Traveling to Barcelona and wondering if you can buy a prepaid sim card for tourists at Barcelona Airport on arrival? Don't waste money on high roaming charges or get annoyed by slow overseas data roaming plans. Get yourself a Spain sim card for tourists.
This is a complete guide with everything you need to know about buying a tourist sim card at Barcelona Airport. Find out where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per January 2025, the best eSIMs for Barcelona, the best 4G/5G network in Spain, info about international sim cards and more.
Barcelona is one of my favorite cities in the world and I have been on uncountable weekend trips to Barcelona. Such a gorgeous city with so many cool things to do. Make sure you stay connected, it makes traveling to Barcelona easier and so much more fun.
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{roc}Heads up! If you are arriving late most shops will be closed at at Barcelona Airport BCN after 9.00 PM.
In that case head over to my guide for buying a prepaid sim card for tourists in Spain in 2025 or make it yourself easy and get an eSIM. Check out my list of the best eSIMs for traveling to Spain in 2025.
Are you traveling onwards to other countries in Europe after visiting Barcelona? Make sure your Spain sim card includes FREE EU Roaming.
You can also order a sim card for Europe on the internet. Check out my comparison of the best sim cards for Europe in 2025.
Some links in this article about the best sim cards for Barcelona are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends buying an Orange sim card at Barcelona Airport, it is the best value for money. For €15 EUR ($15 USD) you get 50 GB data. This may sound as an ok prepaid sim card deal for Spain. But...
Buying a sim card at Barcelona Airport is much more expensive than in Barcelona city center. You can already get a sim card with 50 GB data for just €10 EUR ($10 USD) in phone stores in Barcelona. Check here my complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card in Spain in 2025.
Want to be online as soon as the plane lands? Make it yourself even easier and order an eSIM for Spain on the internet. A Jetpac eSIM for Spain gives 15 GB data for $15 USD.
Check out my list of the best eSIMs for traveling to Spain in 2025.
Another great alternative is buying an international sim card with global coverage, so called world travel sim cards. Check out my comparison of the best international sim cards for travelers in 2025 and choose the travel sim card that suits your trip around the world.
Why buying a sim card for traveling to Barcelona
First of all we don't want to get stuck with high roaming charges or slow overseas data plans which limit the data speed. Getting a sim card for your trip to Europe make traveling so much easier. Ordering a taxi through an app, finding the train schedule on the go, getting directions from Google Maps. So many examples that having an internet connection while traveling is very convenient.
Also don't rely on public WiFi, first off it is an unsecured network connection and second, there is no guarantee the WiFi is working or fast enough to roam the internet. Traveltomtom always recommend to stay connected when traveling for much more fun and your own safety.
On Traveltomtom you can already find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world. How come? Traveling is my number 1 passion, but I also love to document all my travel tips. Second, I am already traveling the world full time since 2012 as a nomadic travel blogger and third, I am aiming to travel to every country in the world.
Find sim card guides from: USA, New York, Dominican Republic, Asia, Thailand, Bangkok, Singapore, Bali, Sydney, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Egypt, Turkey, Dubai, Hong Kong, Malaysia and many more.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid sim card and eSIM advice for your holiday destination. Bookmark me!
Arriving at Barcelona Airport - BCN
Barcelona International Airport (BCN) is called El Prat and it has 2 terminals: Terminal 1 + 2. Most intercontinental flights arrive at Terminal 1 and most European flights arrive at Terminal 2. Do you need to travel between the two terminals then you have to take a free shuttle bus which takes about 6-8 minutes.
The terminals are not too big, but can be crowded, especially in the summer season. However, getting around Barcelona Airport is fairly easy and the arrival halls are pretty big. Don't worry, you won't get lost arriving at Barcelona Airport El Prat.
Where to buy a sim card at Barcelona Airport
If you arrive in Terminal 1 then you can buy a sim card for tourists from the Vodafone store inside the Tech & Fly store or from the Tabacos convenience store.
The Vodafone store is located in the arrival hall of Terminal 1 and when you walk out into the arrival hall you will see it right in front of you on the other side of the arrival hall. Unfortunately the Vodafone sim card shop at Barcelona Airport only sells physical prepaid sim cards, no eSIMs.
The Tabacos convenience store is outside, just after the sliding door on your right hand side if you walk out of the terminal building. This convenience store also sells Spain prepaid sim cards for tourists. At the Tabacos convenience store they only sell physical Orange prepaid sim cards, no e-sims for Spain.
In Terminal 2 there is a little store called Tienda del Viajero, also a baggage storage. This store also sells prepaid sim cards for traveling in Spain. It is located in the middle of Hall B. Here they inly sell Orange prepaid sim cards, no Spain eSIMs.
Prices prepaid sim cards at Barcelona Airport
All info and prices below are updated as per January 2025 and prices are in Euros: $1 USD = €0.98 EUR and €1 EUR = $1.02 USD.
Orange
At the Tabacos convenience store they have 3 different Orange prepaid sim cards for Spain valid for 28 days:
- 50 GB data (15 GB EU data roaming) + unlimited calls in Spain + extras = €15 EUR ($15 USD)
- 100 GB data (20 GB EU data roaming) + unlimited calls in Spain + extras = €20 EUR ($20 USD)
- 50 GB data + 800 (international) minutes = €15 EUR ($15 USD)
For more specifications see the price sheet above. As you can see the Orange prepaid sim cards for Spain are not too expensive!
