Reddit reviews PrePaid Europe (UK THREE) sim card 12GB data+3000 minutes+3000 texts for 30 days with FREE ROAMING / USE in 71 destinations including all European countries

She's going to make friends so she's going to want a local number. That's not to say that there aren't options like WhatsApp, but it'll make life easier for whatever official things she may need to do with a local number.

For yourself, I've picked up sim cards from Amazon for European travel. Stupid cheap for gigs of data from 3UK, with international roaming for pretty much all of Europe. I'll go find the link and edit my post.

Link to 12gb 300 minutes currently $28

Link to 1gb 'Tablet' for $13

I have used the Orange Travel SIM and the 3 Travel SIM which are both available on Amazon. They give you a decent amount of data, texts, minutes, and an EU number. They also offer roaming throughout the EU for free. The Orange SIM assigns a French number, the 3 SIM a UK number. They both offer different allotments for very different prices so check them out! I definitely recommend the 3 SIM if you’re going to be in major cities, but if you plan on traveling into rural areas Orange is partnered with better carriers.

Orange SIM

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XBYMX58/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_5Ff6Cb9KH7ME9

3 SIM

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FI1JW72/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_pHf6Cb3617S6J

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FI1JW72/

I bought this for my 14 day Europe trip. Put it in my phone yesterday to see if it works and am currently getting full speed AT&T(so it’s also useful inside a hotspot if you’re taking a trip to an area without T-Mobile coverage).

It’s sad that 3 UK offers better prices on AT&T than AT&T does.

You can get the Three UK sim here in the US. Amazon is your friend

5 GB data at $18.09

https://www.amazon.com/UK-destinations-including-European-countries/dp/B0753DK9JP/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2MFZTAGA6DO3A&keywords=three+uk+prepaid+europe+sim&qid=1569527845&sprefix=three+uk%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&smid=A38G8TI537EHUQ&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyQTI0SzNNMUlKTVlEJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzEyMTgyMkdEUDdKVVZNMUJBNCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUExMDI1NTY0MkFKQ0hJQVZQM0laRiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

12 GB data at $21.43

https://www.amazon.com/PrePaid-destinations-including-European-countries/dp/B01FI1JW72/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2MFZTAGA6DO3A&keywords=three+uk+prepaid+europe+sim&qid=1569527845&sprefix=three+uk%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A38G8TI537EHUQ&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyQTI0SzNNMUlKTVlEJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzEyMTgyMkdEUDdKVVZNMUJBNCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUExMDI1NjMyMlJWM09CWFdSS1A0RCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

I picked up this one for Europe a couple times. Worked great for me on London and Poland.


PrePaid Europe (UK THREE) sim... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FI1JW72?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I got this from Amazon ahead of time and it worked perfectly! Data only but that’s fine if you use Messenger or WhatsApp. The one through Birthright is a rip-off, especially if you’re extending at all. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FI1JW72?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Buy this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FI1JW72/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Will save you in Europe and is cheap

1. Have the phone "unlocked" by cricket so you can use another SIM card in it
   
   
2. Get a Sim card that works in the UK. You can buy it when you get there, or you can get one before you leave. Something like this:
   
   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FI1JW72/

You could purchase a pre-paid SIM card from a service provider in any member country. Roaming is mandatory within the EU. So you can buy a card in France & use it with the same rates in the Netherlands.


Examples available in Amazon India using UK phone numbers.

https://www.amazon.in/UK-Prepaid-sim-card-minutes/dp/B01FI1JW72/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=uk+sim+card&qid=1558269327&s=gateway&sprefix=uk+sim&sr=8-4

https://www.amazon.in/TSIM-Europe-Card-Data-Voice/dp/B07CM67HRZ/ref=pd_aw_sbs_107_2/258-2834674-4245042?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07CM67HRZ&pd_rd_r=5f4fb2f5-7a33-11e9-9b14-ad0a6ddaf222&pd_rd_w=fodVZ&pd_rd_wg=eYhHA&pf_rd_p=00bf98e0-abac-4b85-86f3-6b3c62ada2df&pf_rd_r=73GP8BHB0754WTN0MCC8&psc=1&refRID=73GP8BHB0754WTN0MCC8

PrePaid Europe (UK THREE) sim card 12GB data+3000 minutes+3000 texts for 30 days with FREE ROAMING / USE in 71 destinations including all European countries https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FI1JW72/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_sCS6Cb99FFZ25

Not an eSIM, but this is my go to for Europe.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01FI1JW72/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523896423&sr=8-1-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=three+sim+card+12gb&psc=1&smid=A38G8TI537EHUQ

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FI1JW72/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Something like this should work. Note, to call back to the U.S from Ireland requires an additional top-up ($0.03/min).

