There are various SIM buying options - from choosing a special package for a SIM directely in your country, to buying a new SIM in your country, and choosing a SIM abroad. In addition, the question arises whether to choose a SIM for data only (Internet) or to purchase a SIM combined with calls.
In this post I will share my choices on the subject, of course you may also choose differently.
In all of my trips, I purchased at one of the following places:
Airport - automatic machine
Airport - stand
Train station
Mall (in the Czech Republic)
The main disadvantage of buying abroad is that you will be without a SIM card for a while. For me, this was not an issue.
(Make sure before the trip!) Emergency call - a call to the police should be possible even without a SIM card
Call to familiar contacts - via WhatsApp
Call to landline phone numbers - via Skype
Of course, you also need to download the app to your phone and connect to your phone.
You can add credit to your account with money at: https://secure.skype.com/en/credit
After charging, it will be possible to call landline phone numbers, through the application (and it will do so through the Internet).
You can also use this money for other trips as well.
If you do not use the money for 180 days, then the money will be "frozen" in the account and it will be necessary to reactivate it the next time you fly.
This way, you may purchase, just in case, some credit, and it can be used for all of your trips. Then, you may purchase a SIM with a larger internet package.
The only downside I found to this is that it is not possible to call you. That is, if you are waiting for a call, they will not be able to catch you because you do not have a designated number.
In this post I will share my choices on the subject, of course you may also choose differently.
Purchase Location
On my various trips, I chose to purchase the SIM abroad. Mainly for price considerations as well as the size of the Internet package. Of course, things may have changed since I last checked.In all of my trips, I purchased at one of the following places:
The main disadvantage of buying abroad is that you will be without a SIM card for a while. For me, this was not an issue.
Package Type
When I had to choose - I always preferred to take a larger Internet package and no calls. If calls are necessary then:Using Skype
Sign up for a Skype account here. Personally, I prefer to perform the following process on the computer.Of course, you also need to download the app to your phone and connect to your phone.
You can add credit to your account with money at: https://secure.skype.com/en/credit
After charging, it will be possible to call landline phone numbers, through the application (and it will do so through the Internet).
You can also use this money for other trips as well.
If you do not use the money for 180 days, then the money will be "frozen" in the account and it will be necessary to reactivate it the next time you fly.
This way, you may purchase, just in case, some credit, and it can be used for all of your trips. Then, you may purchase a SIM with a larger internet package.
The only downside I found to this is that it is not possible to call you. That is, if you are waiting for a call, they will not be able to catch you because you do not have a designated number.
