Pass SFR La Carte: Prepaid SIM card for France
Although we have a Free Mobile subscription at €2, it isn’t necessarily interesting to switch it back to the €20 plan (you have to keep it for at least 3 months and there is a €10 fee to switch back to the €2 plan) when we travel in France.
I discovered Lebara which seems to me to be the best value for money in prepaid SIM card.
While passing by the Saint Lazare train station, I saw ads for an alternative: the prepaid SIM card “Pass SFR La Carte”.
The principle of the SFR Pass The Card
The principle of the Pass SFR La Carte is very simple: instead of taking out a subscription, you buy a prepaid SIM card.
You will be able to buy credit. With this credit, you buy passes which, according to your choice, will allow you to send SMS, make calls, use the internet, …
The advantage is that it is without any commitment and that you have perfect control over your budget (no risk of exceeding the fixed price).
For travelers passing through France periodically, it is much more convenient than taking out a season ticket.
Where to buy an SFR La Carte SIM card?
You can order an SFR La Carte SIM card on the SFR website.
Or, simpler, in a physical store, supermarket, tobacco store, telephone store, …
The SIM card is sold at the rate of 10 € and includes 10 € credit that will allow you to buy passes.
How do I reload the SFR La Carte SIM card?
You have two solutions to recharge your prepaid SIM card :
- The purchase in the store: you will have to send an SMS with the code you received to activate this recharge
- Online purchase on the SFR website
Several refill amounts are available. From €25, you get bonus credit.
Please note that refills have a validity period beyond which they will expire and it will no longer be possible to purchase passes.
The different SFR passes The Card
Here are the different rates offered by SFR La Carte.
Each pass has a different content and validity period. You must send the SMS code corresponding to the pass you want to 987. Of course, you need enough credit on your card to be able to subscribe to it.
The rates are more expensive than those of Lebara.
As a comparison, for 10 € you are entitled to :
- With SFR: 5 GB of internet, unlimited calls and SMS for 10 days.
- With Lebara: 10 GB of internet, unlimited calls and SMS for 30 days.
What is the lifespan of an SFR La Carte SIM card?
The SIM card expires 6 months after the end of validity of your last recharge.
If you are approaching 6 months and you wish to continue to receive calls or SMS on your number, you will only need to take a €5 top-up. Your card will be valid for another 6 months.
Numbers to know
Call 950 to find out your available credit and the usage status of your pass.
The 987 where you send by SMS the code of the pass you wish to subscribe to.
My opinion on the SFR SIM card The Card
If you want a French SIM card to use it actively (use the internet, make calls and send SMS), Lebara seems to me a better offer. For a similar price, Lebara packs offer more internet data and are valid for a longer period of time
Lebara also uses the Bouygues network whose quality is very similar to that of SFR.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a “passive” SIM card to receive calls and SMS, the SFR La Carte SIM card is an excellent solution.
This would cost you 2 euros per month with a Free subscription. 20 € per year with Lebara (5 € refill every 3 months). And only €10 per year with SFR (€5 top-up every 6 months).