If you're going to EU countries only, EU carriers have eliminated roaming fees across each other. I used this in France and Portugal: https://www.amazon.com/PrePaid-destinations-including-European-countries/dp/B01FI1JW72/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=3+uk+sim&qid=1555371315&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A38G8TI537EHUQ

Worked great. I got 3G only, but it was as fast as LTE.

Check out stuff like this. Do you need YOUR phone number to work while you are there? If so this is not an option.

amazon

Here is the cheapest way if you have an iphone Xs or newer.

1. Convert your physical sim to esim for Verizon and turn off roaming.
   
   
2. Buy the following sim card.
   
   PrePaid Europe (UK THREE) sim card 12GB data+3000 minutes+3000 texts for 30 days with FREE ROAMING / USE in 71 destinations including all European countries https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FI1JW72/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_RlXXDbXNMXA0N
   
   
3. Activate before going overseas.
   
   
4. Once you get to the UK, you will have full speed data offered by Three. And Verizon will use the Three sim for imessage, sms, & phone calls on your Verizon line.
   
   

• If you have iPhone X or older
  

1. Download messages+ from app store and activate the software.
   
   
2. Turn off imessage.
   
   
3. Buy the following sim card.
   
   PrePaid Europe (UK THREE) sim card 12GB data+3000 minutes+3000 texts for 30 days with FREE ROAMING / USE in 71 destinations including all European countries https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FI1JW72/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_RlXXDbXNMXA0N
   
   
4. Activate before going overseas.
   
   
5. Once you get to the UK, you will have full speed data offered by Three. And all of your messages and phone calls will come in to the Message+ app. It allows calling over cellular as well.

Why would I use that over this? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FI1JW72/

Yup, these ones activate once you pop them in: PrePaid Europe (UK THREE) sim card 12GB data+3000 minutes+3000 texts for 30 days with FREE ROAMING/USE in 71 destinations including all European countries https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01FI1JW72/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ZQXVCb2QTYQWE

has anyone ever used this card in paris and germany? https://www.amazon.com/PrePaid-destinations-including-European-countries/dp/B01FI1JW72/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1539636545&sr=8-3&keywords=europe%2Bphone%2Bsim&th=1

If we're talking about the same 30 day, 12GB 3 UK SIM on Amazon, I used that last year and could stream video (and I assume audio, I didn't check), even tethering worked even though it said it didn't. I would get that SIM again if I were traveling around Europe again. Speeds are 4G (not LTE), so while not blazing fast still very much useful.

Don't follow the advice below! Go to Amazon, purchase this three sim. It will allow you to roam all over Europe and many other countries. $24 for 12 GB for one month including free Prime delivery. If you need more GB during the month you can add value to the sim card using a voucher purchased from www.mobiletopup.co.uk

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https://www.amazon.com/PrePaid-destinations-including-European-countries/dp/B01FI1JW72/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=three+sim&qid=1556930392&s=gateway&sr=8-1

“How to activate:

1. Simply insert SIM into your unlocked phone, make sure you enable roaming in settings.
   
2. Wait for the signal, accept Three UK setting messages, then you are all set to go.
   
3. Test it in the US before your travel”
   
   Amazon Link

To unlock your iPhone go to this link UNLOCK As long as you own the phone outright ATT will unlock it for you within 5 hours. Vodafone ES is very affordable. I was able to get a 7gb sim for €15 with talk and text.
My other travel hack is to buy British SIM cards when visiting the EU off of Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FI1JW72
ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_CD76BbEKZ3JES) that are meant for tourists because you can refill them easily because the website is in English and use them in the EU (yes, Spain counts) for no extra cost with EU regulation.

So, I just got off chat with Visible and I thought I would share what I found out.

First of all, my main goal here was to be able to send/receive SMS messages and make/receive Phone calls on my main number as I travel abroad. Obviously, Visible does not have international roaming so I could not do this. So, I purchased an international SIM Card from UK Mobile Three that works throughout Europe on Amazon ( https://www.amazon.com/PrePaid-destinations-including-European-countries/dp/B01FI1JW72/ )

Now for visible. Unfortunately, there is NO way to port out your number AND keep your Visible Service. So this is what I am doing:

1. Setup a brand new Visible account with a brand new phone number
   
2. Once I get the new SIM card in the mail (1-2 days), put that one in, activate test, etc.
   
3. Then initiate port of number to Google Voice - In the chat I provided my account name, IMEI, etc. and they gave me the account number and PIN I would need to port out the number (like @ronkj said).
   
