I just had an idea and wonder if anyone sees a flaw in this plan... We both have GSM phones, and want a cell phone to communicate in case we get separated from one another (or to text each other) and also for our family in the US to contact us in case of emergency. But we also want it to contact our B&B's or get local info from museums, public transport, etc. Could we get a prepaid SIM card in the local country for the latter, and then pop our original SIM card in for the former? (I'm not asking for advice over whether or not we should use our cell phones over there. I'm simply asking whether this plan is practical.) What sort of minute increments are sold on the prepaid SIM cards? We probably wouldn't need more than about 60 minutes or 30 minutes a piece. (By the way, we're going to Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland if that makes a difference in the answer...)
Posted by
Pacifica, CA, USA
187 posts
Amy, your biggest issues are 1) is your phone unlocked? and 2) is it at least a tri-band phone?
If the answers to those questions is yes, then you can swap out SIM cards. Do a google search for SIM cards. ireland and you'll find vendors along with their rates. Good luck
Posted by
Hendersonvlle, NC
486 posts
Minimum amount of money depends on carrier and country. I have used Italian and Irish SIMs on different trips. Typically 10€.
We found each having a phone is great. By getting local SIMS, cost to call each other is minimal (about 0.12€/minute for calling phone - free for receiving phone) so we called each other often when separated. Really helped when we couldn't find the B&Bs we reserved and so called owners. In one case, she drove over to where we were parked. In other case, he walked us through directions as we drove. wonderful!
Check prepaidgsm.net for rates from different carriers.
National carriers have cheapest rates and are best if most of your time is in that country. Incoming calls are free. US calls are about 0.50€/minute. A text message to carrier (free) tells you remaining credit. In Italy, you got notified with text msg every time you spent money so it was nice. In Ireland, I just set up a contact called "Credit Left" and sent a free call and received a text msg every time I wanted to know how much was left.
We went to France along with Ireland on last trip byt we didn't get French SIMs. Really felt nervous whenever we were apart. Had we gone to Ireland first, I would have picked up the Irish SIMS and roamed with them in France.
I still have minutes left on my Irish SIMs (got back a few days ago. PM me if interested.