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How to Get WiFi in Spain for Your Holidays
10 May 2024
pocket wifi
Joseph Philipson
Spain is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. From Barcelona with its famed Sagrada Familia cathedral to beaches in the Canary Islands, you’ll want to stay connected during your time there.
Spain’s a great destination for disconnecting, of course. However, an internet connection can be helpful in emergencies, getting directions, or booking hotels and restaurants.
Here are the most popular internet options for tourists in Spain.
¡Vamos!
The Best Ways of Getting WiFi in Spain
Like much of Europe, most of Spain’s population (91%) has internet access. Over 83% have access to fixed broadband, and a 94% mobile broadband adoption rate is higher than the EU average.
The leading providers of mobile networks in Spain include Movistar, Orange, and Vodafone, with 99% of the population enjoying 4G and 82% having 5G.
For tourists, renting a pocket wifi is usually the best option, but it’s always worth considering the other options if only for your peace of mind.
Pocket WiFi
Pocket WiFi is a small portable device that connects to a mobile network and produces a WiFi network for your other devices.
Typically, you can rent these devices from providers in Spain. You can either pick up the device in Spain or deliver it.
Pros
Pocket WiFi allows connections to multiple devices. Rather than getting internet access just for one phone, you can have it for smartphones, tablets, laptop computers, etc.
Basic devices can allow connections for up to 5 devices, though most devices typically can connect 10 devices simultaneously. Some advanced pocket WiFi devices can maintain hundreds of connected devices.
Cons
The downside to pocket WiFi is that you must carry an extra device. Though the device is small, usually smaller than a smartphone, it’s still one more thing to remember—and remember to charge it!
Cost
Multiple pocket WiFi providers operate in Spain, including Spain Internet, TravelWifi, WiFi Away, HippocketwiFi, and My Webspot.
Spain Internet offers pocket WiFi for € 7 to €2 a day, depending on the length of the rental.
Travel WiFi costs between €5 and €7 per day for a two-week trip. The difference you’ll pay depends on the data limits, with 1GB per day being the cheapest and 10GB the most expensive.
For 14 days, WiFi Away charges €43 and 28GB of data. That’s 2GB per day at about €3 a day.
One of the most affordable and recommended pocket Wifi solutions is Hippocketwifi, which is available for €4.90 per day for 14 days and €6.90 per day if you want unlimited data. You can rent your pocket WiFi in Spain here with Hippocketwifi.
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SIM Cards
The SIM card is the device in your phone that allows you to access your mobile carrier’s network to make calls, send and receive messages, and use the internet. It is linked to your phone number and your package with your mobile carrier.
If your phone isn’t locked to a single carrier, you can always buy a prepaid SIM card for use abroad and in Spain.
Pros
Prepaid SIM cards need to be inserted into your phone’s SIM slot. Once inserted, they will immediately allow you to access the internet.
Cons
Remember to keep your everyday SIM card somewhere safe for phones with just one SIM card slot. You won’t be reachable on your usual phone number while your other SIM card is removed.
People can still contact you via apps like Messenger, WhatsApp, and email.
Some prepaid SIM cards won’t offer WiFi access across Europe. If you’re traveling to several different European countries, be sure to check and even opt for a better solution, such as Pocket WiFi.
Cost
The cost of prepaid SIM will depend on the provider and the service, with prices ranging between €10 and €40:
- Movistar offers prepaid SIM cards for €10 to €20 with 40GB and 140GB of data.
- Vodafone’s prepaid SIM card costs between €10 and €40 for a month and comes with 50GB and 190GB of data.
- An Orange prepaid SIM card costs between €10 and €20 for between 25GB and 100GB.
- These options are available for around a month (or 28 days).
Prepaid SIM cards are available in Spain at mobile phone operator stores, magazine kiosks (quioscos), internet cafés and shops (locutorios), and even major airports like Madrid and Barcelona.
eSIM
An eSIM is essentially a SIM card integrated into more modern phones. Rather than inserting and removing different physical SIM cards, you can reconfigure the eSIM and use multiple eSIMs simultaneously.
