How to get Mobile Internet in Europe: Which option to choose?

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We all know Europe is one of the most visited continents in the world. People know there are many places to visit that will surely take their breath away. And, there’s also the important history behind these places. But, how’s Mobile Internet in Europe working? Is it good, or should people be worried?

In case you are having some doubts about data connectivity quality in Europe, you came to the right place. Today we will be talking about different things that will surely matter. So, pay attention if you intend to travel any time soon and you want to use your cell phone in Europe.

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Contents

Mobile internet in Europe

Europe is one of the most advanced continents, technologically speaking. People can find Pocket WiFi devices there, they can use SIM and eSIM cards, and even use roaming services if needed. So, there’s no need to worry about how to stay connected there, to be honest.

But if there’s a question people have on their minds it’s: which one of these options we just mentioned is the best for people to use? Well, that’s something we will talk about right now. That way people won’t be having hard times choosing what service to use.

Internet rates in Europe

For most people out there, the budget of how much they can spend is the most important thing to consider. That way, people can actually make plans to see what they can buy or how they can spend their money. Therefore, we have prepared a small table comparing the prices of the different services offered there.

ServiceInternet rates in Europe
SIM Card Europe39 to 49 USD (8 to 12GB of data included)
eSIM Card Europe19 to 99 USD (Unlimited data)
T-Mobile Roaming30 to 47 USD depending on the chosen plan
Vodafone RoamingFree or 6 USD outside the European Zone
Telstra Roaming 10 USD per day with the Traveling Pass
Pocket WiFi40 to 103.94 USD 
Public WiFi Free 
Table 1. Comparison of internet rates in Europe with US, UK, and Australia mobile operators and other alternatives.

SIM card for internet in Europe

One of the alternatives we mentioned was the Europe SIM cards. We know most people have used one in the past, and now they can be used when traveling around the world. This has made SIM cards a viable option for people to consider instead of other alternatives.

And, in case you want to take one with you, we highly recommend checking with local providers or international providers. Some local providers are Vodafone, Orange, Three, Telefonica and many more.

Clearly, each country has different providers and some providers operate in several European countries, so those are details you have to keep in mind. 

eSIM for Europe

In case you have the chance to use an International eSIM, we highly recommend people to take them when traveling. These digital SIM cards are pretty easy to buy and will work alongside the SIM card most people have on their phones.

eSIMs have a great coverage range and incredible prices! This makes them pretty accessible for most people.

Once more, if you want to visit Europe and stay connected, the Holafly eSIM for Europe is surely one of the best options to consider. Additionally, you’ll receive a total of 120 minutes of talk time and an Austrian (+43) phone number. Remember to check the T&Cs!

eSIM rates for traveling to Europe

  • Unlimited data for 5 days at $19 USD with calls.
  • Unlimited data for 7 days at $27 USD with calls.
  • Unlimited data for 10 days at $34 USD with calls.
  • Unlimited data for 15 days at $47 USD with calls.
  • Unlimited data for 20 days at $54 USD with calls.
  • Unlimited data for 30 days at $64 USD with calls.
  • Unlimited data for 60 days at $87 USD with calls.
  • Unlimited data for 90 days at $99 USD with calls.

How to get internet in Europe with your operator?

For those wondering if someone can get International internet with their domestic mobile operator while being in Europe, the answer is yes. People can activate the roaming service as long as it is available, which is a great way to stay connected.

The only downside we have heard is the price to pay. Roaming in Europe tends to be quite expensive, which is why most people try to find a different alternative, but still, let’s see what we can find. 

Mobile internet in Europe with T-Mobile USA

Something that is pretty interesting is that most countries in Europe are offering roaming services from T-Mobile. Therefore, by paying for their local plan, people can eventually use the roaming service when needed.

All these plans offer people access to their home plan, and if someone uses up all the Mobiledata they receive, then there’s an option to pay to get more Mobile data.

Cellular internet in Europe with Vodafone

Now, talking about Vodafone. Actually, Vodafone is present in most parts of Europe. This is something truly excellent for people as they can access free-roaming services as long as they are located inside the EU. 

For locations outside the EU, the roaming service is still available. But, in this case, people will have to pay $6 to access the service.

Mobile internet in Europe with Telstra

For Telstra users, they have a decent roaming service. Telstra offers a Traveling Pass that is available in most of the European countries, and it costs $10 per day to use the service.

And, there’s another option for people to use, which is the pay-as-you-go plan, costing $3 per MB consumed.

Pocket WiFi for internet in Europe

Another option for people to use is Pocket WiFi for Europe. These devices have been in the market for quite some time, which is why in the past, this was one of the most used alternatives for travelers.

But, there are some things people must know first. Prices are not so accessible in some cases, there are some penalties for those who lose or damage a device, and they offer a small amount of Mobile data per week.

My Webspot 

My Webspot is one of the alternatives people can use while traveling to Europe. They offer a plan with 1 GB of Mobile data per day, and prices are around $7 per day. For a whole week, prices tend to be around 65 to 85 USD depending on where people are traveling to.

As we mentioned before, there is a penalty people must consider when renting a device. In this particular case, the company can charge 102 to 204 USD to people who lose or damage the rented device. 

Travelers Wifi 

Another company that people can consider when using Pocket WiFi is Travelers WiFi. This company is located in Switzerland and the service is available in most countries around the world. 

The only thing to consider here is the fact that they will only have access to 1 GB of Mobile data per day, and the prices are around 65 to 85 USD depending on where they are traveling to. And, there’s also a penalty for those who lose or damage a device and the price to pay is $159.

Public WiFi offering internet in Europe 

Europe is one of the continents where people can find free WiFi hotspots in many places. Whether it is a restaurant, a museum, a hotel, and more, there will surely be a free WiFi hotspot for people to use.

But, there’s a small detail here for people to consider. These WiFi hotspots won’t be always available. Therefore, people should have other alternatives for them to use whenever the hotspot is down, such as SIM or eSIM cards. 

Internet coverage map in Europe

Terrestrial coverage (fixed internet or home)

Map of mobile internet coverage in Europe. Source: Point Topic

3G or 4G coverage 

Map of Vodafone coverage in Europe. Source: BBC

Our recommendation

Wondering which alternative we recommend for people to use? This is a great question as there are numerous options out there. But, nowadays, we consider two of them as the main alternatives for people who want to save money while traveling.

We are talking about the SIM and eSIM cards, and to be more specific, the eSIM and SIM cards from Holafly because they’re the best options on the market, people won’t surely regret using them! 

Frequently asked questions about the internet in Europe

In case you have some questions left about the alternatives we mentioned, here will give you some extra answers.

What network frequencies work in Europe?

Most networks in Europe operate on 800, 850, 900, 1800, 1900.

What kind of networks exist in Europe?

Europe is one of the continents with the best cellphone networks around the world. People can find are 2G, 3G, 4G, and even 5G networks to use.

What telephone companies are there in Europe?

In Europe, there are lots of telephone companies to use. Vodafone, Three, O2, EE, and SFR are only a few to mention.

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