Phones
THE "411" ON PHONES...
ESIM CARD
You may decide to get international service on your home US phone, but it is often expensive. A great option to get a European phone number, keeping your US one, is to get an eSIM card.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows you to activate a cellular plan without having to use a physical SIM.
What are the benefits?
Set up the service before their trip and activate it upon arrival at their destination.
Know their number in advance of departure.
Use it from the moment they land in Europe.
Retain your current plan and use it simultaneously with the Euro eSIM.
Remember to always inform us of your new phone number by sending an email to: health@barcelonasae.com to reach you in case of an emergency
CONNECTIVITY GLOBAL SOLUTIONS
As long as your phone can carry an eSIM card, you can use an eSIM from Connectivity, as this is a very comfortable and affordable option. You will receive the eSIM directly in your email within minutes - no logistical hassle.
Most of the Connectivity plans will give you unlimited data per month (with up to 40GB per month able to be used outside of Spain) and unlimited calling to Spanish phone numbers.
You can pay for the eSIM month to month or pay up front for a multi-month plan. Use the code BARCELONASAE10 for a 10% discount!
Many students opt to get an international plan before they go abroad but there are two issues with this. First is the cost - it is often very expensive to do this. Second, your host family and new friends with Spanish numbers may have trouble reaching you. Still, this can be a good option, especially if you'll only be in Spain for a short time.
INTERNATIONAL PLANS
ANOTHER OPTION: Spanish sim card
Getting a local "Pay As You Go" Spanish SIM card is a good and inexpensive way to be reachable while abroad and your host family and new local friends can use it to reach you, plus the cost of incoming calls is always free, so your parents can reach you whenever they need to.
You can get a sim card that will go into your personal phone which will give you a local Spanish number and a data plan.
Please remember to always inform us of your new phone number by sending an email to: health@barcelonasae.com so that we can reach you in an emergency.
Some students decide to forgo having a data plan while they are abroad and rely on wifi to connect to the internet. While wifi in Spain is often not as fast as in other countries, there are more places each year offering free wifi services. Try local coffee shops, restaurants and libraries to connect when you need to. The city even offers 700+ free wifi points you can connect at. Check Barcelona Free WiFi.
Did you know that you can also download maps before you leave the house and make them available offline?
Remember that you should always be reachable via phone, in case of emergency.
TO DATA PLAN OR NOT TO DATA PLAN?
WHERE TO BUY A PHONE?
Well-Known Companies: Yoigo, Orange, Vodafone, and Movistar all have shops throughout the city, but students have found that the stores in El Corte Inglés & Las Arenas Mall are convenient and have English-speaking staff.
When you go to get a phone you will need your passport with you.
How to ask in Spanish:
Quiero un teléfono/una tarjeta SIM, la opción más barata y sencilla que tengáis. (I would like a new phone/a Spanish SIM Card. I would like to have the simplest and cheapest option you have).
Por favor, necesito una tarjeta SIM con un número nuevo. (Please, could I have a SIM card with a new number?)
Quiero que mi plan incluya llamadas y datos. (I would like my plan to have calls and data included)
Replacing a lost phone
We DO NOT suggest having a new one shipped to you as it will get stuck in customs and you will have to pay to get it out, our students have paid up to €200 to get an iPhone out of customs. We suggest buying a phone locally, see where on the section below.
Smartphone Apps for Study Abroad
Today there is an app for nearly everything you can possibly imagine. We have discovered several smartphone apps that will prove useful when traveling and preparing for travel abroad...
traveling: hostels, hotels & flights
STAFF PICK: Skyscanner
Skyscanner offers an excellent overview of any and all flights. Don't know where you want to travel to? The app and website offers a "Search Everywhere" option that will show you the cheapest flights from your destination. (Free)
TripAdvisor: World's largest travel site. Allows you to compare & book deals, read other travelers reveiws and find the best places on the map! (Free)
Hipmunk: Take the agony out of flight and hotel search. They compare all the top travel sights so you don’t have to. Hotels are shown on a map so you can see where you’ll be staying. (Free)
Hostelworld.com: This app is a quick way to secure and book a hostel wherever you go. (Free)
Gate Guru: This app allows you to receive real-time flight status information, view your TripIt and KAYAK itineraries, view airport security wait times, see a structured list of airport food, shops, and services. (Free)
Kayak: This is a multi-purpose travel app, helping you find and book flights, hotels, car rentals, and more. (Free Version & Paid Version)
COMMUNICATION:
IN SPAIN AND BACK HOME
STAFF PICK: WhatsApp
This messaging platform is the most widely-used smartphone application in Europe. Be sure to download it BEFORE leaving home, as your original number cannot be registered unless you have an international phone plan. The app can be used with a new Spanish number through a a SIM card purchased in Barcelona. (Free)
Google Hangouts: A great way to call home. With this app, you can call any phone in the U.S. for free over wifi or data, and it will go through like a phone call. This includes land lines as well! You can also use this app to call phones from other countries, though most countries will cost a few cents a minute (still much cheaper than calling using your cell phone!).
