Cell Phone options for European Travel

I use Google Hangouts to call the US while in Europe, using wifi. Once the Hangouts account is set up (in the US), calls to the US are free to landlines as well as calls to cell phones.

Not used the specific services you mentions (myuksim.com appears to be down at the moment) however, an Australian friend of mine used myuksimcard.com recently when visiting the UK, The Netherlands, Spain, Italy and Germany with no complaints, was able to make calls to the US and Australia. The only thing to be aware of is the phone you intend to use the sim card in must "unlocked" and not tied to a specific carrier.

I've done it different ways.

Before I had a smartphone, I had an Ipod and set up skype to make nearly free calls back to the states. I could also check email on the Ipod. I like to book rooms as I go, so I'd buy a cheap phone with local SIM to use on my trip. I rarely call back to the states during my trips now, so I don't worry about it now.

When I bought my first smartphone, I made sure I bought something that worked in Europe that was unlocked. Rather than buy a plan, that comes with a locked phone tied to a particular carrier, I bought the phone then found the cheapest plan that worked for me.

I prefer traveling in a smaller regional area each trip so I've only purchased SIM cards for use in one country. When you put the SIM in your phone, you have a local phone number. Your apps aren't affected but your phone no longer receives calls (unless your phone allows multiple SIM cards, I think some do). In Spain, I used Vodaphone. In France, I've used SFR and Orange. Finding something that works well in multiple countries is slightly different, though most people say roaming charges in Europe aren't a big deal these days. SFR was fine for one trip, last trip they wouldn't sell you a SIM at a boutique, only at a Tabac. That doesn't work for me because I want it set up before I leave the store and Tabacs aren't the place to ask for that. I normally end up spending about 60 euro for three weeks.

I generally get 10 GB data and use it sparingly (WiFi is available everywhere) then end up with about 8 GB left at the end of my trip. If you run out, you can buy more data by visiting a store (and sometimes a Tabac or other vendor).

Giffgaff is a UK SIM provider and they do very good deals. Have a look at their monthly plans

https://www.giffgaff.com/sim-only-plans

And they’ll send a SIM to the US

https://community.giffgaff.com/t5/Using-giffgaff/I-m-overseas-Can-I-get-a-SIM/ta-p/4024319

I have used Google Hangouts to make free calls to US numbers, even landlines, for years. Your mother is mostly right - but Hangouts is an exception. It truly is free for US calls. It's not perfect, but it works amazingly well. It works on WiFi or on mobile data.

However, Google is finally killing Hangouts sometime later this year. The Google Voice app has inherited many of the free calling features of Hangouts. You can install both on your phone and try them now. Hangouts should still work through the summer, probably longer. I've used Voice to make free calls in the US, just never from Europe proper yet.

For the last few trips to Europe, I've used my Dutch Vodafone SIM for data (It has a Dutch number I could give to people in Europe but I haven't needed to use it). You can buy one on eBay for about $8 USD shipped from the Netherlands. Then create a Vodafone NL account, add funds to it, activate a "You" bundle of data the day before you leave. I'd get a 6GB bundle for 20 euros, good for 30 days. I use Google Chrome to use their website, and Chrome translates the Dutch to English.

I've never used the MyUKSIM, but it sounds like it would work too, might be easier to setup, would give you a tad more data but not cost much more.

Thank you for the helpful responses.

I took a look at GiffGaff, but it looks as though roaming isn' included in Switzerland.

Donna, Switzerland can be a challenge but when we bought SIMs in Italy last year, TIM was able to sell us an add-on for Swiss service whereas WIND could not. Where are you starting your trip, I.e., in which country will you acquire the SIMSs??

What is you first destination? Perhaps buy a local SIM card there? Do check to make sure the service provider covers the countries you will be visiting.

If the U.K. happens to be your first stop then I can vouch for Vodafone. I’ve used their big value bundle for my last few trips. It worked fine in Switzerland two years ago and in Germany last year.

https://freesim.vodafone.co.uk

douglasjmeyer, some of us are frugal and some aren't. I don't spend $200/day when I travel. I'm frugal about not just my phone but about almost everything else. I wind up spending thousands less on a trip than the average traveler here, I'd guess. That means I can travel more often - worth it to me to be frugal! I guess if I were rich it wouldn't matter so much.

douglasjmeyer, again, it's a personal preference whether one is frugal or not. Clearly, you aren't as frugal as I am. Good for you. It's not something you are going to persuade others to change. Perhaps you could start another thread about frugality or lack thereof. This one is about using a cell phone cheaply in Europe.

Douglas,

1000 for a flight./14 days = 70 per day.
120 per night for a hotel /2 = 60 per night
10 for lunch
5 for snack
5 for drinks
5 for shopping (souvenirs)
20 for dinner
10 for site seating
5 for transit

People pay different prices for airfare as you know. For me, flying from Logan, two years in a row, I secured pretty much the same airfare on BA in December. It was about $550 or so for RT.

