You want quick and dependable cell knowledge whereas touring round France as a result of a lot of on a regular basis French life revolves across the telephone—together with needing your telephone to entry cell practice tickets, restaurant menus, museum/occasion tickets, Google Maps, UBER/taxi, and far more.
On this information, we’ll cowl every little thing that you must learn about shopping for a SIM Card in France and tips on how to purchase a French high-speed cell knowledge plan that received’t value you some huge cash.
How To Purchase A French SIM Card With A Excessive-Velocity Information Plan
There are two important choices in terms of shopping for a SIM Card for France:
- Purchase a SIM Card Earlier than Your Journey: Shopping for a SIM card earlier than you journey is a bit more costly but it surely’s far more handy (and you’ve got cell knowledge as quickly as you arrive in France).
- Purchase a SIM Card In France: Shopping for a French SIM Card in France may be cheaper (particularly for visits over two weeks) however it may be extra of a problem as a result of it’s a must to monitor down a SIM retailer after arrival.
UPDATE: Most new telephones are eSIM appropriate—which is MUCH extra handy than bodily SIM playing cards as a result of it doesn’t require you to put in a brand new bodily SIM card. You merely purchase the pay as you go knowledge plan, scan a QR code that’s despatched to your e mail to put in the digital “card”, and also you’re able to go. Learn The Savvy Backpacker’s Information To The Greatest eSIM Information Plans for Europe and our information to the Greatest eSIM Information Plans for France.
How To Purchase A Pay as you go French SIM Card Earlier than You Journey
Most main French cell carriers have SIM playing cards with pre-paid cell knowledge plans geared towards vacationers.
These knowledge plans are sometimes bought by means of third-party resellers that may ship them to your private home handle. Probably the most well-known licensed French SIM Card reseller is SimOptions.com (I’ve used them prior to now).
These SIM playing cards are barely costlier than shopping for them in France however you get the comfort of not having to trace down a SIM upon arrival—merely set up the SIM when you arrive in France and also you’re good to go.
You’ll in all probability spend an additional $15-$20 over the course of a two-week journey for those who purchase forward vs ready to purchase in France. Personally, I feel the additional value is well worth the comfort.
The Greatest Vacationer Pleasant Pre-Paid SIM Playing cards For France
Listed here are my prime SIM playing cards for those who’re wanting a pre-purchase your SIM earlier than arriving in France:
Orange Vacation Europe Pay as you go SIM Card
The Orange Vacation Europe Pay as you go SIM Card might be the perfect all-around choice for SIM playing cards that may be bought overseas as a result of it affords plenty of knowledge for a superb value—and it contains plenty of worldwide calls and textual content.
Moreover, Orange is without doubt one of the largest cell firms in Europe so that they have nice protection all through most of Europe (which isn’t at all times the case with smaller European carriers).
Plan Specs:
- PRICE: $50
- DATA: 20GB
- CALLS: Unlimted in Europe and 1200 minutes worldwide
- TEXT: Unlimted in Europe and 1000 worldwide
- USED AS A MOBILE HOTSPOT?: Sure
- CREDIT VALID FOR: 14 Days
The Orange Vacation Europe plan is sweet as a result of it provides you plenty of cell knowledge for an honest value however the one attainable downside is the 14-day validity interval—which doesn’t matter in case your journey is lower than two weeks. That mentioned, you should purchase an additional 10GB of credit score after the 2 weeks are up for round $25.
For those who want much less knowledge and wish to save somewhat cash, try the $30 Orange Vacation plan that provides you 8GB of information for 14 days.
Three UK PAYG AIO15
Three UK is one other giant European cell service and their PAYG AIO15 plan is an efficient worth for individuals who don’t want the 20GB provided by the Orange Vacation Europe plan. I like how the plan has a validity interval of 30 days so it’s good for longer journeys.
Plan Specs:
- PRICE: $30
- DATA: 10GB
- CALLS: Unlimted in Europe
- TEXT: Unlimted in Europe
- USED AS A MOBILE HOTSPOT?: No
- CREDIT VALID FOR: 30 Days
Bouygues Telecom Trip Pay as you go Plan
The Bouygues Telecom Trip Pay as you go Plan is similar to the Orange Vacation Zen however the Bouygues plan have to be activated in France.
- PRICE: $50
- DATA: 20GB
- CALLS: Unlimted in Europe
- TEXT: Unlimted in Europe
- USED AS MOBILE HOTSPOT?: NO
- CREDIT VALID FOR: 30 Days
- Should be activated in France however can be utilized wherever within the EU.
Be aware: SimOptions.com has different playing cards on the market however these are the perfect choices/offers.
How To Purchase SIM Card With Excessive-Velocity Information in France
Buying a SIM card in France is a reasonably straightforward and easy course of since SIM playing cards are bought just about in every single place—together with newsstands, airports, merchandising machines, grocery shops, cell phone outlets, and extra.
