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How to Get WiFi in Lisbon for Your Holidays
23 July 2024
pocket wifi
Joseph Philipson
There’s so much to see and do in Lisbon. Whether you’re visiting the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Torre de Belem or Mosteiro dos Jerónimos or modern attractions like the aquarium or the MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology), you’ll want to stay connected.
Here, we’ll look at how to get WiFi in Lisbon, internet connection options for tourists, and which you should choose to get the most out of your trip to Portugal’s capital city and the surrounding areas, even though we already know that Hippocketwifi offers the best value for money for travelers.
The Best Ways of Getting WiFi in Lisbon
Generally, visitors to Lisbon and Portugal can get WiFi or an internet connection through pocket WiFi, prepaid travel SIM cards, travel eSIMs, international data roaming plans, or free WiFi networks around the city.
Pocket WiFi usually provides the best connection for the best price, but you should look at your other options before making your mind up. Every traveler’s needs are different, and therefore, so is the internet solution that’s best for them.
Pocket WiFi
Pocket WiFi uses a dedicated device known as a mobile router or MiFi to connect to a mobile data connection.
This device then broadcasts a WiFi network through which all your WiFi-enabled devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.) can connect to the internet.
This dedicated device is typically better suited to connecting areas with spotty coverage. It can connect multiple devices at once, offering a great solution for travelers with multiple devices or those visiting Lisbon in a group.
The most popular pocket WiFi providers for travelers to Lisbon include Hippocketwifi, Rentnconnect, and Portugal Internet.
While Portugal Internet is just for Portugal, the others also offer pocket WiFi for Europe.
Pros
Pocket WiFi offers a fast and stable connection to multiple users and devices.
There are many affordable pocket WiFi solutions. You can rent the device for as long as you need it and return it to the provider once you no longer need it.
Cons
A pocket WiFi is an extra device that you need to take with you, making it an essential consideration if you’re traveling light or already have a lot of things to remember. However, most devices are smaller than a smartphone.
Cost
The cost of pocket WiFi makes it one of the cheapest ways to access the internet in Lisbon.
Pocket WiFi rental in Portugal from Hippocketwifi is available from €4.90 a day. This includes free shipping and covers Libson, Porto, Faro, and pocket WiFi rental for all of Portugal, as well as 40 other European countries, making it the best value for money on the market.
Rentnconnect offers an unlimited 5G connection for €9.99 per day with €16 shipping.
Portugal Internet starts at €6 per day for the first 5 days, with the price sliding for subsequent days down to as little as €1 for days 31 onwards.
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SIM Cards
Your SIM card lets your phone make calls, send messages, and access the internet. It is associated with your phone number and network provider, so by buying a prepaid SIM for Portugal, you can enjoy coverage without paying the extortionate prices for data roaming offered by some domestic carriers around the world.
In Portugal and the Azores and Madeira Islands (if you plan on traveling further afield), there are three main network providers: MEO, Vodafone, and NOS. MEO offers the best coverage, followed by Vodafone and NOS.
Pros
A travel SIM card is convenient and easily bought in the network providers’ stores.
Cons
Unless your smartphone has two SIM card slots, removing your everyday SIM card will no longer allow you to be reached on your usual number for calls and messages.
Since this data connection is through your phone, it’ll be slower and less reliable than pocket WiFi, especially in an area with limited coverage.
Cost
The MEO SIM starter pack costs €9.99 and comes with 5GB plus 10GB for messaging apps. The top-ups cost between €3 (200MB) and €5 (5GB) with some minutes. Data-only packs are between €3.99 and €14.99 (between 250MB and 5GB).
Vodaphone’s prepaid SIM cards cost between €9.90 and €15, depending on the option you choose. Data packs are available for between €5.49 and €20.49 for 250MB and 5GB.
NOS’ starter pack costs €9.90. Depending on how many minutes and messages you want, there are various top-up packs or data-only packs available for between €5 and €30 (from 500MB to 9GB).
eSIM
An eSIM is a more modern replacement for SIM cards. With an eSIM, you can have virtual SIM cards without inserting and removing a physical card.
