What is the best Europe Sim at the moment?

[mella2007]

I had no luck with the sim I brought last year (it didn't work), so on the look out for a SIM I can use for both calls and data across the UK, Italy, France, Greece, Spain...and also travelling to Singapore and UAE (but not fussed if it doesn't work there)

Suggestions on who to use? Preference is to have it before I leave, and needs to fit either an iPhone 3 or 4. I'm getting confused by all the websites, as I'm weary of some due to bad reviews of not working (like what happened to me last year)

 

[GPMoore]

Try TruPhone personally recommend it. I can send you blog link on it if you like.

 

[DeKa]

Try TruPhone personally recommend it. I can send you blog link on it if you like.

$35/MB for data? Really? No thanks...

I've used wwwiPhonetrip.com across a couple of those countries. Their data prices are good, and you can add phone service to the SIM (US phone number though). I've just looked and their site has changed since the last time I ordered a SIM with a phone number too .. I can't see if that is possible anymore. You may want to email/speak to them.

I've read good things about these two for data (both of which probably exist because of the EU mandate on roaming data prices):
DROAM » Because data has no boundaries
Travel Abroad without Data Roaming | International Mobile WiFi Internet Connectivity| Tep Wireless

 

[GPMoore]

I read it as $0.35/Mb not $35. Like everything, it is best to choose plans to suit personal circumstances. Even though I have US number attached to TruPhone a/c which gets me data at $0.15/MB, I still have AT&T sim for iPad at $50. / mo or 5GB Data. Easier and iPad better than smartphone can use Skype a/c too.

As I say, choice is marvellous.

 

[john_l]

I've used Woolworths Global Roaming SIM the last time I went to Europe. They have seriously good call rates and data bundles. Could not find anything better.

 

[JessicaTam]

I usually buy a local sim for my iPad if I am going to be in a country for more than a few days. That gives me the ability to use Skype and various map apps.

However I expect that may change after reading the first few posts of this thread. I shall watch with interest.

 

[DeKa]

Here's another new option
https://www.getadoodad.com/

It's probably ok for low users. I am pleased to see you can log into the control panel and limit your data usage (budget). It proves all telcos could do it if they wanted to.

 

[moa999]

I'm also a buy a local SIM fan....

My travel phone is now an Alcatel onetouch 918D which is a slightly older Android 2.3 phone but with Dual SIM function (a lot of these available in Asia cheaply)..
My Aussie SIM sits in the 2G slot with data turned off, and call autoforward to my local SIM.
My local SIM in the 3G slot with data on....

Incoming SMS - to Aussie SIM
Outgoing SMS - can send from either
Incoming Call - forwarded to local SIM (relatively cheap rates)
Outgoing Calls - use local SIM

(eg. In Malaysia - SIM card cost RMB10 (A$3), unlimited 3g data RMB18/wk (A$6), and calls to Australian landlines <A$0.10/min)

 

[Deleted member]

Waldo61 recommended 3. For £15 unlimited data 300 mins of call time. Etc.
His post is on a similar thread about Canadian sim cards.

 

[moa999]

Isn't 3.. UK only, not Europe.

 

[drewbles]

Vodafone do some good EU type roaming stuff but you're a) restricted to Voda, and b) it's around 25mb a day. Still, if it's just the odd email or map, it's a good deal.

If you're spending an extended time in the UK, try Giff Gaff. Runs on O2. £10/month for 250 minutes, free giffgaff-to-giffgaff, and 1GB. £12 gives you the same but unlimited data. No tethering on either though. They also do Nano SIM's and will happily mail to hotels so you can plan in advance (which is how I got my SIM; sent to hotel, was given to me upon check-in).

Of course you can get roaming SIM's too, which will set you back around 35c/mb or so which is still not a bad rate for casual use. It really depends on what you're after.

 

[get me outta here]

I've used Woolworths Global Roaming SIM the last time I went to Europe. They have seriously good call rates and data bundles. Could not find anything better.

Thanks for mentioning this, it looks OK and is for comprehensive use, though not DXB currently. Anyone else got any experience w' it?

Do they have one for the Ipad mini? O can use my new WEDRCC to pay.

