Will be traveling to several countries in Europe next year. Will be gone for 3 months. I am planning on taking my netbook. Is most of Europe WIIFI? What about trains etc? I am trying to decide if I will need to add an International Data Plan for the time I will be there. Thanks.
Posted by
Manchester
495 posts
"Europe's" a bit vague a destination but I'd say yes, most of Europe "is WiFi". The availability (and variability) is the same as you'd expect in North America (which I assume your from.) Some places are more cosmopolitan than others and wifi is probably more common in larger cities and towns than smaller or more rural places. Sometimes access is free, sometimes free to customers, sometimes you have to pay just as you'd expect back home.
I'm not sure what you mean by adding an International Data Plan, wifi doesn't use the phone networks. If you intend to use your cell phone as well, then most urban areas in Western Europe have 3G coverage (although just like NA it's still not 100%.) Make sure you check the prices though, I've never seen any plan that offers international data at a price I'm willing to pay.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9100 posts
wifi doesn't use the phone networks
The pay WiFi services like Boingo and Swisscom, have roaming agreements with most wireless carriers. Thus if you have a data contract with your home carrier you can use Boingo/Swisscom wifi hotspots. When you make a connection, open your browser and there will be a login screen with all the details.
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
Please specify "Europe" for you. Do you really mean all of Europe from the Polar Circle down to Turkey and Morocco? How about Cyprus and Malta? Europe also includes quite a huge part of Russia incl. Moscow... You get a classical WiFi in most McDonald's and Starbucks stores across "Europe" and some train companies in some countries also supply you with it...