Phone for Europe trip
Phone for Europe trip
Need advice on buying an inexpensive phone for a Europe trip. Let me start off by saying that I have never used a cell phone outside of USA and India (and have not used one that works in both of those countries). Now, I have the following choices before me:
- Refurbished Samsung Galaxy smartphone
- Inexpensive LG phone
- Inexpensive Phone/Phonecard Kit
- Eurobuzz
My questions:
- anyone had experience with FreedomPop? I vaguely remember discussing/reading about it somewhere and folks were not too enthusiastic about its services. But where I'm coming from is whether the phone itself is a genuine product that works, and is it worth the price if it does? Also, can I put a SIM in it and have it work in Europe (and India and USA)? Even if their phone and internet service fails to work, then can I use it just as a smart phone at a place with WiFi?
- as far as the other three are concerned, my question essentially is whether they would work in Europe (specifically France and Germany), and whether anyone here has used them.
I would love to know of alternatives if any of you has purchased phones and/or calling cards/SIMs from other sources for use in Europe.
As always, I would appreciate any advise.
- Refurbished Samsung Galaxy smartphone
- Inexpensive LG phone
- Inexpensive Phone/Phonecard Kit
- Eurobuzz
My questions:
- anyone had experience with FreedomPop? I vaguely remember discussing/reading about it somewhere and folks were not too enthusiastic about its services. But where I'm coming from is whether the phone itself is a genuine product that works, and is it worth the price if it does? Also, can I put a SIM in it and have it work in Europe (and India and USA)? Even if their phone and internet service fails to work, then can I use it just as a smart phone at a place with WiFi?
- as far as the other three are concerned, my question essentially is whether they would work in Europe (specifically France and Germany), and whether anyone here has used them.
I would love to know of alternatives if any of you has purchased phones and/or calling cards/SIMs from other sources for use in Europe.
As always, I would appreciate any advise.
Re: Phone for Europe trip
My spouse simply bought a phone + SIM card + minutes in a kiosk on location for about 30 euros.
Re: Phone for Europe trip
Wow! That was quick. This is just a booth anywhere at an international airport, or in town? How many minutes did the cards have on it? Did the phone have any use after the trip, i.e., does it work in the USA?livesoft wrote:My spouse simply bought a phone + SIM card + minutes in a kiosk on location for about 30 euros.
Re: Phone for Europe trip
Yes to this after my recent experience in Spain. I think Orange's least expensive smartphone option (Alcatel?) cost maybe 59 euros but don't know if that covers both countrieslivesoft wrote:My spouse simply bought a phone + SIM card + minutes in a kiosk on location for about 30 euros.
“It’s the curse of old men to realize that in the end we control nothing." "Homeland" episode, "Gerontion"
Re: Phone for Europe trip
There are booths in airports, railway stations and on the street. Movitime is another vendor. One of Orange's card was for Spain calls only and 1 Gig data for 10 euros. I think Alcatel phones would work in the USA with other sim cards. I see them for sale on Craigslist often.an_asker wrote:Wow! That was quick. This is just a booth anywhere at an international airport, or in town? How many minutes did the cards have on it? Did the phone have any use after the trip, i.e., does it work in the USA?livesoft wrote:My spouse simply bought a phone + SIM card + minutes in a kiosk on location for about 30 euros.
“It’s the curse of old men to realize that in the end we control nothing." "Homeland" episode, "Gerontion"
Re: Phone for Europe trip
I used an old unlocked Android smartphone in France. Got a SIM card, minutes, and data plan with Orange. I remember it being about 40 Euros or so.
If you plan to use data for GPS, you can minimize your usage quite a bit by plugging in your destination, letting Google Maps figure out a route, and then turning off cellular data while you're actually driving. The GPS will still work and the maps will be cached. Leaving data on while you're driving will eat up your megabytes fast and is unnecessary.
If you plan to use data for GPS, you can minimize your usage quite a bit by plugging in your destination, letting Google Maps figure out a route, and then turning off cellular data while you're actually driving. The GPS will still work and the maps will be cached. Leaving data on while you're driving will eat up your megabytes fast and is unnecessary.
Re: Phone for Europe trip
Depending on the country, it can be very cheap. In my extended family, we have bought old-fashioned little cell phones in Germany, Spain and Belgium for 5, 15, and 25 euro, respectively. (It's cheap in the US as well -- we bought a phone for a visitor and it was $20 or so.) I'd advise you to wait until you arrive, and then go to a large discount store.
