Do I purchase a cell phone in Europe?

You need to decide how much you'll use the phone and compare that against the ATT rate. You can purchase fairly inexpensive "Go Phones" in Europe. There is also the benefit of having your own phone number with you in Europe.

For moderate use over that period of time it may well be cheaper, maybe $50 to $100? by the time you get a cheap phone and a SIM card. For us, it was cheaper to use our ATT phones, but ours are already GSM phones and have International roaming at $1.26 a minute. We only used the phone to connect when separated, so limited use.

Sharon,
I have done both, brought my phone and purchased one in Europe. The first time I took mine, I figured it was to get a hold of my other party, or for emergencies (ie: calling home). I never thought that I'd be going back to Europe for the 6th time next month and in less than a 3 year period.

2 years ago I forgot my cell and went to those "Cellular Super stores" and got a pay as you go one. The phone with 20 min pay time cost me around $90. Its a great phone, I have a permanent Euro number (which is great for making reservations), and its not that expensive to make international calls. I can top up my minutes at any "top up" shop.

BUY IT HERE! Cheaper than there.

You need an unlocked phone. I found a deal on AT&T for $30 for a refurbished quad band phone and found a web page that says how to unlock it. I did it myself.

Search Rick for my Technology tip on Cell Phones in Europe or PM me for a copy.

I'll also answer any questions.

I think you can buy it here cheaper. Look on ebay for an unlocked phone, tri or quad band. Then buy a SIM card in Europe. Incoming calls on European SIM cards are free. You will have to see how much would cost you to call US or other countries. maybe some Eurpeans on this site can give you some ideas.
I have a T-mobile tri band phone I can use anywhere in the world, but it's very expensive to call US. $.99 from western Europe, $1.99 from Eastern Europe, plus I get charged the same rate for incoming calls.

Bea, my original phone I did buy here before I left. I got it on ebay for a decent price of $40. I had to replace it because it was a used phone and there was a glitch.

Many times you can get lucky and get a good phone. I'd say 99% of the time. But if Sharon wanted to be sure it works in Europe for the almost 7 weeks she'll be there.. I'd suggest getting it over there where she knows the phone is new and working.

Thank you sooo much, everyone. The info was most helpful.

I bought an unlocked GSM phone (European model) here on the Internet & got a SIM card through a different site. I was having problems making calls in France, so I stopped in at The Phone House (there are many in Europe) to buy another SIM card. They had a good deal on a cell phone, so I bought another phone (29 euros). Turns out it was just opeator error with the 1st phone.....however, my husband & I got separated in the Louvre, and it was very nice to call and ask him where he was! I think we will always travel with 2 phones from now on. I will just get new SIM cards in Europe.

Some of us still manage WITHOUT a phone!!!

Damn! I thought I was the last person who doesn't use/bring a cell phone in Europe:)

Actually I have been researching this for a while. I went with an iphone. You can email from any wifi hotspot without using any minutes. With a google email account you can IM . That's like a free cell phone.

Verizon has the next best deal with the blackberry
Tricia

Thanks for the info!
How did we ever manage in the olden days of travel???

Now that's a novel thought - NO cell phone!!!

Tricia, you sure your iPhone won't get charged roaming?? Sure you get free wifi but if you're using a non Euro carrier, you may get dinged using the wifi (even if the service is free)

Wi Fi is a local connection to the internet and unless there is a fee to access a particular Wi Fi location, then it is free.

Wi Fi is a local connection to the internet and unless there is a fee to access a particular Wi Fi location, then it is free.