 

[drewbles]

Thanks for mentioning this, it looks OK and is for comprehensive use, though not DXB currently. Anyone else got any experience w' it?

Do they have one for the Ipad mini? O can use my new WEDRCC to pay.

Comparing their prices, it's not a good option. Their data is 60c/mb (in the UK PAYG). Most of their opposition are sub-40c. The data bundles are only available in the UK, Europe and USA. They're also poor value compared to a local SIM (which are very easy to source). GiffGaff will give you "unlimited" for a month for £12. You can get 2GB in the USA for under $50USD and in Europe, Vodafone do some great bundles for roaming (on Voda networks only).


Suggest you check out PrePaidGSM.net for some user forums which comprehensively review a variety of global roaming SIM's.

 

[get me outta here]

Why is everything so complicated, and for that matter, why is the News always bad.

 

[drewbles]

Why is everything so complicated, and for that matter, why is the News always bad.

Life was never meant to be easy

I'm biased in the fact I work for a global roaming SIM company (which I don't promote the name of due to forum rules). I'm not a sales guy though.

It's always going to be more cost effective if you're spending the majority of time in one location and can source a local SIM. Even whilst travelling, if i'm spending more than a week in a location I use a local SIM (I have a stash of them now as I travel frequently), but I use our own SIM everywhere else which works just fine of course

If you want info on anything drop me a PM and i'm happy to help if I can. Every roaming company has for's and against's though. Just have to weigh up which is best for you (some will do cheap outbound calls but not inbound, others will have more expensive outbound but totally free to receive calls in some locations etc). Nothing is ever clear cut!

 

[jono88888]

I've used Woolworths Global Roaming SIM the last time I went to Europe. They have seriously good call rates and data bundles. Could not find anything better.

Doesn't look like Woolworths do a nano sim so no good with the new iPhone. Did find Maxroam whose website looks to be almost a clone of Woolworths (or vice versa) and they do have a nano sim but the prices are a little more than Woolies.

I'm off to Europe later this year and this will be my first overseas trip where I will be paying for my own calls, and I can't believe how much time I have spent looking at different plans and companies. Thought it would have taken me 15 minutes. Now I'm wiser but I'm still not at the point of having selected a provider.

 

[moa999]

Woolworths is also more expensive for data then some others (generally 6c/100kb, or $0.60/Mb)

Generally however if using big data (eg. using phone for naviagation) I think you are better off with local SIMs.

If only the occasional call telephone call the roaming SIMS can be more convenient versus having to continually call SIMs.
The downside is that for people you give the number out to it is a foreign (and therefore expensive) call.

 

[scaredeycat]

I am in Denmark at the moment and in the next 3 weeks will visit 4 other European countries. I could have opted to get a different SIM card for each of them, but after stuffing around for what seemed hours at different carriers on our last European trip I decided to go with KeepGo this time. I'm just using it in my iPad, but it has been extremely useful when out and about. Cost ~ $225 and provides 100Mb data per day. Has worked seamlessly - so far.

 

[Rebekkap]

I've used Woolworths Global Roaming SIM the last time I went to Europe. They have seriously good call rates and data bundles. Could not find anything better.

It looked ok for Europe (although I've got better deals by buying on the ground in Europe) but for the US it's a serious rip off - $68 for 100MB data - wtf!!!

 

[Rebekkap]

Vodafone do some good EU type roaming stuff but you're a) restricted to Voda, and b) it's around 25mb a day. Still, if it's just the odd email or map, it's a good deal.

If you're spending an extended time in the UK, try Giff Gaff. Runs on O2. £10/month for 250 minutes, free giffgaff-to-giffgaff, and 1GB. £12 gives you the same but unlimited data. No tethering on either though. They also do Nano SIM's and will happily mail to hotels so you can plan in advance (which is how I got my SIM; sent to hotel, was given to me upon check-in).

Of course you can get roaming SIM's too, which will set you back around 35c/mb or so which is still not a bad rate for casual use. It really depends on what you're after.

thanks for the recommendation of giffgaff drewbles - I'm probably going to head there later this year, and that's seriously good value.