Cell (Mobile) phone

If your cell phone will work in Europe (ask your service provider if you are unsure), you do not need a new SIM card. When my mother went to France, she just brought her American cell phone and was charged international rates for calls.

I found this list of cell phone providers in Colmar. I hope that helps a little.

Like Martine says, assuming your phone is a GSM phone, you can probably use your US phone in Europe - check with your US carrier. If you only intend to use it occasionally or for emergencies, it probably doesn't make financial sense to buy a new phone or SIM card. If, on the other hand, you intend to use your phone a lot, the difference in the cost of roaming minutes versus buying a European SIM card (paying local minutes) might lead you to buying the SIM card. Figure you expected usage and then do the math - you'll probably have your answer.

Janis,

I suggest you search for my posting in Cell Phone tips http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/graffiti134.html "Getting a Cell Phone for Use in Europe". It has step by step procedures for finding and/or verifying a phone is usable in Europe and which European cell service to use.

Janis, the problem with buying a mobile phone in Frankfurt, is that it will be configured for a German network. When you travel in France (or elsewhere in Europe), you will be paying exorbitant roaming fees!

As the others have suggested, if you're presently with AT&T or T-Mobile and have a quad-band phone, you might be better to take your "home" cell phone and just use roaming for occasional calls. You could also try a firm such as Cellular Abroad, as they offer both travel SIM's as well as phone rentals.

I always travel with my GSM phone and use text most of the time to keep in touch with family back home (it's quite inexpensive). Voice calls can add up if used often while roaming, so I try to minimize those.

Good luck!

We've bought a phone at the Frankfurt airport for in EU use - hotel confirmations and so on. The phones are cheap and come with selected amounts of minutes (think refurbished disposable)$40 to $80.(Not useable in U.K.) Of course the salespeople may try to sell you a full package. Just say it's for hotel confirmations etc. Do not use for calling the U.S. Unless you're going to the EU regularly it's probably a waste of money. We have Cingular Razor phones with international capability but I only use it for brief calls to the U.S. The price is o/a $1.29 a minute but it's never screwed up. (Be adivsed however that when making a call if it goes through even if not answered they charge you $1.29 for each attempt). Having bought phones both in the UK and the EU I don't bother anymore. Just use my Cingular to talk briefly to my elderly mother or to let my B&B/Hotel know I'll be in late and use SKYPE on my laptop for anything else (basically free)

We have Cinguluar ( It is called something a new name now). My husband called and activated our phones for overseas and told them we would be traveling in Italy the end of Sept. My phone worked when we got to Italy, but his did not. His phone is a few years old and I bought a new one last year. We did use my phone 5 times and were glad we had it. I guess my husband's phone was too old. I'd check with your company before you leave. We got charged about $1.50 a minute, so tried to use it only for emergencies. We both have elderly parents at home, so was glad to be able to keep in touch if needed also.

Marie (Wilmington), I believe Cingular is now called AT&T. It's possible your older phone wouldn't work in Europe as it may not have the necessary frequency bands. Your RAZR is a quad-band, so covers the two N.A. frequency bands as well as the two Euro bands.

I also use roaming with my home carrier (Rogers-Canada) and it has worked extremely well for me so far. I normally use text to keep in touch with family back home, and try to keep my voice calls very short (confirm Hotel reservations, etc.).

The rates I was paying on my last trip were $1.00/min. for in-country calls, $2.00/min. for long distance or back to North America and $2.00/min. for incoming (due to the fact these are routed from N.A.). Texts are $0.60 each to send and free to receive. All rates in Cdn$, plus applicable taxes, etc.

I really like travel with a Cell phone, especially as I travel "solo". It's not always possible to find a net cafe, so it's useful to let family know that "all's well".

Cheers!