Cell phone rental in Spain and France
Apr 24th, 2010, 02:19 PM
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Cell phone rental in Spain and France
I had planned to rent a cell phone through Avis for my upcoming trip to Spain and France, but I cancelled when I wasn't sure if I would make it because of the volcano. Has anyone rented a cellphone while in Spain or France? We will be there for 3 weeks, leaving Tuesday, April 27th.
Apr 24th, 2010, 02:25 PM
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You can rent one for Spain from On Spanish Time. I'm not familiar with any rental service in France. You can buy an unlocked quad band phone and pick a SIM card when you arrive. Vodafone, MoviStar and Orange are three of the larger services.
Apr 24th, 2010, 03:13 PM
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Thanks, Robert. We will be arriving in Madrid. Do you have any idea how much an unlocked quad band phone and a SIM card might cost? I like the idea of buying the phone, because we do travel about twice a year to Europe.
Apr 24th, 2010, 06:00 PM
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In the 21st century, you don't rent cell (or mobile) phones for use in Europe...you buy cheap ones either in Europe or while at home on ebay...just make sure the phone is unlocked and has the European bands (900 and 1800 mhz); most sold today will have these frequencies (as well as the other two gsm frequencies for use in North America among other places)....then it's just a case of deciding how you want to handle service...do you want separate Spanish and French sim cards, do you want a sim card that will work both places? The choices are endless and not all that expensive compared to what you pay if you use 20th century means such as renting a cell phone from Avis.
Apr 24th, 2010, 07:07 PM
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Check http://CallinEurope.com I have used them for 3 years and trips to Greece and France. I have the phone before I leave and calls are billed to my credit card so I never run out of time in the midst of a call.
Apr 30th, 2010, 12:52 PM
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Renting a mobile these days is pretty much a bad idea. You can get an unlocked quadband on ebay, newegg, amazon, etc for about $40. Get to your destination and buy a sim card, drop it in the phone and start talking.
Apr 30th, 2010, 03:30 PM
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If you are purchasing a SIM card nowadays, almost anywhere, be sure to take your passport. Due to security concerns there is some paperwork associated with purchasing a SIM card. Not an issue. Just something to know.
May 24th, 2010, 09:37 PM
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I use www.callineurope.com Happy Travels!
May 25th, 2010, 04:48 AM
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You can BUY a cellphone for 20E or so with 15E calling time on its included SIM card at all cell phone stores when you arrive in Spain. no charge for incoming calls in the country of purchase. It will be called a "pack" in Spanish.
Then either call the cellphone company before you go to France to ask them to allow roaming, OR buy a new sim card in France for the phone, assuring this can be done when you buy it.
This is what all my visiting friends have done.
Then either call the cellphone company before you go to France to ask them to allow roaming, OR buy a new sim card in France for the phone, assuring this can be done when you buy it.
This is what all my visiting friends have done.
