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How to Get WiFi in France: A Guide for Tourists
10 May 2024
pocket wifi
Joseph Philipson
Whether traveling through cities like Paris, Nice, Lyon, and Marseille or enjoying the delights of rural France, you should always have a fast and stable internet connection.
While vacations are an excellent time to disconnect, you’ll typically need an internet connection for maps, directions, booking hotels and restaurants, or in an emergency.
It’s also helpful to be connected so you can contact people back home with calls over data connections using apps like WhatsApp, Skype, Viber, Facebook Messenger, Google Meet, Telegram, and FaceTime.
So, how can you get WiFi or a data connection while traveling through France?
The Best Ways of Getting WiFi in France
France is a modern and developed country with high-speed internet connections available to locals and tourists.
France’s 5G speed is typically faster than any other G7 country, including the US and Japan. Tourists can also access these high-speed connections.
There are several ways for users to connect to the internet while traveling in France, so let’s see the best ways to connect.
For most tourists, renting a pocket WiFi is the best option regarding price and connectivity. However, it’s always worthwhile doing some research.
Remember that every option has pros and cons, so research your options before choosing the right one for you, your friends, or your family.
Pocket WiFi
Pocket WiFi allows tourists to connect to a mobile network and use the internet across several devices.
It works by connecting an extra device directly to the domestic mobile network. This creates a WiFi hotspot that allows several devices to connect simultaneously.
Pros
Pocket WiFi is handy for groups of travelers as even basic pocket WiFi devices allow connections for up to 5 devices.
More advanced pocket WiFi solutions typically offer up to 10 connected devices, with premium solutions allowing hundreds of connections.
Smartphones, tablets, and laptops can all connect to pocket WiFi devices like any other WiFi connection or router.
It’s very similar to tethering devices to the data connection on your phone but with a dedicated device. You won’t drain your battery as quickly, and you can enjoy faster and more stable internet connections.
Cons
The primary downside to pocket WiFi is taking an extra device with you. While the devices are usually tiny, often smaller than your typical smartphone, they are one additional thing to carry.
Cost
The cost of pocket WiFi can vary wildly based on who you choose.
HippocketWiFi, based in France and one of the most recommended solutions, charges as little as €3.90 per day for more extended rental periods. A 10-day trip with a 4G connection costs €5.90 a day. You can rent your pocket WiFi in France here with Hippocketwifi.
MyWebspot, another popular provider for tourists in France, charges €95 for 10 days or €9.50 per day.
CelloMobile, which provides pocket WiFi worldwide, charges much more. Without any extras, a 10-day plan from CelloMobile would cost $499.90 (around €464!) or over €40 per day!
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SIM Cards
The SIM card is a tiny card with a chip that goes into your phone. It allows your phone to access and use mobile networks for calls, messages, and data connections. It also gives you your phone number.
You can buy SIM cards that allow you to use a domestic mobile and data network when traveling in France, making your phone work much like it would back home.
Pros
The main advantage of getting a travel SIM card is that you can continue to use your everyday phone to access the internet.
You won’t need an additional device, and you can always tether your other devices, like tablets, laptops, and other smartphones, to the phone with a French SIM card.
Cons
You must remove your other SIM card if your phone doesn’t have multiple SIM card slots. This means you won’t be reachable for calls on your usual phone number. However, web-based apps and calls will continue to work.
If you need WiFi across Europe, remember that a prepaid SIM might only function in certain countries.
Cost
French SIM cards for tourists typically cost between €10 and €50 for two weeks. Popular options include domestic network providers like Orange (€40 for two weeks), SFR (between €10 and €25), and Free Mobile (€20 for a month!).
You can buy a prepaid SIM card in France from places like:
- Supermarkets
- Convenience stores
- Vending machines
- Cybercafés
- Online
eSIM
While SIM cards are physical cards, an eSIM is integrated into more modern smartphones and mobile devices.
An eSIM will allow users to “change” their SIM card by configuring it rather than physically inserting or removing it.
