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Request for advise on cell phones visiting Greece

Hello!

Can some of the experienced travelers of this forum please suggest the most economical option for a family 4 (with an unlocked cell phone each) to remain in touch during a week trip to Greece?

Thanks!

Posted by
3115 posts

Find a Germanos Store and buy a Cosmote SIM for each phone plus as many minutes as you like. The SIMs are very inexpensive and the store staff will assist you in activating them. You can easily renew the minutes if you need more since Germanos stores are everywhere in Greece. Two other reliable mobile service providers are Vodafone and Wind.

Posted by
2462 posts

Also consider whether using your US provider makes sense for you. We have T-Mobile and had free texting and data (slow but useable). We made a few phone calls which we were charged for. We used the WiFi at the places we stayed as well. It was reliable in each place (four places-two on islands and two on mainland).

Posted by
19 posts

Maverick,

The best plan for International travel I have seen and used is Google Fi. They Support more phones now and you could use it for your trip and cancel afterwards.

I have a Pixel phone that has an E Sim. I don't even have to remove my physical Sim from my regular carrier when I travel.

Google Fi now supports the iPhone from the 5s on up. Give it a look. Check out the International coverage it can't be beat.

https://fi.google.com/about/

Posted by
237 posts

@Wilson55

Thank you for the information Google Fi. I am not getting how this works. How does it work with no SIM card or data? If you use this plan do you have to take out your current SIM card?

I was thinking of getting the following phone and put a sim card in it before I leave. This would be my travel phone.
BLU Z5 -GSM Unlocked Dual Sim -Cyan https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MZGB224/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_tai_ebzYCb8514C8D

Posted by
19 posts

LF,

If you don't have a Pixel 2 or Pixel 3 you would have to remove your Sim card and put a Google Fi Sim in your phone it's quite simple. Order the Sim from Google Fi don't port your regular # and use the phone on your international travels.

"Google Fi works in over 200 countries, with no additional cost for data or texting. Calls cost around $0.20 per min to any number while abroad. (Tip: you pay lower rates when calling over Wi-Fi). Go here full the full list of international rates. You can also call back to the US on Wi-Fi for free. Data used internationally is charged like normal, costing $10 per gigabyte usage, until Bill Protection kicks in."

Can't be beat

Posted by
19 posts

LF,

You would have to take out your SIM card for another network regardless. Easy Peasy

I have a Google Pixel 3 it has something called an ESim it is soldered to the motherboard and that is what Google Fi uses for Pixel Phones.

You would have to swap out your Sim which is very simple. That Blu phone you linked I would not touch. Do you have a smartphone?
If you do the Google Fi option is very easy to do.