AT&T iPhone 4S and iPad 1 Users - Question on Travel to Europe

Regina, For your AT&T iPhone 4S, these are the settings you'll need to change: > Settings > General > Network > Cellular Data AND Data Roaming - SWITCH BOTH OFF It would be a good idea to check the settings every so often to make sure the data switches are still "Off". You could also check your data usage meter to determine whether the phone is using any data. The settings above should prevent the phone from accessing 3G cellular data, but still allow you to send and receive text messages and use Wi-Fi when available. However, one important point to note. The phone section will still be active so any calls to your number will reach you in Europe and you will pay for each incoming call. Calls received in the "wee hours" of the morning from someone that didn't bother to check the time difference are especially annoying! The only way to block the phone section (AFAIK) is to place the phone in "Airplane mode" but that will also prevent you from sending or receiving text messages. I'm not thoroughly familiar with iPad 1 settings, but one important question to begin with. Is your iPad a Wi-Fi + 3G model OR Wi-Fi only? Happy travels!

Elle, I don't use AT&T service, but generally speaking most cell networks here also charge for receiving calls while roaming in Europe. This from the AT&T website (bold emphasis mine): AT&T Europe Travel Minutes,* For making and receiving calls in the "Europe Region". This from the Rogers website, which is the network I use at home and using Italy for an example (again, my bold emphasis): ALL CALL TYPES (Calls back to Canada/US, Incoming, In Country & Calls to International Destinations) - Voice rates per minute $2.00 (this rate can be reduced by purchasing a travel pack). Incoming texts are typically free, but AFAIK there's a cost for incoming voice calls. Cheers!

As I understood the first response there are some errors that would screw you up. Ken has an extra step that you don't need since turning off cell data also turns off data roaming. Try it and you'll see that the roaming switch disappears when you cob the data switch. About the only other thing that would mess you up is playing with the airplane switch. If it's on, wifi is off. The pad works the same as the phone except the cell data switch is directly under Settings and there's no General sub menue. Don't believe what the nuts at the Apple store tell you. The whole thing is a one-step, no-brains process. Both of our phones live on international voice all year since we wander so much. Neither of our tablets or phones have ever been on an international data plan. We kill Cell Data on both at the departure gate and leave them that way for the duration. The business about not being charged for incoming calls on AT&T is entirely wrong. Apparently you shouldn't believe anybody in Bruges, either.

Another alternative: Unconditionally forward all your calls to the number you dial to check your voicemail. No calls will ring through but you will still get texts and, most likely, notices that you have voicemail messages. Don't have an iPhone, but you can change the call forwarding setup through most phones' menus. You can change the setting back when you want to get calls. One advantage of forwarding all calls: You can still call out, so your ability to make calls isn't affected.

AT&T absolutely charges for incoming calls. And as for being awakened in the wee hours of the morning, it happened to me. I received a phone at 2:00 a.m. (5:00 p.m. Pacific). I ignored the call. She called again. And then again. Thinking it must be some sort of emergency I answered the 3rd time. She was surprised to wake me up. She had no idea I was in Paris. Was it an emergency? You would think so since she tried so hard to reach me. Nope, she just wanted my sister's phone number. Unless you can notify every person who has your number that you will be traveling (not a great idea) you should be prepared to get calls. Now I turn my phone off at night, unless I need the alarm. Then it goes on airplane mode until I'm up for the day.

iPhone 4S - Settings>General>Cellular>Cellular Data>Off Turn off the phone.
Turn the phone on when you want to text. Data will still be off. Send text(s). Turn off phone. If a call comes in while you are texting, turn off the phone because if you get a voice mail with the phone turned on it will be treated as an incoming call and you will be charged. Ipad - as Ed said Settings>Cellular Data>Off (that's the way it is on my iPad 2 anyway)

Regina, you may also want to sign up for the International Calling Plan, since ANY calls to your phone will be charged at the overseas rate, unless you transfer your phone. When we had AT&T we did not plan to use our Iphone for calls in Europe, but sure enough, people called us that did not know we were on vaca. And we found that we needed the phone to make a few calls. And don't forget that the wi-fi in your phone can be used for some awesome aps that do not require data (some GPS aps, maps of areas, maps of subway routes. etc). Sometimes it is easier to find wi-fi hot spots when you have just your phone with you, and may be a good opportutnity to read your email. We also download Skype on booth our Iphone and netbook, and when we find wi-fi, we can use either to call anyone in the world for free, or "super cheap."

If the phone is turned off, a call to it won't incur a charge even if a voice mail is received.

Follow Ed's advice for your data... one step, so easy.
As far as getting calls if you think you have a bunch of people who are going to call you and you don't want to answer why not leave a voice message that you are out of the country and not answering and for people to text you or leave a message or call back in case of emergency. Then, just shut off the ringer and don't answer your phone. And yes, definitely all incoming calls that you answer have international charges applied, but incoming texts are free with the AT&T plan... maybe even free if you don't have it, but I always do.