Roaming cost (data allowance) - best offer

[Eber123]

Hello,

Finally the holiday and the ferry crossings are booked.

We will leave Ireland from Rosslare on the 15/05/2023 and come back on the 27/06/2023. 45x days to travel through Scandinavia, the Baltic states and then back to Cherbourg through Poland, Germany, Benelux and France.

For research, communication and also a bit of entertainment I expect that we would need a roaming data allowance of about +/- 80 GB.

What I was hoping for is to buy an Irish Pay-as-you-go SIM card with a data allowance of 80 - 100 GB which we can use in the various countries in Europe.

I started to look into it and visited today the usual providers Vodafone, Eir, Three, Tescomobile. Of course there is nothing they can offer. As suggested from the sales people to buy a SIM card within the country we travel in, is not feasible, because we will stay only a few days in a country.

I was wondering if somebody is aware of a provider who can offer for travelers within Europe a SIM card that will provide that kind of data allowance to be used in Europe.

Regards,
Eberhard

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Just search Amazon, you can buy for most periods / GB, just select the one that suits you.

 

[Eber123]

Amazon? Well, I never thought about them for SIM cards. I will have a look now.

 

[Wildcamper]

I thought that all roaming within the EU was allowed so a French SIM should work with no roaming charges in all EU member states. Am I wrong?

 

[studioTUNGSTEN]

No roaming charges in the EU. But do check as there are data roaming limits on some cheap sim plans.

 

[Eber123]

Roaming within the EU is not that straight forward, well, at least not the way I understood it.

Let me focus on the data allowance.

With my TescoMobile SIM card I have a data allowance in Ireland of 100 GB a month.
If I am abroad I can only use 18,7 GB as part of my allowance.
If I use more than the 18 GB I have to pay. As far as I know about 0.22 with a maximum of EUR 123.00

In other words, the included data allowance in the bundle is restricted in other EU countries to a specific limit which seems something between 10GB and 19GB, depending on the supplier. Using more data than that will be charged to a maximum of EUR 89 or EUR 123 also depending on the supplier.
According to EU law the Irish mobile phone provide cannot charge more than a specific amount (I need to look it up how much this is).

I can't complain about my bundle which I can use in Ireland. For a short holiday in another EU country is no problem either, but for a longer stay this is not feasible.

There will be so much to think about during our journey that I don't want to think too much about the cost of the data usage. Because of this I thought it would be nice to get a pre-paid SIM card that allows us to use 80GB or so in Europe with 3 months or so.

I hope all this makes sense.

Eberhard

 

[Eber123]

So far I have found from Vodafone Ireland following offer:

• Pay as you go
• Vodafone X
• 20 Euro every
• 30 GB data allowance in Europe

It looks like all countries we plan to travel through are covered, except Finland. It says on the web page "Finland (Aland Islands only"??

I tried to contact them, but it seems there is nobody there this evening.

 

[andyinluton]

With my TescoMobile SIM card I have a data allowance in Ireland of 100 GB a month.
If I am abroad I can only use 18,7 GB as part of my allowance.
If I use more than the 18 GB I have to pay. As far as I know about 0.22 with a maximum of EUR 123.00

that allows us to use 80GB or so in Europe with 3 months or so.

I hope all this makes sense.

Eberhard

Are you sure you need any more data than you've got?
Your current card gives you 18GB per month, depending on timing - ie does your holiday month align with the phone billing month, you have at least 54GB probably 72GB included in your plan. If you end up paying for an extra 8GB that shouldn't be much & far less hassle than playing around with different SIM cards.

Is there only one phone going on the trip? If there are 2 take it in turns when streaming stuff.

 

[B J G]

I always turn off Data on my phone except when I actually want to go online. that keeps my useage to a minimum.

No idea if you could get this without a UK residence but may be worth checking as it says covers other Countries.

