the most of your time there. Getting a local Madrid SIM card for your phone allows you to access maps, translation apps, social media and keep in contact with friends and family back home.
Buying a SIM card at Madrid Airport or in the city is easy, affordable and gives you flexibility during your time in Spain. This guide will outline everything you need to know about getting connected in Madrid.
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To purchase a Spanish SIM card at Madrid airport, you have some options to choose:
There are a couple options for buying a SIM card at Madrid Airport:
You may consider ordering a SIM card online from providers like Spain Internet or Canary Islands Spain Internet and having it delivered to your hotel. This removes the airport markups but you need to plan ahead.
No, SIM card shops at MAD Airport generally do not stay open after midnight. While the airport itself might operate 24/7, most shops and services, including SIM card kiosks, typically close between 11 PM and midnight.
This means that if you arrive late at night, you may find that these stores are closed and you won’t be able to purchase a SIM card immediately. It’s advisable to plan accordingly and consider alternative options, such as pre-ordering a SIM card online or using an eSIM if your phone supports it.
The main Spain network operators like Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo have prepaid SIM cards designed for tourists on sale at MAD Airport.
For just 15 EUR, you get 50GB of data valid for 28 days with unlimited use in Spain on the Vodafone network. Below are data plans from well-known carriers in Spain that you can refer to in order to make the best decision.
| SIM Card | Data Provided | Call Minutes | Validity | Price (EUR) | Price (US$) |
| Orange Holidays Pass 5 | 30GB | 50 mins to Spain & others | 5 days | €15 | ~ $16.3 |
| Orange Holidays Pass 15 | 60GB | 100 mins to Spain & others | 25 days | €25 | ~ $27.2 |
| Vodafone Prepago S | 25GB | 300 mins in Spain | 28 days | €10 | ~ $10.9 |
| Vodafone Prepago M | 50GB | Unlimited in Spain | 28 days | €15 | ~ $16.3 |
| Movistar Prepago Plus | 10GB | Unlimited in Spain | 30 days | €10 | ~ $10.9 |
| Movistar Prepago Premium | 20GB | Unlimited in Spain | 30 days | €15 | ~ $16.3 |
| Lebara | 200MB | Unlimited in Spain | 30 days | €7 | ~ $7.6 |
| Lycamobile | 1GB | Unlimited in Spain | 30 days | €10 | ~ $10.9 |
All provide generous data allowances lasting 2-3 weeks for most tourists, with options to add more later if needed.
Tip: Activate a data package as soon as possible, as without a package rates can be as high as €0.60/10MB on some operators like Orange.
Purchasing a SIM card as a foreign tourist visiting Spain requires:
Top-up credit once you're downtown or in shopping areas, not at the airport, as top-ups there will also likely be more expensive. Carrefour markets are recommended as a safe option.
Overall the process only takes a few minutes. Being prepared with the above makes it quick and hassle-free to get connected on arrival into Madrid.
Instead of buying a prepaid SIM card at the airport in Spain, travelers can purchase a Gigago eSIM which is a digital SIM card installed directly on eSIM-compatible phones.
Gigago offers prepaid data-only eSIM plans for Spain that include:
Gigago’s Spain eSIM plans are a convenient option for travelers, providing connectivity in Spain without needing to purchase a local SIM. The prepaid data plans start from $5 for short trips and offer great value versus using roaming plans with your home provider.
For Spain, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1 GB for 3 days with $3.00 . What is great about Gigago’s Spain eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $3.00 – $95.90 . Thus, it does not matter how Internet users you are and how long your trip is in Spain, there is always an option for you with Gigago.
Yes – major operator SIM cards work on Dual SIM + eSIM phone models. Alternative options like Gigago Spain eSIM also available.
Just 5-10 minutes. You will fill in a simple form and provide passport for proof of ID. Know your duration of stay too.
Most tourist SIM card plans have a fixed data allowance, after which you can purchase a top-up. Options like Gigago Spain eSIM provide unlimited 4G data.
Standard EU roaming is included with Spanish SIM cards, allowing you to use call/text/data allowances when traveling across Europe. Some add-ons provide global coverage too.
Getting connected with a SIM card in Madrid is quick and easy, whether you pickup at the airport or in the city.
Heading into the city itself presents cheaper deals and greater choice of providers. While El Corte Inglés, Gran Via and Plaza del Callao are go-to destinations for sourcing the best SIM card options for tourists.
Finally, don’t overlook eSIM alternatives like Gigago Spain eSIM that can instantly provide unlimited data both in Spain and globally.
So review all options and choose the right plan to stay connected on your Madrid trip!
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