Re: Phone for Europe trip
It is cheaper to make calls to Europe or USA using my USA T-mobile phone than to use a local phone with minutes. Also, there is no additional charge to use T-mobile text or data plan overseas.
If I need to receive local calls in Europe I buy a local phone. There is no charge to receive a call on a local phone at least in France.
If I need to receive local calls in Europe I buy a local phone. There is no charge to receive a call on a local phone at least in France.
Re: Phone for Europe trip
My daughter is in England for study abroad program right now. She requested Verizon to have her iphone4 unlocked before she left and Verizon was happy to obliged. When she got to England, she purchased a sim card (2000 texts, 200 minutes, 1GB) at one of the kiosks for 15 pounds. Other form of communication is thru VIBER, which is absolutely free (any where in the world) and I love it. Just download the Viber app on your phone. You can facetime with Viber, texts, etc just like with iphone and all you need is wifi or be in a "hot" spot.
I did think of getting a cheap phone from Amazon for international use but chucked it when other options are available out there. Hope this helps.
Warm regards,
Maria
I did think of getting a cheap phone from Amazon for international use but chucked it when other options are available out there. Hope this helps.
Warm regards,
Maria
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Re: Phone for Europe trip
Do you need a different SIM card for a different European country?
Re: Phone for Europe trip
What phone do you currently have?
When we last traveled to Europe, I just used my iPhone. I bought a SIM card on arrival with prepaid minutes/data and replaced the Verizon SIM card with the foreign one. I think I paid $20 or $30 (USD equivalent) for a SIM that came with 250 voice minutes and unlimited data for 30 days. (Your domestic carrier's rates are exorbitant. Don't use their SIM for international roaming!) Having the smartphone was invaluable for transit routing, etc.
Unless you're worried about theft, you probably don't need to purchase a new phone. Depending on your carrier and phone type, you may need to request an international SIM unlock from your domestic cell carrier.
When we last traveled to Europe, I just used my iPhone. I bought a SIM card on arrival with prepaid minutes/data and replaced the Verizon SIM card with the foreign one. I think I paid $20 or $30 (USD equivalent) for a SIM that came with 250 voice minutes and unlimited data for 30 days. (Your domestic carrier's rates are exorbitant. Don't use their SIM for international roaming!) Having the smartphone was invaluable for transit routing, etc.
Unless you're worried about theft, you probably don't need to purchase a new phone. Depending on your carrier and phone type, you may need to request an international SIM unlock from your domestic cell carrier.
Re: Phone for Europe trip
It's usually cheaper to get a local, but many plans allow roaming. The EU is cutting roaming costs, but they're still higher than local.flyingaway wrote:Do you need a different SIM card for a different European country?
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Re: Phone for Europe trip
If you only need data and text I would second T-Mobile's plans. I personally have the month to month plan through Harbor Mobile (T-mobile) and it's slick for $33 flat a month.
I have went about purchasing SIM's in different countries and sometimes it is a pain and other times it is easy, such as in the UK where local SIM's come in vending machines.
I have went about purchasing SIM's in different countries and sometimes it is a pain and other times it is easy, such as in the UK where local SIM's come in vending machines.
Re: Phone for Europe trip
My wife consulted with T-Mobile prior to taking her phone over to Spain. Despite the promise that her phone would work in Spain, it didn't. She didn't want to waste precious time dealing with the "why not" of it.NorthDakota wrote:If you only need data and text I would second T-Mobile's plans.
Last edited by dumbbunny on Thu Oct 23, 2014 6:16 pm, edited 2 times in total.
“It’s the curse of old men to realize that in the end we control nothing." "Homeland" episode, "Gerontion"
Re: Phone for Europe trip
If you decide you want to buy a local phone or a sim card for your unlocked phone on your trip, please be sure to have your passport with you. You will need it (at least it was required in Spain).
“It’s the curse of old men to realize that in the end we control nothing." "Homeland" episode, "Gerontion"
Re: Phone for Europe trip
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Last edited by Lynette on Wed Dec 06, 2017 9:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Phone for Europe trip
Don't know if this was your problem but ideally if you are going to try using a US purchased phone with T-Mobile overseas you want to have a quad band (or better) phone like the Nexus 4 or 5, or the iPhone 5 for good coverage.Peterjens wrote:My wife consulted with T-Mobile prior to taking her phone over to Spain. Despite the promise that her phone would work in Spain, it didn't. She didn't want to waste precious time dealing with the "why not" of it.NorthDakota wrote:If you only need data and text I would second T-Mobile's plans.
