What is the least expensive way to call back to the U.S. from Italy........cell phone, calling cards, etc????
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23273 posts
Skype on your lap top, then a local calling card and way down the list would be a cell phone.
Posted by
Cesena, Italy
791 posts
I use Magicjack. Sometimes the connection can be pretty bad but happy with it most of the time.
Posted by
Round Rock, Texas, USA
1 posts
What about Google Voice?
Posted by
Tuscaloosa, AL
1152 posts
Dana, for a while Google Voice only worked from the U.S. I think they have now added some aspects of international calling to the U.S., but someone should check before going overseas. I saw something about this recently, but know it didn't use to work.
Posted by
Tuscaloosa, AL
1152 posts
To supplement Frank's list (which I completely agree with), the Cell phones category should be split into four subsets: Most inexpensive: Using a prepaid SIM from whatever country you are in. A bit more expensive: Using a prepaid SIM from another European country while roaming in the country you are in. A bit more expensive: Using a travel phone company SIM (but you have to compare rates and initial costs plus your usage to calculate average costs per minute). Most expensive: Using your U.S. cell phone company, paying their roaming rates.
Posted by
Ballwin
833 posts
I just bought an Italian SIM card from TIM (I got their international one) and it provides me with in country calls to other Italians for 8 cents, and calls to the US are only 20 cents. Skype and Google Voice are the cheapest if you have a laptop or an iPod touch/iPhone plus wi-fi, but if you do not have wifi, an Italian SIM card will probably be the cheapest. You will need to have an unlocked GSM phone that works on the European broadbands, or purchase a phone from TIM. (Their cheapest is 29 euro, a basic Samsung.)
Posted by
San Francisco, CA
166 posts
I have a whole blog post on this -- all your alternatives, including Skype etc: http://www.lodgephoto.com/blog/going-wireless-in-europe-what-you-need-to-know-about-cell-phones/12/
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1127 posts
There are calling centers in the large cities, usually part of an Internet Cafe. Enter a small booth with phone, dial your number and the display presents how much your call is costing. When you're finished with the call, hang up and pay at the counter. It's a simple, cheap option as long as no one needs to contact you.