We can't live without our phones and going to a foreign country without a data plan will really show you how accurate that is. Whether it is using Google Maps for directions or the need to contact someone to meet up, no data plan=lost. The process on getting a phone plan can be stressful but I have broken down the basics so you know how to get a phone plan and not to be worried.
Providers
Madrid has three main providers: Orange, Vodafone, and Movistar. There are other small companies as well such as JazzTel but I didn't know anyone who used this plan. Most of the people I knew went with Orange and they thought it was a good provider.
Plans
Usually the phone plan that is most convenient for students is the "pay as you go" plan meaning you have to recharge every month. You can either do this online or in store. For Orange, the "Go Fly" plan was the most popular. For 20 euros, you will have 15 GB of data, 80 minutes call along with social media (Facebook, What'sApp, Twitter, Instagram, etc).
I wanted to try a different provider than my friends just to see the difference between the providers so I went with Vodafone. Vodafone is actually a British conglomerate headquartered in London so if you travel to other countries in Europe, you will see Vodafone shops all over. This was very convenient because when I went to Portugal and had phone troubles, I stopped by a store that was able to assist me.
The plan I went with for Vodafone was Vodafone Mega Yuser, Prepago (prepaid plan). For 20 euros, I received 15 GB data, social pass and chat pass (What'sApp, Instagram, Twitter, etc), data roaming in Europe, and 60 minutes for calls.
Purchasing a Burner Phone
If you don't want to mess with your U.S number and phone, a second option is to purchase a burner phone. A burner phone, in this case, is just a phone you buy for cheap that will have your new sim card purchased. You can still pay with the prepaid 20 euro plans or if you're staying longer than a few months, a real phone plan.
It may sound tricky at first but purchasing a phone plan is not hard. If you have any questions comment down below! Do you have any advice for those that need a sim card in a new country?