International Phone/Data Plans for Europe?

jc,

Your profile doesn't indicate where you're located, but the easiest way to obtain short-term cell coverage is simply to use roaming with your home cell network. Most of them have reasonable prices for international roaming, which include voice, text and some data.

You would only be able to use SIM cards from European networks if your phone is unlocked. I prefer to use one card (and plan) for travel throughout Europe, as switching SIM's is awkward.

With a bit more information on your circumstances, it would be easier to provide more specific information.

TMobile is awesome over there. Unlimited data and texting. Calls at 20 cents per minute and free if I make my calls over wifi. I love the simplicity of TMobile over there. I get off the plane and turn on my phone. It opens with a message..."Welcome to France or Spain or Italy or whatever" and I'm in business. It's so simple.

We are traveling from the U.S. to Europe If that helps....

Who is your current carrier? You can check out the options on your carriers website. Some folks will buy a local sim to put in an unlocked phone - I have not had the best luck with that and all the support is in the language of the country where you purchased the sim. Others may have a different option for local sim as I have not tried one for a long time.

JC: I have an iPhone with service through Verizon. I just add the international plan for the time I am in Europe. Not a great expense and I have my same number for calls from the U.S.

Rick's app only uses data when you're downloading. Once you've downloaded what you want to listen to or look at, you can even use it in Airplane mode without any problems.

What to do about data depends on your current carrier as well as how much data you need, and how fast you need that data to be. For instance, if you have a T-Mobile Simple Choice plan, you get unlimited data in most European countries, but it's at slower speeds than you're used to. And, while buying a local SIM card gives you lots of high-speed data for a low price, it also gives you a new European telephone number. This can make it much harder for people in the United States to reach you, if that's something you need or want.

So, who is your current carrier, how much mobile data do you think you need (remember they have Wi-Fi in Europe too), and how important is it for people in the US to be able to reach you on your current phone number? For instance, can you use FaceTime or Viber or WhatsApp or Skype to talk to people over Wi-Fi, thus reducing your need for voice calls and for data?

Very helpful everyone, thank you!!! Any special adapters we need for charging, or just the standard electrical adapter & converter I assume? (For Germany, Italy & France). Thanks!

I'm been in Europe for 4 weeks so far and T-Mobile has worked great!! All you need is an adapter for your plugs. I brought a cube type thing that allows 3 things to be plugged into it. I only need one adapter that way.

Most devices these days are 110 - 240 so a converter is not necessary. Just check your charger - it will say.

jc,

If you're using an iPhone, you will NOT need a Voltage Converter, and in fact it's not a good idea to use one. All you'll need to charge the phone in Italy are inexpensive non-grounding Plug Adapters similar to this....

http://www.walmart.com/ip/6X-USA-US-to-EU-Europe-Travel-Power-Adapter-Converter-Wall-Plug/28881017

It's a good idea to pack along a couple, as they're small and easily misplaced, and very inexpensive. I believe Radio Shack has them as well.

If you're travelling with any other electrical gadgets, you must check each one to determine the Input Voltage ratings. If these state "Input 100-240 VAC", then you can use them in Europe with only a Plug Adapter.

Back to the question about international phone / data plans, it would help to know which cell network you use in the U.S.? It's difficult to provide much specific information without knowing that.

Appreciate the info, thanks so much! We have Verizon in the U.S. If that helps to better answer my question on int'l plans... Thanks!!

Check the Verizon website. I also have Verizon and saw that there are two plans listed; one called Travelpass ($10 for 24 hours of unlimited/whatever your home service is) and then an international fee option per minute, etc. If you plan your calls home, etc for specific days, it looks like the Travelpass would work, and be easier to keep in touch. For 3 weeks, though, your thoughts may differ from mine. Either way, have fun! :)

jc,

Thanks for the additional information. I'm not thoroughly familiar with Verizon plans, however a few thoughts.....

For a three week trip, using one of the Verizon International Roaming Plans is certainly one option. Even though your trip is 3 weeks, one of the monthly plans may be the most cost effective. You'll have to speak to their customer service rep's for more detailed information. One of the advantages of this approach is that you'll have consistent rates across most of the countries you'll be visiting.

You'll only be able to use European SIM's in your phone if the device is unlocked. Verizon can also tell you whether the phone is currently locked. If your phone is unlocked and you buy a European SIM, this will be on a PAYG basis so you'll have to be clear on how to top-up the card once you've left the country of purchase. Also once you've left the country of purchase, you'll then be "roaming" so your rates may increase slightly (the E.U. is eliminating roaming rates, but I'm not sure if that's in effect yet).

Unless you need a lot of data when you're away from hotels, the best way to avoid unwanted data charges is to leave "Cellular Data" switched "Off" unless you absolutely need it, and use Wi-Fi as much as possible for checking E-mail and especially for data-intensive things like photos or multi-media messages. As iPhones perform a lot of functions in the "background", it's also a good idea to go through the "Use Cellular For" menu and switch off any functions that you don't absolutely need.

Hope this helps.

Maybe there's some part of the Rick Steves' App that I haven't used, but it should cost you nothing. Just download the parts you think you'll need (Louvre, Paris Walks, etc.) in advance while you have free wifi at home (or hotel). That's what I did and it cost me absolutely no data or charges, in fact, I didn't even have a sim in the phone.