We will be visiting Germany, France, and Italy for 3 weeks in July. Any ideas on the best/most cost efficient way to call the US while we are away?
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7575 posts
The traditional method is the simple calling card. 5 Euro at just about any newstand/tabacco shop gets you a good amount of minutes. More and more, Internet cafes offer international calling via VOIP services like Skype, these can be cost competitive, in some places as available as pay phones, and you can do your internet stuff at the same time. There are also cell phone options, but usually more expensive for international calls.
Posted by
Winnipeg
590 posts
I don't know of this is standard, but I made a few calls back home (Prague, Krakow, Vienna all to Winnipeg) from the hostel phone and for around 20 minutes it cost me around 3 dollars. When my husband called me in Romania (hotel wouldn't let me call him, but he could call me) it cost 60 dollars for 50 minutes!
So I guess a calling card would be a good option. A few people told me that Europe has cheap out going calls. Obviously Canada doesn't!
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
In France I bought and used a calling card, it was very cheap and easy( got it a a Tabac) ,, just had to find the phone booths, which I managed to do.. I didn't even use my card up,, and it didn't expire for another year, so I saved it,, and yes, used it on next trip.. and it still worked.( last summer)
I only phone home about once a week,, its not like you really need to phone home constantly.. I have kids at home, so I do check in,, ,, but when I was younger and travelled before family,, we would just call home to say we've arrived safely,, and then about once a month after that.. LOL
Never call work on vacation,, tell them you are going to be in Antartica if you have to.. LOL