UKs cheapest PAYG mobile tariff

1pMobile offers great value with 1p a minute, 1p a text and 1p a MB. Excellent coverage, free SIM and you can keep your existing number.

www.1pmobile.com

 

[Eber123]

Last year during our summer holiday (3.5x weeks) we used about 35 - 40 GB of data. So my estimate for this years road trip will be about 80 - 90 GB.

We use it for research, upload data, communication with colleagues (Skype), customers and of course family. Obviously for this we use the router.

For navigation we use Google maps (I haven't found anything else that could replace it, even though I am aware that Google maps has its problems too). Yes, we could download maps, but it is nice to get updated, fresh information. For navigation we use either my mobile phone or I will connect the radio to the router.

For entertainment we use the other phone, which should give us 13 or 14 GB of roaming data (my wife has a different provider). That should be enough.

Yes we could "chop and change" to ensure that we use the existing equipment to its limits, but that means to check on a regular bases the phones and the router. If we have to, of course we will, but I thought there would be a way to avoid this.

With so many campers in Ireland I expected that more people will travel over to the continent and at least one mobile provider would offer a dedicated roaming option for this group of customers.

Regards,
Eberhard

 

[Ch1pbutty]

For navigation we use Google maps (I haven't found anything else that could replace it, even though I am aware that Google maps has its problems too).

Try Waze

 

[Eber123]

I tried several apps including Waze. But I still believe Google Maps is better.

I was looking for a navigation app that will include the size of the camper in their route calculation and is also Android Auto compatible and has a website for route planning.

Before Christmas was a special offer from OsmAnd (EUR 5.00 for 1 year), but I don't like it.

Sygic Truck & Caravan looks ok. They say that this app will be Android Auto compatible at some stage in the summer. I it is available I will look into it again.

Regards,
Eberhard

 

[Ch1pbutty]

I tried several apps including Waze. But I still believe Google Maps is better.

I was looking for a navigation app that will include the size of the camper in their route calculation and is also Android Auto compatible and has a website for route planning.

Before Christmas was a special offer from OsmAnd (EUR 5.00 for 1 year), but I don't like it.

Sygic Truck & Caravan looks ok. They say that this app will be Android Auto compatible at some stage in the summer. I it is available I will look into it again.

Regards,
Eberhard

Our Tesla uses Google maps, its good but won't flag potholes, broken down vehicles causing obstruction, speed cameras etc.

Also, found Waze tends to pick what I call the 'locals route' & seems quicker at re-reacting to traffic delays / rerouting.

 

[Ting Tong]

IDmobile do a £20 unlimited sim, currently with no data cap or onerous fair usage policy. Popit mobile do 100gb one for £25. I’m not sure if they are available to roi residents though. Otherwise try Tiekom €29

International

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tiekom.com

 

[Azteccamper]

Might be worth a look @Eber123

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mobiles/cheap-roaming-calls/#europe

 

[Dottie]

I’m off soon (82days in Europe) and once again data use in Europe is on my mind. Hoping you can easily tell me how you manage.
I’m thinking I’ll use my phone for the latter 63 days but will also use the Three PAYG SIM in my mifi.
I’m thinking I can then
- link my phone to my mifi for WhatsApp calls.
- activate and load the card in UK before I go with lots of data which I can use for 82 days

I’m just looking for a connection to UK during my trip. Wondering if an alternative option might be to buy another phone and put a new SIM in it…as you’ve suggested : ID mobile, Popit, 1pmobile, etc.

 

[B J G]

O2 might have a Sim option worth checking.

Our best sim only deals - Compare sim only deals & contracts | O2

Choose a Sim only contract, either 12 months or 30 days. Pick a tariff with the right amount of calls, texts and data to suit you. Prices start from £10.

www.o2.co.uk

 

[Dottie]

O2 might have a Sim option worth checking.

Our best sim only deals - Compare sim only deals & contracts | O2

Choose a Sim only contract, either 12 months or 30 days. Pick a tariff with the right amount of calls, texts and data to suit you. Prices start from £10.

www.o2.co.uk

I have an O2 sim but they cut me off after 63 days last year.

