Mobile Phones

[Covey]

The one thing everybody in Europe knows is that mobile phones are cheap and calls are not that expensive UNTIL you move outside your home country.

Mobile contracts do not cross borders!! You can have roaming rights, but all bets are off when it comes to how much you pay for calls and especially data. In the UK I pay $13 per month for unlimited 3G data on my Nokia so push email is a no brainer. On my last trip to Switzerland the charge would have been $18 PER MEGABYTE. If I use my UK mobile to phone a hotel in say Burgos to book a bed, the call goes from Spain back to the UK and then back to Spain and I pay both ways. Calling your friend to find out where in the town they are staying is actually a very expensive international phone call.

Probably the cheapest way to use a mobile in Spain is to use a company called LEBARA (HT to Gerald!) You can pick up a Pay As You Go SIMM in Pamplona if you start in St Jean. ALL Simms and contracts in Spain have to be registered and they will need sight of your National Passport. You cannot buy a Spanish Simm outside Spain because of the registration requirements.

Tarjeta Sim | Tarjetas Telefonicas Llamadas Internacionales | Lebara


In order to use the LEBARA Simm you will need an UNLOCKED phone. The LEBARA Simm allows you to make local calls in Spain at "local" rates and calls to the States are very cheap.

Pamplona is the first point on the Camino Frances where you will find a mobile phone shop.!

A WORD OF WARNING

Mobile phones automatically search for the best signal. When you walk the Camino's you will notice that the service providers change frequently but if you normally receive email on your phone at home then when you arrive in France/Spain your phone will automatically lock on to the nearest 3G signal and continue downloading your mail. You will be impressed but whoever pays the bill will not be!!!

You do not need constant email on the Camino. Switch off your phone, and enjoy the silence!!

[grayland]

Actually, you can buy the Labara SIM in advance from a company in Boston (or near there). I have done it twice. My research showed it to be cheaper from them then a shop in Spain....but it may not always be true. SimsforSpain offers the Labara card for $29.95 USD with 10 euro credit (about $14. USD) loaded on the card.

Lebara SIM card for Spain

[Covey]

Interesting that someone can sell the PAYG SIMM's in the USA, yet Lebara's UK office say they cannot sell the Spanish SIMM in EC countries because of the Spanish registration requirements which require a passport number to be registered to the SIMM.

This requirement came in after the Madrid train bombings some years ago where the bombs were triggered by mobile phones with PAYG SIMM's!!

[grayland]

They do get the passport number from the buyer.
You do have to have it activated before you leave (toll free call) and then just turn it on when you get to Spain and it is ready to go. I did this in both 2009 and 2010. Easy to top off in Spain at any Labara shop.

[crashwest2830]

I am walking in October/November. I was going to take an iPhone but have changed. The only reason I wanted the mobile was to blog and Skype. The blogging was always going to be a problem because typing on the iPhone would be difficult. So, I have bought a MacBook Air. They were on special so I took the plunge. It is about the same weight as an iPad and it has the keyboard. What are other people doing in this regard. I understand that the old paper and pen would keep a record just as well but I really wanted to communicate with friends at the same time. Looking forward to your thoughts.

[Covey]

Most Pilgrims make do with a basic mobile phone so that they can make calls and receive/send text messages.

Carrying any form of portable computing device with its PSU and plug adapters is usually seen as un-necessary weight. If you want to Skype then the internet café's usually have that facility and you will find an internet café in most decent sized towns.

Finding a free wireless connection is a different ballgame. The albergues usually have internet PC's but usually do not permit Skype or USB pen uploads of photo's. Rural bandwidth is often a problem in Spain.

[YogaWalk]

Thank you for all this info. Unfortunately, possibly due to obsessive planning of my adventures and subsequent addled brain, I am still unclear about phones in Spain. So, at the risk of looking like a dolt, here I go with a similar statement and ultimate question. I would like to bring my iPhone both for its camera and my ability to call my daughter (this is the longest we'll have ever been apart) and my husband (who is somewhat concerned but very supportive) It feels like a dual purpose item is better than a phone and a larger/heavier camera. I've got AT&T service, for better or worse, and I think they have an international plan. I am actually pretty old school when it comes to journalling, though I toyed with the idea of one of the mini keyboards for journalling as I like to write... a lot (oooh, the pack is getting heavy already) So, from your experience, can I use my iPhone, with international plan, on the Camino? I am okay with leaving it at home and bringing camera and picking up an inexpensive phone there, if that is the better choice. Would I be able to pick up wifi in hotels along the way? So much for waiting a while to ask questions... more to come on other threads.
Buen Camino!
Jennie

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Jennie ~
We West Coast types seem to be on our computers at about the same time, so forgive me if I'm the one who gets to your question first. Yes, you can take your AT&T iPhone, with the international plan, and make phone calls w/i and from Spain. That's a fairly expensive option (I think over $100 per month). AT&T would also like to sell you an International Data plan for about the same amount, which allows you to do SMS as well as email and Internet. You can arrange all this by taking your iPhone to your local AT&T store and sorting through the options with the nice people there. If you do purchase an International Plan be certain to stop by the AT&T store when you return so that you can turn it off. Otherwise AT&T will happily bill you every single month for your International Plan whether you're out of the country or not.

