Which international SIM card is best for the Internet while traveling?

Most domestic operators offer quite expensive services if the client is roaming. Therefore, when traveling abroad, many citizens aim to purchase special SIM cards that are designed for use in other countries. This is the only way a tourist can save money for using telephone communications and mobile Internet.

If a person goes to other countries with a SIM card of any domestic operator, then he can change the tariff that will be used in the future. But even such special service packages are much more expensive than a tourist SIM card. And if a person nevertheless decides to go to European countries with a home operator, but at the same time he did not bother to change the tariff, then he will face huge bills.

Features of tourist SIM cards

There are many operators that provide more profitable services for people traveling outside the Russian Federation. You can purchase a tourist SIM card both in Russia and abroad, in the country where a person is going for vacation or business meetings.

A tourist SIM card from any operator has the following advantages:

1. Low tariff plan for calls within the country or to Russia.
2. Relatively cheap internet.
3. No subscription fee.
4. Possibility of making free calls.

But besides the advantages, tourist cards have disadvantages:

1. For a subscriber who makes a call from Russia to this SIM card, the conversation will be expensive, since the dialed number will be detected as foreign.
2. Change of number.
3. Prices for services directly depend on the ruble exchange rate.
4. Dialing will be carried out with some changes.

Tourist SIM cards will always be more profitable than any offers from Russian communication network operators.

Main communication options abroad

Let's start the conversation by describing what options are generally open to a tourist planning a vacation abroad:

Roaming

Each operator has its own conditions, which you can find out in the communication shop or on the official website. For example, I’ll take my operator - Megafon.

They have special conditions and tariffs for each country. For example, let's take Germany, where I was a few months ago:

1. Calls in 1 minute (incoming and outgoing to Germany and Russia - 89 rubles, outgoing to other countries - 129 rubles)
2. Messages (incoming - free, outgoing - 25 rubles)
3. Internet (70 MB per day for 350 rubles)

For me it's very expensive! A fortune can be wasted on communications if you use roaming. But, if you still choose this option, roaming will need to be activated in advance, before leaving abroad.

Local SIM card

You can only buy a local SIM card in the country where you plan to vacation. To do this, just go to the first communication store you come across and choose the best offer for you. The main disadvantage here is the limitation of action to one country. And some operators abroad offer cheap communications only if you purchase equipment.

International travel SIM card

Buy at home, a few days before the trip. Valid worldwide.

If you choose between these three points, then I would consider only the first and second options, because there are too many unknowns with the local SIM card. To choose between them, I recommend using the following table.

The most popular travel SIM cards

Let's look at SIM cards that are more profitable and popular.

GlobalSim

The main reason for issuing tourist cards is the absence of a subscription fee, which is charged daily. SIM cards from GlobalSim do not have this disadvantage either:

• A distinctive feature is the cheapest starter package - 1 MB for 1 European cent.
• The operator's home network is Estonia. It is best to use the company’s services when visiting any European country, since the operator covers the entire territory of the Old World. This allows you to maintain a constant connection quality regardless of the customer's location, but in some places there are still points where 4G may not be available.
• High Internet speeds have prompted the company to offer service packages. The maximum size of purchased traffic is 5 GB.

GlobalSim is often chosen by people traveling to Europe for an extended period of time. It is best if a person purchases 2 cards from the operator: one he takes with him on a trip, and the other he leaves in Russia for relatives. This way you can get the maximum benefit when using a SIM card. The cost of a call to landlines in the Russian Federation will be 0.05 euros, and to mobile phones – 0.29 euros.

When using GlobalSim, you need to be prepared for the fact that the client will encounter poor quality of his personal account, which is difficult to use for its intended purpose, as well as problems when connecting tariff options due to the complexity of USSD commands.

SimTravel

SimTravel is an operator that offers its services in more than 200 countries around the world. Each subscriber who is connected to this network has the opportunity to receive incoming calls from anywhere in the world completely free of charge.

For an additional fee, users will be able to connect some additional options that will save on overall traffic consumption and the total cost of using SimTravel:

1. Unlimited instant messengers and social networks, including YouTube. This means that all traffic that passes through these applications does not need to be paid for. All that is required from the client is to pay a subscription fee of 12 euros, which will be valid for one year.
2. Mobile traffic packages with favorable conditions for any wallet.
3. “Call Forwarding” service, which will allow you to redirect a call to another number.
4. In Europe there are additional tariffs that cannot be connected in the rest of the world.

Additionally, there is no need to pay a monthly subscription fee. Making calls will cost 0.05 euros, and one MB of traffic will cost 0.02 euros.

