Hello,
I'm wondering if there is a clear best approach to having a smart phone while traveling throughout Europe? We would want good functioning Google Maps, internet access, text, calls, other apps. We are currently T Mobile users but am wondering if there is a best cost/value option out there. Thanks much. I have a Samsung android.
T Mobile already has service in Europe, they're owned by a Deutschtelekom - you're guaranteed 2G.
I did spend $35 when I went to Paris for a 10 day upgrade (5GB data), worked great (it worked great the previous trip too when I didn't upgrade, but Paris is much busier now than 2021). There's another option for a month, $50 for a 30 day, 15GB pass which may be worth it in your case.
Additional options, like a local sim w European phone ## are available but also depend on whether your phone is unlocked.
The Orange Holiday Card sim works great all over Europe if you don't want to use your own service. It can be cheaper depending on your own service.
Which T-Mobile plan to you have? If you have the Magenta Max plan, they offer an international cell phone plan for free. I used it on my recent trip to Scotland and it was wonderful. I could access data and had no problem with anything. Phone calls are only 25 cent a minute and I only made one. You don't have to do anything before you go - you just fly into Europe, and at your first stop, you will get a text msg from TM saying "Welcome to _____!" It is really a great plan and I was very happy with it.
If you have a lesser plan, you can still get the international plan but I think it costs $50 a month, which still isn't bad (and beats Verizon's $100 plan).
T-mobile has worked well for me every place I’ve been overseas. Even Google Maps has worked well. When we were in Germany in May, we had free 5G speeds, but only 2G in France and Belgium. We seldom make voice calls and generally only use the Internet when connected to WiFi. With 2G speeds the internet is slow, but works fine for quick look-ups.
We have used the free data that comes with our T Mobile Magenta Max plan in many places in Europe and beyond. It has worked well for surfing and for using Google Maps while driving.
The Max plan has a fixed amount
of higher speed data included with the unlimited data and text. ,with calls at .25 per minute. . The speed itself varies from area to area but we have found it sufficient overall. I believe you could switch your plan for the trip and then revert back to a lesser plan afterwards. For us it is cost effective as there are other perks included such as Netflix that offset the higher monthly fee.
Be sure and use wifi when in hotels,etc. to conserve higher speed data and you should have enough. The only time I have run out of high speed is when I got lazy and didn't use hotel wifi for sending pictures.
Thank you very much for sharing your experiences and knowledge. I now have a pretty clear idea on a best approach. The travel forum is really valuable thanks to your efforts.
I have T-mobile. They recently bumped up their data speeds internationally so you will probably get good speeds for free if your plan includes international.
For calls, I try to wait until I am on wifi and use Skype or Whats App. Much lower per minute charges than T-mobile's rates.
I have T Mobile & like it a lot. But....I just made a 35 minute call from the US to Scotland (complicated hotel booking) After I ended the call I got a text saying my bill for the was $108. Yowza. I went into a store & asked about it. Rep said that ain't right....and should be .25 c/minute. So I called Customer service & Heidi explained that the calls from the US to Europe are $3/minute. She put me on an international calling plan for $15/mo & backdated the call to zero.
FYI the Magenta Max plans are going away (or changing). The rep gave me several different prices but settled on $100/mo ($10) increase. I also changed my payment type to draw out of my bank account from a CC. Credit card payments now lose the $10/mo discount for Magenta Max plans
We have T-Mobile. Add an international plan for $50 for thirty days. You get the upgraded speeds with it.
We have used our phones to do everything you listed, including local calls, but not calls to the US. For those calls, we use WhatsApp (available for android) or Apple FaceTime (when we have Wi-Fi). Worked great for us.
OR maybe consider downloading the Viber app to call the US. You would need wifi or have a local mobile service to make your calls, but unlike Whatsapp or Skype, the other person (or in my case I'm usually calling United in the US) doesn't have to be on the same service. I topped up $15 over a year ago, spoke with a girlfriend in CA for an hour, called UA numerous times, & still have +$10 left on my balance. OR you could pay up a bit (don't recall how much) on Skype to be able to call anyone, not just those who have Skype.
