Can I use my Sprint iPhone 4 in airplane mode in Germany/Italy?

Audrey, You shouldn't have to worry about expensive phone or data charges, as your Sprint iPhone 4 is a CDMA model and therefore won't be able to connect with GSM networks in Europe (the situation is different with 4S models). Wi-Fi should work normally, but of course the Hotel may have a small charge for that. Turning "off" 3G and Wi-Fi won't really make a difference, however I'd recommend switching them off anyway as it will improve battery life if the phone isn't continually searching for a network. The music and Camera functions should work as they do at home. I'd suggest double-checking with Sprint to confirm the information. Happy travels!

I carried my CDMA phone all over Spain in May and found free wifi in lots of unexpected places. I kept it in airplane mode in order to keep it from looking for a phone network. I could use all of my apps in wifi areas, and I used the camera a lot, too. I was traveling with a netbook, too, so I just plugged the phone into the computer at night and charged them both at once.

Of course. Using wifi is free. The only thing you are charged for is data going over a mobile (not wifi) network. If you turn off the mobile networks (which is independent of wifi), you can't connect but everything else will work. You can try this at home as well.

Audrey, "Of course. Using wifi is free." That's not always true. If you typically stay in "posh" Hotels, ironically they usually charge for Wi-Fi while budget Hotels typically provide it with the cost of the room. I stayed at a Hotel in Brussels last year that charged €5 per hour for Wi-Fi. I've found that's the case in other countries as well. Cheers!

Thanks for the helpful replies!

Audrey,
Before you get on the plane to Europe, in your iPhone's "Settings", turn Airplane Mode "On", then directly below that turn WiFi "On" ( by default, it automatically turns off when you turn Airplane Mode on ).. you will have no worries about getting charged roaming fees or anything like that, as you've basically turned your phone into an iPod. Whenever you have access to free WiFi ( many many many places in Europe, certainly most hotels ) you can surf the net, send emails, etc, at no charge. If you get the Skype app on your phone, and open an account, you can even make very cheap phone calls ( yes, while still in Airplane Mode, as Skype will use the WiFi connection...calls will be free if to another Skype user, and only pennies per minute to regular phone lines ). Even hotels that charge for WiFi access( not many, and usually bigger chain hotels), often have free WiFi available in their lobbies. I've stayed in many hotels in Europe, and have never had to pay for access to WiFi. In fact I would NOT pay a hotel for WiFi access, I'd simply find a free site in my travels...I've accessed free WiFi in Starbucks and McDonald's, at highway rest/gas stops in England, in bars in Paris, at all international airports, at ferry terminals in Jersey, etc... it's everywhere...

Ken, I was pointing out that accepting data over wifi, in contrast to over 3G, is free and will not result in the horror stories that Audrey heard about. Any charges for accessing wifi will be disclosed ahead of time or require action on her part to pay them before she can access the internet. :)

Turn off the option "all cellular data" and you shall be fine.

@Nicholas, Thanks for the additional information. I just want to clarify that using Wi-Fi in Europe is not always "free". The OP won't have to worry about expensive data roaming charges, as I don't believe her phone will even be able to connect with a network in Europe. Regarding the previous reply from Andre L. switching "off" cellular data is unnecessary for the same reason. AFAIK, the best approach in this case is to switch ALL wireless functions OFF using "Airplane Mode", and then activate ONLY the Wi-Fi function. This will prevent the phone section from continually searching for a tower, and will extend battery life. Cheers!