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SimCorner Review: The Best Travel SIM Cards for Europe (Tested in 11 Countries)

In mid-January of 2022, I decided to do something crazy.

As I had not been on a trip since March 2021 because of COVID travel restrictions, I decided that I would catch up on the lost travel time and go on a trip.

But it would not be your standard trip.

Instead, I would be traveling to 12/13 European countries to (re-)test the SIM cards of the local mobile operators, the Airalo Eurolink Europe eSIM, Nomad Europe eSIM & the SimCorner travel SIM cards.

I would visit Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Italy, (Vatican City), Malta, Greece, Belgium, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia & Slovenia, in that order, in March.

That way, I could assess if the local mobile operators had improved (significantly) from when I visited their countries (many) years ago and if SimCorner's travel SIM cards are any good.

Yeah – that does sound like a boring holiday, does it not – just testing SIM cards and eSIMs?

Not for me though (I would not have a site dedicated to traveling with your phone if I found it boring 🤪), and I managed to gather A LOT of valuable data for you.

Not just for these SimCorner travel SIM cards but also for the 41 local SIM cards I tested.

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As you can imagine, I am VERY behind on my reviews – let alone YouTube videos🥲.

But I can already tell you that I am pleasantly pleased with the SimCorner O2/3 Europe travel SIM cards.

It was actually my first time using travel SIM cards provided by SimCorner.

I have used travel SIM cards provided by other companies.

They were super expensive, slow as hell (especially the Orange Spain Mundo travel SIM cards – watch out with those), or had spotty coverage.

So, it was time to try something new.

But since it is easy to cross borders in Europe, especially the European Union, and because I wanted to visit many countries within a month, it was a good time to test out SimCorner's offering.

In this review, I will cover everything you need to know about the SimCorner Europe travel SIM cards.

From SIM card plans, prices, eligible countries, my experience with the travel SIM cards in the countries I visited & speed comparisons between the travel SIM cards and the local mobile operator the SIM card was roaming on.

Yeah, I was not playing around on this trip – I want to give you a complete picture of what to expect with the SimCorner Europe travel SIM cards.

But I can tell you that you will not be disappointed with the performance!

Enough talk – let's get started.

SimCorner Europe SIM Card Review by Phone Travel Wiz

Original publication: 12th of May 2022. Last updated: 15th of January 2024.


Table of Contents

What about Free Data Roaming within the European Union? Do I Even Need a European Travel SIM Card?

Before I even write more about the SimCorner Europe travel SIM cards, you may be wondering one thing already.

Why would you want to use a travel SIM card if you can roam for free with a SIM card sold within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)?

Good question – you have done your research, I see 👏🏿.

Since June 2017, those with EU/EEA (European Economic Area) SIM cards can indeed roam for free in other EU/EEA nations.

In most cases, you do not need to purchase a SIM card in each EU/EEA country if you already have an EU/EEA SIM card because you can roam without additional costs.

Just like how the SimCorner Europe travel SIM cards work, basically.

However, the EU/EEA data roaming allowances can be small, depending on the country you buy your EU/EEA SIM card from.

Some mobile operators in specific countries restrict which in countries you can roam.

For example, mobile operators in Finland allow you to data roam in the Nordics (Denmark, Norway & Sweden) and the Baltics (Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania) only – not in other EU/EEA countries.

Mobile operators in other countries, like Austria, do not allow for data roaming unless you spend at least 30 EUR on a plan – and the data roaming allowance would still be tiny.

Finally, some mobile operators only allow for data roaming if you register your SIM card when it is not even mandated by law, with a local tax ID, which you will not have as a traveler.

Examples of such countries are a handful of mobile operators in Slovenia and Sweden.

Yeah, that sounds like a hassle to navigate through, right?

With SimCorner's Europe travel SIM cards, you will know beforehand that you can use your 8 GB, 12 GB, or 100 GB data allowance in all countries within the EU/EEA and a few more in Europe without having to deal with the bureaucratic hassle.

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SimCorner Travel SIM Card Shipping Time & Costs

Depending on where you live, it can take one business day up to nine business days in metro areas to receive your SimCorner travel SIM card. Standard shipping with tracking is always free, but you can pay up to 9.95 USD/5.10 EUR/6.10 GBP/6.10 AUD/19.99 CAD/6.50 NZD for express shipping.

Before February 2022, all items were shipped from Australia, where SimCorner is based, which resulted in very long shipping times.

Especially during COVID times where freight delays were common.

Since February 2022, SimCorner has opened up several distribution centers around the world:

  • Australia (Melbourne – also to Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore & South Korea – shipping times to those countries can be up to 20 business days) in Australian Dollar (AUD)
  • Canada (Toronto) in Canadian Dollar (CAD)
  • Netherlands (Veldhoven – for European deliveries (+Gibraltar & Guernsey) but excluding the United Kingdom) in Euro (EUR)
  • New Zealand (Auckland) in New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
  • United Kingdom (London) in (British) Pound (Sterling – GBP)
  • United States (Chicago, Illinois) in US Dollar (USD)

>>> Check out the latest and exclusive SimCorner Europe travel SIM card deals now! <<<

As I was in the Netherlands when I received my SimCorner Europe travel SIM cards, my delivery was shipped from the European distribution center in Veldhoven.