What To Take into account When Shopping for A French SIM Card
Most French cell carriers are beginning to promote pre-paid knowledge plans on a month-to-month contract foundation. It is a nice worth for those who’re spending weeks/months in Europe or for tremendous heavy knowledge customers—however for shorter visits, I feel it’s simpler to pre-purchase one thing just like the Orange Vacation Europe plan.
When shopping for a knowledge plan in France, chances are you’ll be required to indicate your passport, present a French handle (use your lodge/Airbnb’s handle), and fill out some paperwork earlier than shopping for a French knowledge plan.
You may additionally have to cancel your contract as a result of most contracts will auto-charge your account each month.
The place To Purchase A SIM Card with a Information Plan in France?
- Provider-Particular Storefronts: The foremost cell carriers could have their very own outlets in most main cities that promote their SIM playing cards. Most staff ought to communicate some English however they set up SIM playing cards all day so that they’ll have the ability to set you up with out a lot communication wanted.
- Third-Social gathering Telephone Outlets: There are lots of cell phone outlets that promote a spread of telephone plans from a number of firms. Workers may have the ability to supply some assist getting arrange however service in all probability received’t be pretty much as good as carrier-specific outlets.
- Newsstands, Tobacco Outlets, Merchandising Machines, and so forth: You’ll find SIM playing cards in a number of smaller outlets at airports, practice stations, and randomly all through most cities however don’t count on any customer support.
How A lot Does It Price To Purchase A SIM Card with a Information Plan in France?
Cellular knowledge plan costs in France differ based mostly on plan choices and varied promotional offers—so it’s onerous to precisely predict how a lot you’ll pay. However there may be plenty of competitors between the French cell carriers so most firms supply comparable costs.
Listed here are the primary cell carriers in France if you wish to find out about their particular choices:
Nevertheless, beneath are some instance costs to offer you a greater concept of how a lot you’ll doubtlessly pay:
- SFR affords a €20 plan with 25 GB of cell knowledge that’s good for 30 days or a €10 plan with 10 GB good for 8 days.
- Orange has a deal the place €29.99 will get you 10 GB of cell knowledge and €39.99 will get you 20 GB of cell knowledge.
- FREE Cellular has a €20/month plan that gives 200 GB of information a month.
Be aware: Many cell plans cost a €10 activation price—which is sort of costly for those who’re solely touring for per week or two.
The Greatest SIM Playing cards and Cellular Information Plans in France
Let’s take a deeper dive into the varied cell knowledge plans accessible in France.
Free Cellular SIM Playing cards and Information Plans
Free Cellular has a number of the most cost-effective cell knowledge plans in France and their knowledge packages include a ton of high-speed knowledge.
Free Cellular’s hottest choices are their month-to-month plans that vary from €10-€20/per thirty days (there may be additionally a further €10 activation price) and also you’ll get extra knowledge than 99% of customers will ever use.
The primary draw back to Free Cellular is that you may solely join the service at a Free Cellular retailer and so they have restricted areas—notably, they don’t have a store on the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. You even have to purchase the SIM from an automatic machine and the final I checked it was all in French.
Vital: When shopping for this plan, you have to select the “one-month” plan because the alternate choice will robotically cost your card each month and you’ll solely cancel this service by sending in a bodily kind by way of the mail.
Be taught extra at https://cell.free.fr/
Orange France Cellular SIM Playing cards and Information Plans
The Orange Vacation Europe plan is an efficient choice as a result of it provides you plenty of cell knowledge for an honest value however the primary downside is the 14-day validity interval—which doesn’t matter in case your journey is lower than two weeks. That mentioned, you should purchase an additional 10GB of credit score after the 2 weeks are up for round $25.
For those who want much less knowledge and wish to get monetary savings, try the $30 Orange Vacation plan that provides you 8GB of information for 14 days.
You should buy this knowledge plan from any Orange retailer in France or you should purchase it from SimOptions.com and so they’ll ship it to your private home earlier than your journey (which suggests immediate entry as quickly as you activate the service).
Be taught extra at https://www.orange.fr/portail
Bouygues Telecom SIM Playing cards and Information Plans
Bouygues additionally has quite a few reasonably priced cell knowledge plans that vary from €13 to €20/month (there may be additionally a further €10 activation price) and every plan has loads of knowledge.
For the sake of comfort, you can even pre-purchase the Bouygues Telecom Trip Pay as you go Plan for €39.90 and it provides you 20GB of information that’s good for 30 days. This explicit Bouygues plan have to be activated in France—in order that’s a downside if France isn’t your first vacation spot in Europe.