GoodLine

A mobile operator that operates not only in European countries, you can also use the company’s services in other parts of the world. The list of available tariffs will differ depending on the continent where the company’s client is located.

The terms and conditions of the card are as follows:

1. The fee for one minute of conversation is 3.05 rubles.
2. But for Internet access you will have to pay 60 euro cents for each megabyte.
3. The operator provides extensive additional opportunities, which include services for linking a Russian number or providing free calls through instant messengers.

If a client frequently uses the Internet, then he should pay attention to traffic packages. Since the operator successfully operates all over the world, Internet access will be available in most points, but due to the extensive coverage area, the 4G network is not always available.

The operator cooperates with many hotels, so using a SIM card you can get a quick reservation for renting rooms.

Thanks to the low cost of calls and the ability to connect unique services, the GoodLine operator is highly popular among tourists around the world.

Dreamsim

DrimSim is an operator that provides its services in more than 225 countries around the world. This explains the large number of customers who use mobile communications and the Internet on favorable terms:

• The operator allows you to save your home number by applying for a new SIM card.
• The cost of a call within the country does not differ from the price set by local operators.
• Incoming calls do not require payment, even if the other subscriber is abroad.
• The cost per minute is from 0.07 to 0.4 euros, depending on the country of residence. The price for Internet traffic around the world is fixed – 0.01 euros per 1 MB.

The client must install an application from the operator on his smartphone, which allows him to control his balance and expenses, presented in a convenient list. Despite the fact that in most cases applications are poorly programmed and inconvenient to use, the software from DrimSim is an exception to this rule. The application immediately shows basic information that can be useful to a tourist. Here you can enable automatic replenishment of the balance from a linked card.

But this leads to a minus - setting up communications and selecting the services provided are only possible from the application. You can top up your balance with a minimum of 25 euros. If the SIM card is not used for one year, then a subscription fee of 50 euro cents will be debited from the balance for each subsequent month of inactivity.

DrimSim's policy is that the client does not purchase service packages, but uses mobile communications and the Internet upon payment. This allows you to get rid of the possibility of losing unused minutes, traffic and SMS when leaving the country.

Orange for Europe

To travel around Europe with a SIM card from Orange at minimal cost, you will need to connect to the Mundo tariff.

Conditions:

• This is the only way to get inexpensive mobile Internet in the form of a package for one month.
• The SIM card was specially designed for people for whom it is important to always be able to access the Internet.
• The cost of 100 MB is only 50 European cents, which allows you to use social networks and search services quite economically.
• When using an Orange card, a person will be able to distribute the Internet via Wi-Fi to other devices.

The main disadvantage is the inability to make calls outside the country, although you can receive calls from people abroad:

• The cost of a call to mobile phones will be 29 European cents
• The cost of a call to landlines is 0.069 euros.
• If you cannot make calls to other countries, then you can send SMS to Russian numbers. The cost of one SMS will be 1.21 euros.

It is best to use an Orange SIM card if your holiday destination is Spain. This is where the operator is based, so in Spain you can get an additional gift - an Internet traffic package from 1 to 2 GB.

You can purchase an Orange card upon arrival in a foreign city. But you need to be prepared to face the main difficulty - the personal account menu is only available in Spanish. But the client receives high-quality Internet on his phone, which can be distributed via Wi-Fi.

Vodafone

Vodafone is an Italian mobile operator that focuses on providing affordable but high-quality internet throughout Europe. You can use the operator’s services not only in the Old World, but also in the USA and Turkey.

Internet Passport tariff

The Internet Passport tariff plan was specially developed for this purpose:

• Internet is provided not in MB, but in GB. 1 GB of traffic per day will cost a tourist 6 euros.
• If the daily limit has been exhausted, the client will still be able to use the Internet, but only 2G networks.

To activate a SIM card from Vodafone, just insert it into the phone and start the device. The system will immediately recognize a new client and connect it to the general network. The advantage of the Internet is the ability to distribute a connection via Wi-Fi.

The downside is that you need to purchase a SIM card for a hefty sum of 50 euros. But part of this amount, equal to 15 euros, will be credited to the user’s balance.

Smart Passport tariff

If the client not only uses the Internet, but also actively makes calls and sends SMS, then he should pay attention to the Smart Passport tariff.

The difference between this tariff plan is the ability to use operator services for only 3 euros per day. At the same time, he is provided with a daily package of: 200 MB, 60 free minutes and 60 SMS. Due to the limited Internet traffic provided, it is not worth using your phone as a Wi-Fi point.

The SIM card will be disabled and the service agreement will be canceled if the balance has not been replenished within 11 months.

