Lost in Lisbon: The Day I Learned the Value of a European SIM Card

If you think your U.S. phone plan will work fine abroad, think again. Here’s why a local SIM card is a traveler’s best friend.

Hopefully, you won’t make the same mistake I did by not getting your phone set up with a European SIM card before you leave the airport or step off your ship. This little travel tip will help you begin your exciting new journey without stumbling.

As I planned my trip abroad and made my list of important things to set up, one item managed to slip through the cracks — the purchase of a European SIM card. I did, however, contact my U.S. cell phone provider, and they confirmed that my plan included international calling and texting. I think that’s why I failed to place the proper amount of attention on this task and eluded me until I actually arrived in Lisbon and left the airport, a bit too late I know.

Many places in Europe offer free Wi-Fi, which made things a bit easier once I touched down. But the moment I stepped outside a local café, a lack of an internet connection created all sorts of problems. The first was navigation — I had no mapping service to guide this lost soul to his next location or show me where I was. I believe that’s the true definition of lost.

Even though I didn’t speak any Portuguese, not being able to call a local number added a layer of unnecessary stress. My U.S. phone plan only allowed calls and texts to U.S. numbers — a small detail, but now a big problem. It quickly became clear that a European SIM card was essential if I wanted to function, even partially.

I also realized my phone needed internet access for translation apps, which I found myself relying on constantly. Whenever I had Wi-Fi, I’d prepare by translating the conversations I expected to have later. That worked about half the time — on a good day.

A little research on service providers in Portugal led me to the Vodafone Go Total 35 Dias (Days) plan. It offered a great deal — unlimited mobile data for around one euro a day, renewable every 35 days. That’s a bargain compared to back in the U.S., where similar plans can cost three times as much.

Once I activated the SIM card, I had phone and internet service everywhere I traveled. It even worked for my laptop, which I connected by turning my phone into a hotspot. I stayed connected on trains between cities and used the travel time to write and do research — with no issues at all.

It also turned out to be a good home internet solution. I didn’t need to pay for Wi-Fi in my new flat, which saved me a few euros each month. You might find other setups or service providers that work better for your needs, but this is how I solved a few of my early tech challenges while settling in. Think outside the box, stay flexible, and make it a fun part of the adventure.

Recap: The 3 Big Reasons You Need a European SIM Card

#1 – MAPS

You’ll need access to maps and directions — it’s that simple. I learned this lesson years ago in a small town in France when nobody, and I mean nobody, wanted to help this lost traveler. The French can be tough to understand in situations like that, so don’t get frustrated. When in France, you have to do as the French do — speak French!

#2 – LOCAL PHONE NUMBER

You might need to call someone for help, so setting this up early will save you a lot of unnecessary stress. Write down your new SIM card number and remember the country code — each country has a different one.

#3 – TRANSLATOR

Translation apps require an internet connection. You won’t always have access to Wi-Fi, and it’s not easy asking strangers, in another language, whether their café offers Wi-Fi — and what the password might be!