PostNL, the Dutch postal service, almost always delivers mail and packages the next day.

So, I received my order the next day – to the surprise of SimCorner itself (it was their first shipment from that distribution center – that is why).

PostNL usually sends mails and parcels within a week within the European Union, so you may not even have to pay for express shipping.

Unless you plan to leave the country within two days or something, express shipping is not recommended

Except for Australia, I do not have experience with the local postal services in the other countries.

I do know that Australia Post can be surprisingly fast if you live in metro areas, especially for the size of the country.

But if you live in like Supai, Arizona, in the United States, express shipping may be necessary – ha.

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How Much Does the SimCorner Europe Travel SIM Cards Cost?

You have these four options:

  1. Europe travel SIM card with 8 GB for 30 days (includes calls) in 40+ countries: 21 USD/33 EUR/15 GBP/28 AUD/33 CAD/30 NZD
  2. Europe & UK travel SIM card with 12 GB for 30 days (includes calls, SMS & data use in Asia, Central America & South America) in 70+ countries: 24 USD/21 EUR/17 GBP/32 AUD/38 CAD/35 NZD
  3. UK and Europe travel SIM card with 100 GB for 30 days (includes calls and SMS) in 40+ countries: 48 USD/47 EUR/35 GBP/67 AUD/76 CAD/72 NZD
  4. Europe Data travel SIM card with 12 GB for 60 days (includes data use in Asia, Central America & South America) in 70+ countries: 50 USD/45 EUR/37 GBP/70 AUD/63 CAD/75 NZD

Depending on where you order your travel SIM cards from, you will be charged in US Dollar (USD), Euro (EUR), (British) Pound (Sterling – GBP), Australian Dollar (AUD), Canadian Dollar (CAD), or New Zealand Dollar (NZD).

Worry not; the links above will automatically send you to the store closest to you (so that you can pay in your own currency AND get your travel SIM card shipped faster to you).

Also, note that the prices are often lower, but sometimes more expensive, than listed above because SimCorner has region-bound promotions quite often, so be sure to check the links out to see the current prices.

>>> Check out the latest and exclusive SimCorner Europe travel SIM card deals now! <<<

Also, you should know that SimCorner also has country-bound travel SIM cards, like the Italy SIM cards or Spain SIM cards.

You will notice the country-specific SIM cards cost the same as the Europe ones.

Worry not – all country-bound travel SIM cards in Europe can be used throughout Europe (the country list is in the next section), not just in Spain, for example.

The only travel SIM card you should be careful with the France & European SIM Card one by Bouygues Telecom.

This SIM card needs to be used in France first before it can be used in the rest of Europe – you do not have this restriction with any other SimCorner Europe SIM card, including the one to be discussed in this review.

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In Which Countries Can the SimCorner Europe Travel SIM Cards Be Used?

The SimCorner Europe travel SIM cards can be used in most countries in Europe, including all nations in the European Union (EU). The SIM cards can be used from Iceland to Ukraine and from Norway to Spain.

Some travel SIM cards can also be used in select countries in Asia, Central America & South America.

>>> Check out the latest and exclusive SimCorner Europe travel SIM card deals now! <<<

First, I will list the European countries before mentioning non-European countries.

Below is a complete overview of European countries the SimCorner Europe travel SIM cards work in:

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • French Guiana
  • Germany
  • Gibraltar
  • Greece
  • Guadeloupe
  • Guernsey
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Isle of Man
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Jersey
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Martinique
  • Mayotte
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Réunion
  • Romania
  • Saint Barthélemy
  • Saint Martin
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • United Kingdom
  • Vatican City

Okay, you may wonder how Guadeloupe, in the Caribbean, is considered to be European.

It is an overseas department of France, meaning it is part of the French Republic (France).

And as France is part of the European Union, EU roaming rules apply to its overseas departments, like French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Mayotte, Réunion, Saint Barthélemy & Saint Martin.

The SimCorner Europe travel SIM cards can also be used in Israel.

But you are restricted to data use only – even if the travel SIM card allows for calling and texting.

Below is a complete overview of non-European countries the SimCorner Europe travel SIM cards work in:

  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • El Salvador
  • Guatemala
  • Hong Kong
  • Indonesia
  • Macau
  • Nicaragua
  • Panama
  • Peru
  • Puerto Rico
  • Singapore
  • Sri Lanka
  • Uruguay
  • Vietnam

>>> Check out the latest and exclusive SimCorner Europe travel SIM card deals now! <<<

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How to Activate SimCorner Europe Travel SIM Cards?

Okay, you have finally received your SimCorner Europe travel SIM card and are due to depart in a few days – how do you activate the SIM card?

Unlike most mobile operators within Europe that require SIM card registration with your passport details, that is not required with SimCorner.