 

[Eber123]

Hello,

I also still need to look into this.

On the 15th of May we travel to Scandinavia and Baltic states. We will be on the road for 6x weeks.

My aim is to get at least 30 GB (better more) data allowance per month for work, communication and a wee bit of entertainment.

During our journey we won't use a lot of campsites, hence we can't use the local Wifi offer.

I hope to achieve this with using our 16 GB from our Tescomobile SIM and a Vodafone SIM which should come with 30 GB allowance. But I expect we need to re-purchase once the Tescomobile and Vodafone arrangement one more time during out journey.

Regards,
Eberhard

 

[Wildcamper]

Hello,

I also still need to look into this.

On the 15th of May we travel to Scandinavia and Baltic states. We will be on the road for 6x weeks.

My aim is to get at least 30 GB (better more) data allowance per month for work, communication and a wee bit of entertainment.

During our journey we won't use a lot of campsites, hence we can't use the local Wifi offer.

I hope to achieve this with using our 16 GB from our Tescomobile SIM and a Vodafone SIM which should come with 30 GB allowance. But I expect we need to re-purchase once the Tescomobile and Vodafone arrangement one more time during out journey.

Regards,
Eberhard

We went with ID Mobile. A 30 day rolling contract for 20GB of data, unlimited texts and calls £7/ month. Higher data deals, at higher cost, are available. Inclusive of EU Roaming under a fair usage policy. The changeover was very straight forward.

 

[Milly Molly]

Popit mobile looks a really good option - you can Roam Like at Home in 41 different European countries - 100GB for £25 and 30GB for £18, so you would be able to do the first 30 days for £25 and 30GB for the remainder might be enough. Just not sure if it is available in ROI.

Plans - Popit

Plans Check out our packages all come with 5G at no extra cost! 10GB £ 13 per month Unlimited Calls & Texts 10GB Unlimited Calls & Texts VoLTE Wifi Calling 30 Day Auto Renewal Bring your own number 2.5GB EU Roaming Purchase Featured 30GB £ 18 per month Unlimited Calls & Texts 30GB Unlimited Calls

www.popitmobile.co.uk

 

[The Tall Luthier]

Just a reminder to everyone not to use your mobile data on a ferry at any point, port or otherwise!

You end up paying maritime rates £6 per Mb through your own provider.

 

[Dottie]

Looks like it’s a minefield.
I think I’ll use my O2 sim for the first 63 days til they cut me off, then I’ll take a preloaded Three SIM in the hope it works for the rest of my trip.

take care that it’s the days, not the gbs used that causes the cutoff

 

[Wildcamper]

Popit mobile looks a really good option - you can Roam Like at Home in 41 different European countries - 100GB for £25 and 30GB for £18, so you would be able to do the first 30 days for £25 and 30GB for the remainder might be enough. Just not sure if it is available in ROI.

Plans - Popit

Plans Check out our packages all come with 5G at no extra cost! 10GB £ 13 per month Unlimited Calls & Texts 10GB Unlimited Calls & Texts VoLTE Wifi Calling 30 Day Auto Renewal Bring your own number 2.5GB EU Roaming Purchase Featured 30GB £ 18 per month Unlimited Calls & Texts 30GB Unlimited Calls

www.popitmobile.co.uk

Popit at 10 GB for £13 v ID with 20gb for £7. Both unlimited calles and texts. ID have free EU roaming not sure about Popit.

 

[Alied]

Looks like it’s a minefield.
I think I’ll use my O2 sim for the first 63 days til they cut me off, then I’ll take a preloaded Three SIM in the hope it works for the rest of my trip.

take care that it’s the days, not the gbs used that causes the cutoff

According to the Three website you will need to activate the sim before you go away https://support.three.co.uk/SRVS/CG...omatically enabled,t activate it while abroad.

I don’t know if a preloaded sim card like this can be activated abroad https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M3VJ2B2/?tag=eliteelect-21

@WelshGas have you had any trouble activating the Three 24gb data sim whilst on your travels?