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Finally cracked the code on getting a solid SIM card in a new country
I landed in Lisbon last month and my usual plan of just grabbing a tourist SIM at the airport totally failed, the line was insane. I spent my first two days basically offline, which is a nightmare when you need maps and to check into your Airbnb. I was venting to another nomad at a cafe and he told me to just walk into a local grocery store, like a Pingo Doce, and buy a pre-paid card from the little phone kiosk inside. I tried it, spent 15 euros for a month of data, and the guy at the counter set it all up for me in five minutes. It was SO much cheaper and faster than the airport scam. I've done this in two other cities since and it works every time. Why don't more people know about this trick instead of wasting half a day at the arrival hall?
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wade87111d ago
Come on, that's a huge gamble. I mean, what if the grocery store kiosk guy doesn't speak English? Or their system is down? At the airport, those workers deal with tourists all day, they know the drill. I got a SIM in Madrid right after baggage claim, it took twenty minutes and I had data before I even got in the taxi. Relying on finding some random store while you're lost and jet-lagged sounds like a good way to waste your whole afternoon.
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matthewdixon11d ago
Ever think those airport kiosks pay the airport a ton in rent, and that's why they push them so hard?
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david_jones3811d ago
Sounds a bit dramatic. I've bought airport SIMs before and it was fine, maybe a short wait. Being offline for a couple days isn't the end of the world.
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