However, SimCorner SIM cards still need to be activated. Luckily, the instructions are clearly stated on the envelope the SIM card is in:

  • Go to www.simcorner.com/activate
  • Input your order and serial number
  • Enter your activation date (intended arrival date in Europe)
SimCorner Activation Instructions
© SimCorner

You simply fill in the required fields, and you will get an automated email.

SimCorner SIM Card Activation Email

Later, usually within hourd or a business day, someone from SimCorner's support team will inform you your SIM card has been activated.

SimCorner SIM Card Activation Confirmation Email

Easy, right?

>>> Check out the latest and exclusive SimCorner Europe travel SIM card deals now! <<<

As the last email states, you have to enable data roaming for the SimCorner Europe travel SIM card.

Worry not, you will not be charged outrageous roaming rates when you do so (you would if you kept using your main SIM card, though).

If you have a dual-SIM phone, as I do, make sure data roaming is only enabled on the SimCorner SIM card and not on your primary SIM card, if you plan on keeping it in your phone during your trip.

And be sure to turn on data on the SimCorner SIM card and not your primary SIM card.

Honestly, if all of this sounds too complicated, just insert the SimCorner SIM card into your phone and take out your main SIM card.

That way, you will not make any mistakes.

You may have to manually enter the Access Point Name (APN), but that will not be the case 99% of the time.

Below, I will show you the instructions on how to do so for the 3 travel SIM card and the O2 travel SIM card.

SimCorner Europe Travel SIM Cards APN Settings

In fact, you should read the booklet you receive from SimCorner.

SimCorner Information Booklets

It contains essential information and is easy to follow.

>>> Check out the latest and exclusive SimCorner Europe travel SIM card deals now! <<<

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My Experience with the SimCorner Europe Travel SIM Cards in 11 Countries

I used the SimCorner Europe travel SIM cards (both the O2 100 GB one and 3 12 GB one) in Portugal, Spain, Italy, (Vatican City), Malta, Greece, Belgium, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia & Slovenia in that order.

If you paid close attention to what I wrote in the introduction, I also visited Andorra.

But the travel SIM cards could not be used in Andorra, so I had to use an Andorra Telecom SIM card (read my review here).

Now, I will write a bit about my experience with SimCorner Europe travel SIM cards in the 11 countries I used it in – coverage, speed & comparisons with the roaming partner.

In Portugal, Spain, Italy, (Vatican City), Malta, Greece, Belgium, Austria & Slovakia, I used the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card with 100 GB of data.

It expired after 30 days (unless you have an UK-issued debit- or credit card – then you can recharge it online), so I had to switch to the SimCorner 3 Europe travel SIM card with 12 GB of data in Hungary, Croatia & Slovenia.

I want to say that the SimCorner Europe travel SIM cards supports 4G/LTE only in all the countries it can be used.

Some local mobile operators already offer 5G NR to prepaid customers.

The purpose of my Europe tour was mainly to compare the mobile operators with each other.

As a result, there will be significant speed differences between the SimCorner Europe travel SIM cards and roaming partner, especially if the roaming partner enabled 5G NR for prepaid customers.

I did six to eight speed tests across three phones in the locations I did my tests – I could not be bothered to do even more tests on 4G/LTE if the roaming partner had 5G NR access at that location.

All this testing takes a lot of time – let alone the processing 🥲.

But now you will understand why I got only a download speed of 110 Mbps with the SimCorner Europe travel SIM cards, whereas the roaming partner got a download speed of 620+ or whatever.

I will also mention whether SimCorner Europe travel SIM card has passed the 4k video streaming and live streaming test.

What are those tests?

A download speed of more than 25 Mbps is enough to video stream content @ 4k resolution.

Social media sites that allow for live streaming, like Facebook Live, recommend an upload speed of at least 10 Mbps.

So if the average download speed with the SimCorner Europe travel SIM card in Portugal was 50 Mbps, then it passed the video streaming test.

But if the average upload speed was only 3.5 Mbps, then it did not pass the live stream test.

All 5G NR speed test results are underlined. Any number that is in bold means that speed test result was the fastest at that location between all the local mobile operators, Airalo Europe eSIM & Nomad Europe eSIM.

Again, I will share my experiences in Portugal, Spain, Italy & Vatican City, Malta, Greece, Belgium, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia & Slovenia – these links jump to my analysis of the said country.

If you just want to know how the SIM card performed in Malta, for example, then click on Malta in the sentence above.

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SimCorner Travel SIM Card (O2) in Portugal (Compared with MEO PT)

Flag of Portugal

Portugal was my first stop for this trip. I only stayed in Porto because I had not been there before.

But I celebrated my birthday in Lisbon… when it was pouring and on a Ryanair flight to Madrid, Spain.

Yeah – I am truly boring 🥴.

In Portugal, you have three mobile operators:

  • MEO Portugal
  • NOS Portugal
  • Vodafone Portugal

You can learn more about local Portuguese SIM cards in my Portugal SIM card buying guide.

The SimCorner O2 travel SIM card uses the MEO Portugal network, which, on average, is the best mobile network in terms of speed and coverage in Portugal.

