What I do when travelling is use FB messenger Record Audio messages. I ask my FB friends to record their reply. It's rhe next best thing to calling and can be done via WiFi or data.
Posted by
Paris
10186 posts
I refuse to put Messenger on my phone or iPad, so this definitely wouldn’t be the best way for me!
Posted by
near San Francisco
5362 posts
I helped my Mom to install WhatsApp on her phone so we can talk or video chat for free over wifi. Before each trip we practice WhatsApp calling to make sure she remembers how it works.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4656 posts
FB? Don't use it amongst family or friends. WhatsApp has replaced Skype for me. Given that we don't 'talk' daily, there is certainly no need to talk during vacation. My alternative that gets most reaction is my daily photo posts on Instagram. That get's people's interest.
Posted by
WA State
3961 posts
I too prefer WhatsApp to connect with family and friends as needed. I started using it several years ago and have discovered that it is widely used throughout Europe. It's handy if you need to connect with your accomodations while traveling. For example, I needed to let our apartment manager or B&B host our arrival time.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17417 posts
Like Kim, I refuse to use FB Messenger. Since my whole extended family is on Apple devices, we use FaceTime for free on WiFi.
Posted by
California
217 posts
We use Signal for our family. You can post pictures with the text.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
Like Lola, we call and talk in real time via FaceTime - free from one iPhone to another iPhone. You don’t need wifi to FaceTime.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
Or (semi-old-school here) I send emails (using hotel Wi-Fi) at whatever time is convenient to me, the recipients read them at whatever time is convenient to them.
Posted by
Folsom, California
542 posts
WhatsApp has everything you need.
Posted by
SF Bay Area
329 posts
Thank you, Daniel! I may try your idea.
Most of my friends and family do use FB Messenger to communicate. A few of my friends, especially those in the UK, use WhatsApp. Others use Skype. I have to remember who uses what channel of communication ;-)
When we were in the wilds of Transylvania a few years ago, our son in college called us via FB Messenger. We were both using WiFi, so it was free. It sounded like he was in the next room. Amazing.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15777 posts
Whatsapp is everybody's choice here in Israel. Most of the places I stayed in Europe in the last couple of years use Whatsapp too. It isn't the next best thing to calling, it IS calling (voice or video), via wifi or data. You can also text and share photos.