Facebook Messenger: Similar to Google Hangouts, the Messenger app allows you to text and call anyone in the world for free with a wifi or data connection. (Free)
Skype: An easy way to communicate with friends and family from home. You can video chat, call, or just type a message with a Wi-Fi connection. (Free)
Vonage Mobile and Viber: Both people communicating can download this app to avoid roaming charges. You can purchase calling minutes through iTunes with Vonage. (Free)
Postagram: This is a great app if you don’t want to spend money on stamps, but would like to send your family or friends a postcard. All you do is take a picture on your phone (or use one from Facebook) add a caption; send it in and Postagram will send a real postcard directly to the destination. (This app is free; however, you do have to pay 99 cents for each card)
Instagram: Use Instagram to add depth to photos with one-tap special effects then share them on Facebook, Twitter, and more. (Free)
GETTING AROUND: TRANSPORTATION IN BARCELONA
staff pick: google maps
Google Maps is the most reliable, updated, and efficient navigation app to use while abroad. Even if you are unable to get wifi, Google Maps can show your location. (Free)
City Mapper: The ultimate transport app. It shows you all the info you need (time, frequency, price) to go from one place to another. You need wifi to search, but if you save it, you can access to it when you're offline (with no wifi service).
TMB: This app gives you the metro knowhow you need to get from A to B in Barcelona. (Free)
FGC: Use this app to track the FGC line as well as saving future timetables for offline use! (Free)
Ulmon Barcelona: This is a Barcelona travel guide and offline map. It includes in-depth guide articles with text and images of sights and attractions, as well as tips from fellow travelers. (Free)
Barcelona Official Guide: This app has over 1,000 references and 350 photos, practical and essential information, and factsheets with direct links. (Free)
AccuWeather and Weatherbug: If you’re traveling between cities and countries on the weekends, you’ll want to dress for the weather. (Free)
MyTaxi: Use this app to get a cab wherever you are, whenever you want. All it takes is a tap of your Android phone. Easy to use, easy to pay and you can even rate and save favourite cabs and drivers. (Free)
700 City Maps: No need for Google Maps, this app gives directions, street names, without a need of Wi-Fi connection. (Free)
Yelp: Use this app to search for places around you to eat, shop, drink, relax, and more. (Free)
SitOrSquat: Bathroom locator. This may come in handy when in an unfamiliar area. (Free)
Wi-Fi Finder: This app allows you to quickly and easily find free or paid Wi-Fi in over 650,000 locations in 144 countries worldwide. (Free)
finance apps
STAFF PICK: venmo
This free application offers a safe, easy way to manage money while abroad. Money can be loaded onto Venmo, or one's bank account can be linked, and payments can be made to friends and family using the application. The platform also allows for instant messaging and the ability to send gifts to others. (Free)
Trip Boss Expense & Budget: There is a currency converter, a tip/split calculator, and you can even take photos of receipts for use with the included reimbursement functions. ($)
Convert Any Unit Free: Converts measurements like Celsius to Fahrenheit as well as a many currencies. (Free)
Splitwise: Perfect tool for friends and roommates to track bills and other shared expenses, so that everyone gets paid back! (Free)
Splid: Does the same as "Splitwise" but simpler, also has fewer features. (Free)
language & translation apps
STAFF PICK: DUOLINGO
This science-based smartphone app and website uses games and visuals to make language-learning entertaining and memorable. On top of brushing up on Spanish, there are 28 other languages for English-speakers to learn as well! Try to learn some Catalan! (Free)
iTranslate: This app will help you translate phrases you may need to know or may have forgotten during your stay in Barcelona. (Free)
Google Translate: Translates words and phrases by speaking the text instead of typing it. You can access your translation history when offline, and spell out the translation of non-Latin script languages. (Free)
Word Lens: This app will help you translate anything from a menu you can’t translate, to a sign. All you do is point your Android camera at the text and the app translates it! (This only works for Spanish to English/English to Spanish) (Free)
iPronunciation: This Google app can help you translate 53 languages and help you pronounce it. ($)
SOCIAL APPS
STAFF PICK: MEETUP
Set up in a Pinterest-esque format, Meetup makes it easy for foreigners and locals alike to enjoy their passions together. Select when activity or hobby you are interested in, and voila! Established groups of people with similar interests are there for you to join and "meet up" with. (Free)
Find My Friends: This Apple app allows you to share your locations with friends to make it easier to find each other in the city! (Free)
Spotify: Spotify Premium allows you to download music, playlists, and albums to your phone to stream while offline. Enjoy your favorite music while walking around town! ($)
Deliveroo: With Deliveroo, you can have food from your favorite restaurant delivered right to your doorstep! (Free)
WHERE TO BUY A SIM CARD?
If you would like to choose from a wide variety of mobile operators and plans, the best you can do is go to either of these shops:
Corte Inglés Plaça de Catalunya: There are counters from the main telephone operators in Spain right on the last floor of the building. Map
The Phone House: There are many of them around the city and they also work with all operators, so they can help you choose according to your needs. Map
***Remember if you choose to buy a SIM card make sure you US smart phone is unlocked and you phone is paid off in full- most US phone carriers will not support a foregin SIM card if the phone is on lease, not fully paid off or unlocked. This should be done before you go.