Cell Phones and SIM cards

(How about that, the website changed it's format while I typed this response)

Generally, a mobile phone from one country will work in most of/all of Europe. You'll pay a higher tarrif for using it in a different country, though.

I only know about mobile contracts in Germany and Belgium, so this may not apply continent-wide... but in these two countries, contracts are only sold for a minimum of two years. If similar restrictions apply elsewhere, your best option would probably be a cheap pay-as-you-go phone. If you need to purchase more minutes, you can usually top it off online or directly from the phone. Bills are a non-issue, because you pre-pay. In 3+ years of using a cheap Vodafone, I have yet to need to speak to a customer service representative.

A local SIM card will work in other countries, but you will be roaming (not as bad as roaming in Europe with an American SIM card though).

You essentially have to weigh the options. An international SIM card charges significantly more per minute than a local SIM card in the country you buy it. If you're focusing on one country, the locally purchased SIM card will be the better deal. An international card might be a good deal if you change countries a lot and don't plan to make enough calls to use up your SIM card.

If you're spending more time or making lots of calls in each country, buy a local SIM card in each and either use the old one up before you leave the country or save it for your next visit (they drop dead after a period of time, I think a year, without being used). The downside is each card comes with a new phone number - which may be an issue if you're expecting people to try to reach you (for me it's no big deal because my primary use is to book lodging at my next stop).

In your case, I'd bring the phone, as long as the battery will hold a charge, and get a local SIM in Spain. Supplement that with another phone and SIM for your wife. I found plenty of options at 25 euro, which included the phone, charger, SIM, and ten euro credit (two options on price per minute).

If you have a money left on your card, you can make the one or two calls with your Spanish SIM, and probably a better choice than getting a new SIM just for a couple of calls. In Athens, I'd probably pick up another local Greek SIM to use while there.

I still like using Skype with my Ipod touch for calls home while on the road. It's not only cheap (a couple cents a minute to call a landline) but I only have to dial the phone number - no international calling codes.

Rather than messing with changing Sims, roaming on a European SIM and figuring out those rates I used Google Voice when we had a wifi connection and just called on my US phone if we didn't. For the few instances wifi was not available the charges were pretty small on my phone bill and it sure was a lot more convenient. Using your Spain SIM in Italy will be roaming plus you are calling distance - I can call with my Verizon phone from Italy to Athens for $1.49/minute - that's $3 for a two minute call plus I can get support in English. For me I did not find that a local SIM and and buying minutes you may not use were really a big enough savings. YMMV

Christi's statement should be carved in stone and jammed down the throat of anybody who asks this question in the future.

zona1 ,

heres my personal experience using SIMs and such.

I got an inexpensive cellphone in the UK on my first European trip a couple years ago. And with it was a PAYG SIM. Had about 10 minutes or so of time, but it didnt last long. was able to add minutes in the UK with no problems. Once i got back to the USA, problems with adding minutes. My USA credit card didnt have a UK address so i was screwed until i got back there the following year. Luckly i had a few pounds left and my number wasnt given away. I was able to buy some vouchers to add minutes and to bring a couple back home. I used that SIM ever since in any country i go to just to see if it works.

I also bought an Neatherlans SIM and do the same. But im able to add minutes via the www and paypal. I also bring that SIM with me to whereever i travel and will swap SIMS with my USA SIM just to see how they work and if they do.

So far everywhere i have been to in Europe, ALL of my SIMs have worked in each country.

What i like about my European PAYG SIMS is that i can buy www time in day, days or weeks lots. WHere as here in the USA i have to buy a contract or monthly plan.

If youre in the back 40 you may not have any wi-fi same for cellular too. But im betting on cellular more. Thats why i have both capabilities.

I would check your local provider and see if they offer anything in terms of international for your phones. Then you have something to compare against. If you go with a SIM i would suspect that a PAYG is the less expensive way of doing it. But thats only due to what i have experienced.

Happy trails.

Just as an FYI - we traveled Europe last year for 30 days Spain, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Hungary, Czech Rep., Austria and Italy. I had my phone on 24/7 with data. Every time we stepped outside I had Google Maps up - hit the track me button and we used the map. I researched train info, restaurants, hotels, sights, history, what ever on the internet. I sent & checked email. I loved the convenience & ease of it. I made a few phone calls and sent & received some texts. In all my phone bill went up $239 for the 30 day period - not bad at all I thought. No nightmare surprise bills here. If I can afford 30 days in Europe $239 is a small price to pay. I am with Verizon and we had coverage everywhere we went - I did have to call them when we landed in Barcelona as I had no service - my luck they were having an issue there but once I put in the trouble ticket it was corrected within an hour. Google voice over the wifi was a great back up to make that call.

My local phone option cost 50 euro for 30 days in Spain (including having to buy a second phone because one got wet), plus something around ten dollars for Skype calls home daily. We didn't use data constantly, only when we had Wi-Fi. Like using ATM cards, some rates are higher than others. My motto is, "Save money where you can, so you can spend it where you want."

See my post under Purchasing a Phone in Europe, under Money-Saving Strategies (maybe not the best place for that thread, though...).

There always comes a point while doing research that the winds change and the evil, negative reviews belch forth. Also, remember - more people feel the fire in the belly to screech about a terrible wrong committed against them, rather than extolling the virtues of something that made their life easier.

If you buy a European SIM, you don't have to be concerned about roaming, if it will work in X country, etc. Just put it in and go.

Although your trip may have already started, I will share my thoughts and opinions for other readers. See my posts in this thread here and here.

-Don