Is it worth taking my iphone to Europe?

Call and get a data plan if your carrier does international. I found it helpful for gps and googling to find sights and restaurants/bars. Just be sure you get an international data plan and see if you need a sim card.

I did take my iphone for the first time last month. I never used it for calls or data without wi-fi. All our hotels had free wi-fi, even the smaller B&B's (though you sometimes had to go around a corner, over to the common room, etc. to get a good signal). I downloaded a few books including a Rick Steve's guide. It took a little getting used to but I was glad not to have a larger guide book. I also got some apps - RS Paris Walk, French metro guide, etc. that I could use without cell. I used the wi-fi to check email, look up restaurants, etc. I also have skype on the phone and would have been able to use that to call (via skype credit) if I needed to. My friend brought his ipad and got the short term data plan but was 1/2 way into his trip when he got the message that he had already used all his data and was going into expensive overage costs. Besides reading newspapers, etc. I think he was streaming media or something and didn't realize how much data he was using so ended up having to up his data plan. At least right now I personally wouldn't pay for international service - but then we just make a point of not using our cell phone during travels.

One more thing - google maps works to a certain extent without cell coverage and I also had downloaded the Tom-Tom GPS app. We don't use GPS at home so found the Tom-Tom more difficult to use than paper maps. But I'm planning to use it for future trips and I'm sure with a little more practice it will work well.

kat, The first question is which Cell network you're with? If your iPhone is with Verizon, it likely won't even work in Europe (although you'd be able to use Wi-Fi). You'd be able to read the book, but the GPS uses the cellular data network so that wouldn't be possible. OTOH, if you're with AT&T, you could sign up for one of their "Travel Packs" (or whatever term they use) which provide better rates for not only voice and text, but also data. Speak to the AT&T rep's for further details. One final point - if you're with AT&T and your phone is "ON", you could receive calls from those at home that don't know you're travelling. I've had calls at 03:00 from people that were too ignorant to check the time difference. You could perhaps call forward voice calls or whatever to avoid this problem. Happy travels!

I've taken my iphone to the UK and was glad to have it. I turned off the data feed and only used the phone and then used wifi to pick up email and surf. If I could get an affordable data plan, I would do it. Pam

Yes! I find mine incredibly useful, even without using it as a phone and I've turned off the data too. I'm in Spain now, and I'm using a couple of great apps I downloaded before I went (including some offline maps and travel info), as well as things like the compass, notepad, and a few favourite games (to use while I'm waiting in lines). I also used a couple of aps that allow me to load either pdf files or webpages that I can later view offline......so I have things like maps and phrasebook translations. It's easier and less conspicuous to look things up with your iPhone than carrying a guidebook or a big map with you.

Thanks for all the great information!

I brought my iphone to Europe last month and just answered a similar question titled "cell phones in europe" which is in the General Europe topic should be near the top of the list now, check it out. I got 50 MB data package from AT&T, and int'l roaming. And I was satisfied with how much it cost, was worth it to me.

Contrarian here: Why would you want to bring your iPhone to Europe? Do you not have a guide book? Or a basic map? Or an idea of where you want to go? Or a plan? Or an itinerary? Or a sense of adventure? Or a lust for going off the edge pf the map? Love and adore my iPhone at home - so, not a Luddite. Don't even start with that. It's just - c'mon! Don't you want to see a little of Europe? Or do you just want to gaze into the glowing rectangle, while where you actually are in Real Life and Real Time passes you by?

Kira, what's awesome about having a smartphone (with an international data plan) in Europe is that you can have the guide book and a basic map and the address and directions to where you want to go ALL IN ONE TINY DEVICE. I don't think a smartphone discourages adventure, but it can keep you from getting lost (a map can be useless if you can't figure out where you're at), help you plan a trip on public transit, randomly decide to hop on a train with the great DeutscheBahn app (you can get mobile tickets on your phone even!) or find a cool bar. I can't tell you how many cool places I've stumbled on by just putting a search to see what was around me at any given location - like a brand new, all local wine bar in Vienna I would have otherwise never found. I spent the first 5 months here without a smartphone and since I've gotten one my traveling has become more spontaneous and fun and easy because I don't have to rely on pre-planning and guidebook reading in advance nearly as much. Smartphones are the world's greatest travel accessory.

Yup, nothing about my smartphone discourages adventure or inhibits my plans......it's got a lot of travel tools in one device (I used the compass in conjunction with my on-board map a few times today while wandering around Madrid). I also like that it is much less conspicuous than carrying around a guide book or waving around a map.....60% of the people around you have a smartphone, so it doesn't scream "I'm a tourist", potentially attracting hucksters or pickpockets. It's a tool, like a map or any other tool.....it's how you use it that matters. It's not like I'm sitting in Plaza Major reading the latest Hollywood gossip or anything.

on another forum I go on there are quite a few expats and locals who post,, and they say that having your phone out has become a favorite snatch and grab item for crooks. Anyways, I have managed for years travelling without one,, I don't need a compass, I don't play games( really? in lines I love listening to all the tourists around me ,, sometimes chatting with them, sometimes just enjoying hearing three different langauges being spoken all within 10 feet of me, not all tourists are english speaking after all) and I generally don't bring a guide book to europe, if i do , I just look at it in the evening when planning next day,, reading up on history of sites etc in preparation. I do buy a phone card,, but I tend to only phone home once a week,, being away means not talking to friends and family everyday,, it means being away! Not too many years ago we all travelled that way,, anyone remember post cards, and expensive phone calls you made from post offices,, thankfully those days are gone, I called home from my hotel in Paris and Switzerland and paid between 5-8 euros for both calls combined,, I was surprised myself how cheap it was. I like not having too much "stuff" to worry about.