So I had high hopes for the SimCorner travel SIM card and even more for MEO Portugal.

Until I learned that prepaid customers can use 5G NR for free until May 2022.

And MEO Portugal has been the mobile operator that invested the most in its 5G NR network.

So, would the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card stand a chance?

Yes, but in another way you are probably thinking of.

Here are the speed test results of the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card and MEO Portugal – the roaming partner:

SimCorner O2 Europe Travel SIM Card vs MEO Portugal Speed Test Results Compared

On average, the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card was 71.8% slower than MEO Portugal – its roaming partner. The SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card did pass the video streaming test (62.52 Mbps average download speed – 25 Mbps minimum for 4k streaming) and the live streaming test (25.97 Mbps average upload speed – 10 Mbps minimum for HD live streaming) in Portugal.

First, the speed test result in Porto Alameda mall was my first time experiencing a download speed higher than 440 Mbps – 568 Mbps.

My previous record was in Taipei-Taoyuan Airport in Taiwan.

Anyway, if you look at the results, you would think the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card is slow and bad.

But when do you actually need a 568 Mbps download speed? Certainly not for general data browsing or browsing the web.

Heck, you only need a download speed of at least 25 Mbps to watch videos at 4k resolution.

So I would have been fine all over Portugal, except for at Porto Airport and Porto Bem Bom Grupo Boca Doce.

But MEO Portugal has no reception at the latter location… even though the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card could be used there.

Interesting, right? Based SimCorner SIM card 😎.

If you did not get that reference… you are probably an oldie 🤪.

But in short, while I did not get any 500 Mbps+ speed test results with the SimCorner SIM card because it uses 4G/LTE and lower only and not 5G NR (yet), my speeds were capped at 100 Mbps.

But anything above 25 Mbps will be more than enough for the regular user.

I always had reception with the travel SIM card and local SIM card at all test locations and when just wandering around Lisbon.

>>> Check out the latest and exclusive SimCorner Europe travel SIM card deals now! <<<

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SimCorner Travel SIM Card (O2) in Spain

Flag of Spain

Spain was my first stop for this trip. Just like in Portugal, I mostly stayed in Madrid only because I had not been there before.

I did a few tests in Barcelona on my way to Andorra, and from Barcelona flying to Italy (Rome).

In Spain, you have four mobile operators:

  • Movistar Spain
  • Orange Spain
  • Vodafone Spain
  • Yoigo

You can learn more about local Spanish SIM cards in my Spain SIM card buying guide.

Unfortunately, I forgot to note down which network the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card uses.

So I do not know which roaming partner the SimCorner Europe travel SIM card used 🥲.

So I will show you the download speeds of each Spanish mobile operator and the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card:

SimCorner O2 Europe Travel SIM Card in Spain vs Movistar Spain Orange Spain Vodafone Spain & Yoigo Speed Test Results Compared

As you can see, I got some insane speed results with Movistar Spain, Orange Spain & Vodafone Spain.

Movistar Spain and Vodafone Spain offered 5G NR to prepaid customers, and I had 5G NR reception at many test locations.

Orange Spain did not offer 5G NR to prepaid customers (yet).

Still, it is the mobile operator with the fastest 4G/LTE speeds, according to Opensignal and Speedtest.

The SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card performed well (but not 606 Mbps well), but it could not compete with those 5G NR speed test results.

I do suspect it used the Movistar Spain network based on how close the speed test results were in Barcelona Airport, Madrid Estación Madrid – Puerta de Atocha & Madrid McDonald's Gran Vía.

I guess I have to go back one day to find out? 😏

I always had reception with the travel SIM card and local SIM card at all test locations and when just wandering around Barcelona and Madrid.

>>> Check out the latest and exclusive SimCorner Europe travel SIM card deals now! <<<

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SimCorner Travel SIM Card (O2) in Italy & Vatican City (Compared with TIM IT)

Flag of Italy

Italy was my fourth stop for this trip, but the third for my Eurolink eSIM testing because the eSIM did not work in Andorra back then.

In Italy, I stayed in Rome and Catania. I also visited Vatican City, where the Italian mobile operators cover the entirety of the city (it is tiny – that is why).

In Italy, you have four mobile operators:

  • TIM Italy
  • Wind Tre (formerly Wind and Tre)
  • Vodafone Italy
  • Iliad

You can learn more about local Italian SIM cards in my Italy SIM card buying guide.

The SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card uses the TIM Italy network, which is the best network in Italy in terms of coverage.

Surprisingly, it has the slowest 4G/LTE speeds. But it is winning the 5G NR race.

I actually want to say something about Wind Tre, as it has the fastest 4G/LTE network.

With Wind Tre, reception would drop out of nowhere – even in the city center of Rome.

I found that bizarre. I would be walking down a busy street, and the reception would just vanish out of nowhere.

Luckily, I did not have such issues with TIM Italy… so that was good.