I did what you're describing on my Aug 2008 Camino Frances portion and it worked just fine. You'll discover that sorting through the country codes can be a little daunting at first. Some people on the Forum can give you instructions about purchasing a SIM card in Spain that will allow you to make calls w/o an AT&T plan, but I'm afraid I don't have any info about that.

After a few caminos I've learned now that it's not that simple or fun to make constant calls back home. It's not just about cost, but because the time zones make it awkward to call the West Coast from Spain. The usual difference is +9 hrs to Spain, so because of sleep and work hours it's often the case that you're awake while they're asleep and vice versa. A 7:00 wake up time in Spain is 20:00 the day before in California. When you're done with your walking at about 15:00 they're finally waking up back home. By the time you go to sleep at 22:00 they're pushing away from the lunch table. So unless they're free (not working or in school) the time limitations make it somewhat awkward.

So, my usual practice is to purchase a cheap phone while in Spain and charge it with prepaid minutes at the plentiful Orange or MoviStar, etc. stores along the way. This allows SMS and also limited voice in order to contact other pilgrims and occasionally make a hotel reservation. I limit my contacts to daily, somewhat lengthy, emails. More and more Spanish bar/cafes nowadays have WiFi, so an iPhone can come in handy to access Internet. But the plethora of Internet kiosks in hotels and bar/cafes make that generally unnecessary. Hope this helps you decide what to do. Buen camino!

[crashwest2830]

Hi Jennie

I completed the Camino to Finisterre in October and November 2011. I took my iPhone but removed the SIM and just used it for skype and, when I dropped my little camera and broke it, for photos too. I skyped my wife and kids many times when I was away and, of course, it is free and has the advantage of being able to see the person to whom you are talking.

Most places have free wifi - auberges, coffee shops and it was really convenient to use Skype. Often I would just stop for morning tea or lunch and ask if they have wifi and they would give me the password. Sometimes it wasn't even password protected.

I toyed with the idea of Lebara sim card but the Skype and blog worked well for me. On this though, I did try to buy a sim card in Burgos and couldn't get a mini sim which is what the iPhones have.

The other thing I did was keep a blog with pictures and a bit of a run down on what had happened each day. I chose to do a blog rather than just put stuff on Facebook because then people other than "Facebook friends" could access the story - a lot of people did.

I had a wonderful experience and met so many really pleasant and interesting people and the culture was absorbing. I am going again next year but this time I am going to walk from Le Puy in France to Roncesvalles.

Good luck. Phil

[Cailín Alainn]

Ive bought Spanish SIMs twice online - cant remember from who but I found the company on eBay and there was no problem. Everything was above board. Just make sure your handset is unlocked.

[Gypsy Shoes]

Will I be able to use my kindle fire on the camino?

[Cailín Alainn]

Even if you can, I wouldnt advise it. Or should I say - It wouldnt be for me. Im bringing my phone but only to use it as a diary to avoid carrying my heavier travel journal - I can speak my diary entries/observations into the phone and keep track of my journey that way. Im not going to enable it to make calls or receive them.
My feelings on bringing a kindle is that I dont want to have anyone elses thoughts in my head while Im making the journey. Just the voice inside and the voice of something greater. If I'm listening to an author no matter how brilliant, then Im not listening.

[Precious1]

Isn't the Camino a good time to unhook from the grid?
I found it nice to have that peace and only sent friends post cards.

Writing is another thing; any electronic gadget that makes it easier...go for it.
Though I only took notes myself, not wanting to analyze the experience too much as I was trekking along.
What I have garnered from the pilgrimage keeps growing in insight, and only gets richer as time goes on.

(Anybody else have their eyes opened up to see some of the devils they have to cast off? lol
Gee..and I never even saw some of mine crouching on my shoulder till thanks to the Camino and to the joy of a good buddy who opened my eyes to my defensiveness, the trolls that childhood leaves lurking in the subconscious, ...made me realize you can't let your guard down when it come to being free to be the real you.)

But I had no problem with other people's cells. My buddy had calls coming in all the time.
Which I thought was kind of awesome on a path from the Middle Ages kings and queens once crawled on their hands and knees.

[Cailín Alainn]

I wish I had a fraction of the insight you seem to have had about spotting and working on the demons. Im in a such a muddle....
regretting that Ive committed now. Regretting that Im not doing it alone. regretting regretting regretting. in such a spin.....

[Precious1]

Why would you be regretting that you are not doing it alone? Scratching the old noggin here.

Is it not our friends who hold up that mirror to see those very devils we speak of? lol

Things will look different once you set your first step on the pilgrimage.

Buen Camino, Cailin!!