I paid 99€ a night for my hotel. Some may think that is high, but I love the hotel and the people who work there. Plus, I feel they offer a lot for the money. Sure, some may not use the gym or sauna, but, still, it's quite lovely.

The hotel offers a complimentary, non-alcoholic mini fridge with bottled water, Frizzante, Coke and juices; replenished as needed. The fridge also has two shelves that you could store a snack or two.

Until late morn, they serve a complimentary, all one can eat, buffet breakfast -- inclusive with many of the typical Italian style breakfast items as well as intermingled with some American flare. Their scrambled eggs are delicious. Fresh squeezed juice.

One won't go hungry. Tons and tons to choose from. Not a skimpy breakfast. So, with that, really no lunch is needed, or at least for me. But, I may take a snack or protein bar. I may get a gelato. I may stop at my friend's store and "taste-test" his samples. lol. Kidding.

My first trip to Rome, I greatly contributed to the Roman economy. But, that's how it is...first time excitement. The second year, last year, I cut way back and bought only some truly special things.

Many nights, dinner was usually at the same fav restaurant near my hotel. Most nights it averaged about 15-17€. A pasta dish or pizza, Pinot Grigio (which I love) At 5€ yes, but they are not skimpy with the wine, dessert - Tiramisu - they fill a huge coffee mug with the creamy dessert sprinkled with cocoa and chilled! No lady fingers. The dessert is so creamy.

The manager comped my espresso and little flute of limoncello. No charge for bread or table. If one or two times I ordered an antipasto, it was about 5€. The carciofi was delicious or the melone and prosciutto was great too. Firm melone and not too salty prosciutto.

My first trip to Rome, one early night, I went to Coop. I got a Panino, salad, and a little dessert. I walked to Piazza Navona, sat and ate listening to the sounds of my favorite street musicians. It's the little things that can make us happy.

So, it can be gathered that travelers have their own ways of traveling with a bit of frugality or what is important to them for spending. No one should be picked on or told how much they spend. Some want to travel even if they can't spend high end with no money limits. If they sacrifice and save to take their trip, even if it may be on a strict budget, so what? Wish that person well. Maybe you didn't meant to come across as so harsh with the other poster.

Traveling is also about mingling with the World.

People pay different prices for airfare as you know. For me, flying from Logan, two years in a row, I secured pretty much the same airfare on BA in December. It was about $550 or so for RT.

Even that sounds like a lot to me! I've been flying to Europe with award tickets the last several years in a row.

Even that sounds like a lot to me! I've been flying to Europe with award tickets the last several years in a row.

I think that was a good deal for round trip. I favor British Airways. I don't do cards with points or rewards, just "No FTFs." I'm not going to 'play' cards and charge on them so I can rack up points to fly for free. Those who travel abroad more than I do now, then it may work for them.

At $550, that was low compared to the preceding months (I had been checking) and the preceding weeks after I booked that fare. I checked the airfare for some time afterward, it increased upwards by about $300 or so. So, I was satisfied with the $550. Same with the other year. I like the flight schedule they offer, the layover, the generous baggage policies, and other extras. The Flight Attendants have always been pleasant on the trips I took with them.

American Airlines was more expensive and Iberia was a bit more than British Air. Aer Lingus does not have the scheduling I care for.

I think there is a lot of value in a forum member shaking up the forum orthodoxy a bit and challenging people to rethink their notions. Douglas actually poses a quite legitimate question... Is it worth the value of time lost buying SIM cards or finding other low-cost Europe cellphone options to justify saving $5.70 to $7.75 per day?

My argument would be... there is no correct answer. It depends on each individual and their situation. It sounds like for Andrew H, the answer is a loud and clear "Absolutely!" That's great. It doesn't mean he is doing cell phones in Europe the right way, and it doesn't mean he shouldn't be traveling to Europe (which I think Douglas would admit was a poor choice of words written in haste because he's posting on a Travel Forum). Andrew H's answer does mean that he is doing what makes sense for him. For Douglas, it sounds like the answer is a resounding "No way!" That's great. It doesn't mean he is doing cell phones in Europe the right way, and it doesn't mean he is a bad dude or a rich dude. Douglas's answer does mean that he is doing what makes sense for him.

For me, the answer falls in line with Douglas. I work 60-70 hours per week at a job I absolutely LOVE. When I'm off, though, I want to relax. Thinking about cell phone plans and SIM cards is a low priority. So, I use the same $10/day plan that Douglas uses. It works absolutely beautifully for me exactly because it requires zero effort and has zero time cost. It doesn't mean I am doing cell phones in Europe the right way. It doesn't mean I'm rich. (Having family I love, a job I love, co-workers I love, a town I love, plenty of time to go to Europe every year -- that makes me rich!). My answer just means that I'm doing what makes sense for me.