The TIM Italy employee that sold me my TIM Italy SIM card did not recommend getting a 5G NR-enabled plan because, in his words, 5G NR reception is whack in Rome.

I write a bit more about his reasoning in my TIM Italy review, but this may be interesting to you already.

Now we finally have a comparison where both the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card and roaming partner use 4G/LTE for all tests.

Anyway, here are the speed test results of the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card and TIM Italy – the roaming partner:

SimCorner O2 Europe Travel SIM Card vs TIM Italy Speed Test Results Compared

On average, the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card was 29.1% faster than TIM Italy – its roaming partner. The SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card did pass the video streaming test (57.34 Mbps average download speed – 25 Mbps minimum for 4k streaming) and the live streaming test (18.03 Mbps average upload speed – 10 Mbps minimum for HD live streaming) in Italy.

When looking at the overall picture, the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card performed better than the TIM Italy SIM card… which is unusual.

Also, you should know that Italy has the lowest average cost of 1 GB of data in the European Union.

But, you get hit with high activation fees when you initially buy a SIM card and plan.

While you can get like 50 GB of data for less than 10 EUR, you will spend between 20 EUR and 35 EUR the first month.

It will be significantly cheaper to use a travel SIM card, like the SimCorner ones.

I always had reception with the travel SIM card and local SIM card at all test locations and when just wandering around Catania and Rome.

>>> Check out the latest and exclusive SimCorner Europe travel SIM card deals now! <<<

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SimCorner Travel SIM Card (O2) in Malta (Compared with GO MT)

Flag of Malta

After Italy, I flew to Malta. The second-last country of phase one of my trip.

In Malta, you have three mobile operators:

  • Epic Malta (formerly Vodafone Malta)
  • GO Malta
  • Melita

You can learn more about local Maltese SIM cards in my Malta SIM card buying guide.

The Eurolink eSIM uses the GO Malta network, which is the best network in Malta in terms of speed and the second-best in coverage – slightly behind Epic Malta.

While every Maltese mobile operator claimed they had 5G NR (for prepaid) in Sliema and St Julian's, I never managed to experience 5G NR in those two cities, even with GO Malta.

Once again, we have a comparison where both the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card and roaming partner use 4G/LTE for all tests.

Anyway, here are the speed test results of the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card and GO Malta – the roaming partner:

SimCorner O2 Europe Travel SIM Card vs GO Malta Speed Test Results Compared

On average, the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card was 42.4% slower than GO Malta – its roaming partner. The SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card did pass the video streaming test (29.2 Mbps average download speed – 25 Mbps minimum for 4k streaming) and the live streaming test (16.02 Mbps average upload speed – 10 Mbps minimum for HD live streaming) in Malta.

Those are some good results by both SIM cards.

At some test locations, the speed results were close. While at others, the differences were more significant.

I always had reception with travel SIM card and local SIM card at all test locations and when just wandering around Malta on the main island (not on Gozo – I did not have the time to visit that part of the country 😔).

>>> Check out the latest and exclusive SimCorner Europe travel SIM card deals now! <<<

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SimCorner Travel SIM Card (O2) in Greece

Flag of Greece

After Malta, I flew to Greece. The last country of phase one of my trip.

My friend from Watchatter actually flew over to spend the weekend with me in Athens.

He even bought a WIND Greece SIM card on my behalf because I arrived at midnight.

And they say friendships are superficial nowadays 😖.

In Greece, you have three mobile operators:

  • COSMOTE
  • Vodafone Greece
  • WIND Greece

You can learn more about local Greek SIM cards in my Greece SIM card buying guide.

Unfortunately, I forgot to note down which network the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card uses.

So I do not know which roaming partner the SimCorner Europe travel SIM card used 🥲.

So I will show you the download speeds of each Greek mobile operator and the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card:

SimCorner O2 Europe Travel SIM Card in Greece vs COSMOTE Greece, Vodafone Greece & WIND Greece Speed Test Results Compared

Would you look at that – the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card was the best performing SIM card!

But you may have noticed that almost all, except for one, speed test result with Vodafone Greece was on 3G (remember, all numbers in italics are 3G speed test results).

That is because I was restricted to 3G all weekend. ALL WEEKEND. I felt betrayed.

And it was not the first time I was scammed by Vodafone Greece (throwback to 17-year-old me).

But in the morning I flew back to the Netherlands, I got a text message that 4G/LTE was enabled… just as I was at the airport (the 174 Mbps speed test result).

So I guess 4G/LTE has to be manually activated by Vodafone Greece HQ?

And as I got the SIM card on a Saturday afternoon, and Vodafone Greece closed all its stores at 14:00/15:00 and all of Sunday, I had no way to ask anyone why I was restricted to 3G only.

I would be, and not be, surprised that Vodafone Greece may have been the best performing mobile operator at my test locations.

COSMOTE Greece is actually the fastest mobile operator in Greece.

However, the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card often had a download speed result in the multiple than COSMOTE Greece's, so I doubt the travel SIM used their network.

I always had reception with the travel SIM card and local SIM card at all test locations and when just wandering around Athens.

