Any tips on calling back to the states from St. Petersburg, Moscow and some rural areas. We don't usually bother calling much but we have aging parents. Phone cards, pay phones or perhaps at internet cafes ??? Thanks for any advise, John & Robin
Posted by
Gloucester, MA, USA
59 posts
Phone cards would be your best option. Internet may not work due to govt. controls over that.
Posted by
Hendersonvlle, NC
486 posts
For using cell service, check out this page. http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/russia.html
Good site with unbiased info.
If you need to regularly call, a prepaid card might be best but if you just want to be available in case a critical call comes from home, you can't beat a cell phone as Murphy's Law say that something will happen just after you hang up.
You will need an unlocked GSM phone to use the cell service. PM me if you are interested.
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
208 posts
John -
We purchased an international cell phone for $99 prior to our trip to Africa last fall. I just used it last week when in Europe - once I figured out the country code to call the US! (The phone is established in the UK - just ask how to call the US from Russia before you leave!) The nice thing is - you only pay for the calls you make and throw it in the suitcase until the next trip. We were in the same situation as you (sick grandma back home while on vacation) and its nice to know you can call whenever you want.
http://www.mobalrental.com/gsm/handsets.asp?source=0046G045N&kw=mobal&source=0515
Posted by
OP
Atascadero, California, USA
42 posts
Thanks Bonne, We have the Mobal phone. We use it yearly on our trips to Europe. Half of this trip we will be in Germany so at $1.50/min to call the USA is doable, but the problem is in Russia its $7.95/min to call the USA. So for a twenty minute call that's nearly $160.00. So a few calls to confused parents and their elderly neighbors and possibly hospitals it could run into some serious money.