Good morning, newbie traveler here. My sister and I are traveling (God willing) at the end of May from Seattle to Rome, then south to Amalfi.
Someone advised we buy new phones over there rather than use ours to call places-reservations, our Air bnb and so on.
Does this make sense?
Or just tell our carriers before we leave that we're traveling to Europe and go from there??
Thanks in advance.
It depends--What is your carrier?
I have TMobile. I think my sister does as well (she's in So Cal, flying up to Seattle and we leave from here.)
buying a new phone doesn't make sense.
buying a SIM card in Italy makes more sense. Using your own carrier makes sense only if your happy with what it might cost.
Check with T-Mobile. You may already have coverage in Europe for calls and data, or you can add or upgrade the coverage. That way you have no problems, same number, just like at home.
As calls there, yes, they would cost you, but you really will not be making that many, you can also use email, website, or messaging to handle things. I use Booking.com, easy, and owners can contact you through the Booking.com app. I would though download "Whatsapp" and set it up. For whatever reason, that seems to be the default app for owners of places to contact you. It is free for them vs. making an international call at a cost.
Then you are in luck--TMobile has a great intl plan. I went with TMobile just for that reason (we only travel once per year, but my husband travels often for work). Even if you need to upgrade, it is worth it for the seamless service and convenience. You simply turn the phone back on when you land, and it will be ready to use.
Late May is the perfect time to be where you are going!
I travel with an android phone and T-mobile and it's worked well in Europe.
I DID have an issue with my previous phone not working well in Europe because it was outdated and didn't work well on the bands used in Europe. Something to check if your phone is older.
There is no need to buy a new phone. Like others have said call your carrier and ask them what is covered. Your phone will 100% work in Europe you just may be charged an arm and a leg for the privilege, but I think TMobil may have one of the best international plans. I have Verizon and pay like $100 for the month to use in Europe, no matter if it's 10 days or 30 days. We use WhattsApp to communicate with family back home. I have an android.
Such great info, all! Glad I've got T-Mobile. Thank you.
Just a caution: Some T-Mobile plans may not enjoy international coverage. Do you know what plan you have? Are you on a prepaid or postpaid plan?
I signed up for international calling when we got the plan. Thank you. And it's postpaid.
Android phones work fine in Italy. T-Mobile's unlimited international coverage (roaming on local mobile networks there) works fine but is a little slow (unless you are on WiFI). You can pay a little extra to get slightly faster speed I think.
For what it is worth, for Europe, Android phones far outnumber Apple, nearly 2 to 1. The UK is the only market where IOS is big, but still about even with Android.
I have a both an android and an iPhone (long boring story) but I only use one at a time as a phone (the iPhone is used mainly as an iPod). I've used both as a phone in Europe with no issues.
My plan (non-US) includes 5G of data per month in Europe but no phone or messaging. I've used Whatsapp on European trips for years. Virtually everyone in the travel business uses it so I have unlimited calls and messaging with the app and, of course, with data, I have email for the off chance that someone doesn't use Whatsapp.
TMobile has always worked great for me traveling with my Android. When you arrive in a new country it will text you with “welcome to…” and you’re in- nothing else to it. I keep thinking I’ll upgrade for faster mapping, since it is slow sometimes (patience is a virtue), but haven’t needed to yet. Texting is free, so very easy to communicate with b&b hosts, etc.
One of the few redeeming qualities of T-Mo is there international service. While data is slow, calling is relatively cheap.
One of the few redeeming qualities of T-Mo is there international service. While data is slow, calling is relatively cheap.
I don't have T-Mobile (went with Google Fi) but the slow data is with their standard plan, they purposely limit it. Slow data is better than no data, fine for maps, and basic use. You can however add an International Pass that provides unlimited calls and high speed data.
My T Mobile service worked well in Germany last summer. Calls back to the US were .25 per minute. I have the +55 plan with a Iphone.