Dave, again, the premise of threads like these isn't "Is it worth my time to save a few hundred bucks on cheaper cell phone service on my trip?" By simply starting a thread like this, the poster has already DECIDED they wish to save money - they're asking HOW to do it, not WHETHER to do it. (And if the answers they get seem too confusing, they'll decide for themselves whether it's really worth the supposed hassle!)

Why do people feel the need to impose their own values on others about this sort of thing? So we're frugal - so what? I find it a bit condescending for people to question my own values about such things. I might as well pop on to someone's thread asking about their Germany trip itinerary and ask them why they are bothering to go Germany at all? I mean, I didn't like Germany - so maybe they should consider a country I really like - say Italy, Slovenia, Croatia? You're going to like it better than Germany - I mean, I did!

If you prefer being frugal, fine. I totally agree that fooling with a cell phone isn't worth everyone's time. Some people find it intimidating or just don't want to bother. But...if someone asks, "I want to save money on my cell phone for travel - how can I do it?", and you think it's a waste of time - can't you just move on to another thread?

Why do people feel the need to impose their own values on others about
this sort of thing?

I guess I don't see Douglas's first post (in particular) that way. Given that the first line of the OP's post is that she's overwhelmed, perhaps looking at the mathematics of taking the easy way out is not so unreasonable?

I have looked at many options over the years, and typically have carried a second phone that I get a local SIM for, but after some thoughts, I am ditching ATT (would be the same if it were Verizon) and am going with Google Fi. The plan is reasonable, plus I will have roaming voice, text, and data at no extra cost. I travel 2-3 times a year international, so long term, this works for me. I looked at T-Mobile, but have concerns about their speed of data and throttling it down overseas.

Short of this, I would still pick getting a local SIM there as opposed to paying extra ($10/Day) for roaming. but this is mainly due to the fact that I use lots of data away from wi-fi, but rarely make calls, and incoming calls on my regular phone, or outgoing calls on wi-fi work for me. That I think is overlooked, how you use the phone, and how often for data, for calls (to local numbers, to home numbers, people calling you, etc) makes a big difference on what works best. For example, using your home phone to call "International" to a "local"(European number) carries a cost much higher than if you have a local SIM.

I’m with Douglas and I pay the $10 per day with Verizon on my trips which are always relatively short. It makes it easier for me than fumbling around with SIM cards and mobile service plans, that’s not what I came to Europe to do. I’d much rather cut back on some other expense on the trip if it was necessary. I understand being frugal, but, this kinda seems like someone who drives out of their way to save 5 cents a gallon on gas or spends all Saturday hitting up 3 different supermarkets to take advantage of their different specials.

For me, I justify the Verizon costs by realizing that when I get back, I’m going to be tired. And, for the next couple of weeks, I don’t want to go out to a restaurant or bar after an exciting vacation. So, I’m already saving eating in and staying home for a couple of weeks.

We were very confused at first too but as someone else pointed out we came across myuksimcard.com last year after reading a review on Forbes.com: https://www.forbes.com/sites/geoffwhitmore/2018/11/27/a-great-sim-card-option-for-europe/#212c37e04c77

As Donna mentioned at the top it cost $39.99 and it worked very well for us. Ordering was easy on their website and it was sent to us in just a few days.

We got around 12GB of LTE data and calls and texts as well. We travelled in England and Scotland, and then over to France, Italy and Spain and it kept working in our iPhone. It was very handy for things like Google Maps and keeping in touch with family and friends back home on Whatsapp.

We considered using roaming on our AT&T account but it was just too expensive (it was something like $50 for only 1GB of data) and we use around 8GB-10GB at home anyway so 1GB just wasn't going to cut it for a European vacation.

Although we did come across wi-fi in Europe there was often a fee to use it so it was good to be able to use the My UK SIM Card instead.

So it looks like giffgaff will work in Italy, Spain and France, where I will be heading in June (we're also in Monte Carlo for one day where data is not included, I just won't use it there). Is that correct? Is there any need to visit the UK to start using it or if my first stop is Italy will it work automatically? If so, it seems like the no-brainer to use, especially since I was able to order a free SIM instead of having to go to ebay to buy something.

I bought a Vodafone NL SIM that I used last year in the Netherlands and Norway (l could not get data to work in Norway, somehow my Verizon Samsung S7 did not let me update some setting required for data roaming to work with the SIM; I need to make sure it's fully unlocked).

Mister Bill,

I believed that giffgaff SIMs require activation and use in the UK prior to roaming in other EU countries. The issue recently came up in this thread.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/has-anyone-ever-bought-a-uk-vodofone-sim-on-ebay-to-use-in-europe