Just be aware that reception on Athens metro will be… well… close to non-existent.

>>> Check out the latest and exclusive SimCorner Europe travel SIM card deals now! <<<

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SimCorner Travel SIM Card (O2) in Belgium

Flag of Belgium

After Greece, I headed back to the Netherlands to take a break for a week before starting phase two of my trip.

However, I decided to head to Belgium for a day because I lived near the border and… I wanted to collect more data 👀.

In Belgium, you have three mobile operators:

  • Proximus
  • Orange Belgium
  • BASE Belgium

You can learn more about local Belgian SIM cards in my Belgium SIM card buying guide.

Unfortunately, I forgot to note down which network the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card uses.

So I do not know which roaming partner the SimCorner Europe travel SIM card used 🥲.

So I will show you the download speeds of each Belgian mobile operator and the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card:

SimCorner O2 Europe Travel SIM Card in Greece vs COSMOTE Greece, Vodafone Greece & WIND Greece Speed Test Results Compared

The SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card performed quite well.

But I was a bit disappointed with the overall network performance of the Belgian mobile operators.

Maybe because I was spoiled with insane 5G NR speeds in Southern Europe 🤪.

But yeah, there is not much more to say about the results in Belgium.

I always had reception with the travel SIM card and local SIM cards at all test locations and when just wandering around Antwerp.

But when you are on the train in Belgium, your connection will be cut off most of the time.

Even at stations in rural Belgium, like Essen, you may have no reception at all (like with BASE Belgium), or your speeds will be whack.

>>> Check out the latest and exclusive SimCorner Europe travel SIM card deals now! <<<

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SimCorner Travel SIM Card (O2) in Austria (Compared with Drei AT)

Flag of Austria

Officially, Austria was the first country I visited for the second phase of my trip (Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Italy, Malta & Greece were in phase one, and Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia & Slovenia were in phase two).

However, I only landed in Vienna before heading directly to Bratislava, Slovakia.

In Austria, you have three mobile operators:

  • A1 Austria
  • Magenta Telekom
  • Drei (3) Austria

You can learn more about local Austrian SIM cards in my Austria SIM card buying guide.

The SimCorner O2 travel SIM card uses the Drei (3) Austria network, which, on average, is in the middle in terms of speeds (behind A1 Austria and ahead of Magenta Telekom).

During my trip, the results were different. Drei Austria was the fastest local mobile operator, closely followed by Magenta Telekom & more than twice as fast as A1 Austria.

But there is something you should know about prepaid SIM cards in Austria – the mobile operators seem to hate prepaid customers.

Okay, perhaps not truly hate, but all Austrian mobile operators throttle prepaid speeds.

The more expensive the plan, the faster the speeds you can get (all the way up to 150 Mbps/50 Mbps).

But that is not a promise you will even achieve those speeds.

But something was interesting with my Drei Austria SIM card.

While the plan I got had a 50 Mbps/20 Mbps speed restriction, I sometimes managed to get much faster speeds (up to 101 Mbps).

The other Austrian mobile operators ensured I never got speeds faster than the advertised speed.

This is why Drei Austria performed so well compared to its competition.

Anyway, here are the speed test results of the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card and Drei Austria – the roaming partner:

SimCorner O2 Europe Travel SIM Card vs Drei Austria Speed Test Results Compared

On average, the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card was 91.1% faster than Drei (3) Austria – its roaming partner. The SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card did pass the video streaming test (76.54 Mbps average download speed – 25 Mbps minimum for 4k streaming) and the live streaming test (26.05 Mbps average upload speed – 10 Mbps minimum for HD live streaming) in Austria.

Drei Austria's throttling worked well most of the time, but it does not seem to throttle roaming partners like the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card.

That is why the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card performed so well compared to Drei Austria itself.

I always had reception with the travel SIM card and local SIM card at all test locations and when just wandering around Vienna.

>>> Check out the latest and exclusive SimCorner Europe travel SIM card deals now! <<<

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SimCorner Travel SIM Card (O2) in Slovakia (Compared with O2 SK)

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After landing in Vienna, Austria, I headed to Bratislava, Slovakia.

It was also the last country I could use my SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card before it expired.

In Slovakia, you have four mobile operators:

  • Slovak Telekom
  • Orange Slovakia
  • O2 Slovakia
  • 4ka by Swan Mobile

You can learn more about local Slovak SIM cards in my Slovakia SIM card buying guide.

The SimCorner O2 travel SIM card uses the O2 Slovakia network (ironic, ha), which, on average, is much slower than Orange Slovakia and Slovak Telekom but just slightly faster than 4ka by Swan Mobile.

During my trip, the results were different. Slovak Telekom was the clear winner, and O2 Slovakia did well too… but Orange Slovakia was slow – never getting a download speed of more than 30(.02 Mbps).

So I heavily suspect Orange Slovakia throttles prepaid speeds.

O2 Slovakia offered 5G NR to prepaid customers already, and I got some crazy results.