Some great Iphone travel info from Matt in SF; http://www.lodgephoto.com/blog/set-up-iphone-for-europe-travel-save-money/277/ I have taken mine on my last two trips. I don't use data (but you can buy prepaid data packages, and re-up them to the next level while on the road) I use wi-fi for Skype, Emails, etc. I buy a reduced call and reduced texting rate. With the reduced calling rate I can receive important calls, and with the reduced texting I can easily communicate with my traveling companions when we go our separate ways. I pre-load my intinerary (complete spreadsheets, with all lodging, flight, contact. maps, and direction info) and have it at my fingertips. I load free Metro maps, and get or buy translation aps (awesome to have at your finger tips.) I can easily confirm my lodging and flight, ground transporataion options and catch up on the news, local and at home. I do all of this without turning on Data, and the cost is minimal. I don't like the small Iphone screen for GPS, and bring a standalone unit to cover that need. I also bring a small netbook for typeing Emails, storing and sorting pics, etc., and I Skype on it also. It is crazy to have a wonderful, small and powerfull tool like the IPhone ,and not use it to enhance your travels.

Steve its not crazy,, its just too hard for you to travel without it since you imagine it improves the quality of your trip,, I have survived without it and love the quality of my trips,,but then I have no need to worry about "important phone calls"( I think some people have to stay in contact with work, which I do not|) and I grew up in an era when you just arranged to meet your travel companions in predeteremined places, no need to call them every hour. I can use a metro map easily enough, its about four inches squared and folds up flat, if I lose it ,, oh well, I just get another free one from hotel lobby,, lol. I just would spend too much time worrying about carrying around something that cost me 2 or 3 hundred dollars,, but thats me.I don't think its "crazy" to carry one,, and I don't think it crazy to not carry one.

I definitely take mine, with data turned off, but only for the emergency use of the phone. I typically have no idea where I am staying, so no one could ever get ahold of me unless I checked in, which I do not want to do. But, as far as the 'travel tools' , etc....I don't use them.. I do my typical endless wandering (that's how I find cool places) asking locals for directions, and simply remain lost in Europe. I do now take a GPS, but managed over 20 trips driving without one. I also do not like too much 'stuff' to keep track of, and I am happiest when I feel free of all of it... just how I like to travel. I guess some people call that crazy....I call it an adventure.

I also travel with my iPhone but not for calling purposes. I use TripIt to store my itinerary info which has cut my paperwork load to almost zero. Several helpful apps (that use wifi or don't need a connection) are helpful for travel purposes (currency conversion, metro maps). I use it for music on long bus and train rides. I also have a bluetooth portable keyboard that I hook up to my phone to update my travel blog and send emails. I don't like reading on it, but have downloaded books and read some (this next trip I'm considering a new Kindle for that purpose). And lately, I find it's easier to snap photos with it than my actual camera. Several apps take retro-cool snapshots (Hipstamatic is my favorite) that have really enhanced my photo safaris. Follow the advice here and on other posts to save on data and wireless charges (airplane mode, then turn on wifi, is the only way I go).

Pat, give it up - you don't need to convince others to agree with you. We disagree......that's all. No need to cast insults at those who don't see things your way.

Kia,, Steves assertation is that is was "crazy" not to travel his way,, so who cast that stone first? Perhaps you should "give up" telling others what to post?

Well, this thread got heated! The argument against SmartPhones that I don't understand is that it's more "stuff" to take care of it. For me, I have to bring and carry significantly less. I don't need to stop at a TI anymore because my phone has map. So I don't carry a map. I read guidebooks before I go, enter information that I need from guidebooks into my phone, and thus don't have to carry the guidebook. I load travel podcasts - like RS podcasts - onto my phone. If music is an essential part of your life, a smartphone means you don't have to carry an additional MP3 player. I don't need to carry train schedules with me. Most of these items aren't particularly heavy but they do add to bulk and disorganization, which I hate. I also used to carry my netbook with me so I could send e-mails (not all of us have the luxury of being able to go off the grid for a few days!) and upload pictures, and now I don't, which is a huge relief, although the people who are poo-pooing smartphones probably scream at the idea of taking a laptop. I don't spend my time constantly playing with my phone - my battery life is as such that I have to use it very sparingly! And the only phone calls are to travelers in my party to arrange to meet up. Is it absolutely necessary to have one to travel? Absolutely not. Few things are absolutely necessary. But it's simply a fact that a lot of things are more time consuming/stressful without easy communication and information at your fingertips. If you already have one and are willing to do the work ahead of time so that it works in Europe, it can be a huge organizational boon. I think the philosophical conversation here is mostly moot, it's simply a practical matter of what is best for your style of travel.

Sarah, Well put! There seems to be two somewhat "polarized" "schools of thought" on the HelpLine on the merits of travelling with Smartphones or other technologies. There have been numerous posts on this topic over the last few years. I choose to travel with a Cell phone, Netbook and other gadgets, and find that these are beneficial in a variety of ways, so I have no intention of changing my travel style. I'll probably be upgrading to a Smartphone in the near future, which I'm sure will be a bit of a "learning experience" in terms of travel. If others prefer using only the paper maps from Hotels and travelling without gadgets, that's certainly their choice. Hopefully they won't be critical of those who prefer to use different travel methods. Even Rick uses an iPhone now! Cheers!

Yes Sarah you have some good points, and I wasn't clear in what I meant by "stuff" ,, I should have said stuff that is valuable,, as it is,, if I had my bag lost or stolen i would just lose some clothes,,and most of them are older and not valuable at all,, the only value they really have is the the time it would take to shop to replace them ( i hate shoppping).
I do take my nano pod,, it is 5 years old and cost me 49 dollars, its about 1.5 inches squared,, so not much room or value. I just am the type that would worry about losing things of value,, so I try to reduce that worry the only way I know how!