4. After port, I can use my old number on GV on the phone and I have setup the NEW visible number I was given as a linked number in GV.
   
5. Lastly, visible said they will give me a credit for my unused service on the original account once this is all done.
   
   I have not done any of this yet, but will do so in the next 1-2 days and let you know how it works out!!!

If your phone is unlocked, consider buying this sim card from amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/PrePaid-destinations-including-European-countries/dp/B01FI1JW72/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=uk+three+sim+card&qid=1562541404&s=gateway&sr=8-3

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We bought it and activated in 3 day before leaving for Italy and it worked flawlessly all over Italy. Yes, it wasn't 4G, mostly 3G and sometimes 2G, but we were able to use WhatsApp to talk and text back to the U.S.

​

If you do not feel comfortable with that option, you can also get the TIM (a wireless carrier in Italy) Tourist Sim card for 20 euros that comes with 15GB of data. You will need to fill out the form first and then when you arrive, go to the nearest TIM store to get your sim card:

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https://www.tim.it/tim-tourist-en

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REMEMBER! Your phone MUST MUST MUST be unlocked. If it's not unlocked, none of the options will work!

May not be the cheapest option, but we purchased these SIMs from amazon. https://www.amazon.ca/PrePaid-destinations-including-European-countries/dp/B01FI1JW72/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1ELIWSMEHEKKN&keywords=europe+sim+card&qid=1566398612&s=gateway&sprefix=europ%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-3

We've had two groups of friends use them without issue. One group stayed in Italy only and other group did a cruise and visited multiple countries. We trusted them and will be using it as well on our trip in 2 weeks.

Ok, so if I buy this SIM card, it will work for me overseas?


https://www.amazon.com/PrePaid-destinations-including-European-countries/dp/B01FI1JW72/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?adgrpid=58678360520&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjIS029KI5AIVBF6GCh1Frwd7EAAYAyAAEgL6qvD_BwE&hvadid=274840644157&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9004040&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t3&hvqmt=b&hvrand=9319550460917084838&hvtargid=kwd-296786349965&hydadcr=11151_9875540&keywords=uk+sim+card+prepaid&qid=1566001644&s=wireless&sr=1-1

Thinking of just using this one.. when I travel in a week there

I used this Three UK SIM card for a trip to Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, and England last year and it was great. I’m going to the Netherlands again in August and am using one this time too.

https://www.amazon.ca/PrePaid-destinations-including-European-countries/dp/B01FI1JW72

A few years ago I got a Lycamobile SIM and it was fine too, but I don’t know if you can use it in other countries.

You've been given some great tips by /u/fruskydekke below. To add a few more:

• Cell phone international plans are absurdly expensive. Buy an international sim card instead and pop it into your phone on the plane (make sure you have global roaming enabled).
  
  
• Don't fly, take trains. Europe is geographically much smaller than America and trains are usually the quickest and cheapest way to get from A to B, especially because European airports are often located far outside city centers. I like using www.Rome2Rio.com to find tickets.
  
  
• If you don't already have it, get TSA Pre Check / Global Entry. Your credit card may already pay for this, check your benefits. And on that note, get a credit card that covers international conversion fees - paying 3% extra on every transaction adds up quick.
  
  
• Keep your baggage to a minimum. Europe is replete with cobblestones, steep hills and narrow sidewalks, and lugging around a bunch of huge roller bags is no fun. I would suggest packing 50% less than you think you need. One way to do this is by building a capsule wardrobe that revolves around a few basics which all work well together so you can mix and match. Bring some travel detergent (or, in a pinch, you can use shampoo) to do laundry in your hotel room, since hotel laundry services can be absurdly expensive (do you want to pay €3 per pair of underwear?). And don't forget to leave some room for souvenirs!
  
  
• European cities are usually very safe, but petty crime is always a concern and one pickpocket can seriously ruin your trip. Back up copies of your passport, bank cards and travel documents to the cloud before you go. Have one eye on your phone and wallet at all times. Keep your voice low (we Americans are LOUD) and try to blend in. That includes dressing like the locals to the extent possible, so leave your "I <3 NY" T-shirt and cargo shorts at home.

If you just need data, this might work for you:

https://www.amazon.com/PrePaid-destinations-including-European-countries/dp/B01FI1JW72/