For compatible devices, users can pay for an eSIM for France.
Pros
The advantages of using an eSIM solution to travel to France are much the same as those of a SIM solution: You don’t have to wait for the delivery of a SIM or physically go somewhere to buy it.
On supported devices, it’s even easier than getting a travel SIM.
Cons
Not every smartphone or device has an eSIM. Check your device specifications before buying an eSIM for France.
An eSIM isn’t very convenient for connecting other devices like a laptop, computer, or tablet, since you’ll need to tether the connection from your phone, which is slower and will drain your phone’s battery.
SIM and eSIM solutions are fine in major cities like Paris, Marseille, Nice, etc., but in more remote areas like the Alps or the Provençal countryside, pocket WiFi provides a more stable and faster connection.
Cost
Popular providers such as GigSky, Global Yo, Ezsim, and HolaFly offer various eSIM solutions for France.
You’ll pay between €4.20 for a week (with Airalo) and €40 for a month (with French mobile carrier Bouygues Telecom).
Data Roaming International Plan
Data roaming is a service provided by your domestic mobile carrier that allows you to access calls, messaging, and data while in another country.
The service depends fully on your domestic carrier, and you can usually contract various packages and options before traveling.
While traveling, you’ll use a domestic mobile network in France. Most mobile carriers have international agreements with domestic networks that allow users to continue using their phones abroad.
Pros
The advantage of data roaming is that it’s the easiest solution. While it’s advised that you contract the best deal before traveling, even if you don’t, your carrier will send you a message telling you some of your options when you land.
Cons
Data roaming solutions are typically costly, and unplanned roaming tends to incur costly penalties for users.
Cost
We could only tell you the cost if we knew your mobile network. Look carefully at the options, as there are many horror stories of travelers going to France without contracting data roaming and coming back with phone bills costing thousands!
Use Free WiFi
In a developed and well-connected country like France, there are often options to use free WiFi provided in public spaces and local businesses.
You must activate your device’s WiFi connection and connect to open and free networks.
Pros
The advantage of free WiFi is in the name; it’s free! Other than the cost, however, there are more viable solutions for people in France who need to use the internet for more than a few minutes during lunch.
Cons
The downsides (and risks) of using free WiFi are more worrying. Firstly, a free or open WiFi network can’t guarantee decent connection speeds or reliable connectivity, especially in public spaces with lots of users.
Certain “free” WiFi networks are also scams that trick tourists into connecting to unsecured networks where their data can be stolen. These are typical at tourist hotspots like Disneyland Paris, the Louvre Museum, Versailles, the Eiffel Tower, etc.
When using any free WiFi network, ensure you know who owns it and that it is secured.
Cost
As the name indicates, free WiFi connections don’t cost anything. However, some may only offer a connection in return for signing up for a mailing list or something similar.
How to Choose the Best WiFi Option for Your France Trip
The best way to choose a data connection for a trip to France is to consider what you’ll need and what you’ll need it for.
Rental Duration
The longer you rent or contract data roaming services, the less you’ll typically pay per day. While some solutions may be advertised as relatively cheap per day, remember that the lowest prices are only usually available when renting for several weeks or months.
Connectivity
Suppose you need access to maps and don’t understand French more than “où est la bibliothèque” (though the Bibliothèque nationale de France may be of interest to some). In that case, you’ll need a consistent and stable internet connection.
Data roaming, SIM cards, and pocket WiFi all offer better connections and solutions than relying on free WiFi hotspots and networks.
Data Limit
Most solutions have different costs depending on your desired data limit and whether you’d prefer unlimited data.
In most cases, users won’t need unlimited data. Still, they’re helpful for those likely to exceed the offered data limits.
Usage
Typical users will need no more than a 4G connection, which is useful because France has widespread 4G LTE.
However, business users and those looking to stream video (perhaps on longer TGV journeys) or send large files prefer a 5G connection, with France’s 5G being one of the fastest.