Re: Phone for Europe trip
For about 5$ more per month, my TMobile plan included unlimited texts and data in Europe, they have maps of coverage available. Actual phone calls were a very small charge per minute.
It is not like it used to be when you needed a different "European" phone.
The big cell phone companies strive for seamless worldwide coverage (within their coverage areas).
Do be careful if you do not have a cell phone plan and think you are simply using your phone via wifi. My friends got a huge cell phone bill from Bali when they thought they were using wifi that was supposed to be free in the hotel lobby and restaurant, but the phone was actually using cell service.
Lafder
It is not like it used to be when you needed a different "European" phone.
The big cell phone companies strive for seamless worldwide coverage (within their coverage areas).
Do be careful if you do not have a cell phone plan and think you are simply using your phone via wifi. My friends got a huge cell phone bill from Bali when they thought they were using wifi that was supposed to be free in the hotel lobby and restaurant, but the phone was actually using cell service.
Lafder
Re: Phone for Europe trip
If you only need to call home, rather than locally, use Skype on the smart phone you already own. Of course, you need to be sure you will have dependable wifi along your travels. I managed to get by for 4 weeks and when I needed to contact someone locally in Europe, email was sufficient.
Re: Phone for Europe trip
Yes, if you want a number in that country. There are also services such as Telestial than give you a UK and a US number that works almost everywhere in the world (not Japan) on a quad band phone but means people calling you in the country where you are are actually being asked to make a call to UK/US. The system is great for just making calls or getting calls from the US. That company and others like them do have data plans for smart phones as well.flyingaway wrote:Do you need a different SIM card for a different European country?
The issue really depends on deciding first of all if you want a smart phone and expect lots of data and internet use or if you just want to make phone calls. The issue after that is whether or not you are moving across several countries in a short time. A scheme like the Telestial one simply connects you automatically to the local provider and is quite inexpensive. Skype is worthy alternative, but, for example, may be useless where internet access is slow and difficult such as on a hotel rooftop somewhere in sub-Saharan Africa. It is also true that WIFI connectivity at a hotel or internet cafe on your phone or tablet is an alternative in general not just for Skype, when a good connection is available.
One or these days I am going to get me a couple of them smart phones, but so far just for using the phone Telestial or an in country SIM or a WIFI equipped iPAD goes far enough. Note, by the way, that some countries (Greece for one) do not allow SIMS to be purchased from outside the country, and some countries (I think Japan) may have special issues with buying cell phones in country.
Re: Phone for Europe trip
Make sure to get a Google Voice number before leaving. You can call any number in the States for free with it over WiFi.
Re: Phone for Europe trip
This depends on the plan. Not all T-Mobile plans are like this. Only the newer "Simple Choice" plans.expat wrote:It is cheaper to make calls to Europe or USA using my USA T-mobile phone than to use a local phone with minutes. Also, there is no additional charge to use T-mobile text or data plan overseas.
I was holding off and remained on a legacy plan for a while, because it was cheaper. I recently converter to the "Simple choice" in order to get the free international data/text as I'm traveling abroad soon (to Asia, not Europe, but I also travel to Europe every few years).
I also got my phone unlocked so I can use a local SIM card if necessary for voice. It may not be.
The problem is that the locals still have to dial a US number to reach you by cell/text, and that tends to cost them much money (and I believe I will still pay the relatively low T-mobile roaming fees on top - not certain about that). Not an issue if you don't need to be called when abroad, but I usually do. I don't think I can get "local" Google voice numbers for each of South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam for my upcoming trip.
Re: Phone for Europe trip
Yes, if the phone is primarily to be used for making and taking phone calls the question of what number people calling you will use is important. Especially don't expect a small B&B, a restaurant, or something of the kind to call you back making an international call, or even your friends for that matter. On the other hand phone plans that allow friends back in the US to call a US number and you to receive that call cost free might be helpful.madbrain wrote:expat wrote: The problem is that the locals still have to dial a US number to reach you by cell/text, and that tends to cost them much money (and I believe I will still pay the relatively low T-mobile roaming fees on top - not certain about that). Not an issue if you don't need to be called when abroad, but I usually do. I don't think I can get "local" Google voice numbers for each of South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam for my upcoming trip.
Communication plans that require internet access may be very helpful but may also be unavailable when most needed, depending on where you are.
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Re: Phone for Europe trip
I have wi-fi calling on my Samsung phone. On wi-fi, free calls back to the USA. Minutes count, but I have unlimited minutes. With T-Mobile, free data and texts in most European countries. 20 cents per minute for calls.