Vodafone is one of the most popular mobile networks in Spain, making it a great option for travelers visiting the country. Here is a comprehensive guide on using Vodafone Spain SIM cards and eSIM for tourists, including where to buy, how to activate and use them along with some useful tips.
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Vodafone is a British multinational telecommunications company and one of the largest mobile phone operators in the world. Here are some key facts about Vodafone in Spain:
Vodafone is one of the top 3 mobile operators in Spain along with Movistar and Orange. It has strong reputation for its wide 4G coverage, fast speeds and competitive rates for tourists.
If you’ll be traveling within Spain, Vodafone offers solid coverage that can keep you connected during your travels. While it doesn’t have the fastest speeds, Vodafone provides widespread access to cellular service across the country.
Vodafone received Availability scores of 98.6% from Opensignal’s mobile network experience report. This means Vodafone users were connected to a 3G or better network for over 98% of the time on average.
While two other carriers received slightly higher Availability scores, Vodafone’s coverage footprint was extensive enough to deliver reliable connectivity for the vast majority of time. With near ubiquitous coverage from Spain’s cities to rural roads, Vodafone is a safe choice for maintaining access on the go.
Vodafone also has an expanding 5G service, with a 5G Availability score of 11.2%. While still lagging the leaders, Vodafone’s 5G network reached users with a 5G signal for over 10% of the time. 5G coverage was focused on major cities initially but is growing, offering enhanced speeds where available.
Speeds on Vodafone were middle of the pack rather than the fastest. Download speeds averaged 25.6Mbps on Vodafone compared to over 46Mbps on the top network. 5G download speeds also trailed at around 106Mbps.
However, solid coverage means travelers will less often end up in coverage holes without any speed at all. Ubiquitous access to Vodafone’s networks may be prioritized over peak speeds for consistent international connectivity.
In summary, Vodafone offers reliable coverage across Spain through its extensive national network footprint. While other carriers pulled ahead on speed metrics, Vodafone remains a dependable choice for travelers needing ubiquitous cellular access during their travels.
Vodafone offers several plans and products tailored for travelers. This table compares some of the best options available from Vodafone in terms of eSIM, prepaid Spainish SIM cards, and roaming with your home network.
| Connectivity Option | Pros | Cons |
| Vodafone Travel eSIM Europe | – Available in 45+ countries in Europe – Can be bought and installed before the trip – Offers 4G/LTE and 5G coverage | – Requires a device compatible with eSIM- Might not be cost-effective for short trips |
| Vodafone Traveller Prepaid Rate | – Includes 25 GB of mobile data, 150 minutes on national calls, and roaming in Europe and the US – Can add national and international minutes and unlimited gigabytes in certain apps with Vodafone Pass | – Might not be cost-effective for short trips – Requires a device compatible with the prepaid SIM card |
| Prepaid SIM Card | – Good for longer stays – Can be bought at the airport for convenience | – Requires a device with GSM technology – Might be more expensive at the airport than in a phone store in the city center |
| Roaming with home SIM | – Familiar network and plan | – Higher costs for data and calls when roaming abroad |
Vodafone Travel eSIM Europe and the Vodafone Traveller Prepaid Rate provide comprehensive connectivity solutions for traveling within Europe. However, they may not be suitable for very short trips due to the cost.
A prepaid SIM card is a better choice for longer stays. Roaming with your home SIM is convenient but typically the most expensive option.
Here are some of the best Vodafone SIM cards suitable for tourists visiting Spain:
| Plan | Prepago S | Prepago M | Prepago L | Prepago XL | Prepago XXL |
| Calls and Texts | 300 min. national and internationalUnlimited min between Vodafone prepaids | Unlimited national minutes and Romania800 min international | Unlimited national minutes and Romania300 min international | Unlimited national minutes and Romania | Unlimited national minutes and Romania |
| Network | Maximum 5G | ||||
| Validity | 28 Days | ||||
| Data | 50GB (25GB + 25GB) | 100GB (50GB + 50GB) | 140GB (100GB + 40GB) | 160GB (120GB + 40GB) | 190GB (150GB + 40GB) |
| Charge (€) | €10 | €15 | €20 | €30 | €40 |
| Charge (US$) | ~$10.8 | ~$16.3 | ~$21.7 | ~$32.6 | ~$43.5 |
| Roaming | Roaming included in EU, UK and USA | ||||
| Pros | Double data: All plans are offering double data from the original allowances until 27/09/23 through the GB Extra promotion. This effectively doubles the value.No contract: Prepay plans don’t require a long-term contract so customers aren’t tied down and can cancel anytime. This provides maximum flexibility.Carry over unused data/minutes: Any data or minutes that aren’t used within the validity period can be rolled over up to 3 times, maximizing the benefits. | ||||
| Cons | SMS NOT included | ||||
In summary, higher plans offer more minutes/data but all plans benefit from the GB Extra promotion and have same roaming/coverage benefits. Users can choose the best option based on their expected usage and budget.
Vodafone is making it easier than ever to stay connected with their eSIM option. An eSIM is a virtual SIM card embedded right in your phone, watch or other device. It works just like a regular SIM with the same plan package but takes up less space. Best of all, you can have multiple phone numbers on one device or change networks without changing the SIM.
The only small downside is that if you’re brand new to prepaid service, you’ll need to start with a physical SIM. But the store team can help you switch to eSIM later through their simple process for just 5 euros.
If you prefer to buy in-person, use the Vodafone store locator to find your nearest retail outlet. Visit the store where friendly staff can help you choose the right plan. Pay for your selected package and take your activated SIM with you. Making an initial top-up in store is also possible.
Note: You may need to show your passport or ID when purchasing in-store for verification purposes.
Important Note: Please keep in mind that a stable internet connection is necessary to install your eSIM. You have the option to either scan the QR code using another device or manually install your eSIM. Activation does not require an internet connection.
Vodafone is a great choice for tourists in Spain but here are some alternatives:
For Spain, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1 GB for 3 days with $3.00 . 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.
To get started with Gigago, simply select Spain as the country you’re visiting, choose a data package, and pay securely online. The eSIM will be delivered to your email within minutes. Then just follow the instructions to scan the QR code using your phone’s camera when connected to WiFi at your destination.
Pro Tip: Gigago also has detailed guide on how to check if your phone supports eSIM right on the site to verify if your phone supports eSIM technology. New phone models of popular brands like Apple, Samsung, Google and more are covered.
Vodafone prepaid SIM cards can be bought from Vodafone stores and other outlets. You need to show ID for registration.
Vodafone offers various prepaid plans called Prepago with data allowances and validity periods. The plans are S, M, L, XL and XXL with data amounts ranging from 25GB to 150GB.
To check your Vodafone prepaid balance, send an SMS with the text *134# from the phone number of the SIM card.
Yes, Vodafone includes data roaming at domestic Spanish rates in the EU/EEA countries, UK, US, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Turkey, Vatican City and Monaco.
With Vodafone prepaid, unused data can be rolled over to the next month up to a maximum of 3 months, as long as the plan is renewed after each 28 day validity period.
Vodafone prepaid plans like S, M, L etc. need to be activated by sms codes like 56563# for plan S and so on as provided on their website and terms.
In summary, Vodafone Spain provides excellent connectivity for tourists with its extensive mobile coverage, fast speeds and competitive prepaid options.
SIM cards and eSIM plans are easily available at airports, stores or online. Activation is quick and convenient. Vafone is reliable across Spain, even in smaller towns and rural areas away from major cities.
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