[Cailín Alainn]

Thanks Precious1 - I appreciate your encouragement. My personal life is in smithereens at the moment and Im doing the walk with my beautiful 17 year old son - and Im scared! Driving to St Jean from Ireland. Spending a short visit at Plum Village and at Lourdes on the way. Im in a storm right now!

[Precious1]

Driving from Ireland to St. Jean Pied de Port?
Would that I could change places with some lucky folk. lol
Scared? Who isn't? lol A certain amount of uncertainty gives it the Romance.:]
You and your son are about to have the most profound experience of your lives.
"The suspense is unbearable. I hope it lasts." Oscar Wilde :]
Trek on regardless!
Buen Camino
Kate

.

[nathan]

it is a drive i do most summers...would you accept advice from an old hand?

the drive through france is long and if you use the motorways....very expensive
Lourdes ....i used to go each May with my best friend from ireland in the 80's(he was gay and his family wanted him ""cured"")
Allow a single day there....if you stay overnight you see the candle mass...book hotel in advance...food in Lourdes universally bad!

What i have done on a couple of occasions is take a differant route..
i now take the ferry to bilboa/santander. This is a relax time to unwind before the trip proper begins..(whale watching in Biscay)

[nathan]

CONT:
the ferry means less milage , less chance of car troubles etc.from there head to france ...just south of biaritz is Birdet...great body surfing for your son...good hotel called Milady...then follow the mountains to lourdes...
Road trips are a firm favourite in my family...my son is 17...my daughter 14(today)..done them every summer for 5 weeks for the last decade

though this year i do my camino...solo unless my son changes his mind

[Cailín Alainn]

Thanks Kate from MA!
Sorry I didnt press the gratitude button this morning.
Your comments have turned me around!

[Cailín Alainn]

Nathan - really appreciate the advice but....
Ive done this drive lots and lots of times and wouldn't miss it for the world. Started in the early 70s bussing and ferrying from Cork.
Nowadays I love to drive and ferret out new little places - I rarely use motorways - Im an old hand too - very old!!
I worked in Lourdes all my high school summers May to September and like certain aspects - I like being able to filter out the purity of the place for myself. Mind you, Thats usually at 2am at the grotto when they're all gone back to their 'Astoria's etc with their plastic Mary bottles!! The food doesnt bother me - when youre trying to avoid as many things as I am, you eat local and picnic often!
I want to go over the Pyrenees this time and get Bilboa on the bus trip back from Santiago - LOVE the hostel on the hill there....in wind, its scary sleeping on the top (17th) floor!!
Pity the poor ignorant fools in your best friend's family....hope his prayers in Lourdes cured THEM?!!!

[Cailín Alainn]

am SO grateful to know about Birdet - might even try it myself! Thank You!
We are also Servas travellers (and Servas hosts in Ireland) - a wonderful organisation for getting to know the locals.
SERVAS - Home Page
When are you starting your Camino? Were leaving here around the 10th and a week later St Jean......we hope!

[nathan]

hi Cailin...i got the wrong meaning from your post....thought you were scared of the drive! What is Plum village? Are you on a tight time scedule with your son?...there are some many great things to enjoy with him.I had one summer zig zagging the pyrennes with the family from the bay of biscay to the med then back again. By the end we were so confused with french and spanich we ended up speaking "Spench"
Is the camino the main event or the road trip...?

[Lipka149]

... I dont want to have anyone elses thoughts in my head while Im making the journey. Just the voice inside and the voice of something greater.

What a great approach !

[nathan]

i'm planning for the 1st august..to start in the french foothills and walk till my time runs out...

[Cailín Alainn]

No - just scared like Ive been all my life of ANY sort of committment - you're talking to someone who gave the world 2 weeks notice for my wedding cos of same phobia and ended up having everyone think it was a shotgun wedding!!
Plum Village is Buddhist monastery - google it. SW of Bordeaux - havent been but met the monks recently here in Cork and invited myself...! Scared too in case I dont achieve it with my wonky 57 yr old knees...
Last 3 summers we drove average of 4500 miles around US and Europe. This year I wanted to be way more adventurous than what we're planning (I was hoping for Sth America "ar an órdóg" - Irish for "on the thumb"!) but maybe its time to cut down on exterior mileage and clock up some internal miles instead....

[Cailín Alainn]

we have until August 31st but my son wants to get back for a bit of time with his pals before school restarts so well probably head home early August after a wander around undiscovered Spain/Portugal. BUT The Camino is the big focus/challenge/goal.

[Cailín Alainn]

Good book: 'Travelling Light - Your Journey to Wholeness' - by Daniel J O'Leary

[Cailín Alainn]

Good book: 'Travelling Light - Your Journey to Wholeness' - by Daniel J O'Leary

[Precious1]

You might be going solo, Cailin,but you will not be alone.
You will meet fantastic people from all over, who are friendly and non judgmental, and clans form as they will.
But you can also arrange it so you can walk in solitude when you wish,
and meet up with folks down the line.
Buen Camino Amigo!!