This means that travelers to Lisbon can buy an eSIM online without going to a store.
Popular eSIM providers for Portugal and Lisbon include Airalo, Orange, and Holafly.
Pros
An eSIM can easily be set up by following the providers’ instructions or scanning a QR code.
You can set up your eSIM before you arrive in Lisbon or Portugal.
Cons
Like any connection going through a smartphone’s antenna, an eSIM connection is likely slower and less stable than a pocket WiFi device.
With an eSIM connection, you’ll only have internet access on one device unless you tether the connection to other devices. This typically slows the connection and drains your smartphone’s battery more quickly.
Cost
You can use Airalo’s Fofo Mobil range in Lisbon and Portugal. These start at $4.50 for 1GB over 7 days and go up to $32 for 20GB over 30 days.
Orange offers the Holiday Portugal eSIM range. These range between €4.99 for 1GB over 7 days and €39.99 for 30GB over 14 days.
Holafly costs $6 per day for unlimited data in Portugal.
Data Roaming International Plan
Data roaming is simply contracting internet access in Portugal through your domestic mobile carrier.
This is achieved through partner networks in Portugal.
Pros
International data roaming plans are arguably the most convenient solution. You can contract roaming before you travel to Portugal, or you’ll be offered it via message when you land.
Cons
Data roaming is often incredibly expensive, especially if you contract it after arrival.
International data roaming uses partner networks, so you can expect slower and less reliable connections.
Cost
The biggest downside is usually the cost of data roaming. Just look for stories from users who used unplanned data roaming on a trip and the phone bill they received upon their return. It’ll make your eyes water!
Use Free WiFi
If you cannot get WiFi elsewhere in Lisbon, you can always use free WiFi networks and hotspots around the city.
Free WiFi networks are available in popular public areas like Rossio Square, Praça da Figueira, Largo do Carmo, and Praça do Comércio. The same is true of coffee shops, restaurants, and other businesses.
Pros
Without any other solution, free WiFi can be helpful for getting connected, sending a quick message, or quickly looking up directions.
Cons
Free WiFi connections won’t follow you wherever you go, so you’ll need to sit down somewhere to access them. They’re not particularly useful for directions as you’ll lose your connection when you leave the area covered by the WiFi network.
Public WiFi networks are also at risk of cyber attacks and scams. Some networks are unsecured; others are rogue or fake networks set up exclusively to scam tourists and unwilling users who don’t check which network they connect to.
Ensure that any device you connect to a public network uses antivirus software, a VPN, and other security measures.
Cost
As the name suggests, these networks are free. Some will limit how long you can use them, and others may only be for paying customers in the businesses offering them.
How to Choose the Best WiFi Option for Your Lisbon Trip
Most travelers prefer pocket WiFi due to its speed, reliability, ease of use, and cost. Still, there are a few things you should consider when deciding which solution will be the best for you to get WiFi in Lisbon.
Usage
Only some users will need a high-speed 5G connection. For most everyday internet use, a 4G connection is fine.
However, 5G connections may be necessary if you need to make video calls or send and receive large files.
Data Limit
How much data you use is also an important consideration. Check how much data you typically use to better understand how much you’ll need. Casual internet users or those likely to regularly use the WiFi at their hotel or accommodation won’t need a huge data limit. Still, you want to have data when needed.
Connectivity
Suppose you want to travel outside Lisbon to places like Évora, Monsaraz, and Marvão. In that case, having a reliable connection is worthwhile.
In most instances, pocket WiFi offers the best connections in areas with limited coverage thanks to the dedicated device and its powerful antenna for picking up signals.
Rental Duration
Each solution gets cheaper over time, and particular solutions are less convenient for very short stays in Lisbon.
While pocket WiFi mightn’t be convenient for just a few hours in Lisbon, for longer stays and trips around Portugal and across Europe, you can rent a pocket WiFi device from Hippocketwifi for nearly a year (up to 360 days!) and use it across 40 European countries.