Anyway, here are the speed test results of the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card and O2 Slovakia – the roaming partner:

SimCorner O2 Europe Travel SIM Card vs O2 Slovakia Speed Test Results Compared

On average, the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card was 49.8% slower than O2 Slovakia – its roaming partner. The SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card did pass the video streaming test (48.66 Mbps average download speed – 25 Mbps minimum for 4k streaming) but NOT the live streaming test (9.37 Mbps average upload speed – 10 Mbps minimum for HD live streaming) in Slovakia.

These are some standard results.

But when looking at the median, the SimCorner O2 Europe travel SIM card performed much better than O2 Slovakia.

The speeds with O2 Slovakia fluctuated a lot – even at the same test location and testing phone. Odd.

I always had reception with the travel SIM card and local SIM card at all test locations and when just wandering around Bratislava and on the busses to and from Vienna on the highway.

>>> Check out the latest and exclusive SimCorner Europe travel SIM card deals now! <<<

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SimCorner Travel SIM Card (3) in Hungary (Compared with Yettel HU)

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After landing in Austria and Slovakia, it was time to the the bus to Budapest, Hungary.

I actually forgot one of my testing phones at the Airbnb in Bratislava 😭.

Luckily, I had enough SIM card slots on my other three testing phones in the remaining three countries (each having only three mobile operators), so I did not have to keep changing SIM cards.

Hungary was the first country I had to start using my SimCorner 3 Europe travel SIM card because the O2 SIM card expired.

As a reminder, the O2 travel SIM card gives you 100 GB for 30 days. The 3 travel SIM card gives you 12 GB for 30 days.

In Hungary, you have three mobile operators:

  • Magyar Telekom
  • Yettel Hungary (formerly Telenor Hungary)
  • Vodafone Hungary

You can learn more about local Hungarian SIM cards in my Hungary SIM card buying guide.

The SimCorner 3 travel SIM card uses the Yettel Hungary network, which, on average, is slightly slower than Magyar Telekom but quite a bit faster than Vodafone Hungary.

It surprised me that Yettel Hungary allowed prepaid customers to use 5G NR because it was not advertised anywhere on its site or in stores.

I guess Yettel Hungary opened up its 5G NR network to prepaid customers when it switched from Telenor Hungary to Yettel Hungary, as the switch opened up more features to prepaid customers, like eSIMs.

Still, I was mostly on 4G/LTE with Yettel Hungary.

Anyway, here are the speed test results of the SimCorner 3 Europe travel SIM card and Yettel Hungary – the roaming partner:

SimCorner O2 Europe Travel SIM Card vs Yettel Hungary Speed Test Results Compared

On average, the SimCorner 3 Europe travel SIM card was 31.4% slower than Yettel Hungary – its roaming partner. The SimCorner 3 Europe travel SIM card did pass the video streaming test (69.08 Mbps average download speed – 25 Mbps minimum for 4k streaming) and the live streaming test (20.02 Mbps average upload speed – 10 Mbps minimum for HD live streaming) in Hungary.

If it was not for the 692 Mbps Yettel Hungary speed test result at Budapest Fővám Square, the SimCorner 3 Europe travel SIM card would have the best overall performance.

When the SimCorner was faster, it was significantly faster than Yettel.

When Yettel Hungary was faster, it was only marginally faster.

I always had reception with the travel SIM card and local SIM card at all test locations and when just wandering around Budapest.

>>> Check out the latest and exclusive SimCorner Europe travel SIM card deals now! <<<

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SimCorner Travel SIM Card (3) in Croatia (Compared with Telemach HR)

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Now, it was time for me to head to Croatia.

The Flixbus ride to Zagreb was quite funny because more than half the bus was filled with Dutch students on a student trip.

What was not funny was that it took 1.5 HOURS to cross the borders because Croatia is not part of the Schengen area yet 😒.

In Croatia, you have three mobile operators:

  • Hrvatski Telekom
  • A1 Croatia
  • Telemach Croatia

You can learn more about local Croatian SIM cards in my Croatia SIM card buying guide.

The SimCorner 3 travel SIM card uses the Telemach Croatia network, which, on average, is the slowest.

What is worse is that Telemach Croatia throttles prepaid speeds to 75 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload (which is mentioned somewhere on page 261 in its terms and conditions).

Although I had 5G NR reception at all test locations, except for one, with Telemach Croatia, while the other mobile operators do not offer 5G NR to prepaid customers yet, I did not have the chance to test its network to its fullest 😖.

Anyway, here are the speed test results of the SimCorner 3 Europe travel SIM card and Telemach Croatia – the roaming partner:

SimCorner O2 Europe Travel SIM Card vs Telemach Croatia Speed Test Results Compared

On average, the SimCorner 3 Europe travel SIM card was 89.1% faster than Telemach Croatia – its roaming partner. The SimCorner 3 Europe travel SIM card did pass the video streaming test (130.65 Mbps average download speed – 25 Mbps minimum for 4k streaming) and the live streaming test (47.88 Mbps average upload speed – 10 Mbps minimum for HD live streaming) in Croatia.

