Phones (I wanted to all cap that and they wouldn't let me.)

It is my understanding that:

The problem is how long the phone provider (not the country) freezes a phone number before reissuing it. AFAIK you either get a U.S. provider plan with an overseas package or you get a new cheap phone (like the simple "burners" in the US) or you get a plan and a SIM card. Either way, you'll get a new phone number when the number is activated - and how long it's been unused again depends on the provider's policy. The SIM card has nothing to do with the phone number the provider assigns you. SIM cards are just a piece of equipment and usually only cost a few dollars.

I just saw this thread on the forum. It links to an article that explains SIM cards. If you don't want to use apps, you won't need data (which most of us use because it is much cheaper). Instead you will need a phone number and a call plan.

Depending on the length of your stay, the easiest method might be to use the AT&T International Day Pass at $10 per day.

Of course, if you are using Google Maps, you may want to learn to use the offline maps feature, provides the same information as online, except no traffic information.

Good idea about using gmaps offline. Can you tell me how to do that?

Thanks!

https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838?co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS&hl=en

Thanks for the link!

I continued reading forums and learned that Amazon Prime sells an Orange "Holiday" SIM card for around $50 which includes 10GB of data, so I ordered that last night. The poster said to just put it in your phone while in the air, and when you land, "Voila!" you have service exactly like what we're used to here in the States. "Relief"!

I think I will still keep the CellHire Mi-Fi so I can live up to my motto: "It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it."! I'm still slightly worried about being on the road in rural areas and getting 'no signal'. I hope the Mi-Fi solves that problem (if it's a problem, won't know until I'm there).

MUCH HELP EVERYONE!

~N.

Using google maps offline will solve the problem of navigation. Just download maps for all areas you will be traveling. You can test it at home to get familiar with it. Download a local area map, turn your phone to airplane mode, open google maps and plug in a local destination. We used it all through Germany, Austria, Slovenia & Italy last summer.

Last minute hotels can be arranged online, no phone calls needed. WiFi is available at just about every cafe you will find.

I just get the $60 ATT plan for a month. Then you can use your phone just like at home - as long as you don't go over 1GB data - and I never do even with google maps. sue

“I wanted to all cap that and they wouldn't let me.”

I believe the webmaster has prevented that because on the internet it is considered screaming/yelling, and not well received.

I always use the ATT plan. Do note, that when you add the taxes to the advertised $10/day, it come out to almost $15/day. Next trip, I'm trying the $60 monthly plan.

For Google maps, I set up my map on my PC, even using "Layers" to show restaurants, museums, etc. that we are going to visit. Then once saved, you can download and use offline. So awesome!

My favorite app, that I think is worth trying out, is CityMapper. I think it's better in London and NYC for determining best mode of transit to get from A to B, than Google maps. I have not used it in Paris yet.

If the phone is unlocked (might not be), quad band (to work in Europe), and you don't need your home phone number, it's easiest to pick up a SIM card when you're in France.

The last couple times I got an Orange Holiday Card. There are some options. I picked a 50 euro option that included 10gb data (the number I worry about most). The Holiday Card is for a 14 day period. You can add to it at the end but you have to go to a store to do it.

I don't use Google Maps very much because I find it to be a data and battery hog. I like the search function for finding the address of a sight. If you navigate without data, however, Google Maps won't update if you miss a turn or try to get around traffic. You'd be better off using a GPS program where you download maps at home, then let it navigate without data. I've been using Co Pilot. Europe maps cost about $30. If you only download a few countries, it's free.