Cell Phone Usage in London (1 Day) and Paris (7 days)

You're going to have to pay somebody, somewhere. Isn't Xfinity a cable company? If so that means they are just rebranding someone eise's service, you might find out who that is.

On recent trips to London and Paris I just turned on the international calling on Verizon and it worked just fine. $80 for your trip isn't all that much, if you're worried about that you're going to have a heart attack when you see London prices (remember to take everything and multiply by 1.5).

The easiest solution is usually to use Whatsapp when you have wifi, when that is available.

Can you get by without it for some of those days? I have kept mine in airplane mode with wifi switched on (for email at the hotel), for whole trips. Other trips have been only turning it on for a couple of days. Eight x $10 = $80. How much would a SIM cost?

Usually, a new SIM means a new foreign phone number. So you would have to share it with everyone you think might call.

A few questions:

1) Is your phone unlocked? If it isn't you can't use someone else's sim card.

2) Is your phone compatible with esims?

3) Do you need both phone and data while out and about or could you just use data and use the phone while connected to hotel wifi? You can install and use What's app, Skype or Goggle Voice for your phone.

If yes to all three, look at installing an esim. No messing about with your current sim card from home if you have one.

I did the same math as stan, $10/day isn't really that much. Or Verizon will sell you a month for $100 I believe. You keep your phone number and it's like being at home. You will be using Google maps a lot.

The one thing to be aware of is that data isn't AYCE when you're travelling, the first few gigs every day will be at your accustomed high speed but then they throttle you down and it can be noticeable. Also the definition of a "day" is determined by the carrier, I think they base it on East Coast US time.

https://www.giffgaff.com/freesim-international

I have used cards from giffgaff for two trips to the UK, most recently last December.
They mail you a simcard, you then set it up online , choosing which package you want, and put the card back in your phone just before landing in the UK.
It works the second you touch down.
I also went to Belgium last trip and it worked there.
You just have to use it in the UK first before going to the EU, which is what you will be doing.
It cost me $17. Canadian for two weeks of huge amounts of data and calls.
Well worth it..