How do you make calls and use data when traveling to Europe?

[Scuba]

We have a Verizon plan that allows us to use data or make calls for $10/day, and we don’t pay unless we use it. DH is thinking this is the best way to operate when we’re in Greece for 44 days. We probably won’t use it every day, but since my phone # has been provided to all of the places we’re staying, companies we’re taking a tour with, etc., I can imagine we’ll use it quite a bit. Also I can envision using google maps and other such tools as we drive around.

Is there a less expensive way to do this without changing one’s cell number? We thought about a prepaid phone or changing out the SIM card (my phone is fully paid for), but then we wouldn’t have the same phone number.

In the scheme of things, even if we used my phone/data every day, it doesn’t add that much to the total cost of the trip - $440. But just wondering if there is a better way that others have used.

 

[Luvdogs]

I have Verizon and that's what I do.

Went to Europe a few months ago and it was no problem.

They let you know every day that a new charge is starting.

I used it every day because we like to walk around and need google maps.

There were a couple settings I had to change when I got there but it was easy.

Once you're back in the US the charges stop; you don't have to notify them.

 

[kcowan]

We bought a 30 day SIM card in Italy for 40 euros. We found that we did not use it enough to justify it. In-bound calls are a problem though if they are calling you US number. I think roaming is the way to go. That's what we do now!

 

[audreyh1]

T-Mobile One covers us in Europe - free texts, free data, free calls to/from US if it's done by WiFi calling. Otherwise it was 20c a minute, but I think it might have gone up slightly. 25c now.

We do a lot of texting, data, FaceTime, and WiFi calling when we travel in Europe. Rarely do we get charged the minute rate for calls.

 

[flintnational]

Historically we bought sim cards in each country. Earlier this year we switched to the T Mobile 55+ plan. Data and texts are free in Europe and calls are 25 cents per minute. Wifi calls are also free. We are headed over later this year. Hopefully it will be seamless. Very impressed with T Mobile's coverage in the States.

Shout out to Audrey1. Thanks for your input and help on TMobile. Very pleased.

 

[SpartacusSchmartacus]

I know when europeans visit the US they either buy a burner phone or replacement sim card for the phone they have. The T mobile answer sounds good.

Also worth noting, if you have a Tablet (or phone) with an onboard GPS and an app that works off-line you could see where you are without any connection whatsoever. My Apple tablet works this way.

 

[geeky_grrl]

I used to buy a sim card in each country. A couple of years ago I switched to Google Project Fi for my phone plan in order to have international coverage. Data is the same price internationally as in the US ($10/GB) and texts are free. I think voice calls cost something but I almost never talk on the phone.

 

[OldShooter]

I used to buy a sim card in each country. A couple of years ago I switched to Google Project Fi for my phone plan in order to have international coverage. Data is the same price internationally as in the US ($10/GB) and texts are free. I think voice calls cost something but I almost never talk on the phone.

+1

Project Fi covers something like 140 countries. Data is flat rated and phone time is either free (Canada) or ten, maybe twenty cents a minute depending on their local deal. No screwing with SIM cards. In January I easily made a call home from the transit lounge in Seoul, a brief stop where I never would have bought a SIM card.

Domestically it is nice too for those of us who use limited data because the $10/GB is the rate but you pay only for what you use. I have had months where my data charge was under $1. Almost always it is under $2.

 

[brett]

So far, we have never taken our phones on vacation even though we are often gone for months at a time.

For the past five years we have used ipads and the web. So far so good. We did take one phone to SE Asia last winter with the intention of buying a SIM card. We did not, however, find it necessary so did we did no bother. Not adverse to it, just have not yet found the need even though we are spontaneous travellers who often only plan and book a few days in advance when on an extended trip.

 

[MrsHaloFIRE]

Tmobile one plan. Works internati9nally but they charge for voice (and retrieving voicemail). I read about creating a throwaway Google voice number and forwarding your US number and voicemails to it. A little setup in US required and then "should" work seamlessly when turned on. Only read about it, haven't tried it yet.

 

[OldShooter]

So far, we have never taken our phones on vacation even though we are often gone for months at a time. ...

For us, a phone is important because we try to use AirBnB wherever we can, and contacting the host to get access or keys can often be the most difficult part of the process. For communications home, we just use email.

 

[Doribe]

Historically we bought sim cards in each country. Earlier this year we switched to the T Mobile 55+ plan. Data and texts are free in Europe and calls are 25 cents per minute. Wifi calls are also free. We are headed over later this year. Hopefully it will be seamless. Very impressed with T Mobile's coverage in the States.

Shout out to Audrey1. Thanks for your input and help on TMobile. Very pleased.

, Love this easy way to go.

 

[Aerides]

Another +1 for Project FI here. Never have to think about it and having real time google maps when travelling is really helpful.

 

[audreyh1]

I know when europeans visit the US they either buy a burner phone or replacement sim card for the phone they have. The T mobile answer sounds good.