Be taught extra at https://www.bouyguestelecom.fr/forfaits-mobiles
Lycamobile SIM Playing cards and Information Plans
Lycamobile is a funds European service that’s primarily bought in small outlets, newsstands, grocery shops, tobacco outlets, and so forth. so don’t count on any assist from customer support if in case you have points. Their plans vary from €15-€30/month (plus a €10 activation).
Be taught extra at https://www.lycamobile.fr/en/
French SIM Card and Pay as you go Information Plan Fundamentals
Right here is a few useful background data on cell knowledge plans so you’ve got a greater concept of how cell knowledge service works in France.
European Union Large Protection
A legislation was not too long ago handed within the EU which banned cell carriers from charging roaming charges throughout the EU—which suggests you should use a SIM card you acquire in France and use it in Italy with out paying any further charges. That is nice for vacationers as a result of you should use one plan in every single place.
- Listed here are the nations/areas the place there is no such thing as a knowledge roaming: Andorra, Azores, Aland islands, Austria, Balearic Islands, Belgium, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Corfu, Crete, the Cyclades, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faeroe Islands, Finland, France mainland, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Eire, Iceland, Italy, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg. Madeira, Malta. Isle of Man, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Rhodes, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom, San Marino, Sardinia, Sicily, Slovakia, Switzerland, Sweden, Vatican
Your Telephone Should Be Unlocked
Some cell carriers (primarily within the US, Australia, and New Zealand) “lock” their telephones so that they’ll solely work on that service’s community—this usually applies if in case you have a plan that features a free telephone with a multi-year contract. You’ll have to contact your service and have them “unlock” your telephone so it should settle for a third-party SIM card.
Within the US, carriers are required to unlock telephones if the shopper requests it but it surely’s not often unlocked by default. That mentioned, just a few carriers nonetheless make clients leap by means of hoops to unlock their telephones so don’t put this off till the final minute or you might be out of luck.
A New SIM Card Provides You A New Telephone Quantity
Putting in a brand new SIM card provides you a brand new telephone quantity so your outdated quantity received’t work till you reinstall your unique SIM card. So, if folks want to achieve you, you’ll want to inform folks your new French quantity.
Moreover, plenty of web sites and apps use two-factor authentication that’s linked to your telephone quantity so that may now not be an choice with the brand new SIM put in. And for those who use Uber/Lyft, you’ll have to replace your new telephone quantity within the app if you set up your new SIM.
How A lot Cellular Information Do You Want?
So long as you’re not streaming music/movies or importing a ton of photographs, you in all probability received’t use greater than 3GB-6GB of cell knowledge per week.
For those who’re spending plenty of time on social media (notably Instagram and TikTok) then you definitely may use a bit extra however for those who’re simply doing regular net looking and utilizing Google Maps then you definitely may solely use 1-2GB per week.
You’ll Want Your Passport and Native Tackle
Many knowledge plans require you to supply your passport data and an area handle (which may be your lodge or rental house handle).
Extra Ideas On Utilizing Your Cellular Telephone In France
I’ve written extensively about utilizing smartphones and knowledge plans in Europe in addition to suggestions for shopping for SIM Playing cards For Visiting Europe however beneath are some extra useful recommendations on utilizing your telephone in France.
Get A Moveable Battery Charger
Touring together with your telephone will rapidly drain your batteries so I extremely suggest a conveyable battery. I take advantage of Anker PowerCore 10000 as a result of it’s tiny and reasonably priced however there are a number of choices.
Take Steps To Decrease Your Cellular Information Utilization
Information may be costly and it’s extraordinarily straightforward to unknowingly burn by means of plenty of knowledge as a result of many apps use knowledge within the background. Fb, e mail, Instagram, Snapchat… these all continually use knowledge all through the day with out you understanding it. That’s it’s vital to know tips on how to restrict your knowledge utilization.
Use Airplane Mode And Block Information to Particular Apps
I’ll put my telephone in Airplane Mode as a result of that disables all knowledge (however GPS nonetheless works in Airplane Mode). You can too go into the settings and disable knowledge entry to every particular person app. I’ll go in and switch each off apart from issues like Google Maps or others that I’ll use extra incessantly — this fashion after I flip off Airplane Mode solely these apps that may use knowledge. Then I’ll flip Airplane Mode again on after I’m accomplished.
Obtain Offline Maps
Google Maps enables you to obtain whole metropolis maps to allow them to be used offline. As an added bonus, GPS doesn’t use knowledge so offline Google Maps works pretty effectively (however not all performance works). Right here is an efficient YouTube video that explains every little thing.
Make Calls Over WiFi
WhatsApp is a wonderful app at no cost calling and textual content messages — I’ve discovered that many Europeans solely use WhatsApp to speak (together with many Airbnb hosts).
Get Extra France Journey Ideas
James Feess is the creator of The Savvy Backpacker and the creator of the e-book “The Savvy Backpacker’s Information To Europe On A Finances”. He is been running a blog about funds journey in Europe since 2010.
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