Yeah, there is not much to say about these results when Telemach Croatia ensures you do not get download speeds faster than 76.73 Mbps.

At least Telemach Croatia does not throttle the speeds of its roaming partners.

I always had reception with the travel SIM card and local SIM card at all test locations and when just wandering around Zagreb, but I did have some reception issues around the Croatia-Hungary border.

>>> Check out the latest and exclusive SimCorner Europe travel SIM card deals now! <<<

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SimCorner Travel SIM Card (3) in Slovenia (Compared with Telemach SI)

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Well, it was time for my trip to end. Ljubljana, Slovenia was the last destination of my journey.

Honestly, I was happy because visiting so many countries tires you out 💀.

In Slovenia, you have three mobile operators:

  • Telekom Slovenia
  • A1 Slovenia
  • Telemach Slovenia

You can learn more about local Slovenian SIM cards in my Slovenia SIM card buying guide.

The SimCorner 3 travel SIM card uses the Telemach Slovenia network, which, on average, is the slowest.

However, Telemach Slovenia has the fastest 5G NR speeds – like more than triple the median download speed of its competitors.

Unfortunately, 5G NR was not available to prepaid customers (yet).

But at least we have another opportunity to compare 4G/LTE speed tests results again.

Anyway, here are the speed test results of the SimCorner 3 Europe travel SIM card and Telemach Slovenia – the roaming partner:

SimCorner O2 Europe Travel SIM Card vs Telemach Slovenia Speed Test Results Compared

On average, the SimCorner 3 Europe travel SIM card was 7.2% faster than Telemach Slovenia – its roaming partner. The SimCorner 3 Europe travel SIM card did pass the video streaming test (89.17 Mbps average download speed – 25 Mbps minimum for 4k streaming) and the live streaming test (19.03 Mbps average upload speed – 10 Mbps minimum for HD live streaming) in Slovenia.

FINALLY, we have results that are quite similar.

But on average, the SimCorner 3 Europe travel SIM card performed better than Telemach Slovenia.

Imagine if I could try out its 5G NR network – at least prepaid speeds are not restricted as with Telemach Croatia next door 😒.

I always had reception with the travel SIM card and local SIM card at all test locations and when just wandering around Ljubljana.

>>> Check out the latest and exclusive SimCorner Europe travel SIM card deals now! <<<

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My Overall Experience with the SimCorner Europe Travel SIM Cards

Overall, I was happy with how the SimCorner Europe travel SIM cards worked, especially because it was on average 21.1% faster than its roaming partners.

But that is because I forgot to note down who the roaming partner was in a handful of countries.

Else, the final result would have been much different.

Anyway, getting my SIM cards were fast – the next business day.

The activation process is straightforward and quick.

There was almost always reception with the SimCorner SIM cards as with the roaming partner.

The speeds were good and sometimes even (significantly) faster than the roaming partner.

In short, I do recommend SimCorner's travel SIM cards, especially the European ones.

But you should not care about the the fact that your speed with the SimCorner SIM cards is often slower than the SIM card of the roaming partner.

Wait… I say this after spending 11 chapters analyzing speed test results?

Yes, but let me explain.

First, I care about mobile data speeds much more than the regular user.

Mostly because it is an easy way to assess the performance of mobile operators as a person.

Sure, I could say that I had coverage in the 3451 of the 3494 streets I walked through during my trip, but that would be a hassle to keep track of… and it would tell you nothing because there is a small change you would follow my exact footsteps.

But speed test results are also helpful for seeing how coverage is with SIM cards.

A mobile operator could claim it covers a whole country for data usage.

But if you only get a 1 Mbps download speed throughout the whole country, making it basically useless for regular data browsing, would you go with this mobile operator or another one that actually has reception where people live and go to and have an average download speed of 50 Mbps?

Plus, there should be no practical difference for a regular user if the SimCorner Europe travel SIM card managed to get a download speed of 50 Mbps while the roaming partner has a speed test result of 625 Mbps.

Because you can still watch YouTube videos at 1080p or 4k, browse social media & even have live streams on Facebook at 50 Mbps without complications.

Now, the 625 Mbps download speed would be useful if you download a large file… like a 5 GB movie.

But you should not do that on 4G/LTE or 5G NR anyway unless you have an unlimited data plan.

Perhaps SimCorner will introduce such SIM cards? *nudge*, *nudge* – I know you are reading this, SimCorner 😏.

But the average and median speed test results of the SimCorner Europe travel SIM cards are relevant.

If the speeds were to hover around 5 Mbps, you would not have a smooth browsing experience at all, and I would point that out.

This was the issue with the Airalo Eurolink eSIM and Nomad Europe eSIM in Slovakia, which were restricted to 3G for some reason.

Imagine spending good money on a SIM card or eSIM, and you get lackluster speeds and reception like it was 2013 again – you would be displeased.

I know I would be, and I would have told you here in this review.

But you do not have to worry about this with your SimCorner Europe travel SIM cards – they work well.

They can be a cost-effective way to stay connected in the European Union, Europe, and some other nations in the Americas and Asia.

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