Also worth noting, if you have a Tablet (or phone) with an onboard GPS and an app that works off-line you could see where you are without any connection whatsoever. My Apple tablet works this way.

I went through a couple of years of buying SIMS over there, and that got old fast.

[-]If Verizon has a reasonable temp solution for $10, that's cheaper than dealing with a SIM if it includes some data and text as well as calls.[/-]Ooops - sorry forgot that was $10 PER DAY if used. What about data and texting?

 

[Bestwifeever]

We also do the $10/day Verizon international thing. One trip we both used it every day, so $220 while driving through Germany, for calling family and accommodations. Last trip this spring to Ireland neither of us used it at all. We could always find wifi and we didn’t need to deal with accommodations. Next month we will be in Spain for two weeks so maybe only DH (who is in charge of the trip) can have it on as we will need to be in touch with different guides and drivers, and our travelling companions. DH has bought a burner phone in the past for calls only when he was in Switzerland for two weeks by himself and that worked well.

The Tmobile for international is intriguing—something to consider if/when we change plans.

 

[marko]

T-Mobile One covers us in Europe - free texts, free data, free calls to/from US if it's done by WiFi calling. Otherwise it was 20c a minute, but I think it might have gone up slightly. 25c now.

We do a lot of texting, data, FaceTime, and WiFi calling when we travel in Europe. Rarely do we get charged the minute rate for calls.

AFAIK, ATT does the same thing via WiFi. Just hit the 'wifi calling' icon on your phone. Might get complicated for video and such but....

 

[braumeister]

Also good to know that you can download the maps of your travel areas to your phone before you go. Then you can use Google Maps without a cellular connection by simply relying on the GPS in your phone.

 

[Fshnfool]

We turn off data roaming and don’t answer any calls that we don’t know the caller. We send a few texts back home to to each other and pay the small amount for that. In an emergency (just once) we simply call and receive calls back home and then it’s worth the cost. We have never had extra charges come anywhere close to what we would pay ATT for expanded or international service. Those don’t make calls/data free, just cheaper. Use WiFi when available, which is pretty much all over. I use a free app called Ulsan CityMaps2Go which gives me great directions on pre-downloaded countries and cities without using cellular date.

 

[6miths]

Turn off data and use wifi only. If I really needed to take a call and there was no wifi I could turn it on and depending on the country it is $5 to $10 per 24 hour period commencing when one makes first contact. Up to a maximum of the total for 5 24 hour periods in a calendar month.

 

[6miths]

Also good to know that you can download the maps of your travel areas to your phone before you go. Then you can use Google Maps without a cellular connection by simply relying on the GPS in your phone.

Yes this is a good tip. Or download them with wifi when you are there.

 

[Alan]

Also good to know that you can download the maps of your travel areas to your phone before you go. Then you can use Google Maps without a cellular connection by simply relying on the GPS in your phone.

I have done this many times, it works really well. Coupled with the ability to make and receive calls over WiFi then most of our needs are met.

 

[sengsational]

I have a cheap Moto phone with dual SIM slots and a European cell radio... a Cheap Euro Phone (CEP). I buy a SIM at the airport ($6-$15) which has more data that I can use (2GB), turn on tethering, and use my regular phone. If I need to call in-country, like to contact a hotel or taxi, I use the CEP. For everything else, I use my regular phone, regular US phone number (my phone works exactly the same whether it's connected via cell or wifi, and of course I'm connected wifi through the CEP).

To the "buying SIMs got old fast" group, if you go the tether route, the only thing that might get old is keeping two phones charged. But since the screen is almost always off on the CEP, it's battery lasts twice as long as my regular phone that I'm using for maps and looking up stuff.

There was one "gotcha"...some of the carriers block tethering. Happened to me just once, but now I'm prepared...a third party application that does tethering outside of the Android OS. But now I also ask if tethering is disabled before buying the SIM. This last time, the answer was "no" (not blocked), and indeed it wasn't. Worked like a champ for €5. Ten bucks a day sounds like a lot when I got over weeks for €5!

 

[OldShooter]

... Also worth noting, if you have a Tablet (or phone) with an onboard GPS and an app that works off-line you could see where you are without any connection whatsoever. My Apple tablet works this way.

Yes. Even with cell data service, there are area in places like mountains, cities, boondocks, etc. where Google Maps, etc. can't get data. We have used Copilot Live (https://copilotgps.com/en-gb/) very successfully. Maps can be bought for most first world countries and downloaded to the phone or tablet. Third world coverage (Ethiopia, Vietnam, Myanmar, ... ) is marginal though.

 

[97guns]

I use an app called Line, I can video call or voice call to my family when traveling, Skype pretty much does the same

 

[Bamaman]

I communicate by email only in Europe--by WIFI. I feel like a bird out of a cage not having to talk to anyone.

I had a very low rate plan on T-Mobil a year ago. My service from Spain cut off after 1 1/2 calls and their customer no service rep out of the Philippines was worthless. I then wrote off voice service via cellphone. I lived 36 years without cellphones.