My family of 3 will be in France and Italy for almost 3 weeks this summer. We will primarily be using our cell phones for directions (map apps), research/reservations, apps, translate, texting each other, and check email. We all have newer iphones (unlocked) and our plans are through Verizon. I am researching the best options for us: International Plan through Verizon ($10/day/phone), buy SIM card when we get there, and/or pocket Wifi. I want to avoid a surprise bill when I get back home and want to be economical. Recommendations?
Posted by
32 posts
Hmmm - well, I too have Verizon & bought their then $40 a month service for time in both London & Paris 18 months ago. Service was not satisfactory in either city. Difficult connections and I blew thru the 1 gig or so of data allotted trying to gps mayself around some London streets; in about an afternoon. They then added automatic more data for another $40 .... hmmmm.
Soon we will be in both Paris & London & I have opt to install a Mobal (Google them) sim card in my IPhone. Tested it recently and seems to work fine. Pay-as-you go service for calls - texts free - no data (fine by me for this trip). $15 for the sim card.
If I hadn't opt for that, I would have bought a sim or burner phone on arrival. Are they still called burner phones?
Verizon seems to have changed their international plan to $0 for each day you use it ... which could be a BIG bill for you after 3 weeks.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12314 posts
I used an Orange "holiday card" for two three weeks trips in France. At one point, I crossed into Italy and the phone said something about it. I didn't plan any calls or data in Italy and didn't pay much attention.
The one down side with Orange is it's for 14 days. At the end, you can visit an Orange store and add value/time.
I typically ration my data (use WiFi whenever it's available and navigate using GPS only) but end up with tons left over. As I recall Orange came with 10 GB and I had only used 2 by day 12.
I ended up spending 50 euro initially plus another 10 to add enough for another week, a pretty decent deal compared to $10 per day.
Posted by
1 posts
For calls without wifi the Verizon plan is great..but...if you have wifi just use wifi calling to the USA ...no charge...incoming and outgoing calls (to USA)
We have used it for years with the daily plan as a backup in case of "issues" on the road....receive and make all calls like you are in the USA...even the calls to France are charged a minimal fee
Just enable it on your phone before you travel
Posted by
Chapel Hill, NC
102 posts
You may not be aware that using Google Maps on your phone has a great option that allows determining your destination while you at a wifi hot spot and then using the resulting maps to navigate you w/o any wifi connection while you are going there. It works great with turn-by-turn directions and tracks where you are at any moment in time. Result....uses no data time!
Posted by
Florida
341 posts
Do you have WhatsApp on your phones? It offers texting and calls. I’ve even sent photos back home. It’s good for those in between times.
Posted by
OP
14 posts
Thank you all for the input.
Posted by
Niagara, Ontario
1678 posts
Save your phone for emergencies. For a GPS, download Sygic maps for use offline.