Vodafone
At the Vodafone sim card shop inside the Tech & Fly store they also sell 3 prepaid sim cards for tourists for traveling in Spain and Europe:
- 200 GB data (42 GB EU data roaming) + unlimited calls in Spain + 300 international minutes = €45 EUR - $45 USD
- 220 GB data (51 GB EU data roaming) + unlimited calls in Spain + 300 international minutes = €60 EUR - $60 USD
- 250 GB data (58 GB EU data roaming) + unlimited calls in Spain + 300 international minutes = €70 EUR - $70 USD
The Vodafone sim cards for tourists are also sold for tourists prices. Prepaid sim cards for Spain are very cheap, but not at the Vodafone store at Barcelona Airport.
If you read my article about the best sim cards for Spain in 2025 you will find out that Vodafone sells prepaid sim cards for Spain with 50 GB data for just €10 EUR. This makes it an easy conclusion that the Vodafone store at Barcelona Airport is a tourist trap, basically a rip off.
Best sim card at Barcelona Airport in 2025
It is an easy conclusion that Traveltomtom does not recommend buying a sim card from the Vodafone store at Barcelona Airport. These prices are out of control and feel like a tourist trap!
Orange prepaid sim cards are much cheaper than Vodafone prepaid sim cards at Barcelona Airport.
The Orange prepaid sim card plans from the Tabacos store in Terminal 1 or the Tienda del Viajero in Terminal 2 are the best sim cards for tourists at Barcelona Airport in 2025. For €15 EUR ($15 USD) you get 50 GB data.
That said, Traveltomtom definitely recommends looking into eSIMs if your phone is eSIM compatible as they already start from $4.5 USD. A Jetpac eSIM for Spain give you 15 GB for $15 USD.
Find out everything about using eSIMs for traveling to Spain in my complete guide including a comparison of the best eSIMs for Spain in 2025.
The Tabaco Shop may be a little hidden, just outside the terminal doors, but worth checking out. They have their own Orange kiosk inside the shop and the super friendly ladies installed my Spain sim card for me on my phone within just 2 minutes.
This was back in 2017 as in the recent years I have always used an eSIM for my trips to Barcelona and Europe.
Best eSIMs for Barcelona
The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Barcelona in 2025 is an eSIM. No more visiting a store or swapping physical sim cards. In just a couple clicks you can order and instal an eSIM for Spain.
For your interest: at Barcelona Airport you can only buy physical prepaid sim cards, there are no eSIMs for tourists available.
You order an eSIM for Spain on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Spain eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Barcelona it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
For much more details and answers to all the FAQ's about eSIMs check out Traveltomtom's guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for Spain in 2025.
SimOptions
Bouygues Telecom
- 15 GB data-only for 15 days = $15.90 USD
- 20 GB data + unlimited calls for 15 days = $21.90 USD
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $32.90 USD
- 60 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $39.90 USD
Orange Holiday Europe
- 12 GB data + 30 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $28.90 USD
- 30 GB data + 120 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $49.90 USD
- 70 GB data + 120 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 28 days = $55.90 USD
Click here to order an eSIM for Spain via SimOptions.
All the above international eSIMs are valid all over Europe and they include free EU data roaming. The best thing about these eSIMs for Spain is that they also include calling and texting and they all come with a phone number. Some of them support 5G, other eSIMs only 4G/LTE.
Airalo
Airalo is a trusted and reviewed eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo in more than 50 countries around the world. Here are the Airalo eSIM plans for Spain in 2025:
- 1 GB for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 2 GB for 15 days = $6.5 USD
- 3 GB for 30 days = $8.5 USD
- 5 GB for 30 days = $11.5 USD
- 10 GB for 30 days = $18 USD
- 20 GB for 30 days = $26 USD
Click here for more info or to order an eSIM for Spain via Airalo.
The above Guay Mobile eSIMs for Spain are data-only and data is only valid in Spain. Calling and texting is NOT supported. They operate on the 4G/LTE mobile network of Movistar.
Before ordering an eSIM for traveling to Spain make sure your mobile phone is eSIM compatible and unlocked. Want to get more info about using Spain eSIMs then check out my complete guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for traveling to Spain in 2025.
Order a prepaid sim card for Spain online
If your phone is not e-sim compatible but you would like to order a sim card for traveling to Spain online before your trip then check out the following.
Arrive prepared in Spain with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Spain, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Spain:
- 15 GB data-only for 15 days = $15.90 USD
- 20 GB data + unlimited calls for 15 days = $21.90 USD
- 10 GB data + $2 calling credit for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 10 GB data + unlimited calls/sms for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 12 GB data + 30 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $29.90 USD
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $44.90 USD
- 30 GB data + 120 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $49.90 USD
- 60 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $51.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an international prepaid sim card for Spain via SimOptions.
Personally I recommend a Bouygues Telecom or Orange international sim card for traveling in Europe. Traveltomtom has used this physical prepaid sim card many times in the past for my trips to Europe.
Last reminder that if your phone is eSIM compatible you can simply order an eSIM for Spain on the internet and keep your number from home.
Related: Best eSIMs for Traveling to Spain in 2025.
How to get from Barcelona Airport to the city
It is very easy to take the bus just outside the Terminals. They are called A1 or A2 and both head to Plaza Catalunya.
They cost around $7 USD and there is wifi on board. They run basically every 5 minutes. If you arrive at Barcelona Airport at night take Bus N18, they only cost around $3 USD. You can buy your bus ticket from Barcelona Airport to the city online already and save all the hassle at the airport.
Don't forget to check out my blog with the must do's for a weekend in Barcelona.
I hope the above tips for buying a Barcelona sim card were helpful for your upcoming trip. In case you still have any questions please don't hesitate to leave me a comment below. I am more than happy to help you out, also with Barcelona travel tips.
Go check out my Instagram profile @traveltomtom for some extra wanderlust. As of January 2025 I traveled to more than 155 countries on my road to visit every country in the world.
Enjoy your trip to Barcelona!
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