Pros
The advantage is that you can buy eSIMs in stores and online and set them up simply by following simple instructions. While you can purchase physical prepaid SIM cards in places like the airports in Madrid (Barajas) and Barcelona (El Prat), you can buy eSIMs online and set them up before you arrive.
Cons
The downside to eSIM cards is that they’re only available on certain phones. If your phone has an eSIM, you can use these solutions.
If you want to use the internet on your laptop, computer, or tablet, you’ll need to tether the connection to your phone with the eSIM. This connection will likely be slower than pocket WiFi and can quickly drain your phone’s battery, too!
Much of Spain is very rural away from its coastal destinations and Madrid. While we’d recommend visiting rural areas and mountain ranges like the Sierra Nevada or the Pyrenees, SIM and eSIM connections from your phone aren’t as fast or stable as a pocket WiFi connection.
Cost
Airalo offers prepaid eSIM solutions for Spain called Guay Mobile (guay means “cool” in Spanish), which ranges between $4.50 for 1GB per day for a week and $26 for 20GB over 30 days.
Nomad also offers eSIM solutions for between $8 and $27. All of Nomad’s options are for 30 days.
Data Roaming International Plan
Your domestic mobile network carrier likely offers international data roaming plans. You can contract special deals before traveling to Spain, or if you arrive in Spain without an agreement in place, your carrier will likely still provide data roaming (though often at a ridiculous price).
While traveling through Spain, you won’t be on your domestic network but rather on one of the networks with which your carrier has agreements. Typically, this will be Movistar, Yoigo, Orange, or Vodafone, but there are others.
Pros
The advantage of data roaming plans is that they’re the simplest to set up. If you don’t do anything, you can still access the internet while traveling. However, this is the most expensive option.
You can also contract a data roaming package through your mobile carrier before you travel. This is often quite simple and can be done by calling your carrier, visiting their website, or even using their app.
Cons
Data roaming plans are often costly, which is why so many other more affordable solutions exist.
Cost
The cost of data roaming plans varies so much that we can’t say how much your carrier will charge to use data in Spain. We’ve heard horror stories of users charged literally thousands for using the internet while abroad!
If the warm weather in Spain doesn’t make you sweat, the cost of specific data roaming plans might!
Use Free WiFi
In many places around Spain and around the world, local businesses and public places offer free WiFi networks that can be accessed by customers and tourists alike.
Without any other solution, this could be the option for tourists needing intermittent internet access.
Pros
The most significant advantage of using public WiFi is simply the cost. You don’t have to pay anything.
Cons
Free WiFi is excellent when you can get it, but it has several risks. Some networks are unsecured and could put sensitive information at risk, especially if you connect to sites like online banking or any sites that handle personal information.
The quality of free WiFi networks could be more consistent. A popular network may be very slow when many users are connected, and you can’t always guarantee that the internet in a café or tapas bar will be any good.
Cost
As the name suggests, free WiFi won’t cost you anything. However, don’t be surprised if some networks ask you to sign up for their newsletter in return for access.
How to Choose the Best Option for Your Spain Trip
No right or wrong answers exist when choosing internet connections while traveling through Spain.
A solution that works for one mightn’t work for another.
Here’s what you should be thinking about when choosing a solution.
Rental Duration
The longer you need the connection, the cheaper it will be daily. However, some solutions take longer than others to set up and mightn’t be worth it if you’re only briefly in Spain.
For example, if you’re only in Spain for a day, flying in at the start and heading out at the end, you might save time by not going to a store to pick up and set up a SIM card.
In this instance, you should pick up pocket WiFi from the airport and return it when you leave.
Connectivity
With international data roaming plans, you can’t choose your provider; you’ll have to go with the one with which your domestic carrier has agreements.
However, connectivity and staying connected are essential. In that case, you should look at the coverage offered by Spain’s leading providers.
Data Limit
How much data you use will also affect which solution you should choose. Suppose you’re going to be sending large files or streaming video. In that case, you’ll need larger amounts of data or even unlimited data.
You will only need a little data to browse a menu, buy tickets to a museum, or read your emails.
Usage
Last but not least, different users may require different connection types. 4G is more than enough for everyday users. Still, business users or those who intend to make video calls, stream high-quality video, or send large files should consider 5G connections, which can be 100x faster than their 4G counterparts.