Ortel

The German operator Ortel provides customers with the opportunity to use the services of its networks in Europe. The client can purchase a card with an asset of 20 euros or receive a SIM card for free. In this case, no tariff will be connected, and to use the operator’s services you will need to go through the activation procedure.

You can go through the SIM card activation procedure in Russian.

To become an Ortel customer, you will need to download the application from the online store from Apple or Google. Next, the camera is turned on to talk with a Russian-speaking representative of the company. He will help you carry out the activation procedure. If a resident of Germany must indicate his place of permanent residence, then the tourist is allowed to name the hotel or inn where he will stay. After activating the SIM card, you will need to top up your balance and activate the service package you are interested in.

The customer can activate one of two main tariffs, which are not subject to restrictions, if leaving Germany for EU countries:

• The first one is called INTERTEN FLAT. This tariff is primarily intended for those who are going to actively use the Internet. Only with this tariff you can distribute the Internet via Wi-Fi and use voice communication over the network. The maximum size package includes 14 GB of traffic for 25 euros.
• The second tariff is SMART WORLD S. The client is provided with 12 GB of traffic for 15 euros. You cannot use voice chats on the Internet or create a Wi-Fi hotspot from your smartphone.

If the client has chosen a tariff, then it will be possible to change it only after 4 weeks from the moment of activation.

The validity period of the card will depend on the amount of the last top-up. When you deposit 10 euros, the SIM card will be valid for the next 6 months, and when you deposit 20 euros – 12 months until the next top-up.

Orange Mundo

These are international SIM cards from a Spanish operator for travel. Can be used in 41 European countries, most of which have a 4G connection. However, SIM cards do not function in Switzerland, the Principality of Monaco and the Turkish part (north) of Cyprus.

If you just want to buy a SIM card, it will cost 1,100 rubles in Russia. But if you immediately connect the Internet package and add €10 (710 rubles) to your balance, the cost of the product will rise to 2160 rubles.

Clients are offered 3 Mundo packages:

• €10 for 5 GB
• €15 for 8.5 GB
• €20 for 11 GB

Each package is valid for 4 weeks and they are all reconnectable. By purchasing a SIM card, you can distribute the Internet to devices without restrictions.

Incoming calls are free in Spain itself, EU countries and from Russian numbers. Outgoing calls in Spain are 7/29 cents per minute to landline/mobile phones, in Europe – 8 cents. Messages to Russian numbers will cost 73 cents.

If a SIM card is required for multiple use, you must register on the operator’s website. If there is no regular replenishment, the SIM card is automatically deactivated.

Advantages:

• Automatic activation
• Free inbox
• Distribution without restrictions

Flaws:

• Small coverage, but just right for Europe
• Everything is in Spanish, there is no translator
• You need to top up your account once a year
• It's hard to get through to tech support

What tariff to choose on a tourist SIM card

The choice of tariff should be based on the client’s personal preferences and requirements. You should carefully study all offers from operators that give you the opportunity to choose from at least 2 tariff plans. You also need to pay attention to the price; this is what you need to build on when determining the most optimal option.

You should focus on:

• average traffic consumption in everyday life;
• number of calls and SMS sent;
• duration of stay abroad.

Of the options presented, the most profitable for using the Internet is a SIM card from Orange - 3 GB for 7 euros. When a client uses a tariff plan from an operator for more than two months outside of Spain, a favorable tariff is automatically activated, which allows you to pay for Internet access not in a package, but by megabytes - 0.0053 euros per MB. But in some countries, tariff plans from Orange may be irrational, then you can find a competitor who will provide no less attractive conditions.

Traveling within Europe has ceased to be a big problem when choosing an operator since roaming was abolished in the EU. Now the entire territory is served without additional expenses and coefficients that increase the amount of payments.

Domestic operators and international roaming

Russian operators have always provided unfavorable conditions for using SIM cards outside the country. The average cost of one minute of conversation is 60 rubles, which is equal to 85 euro cents, and when using travel operators, the call duration can be 12 minutes or more for a similar cost. The situation is repeated with messages and Internet traffic. The quality of communication abroad does not decrease for MTS, Beeline and Megafon, but the fees for using the services of these operators are too high.

The cost of a 200 MB Internet traffic package can reach 600 rubles per day, and the cost of calls can reach 130 rubles per minute. And such conditions are provided to those who have not activated special rates. Services for European roaming are provided only in packages with a daily subscription fee, which can be avoided when using travel operators.

An additional negative factor is the tariff delay. This means that the correct invoice for using roaming services will only be provided several weeks after using the service. Because of this, the client of domestic operators will not be able to find out exactly how much money he has spent by this time. There are often situations when the final bill for the period of stay abroad exceeds several thousand rubles.

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