Is a Cell Phone Really Necessary?

Jordan,

Ive gone without any e devices up until a couple years ago. I bought my first cell phone in london just to have for emergencies while traveling and thats about all i use it for other than the pay my bills while traveling. even though i can pay my bills automatically, i learned once that $$$ is out of your account, its really slow to come back in if there is an error.

I have found that so far, ive been able to find an internet cafe when needed and some of the hotels have computers to use. I used them to check my emails for any hotel/reservation changes while im on the road since that was the ONLY way anyone could get ahold of me. Even with my cell phone i leave it off 90% of the time.

i will also use some of the built in apps like currency convert, calculator and such.

happy trails.

We had Sprint phones which were on "holiday" service -- no phone usage but good for WiFi connection at hotels and taking photos and listening to pre-downloaded RS audio tours. (Cheaper than our usual monthly rate)

I really like having my cell phone with me. I don't get an international package. It is small, and I can email or use the internet on it when wifi is available. I can use it to make a call in an emergency, like once when I was going to be late for my check in time at a hotel. Texting works well for necessary communication with my travel partner when we separate, plus is a fairly inexpensive way to communicate with those back home. Plus, my phone is my alarm, flashlight, clock.

I carried a simple European cell phone for several years and used it to contact hotels or restaurants. But since I've brought my iPad the past two years, it's also happened out that I never got around to putting a new chip in my phone. Most hotels have Wi-Fi which I could use for internet research and internet reservations. (The last time that I remember using my cell phone in Europe was to call roadside assistance for a flat tire in 2011.) Both hotels and other people will have a phone if you need one. When you do have Wi-Fi, you have access to Skype and other internet phone services. See also a couple of Rick's articles on the topic of not taking a phone.

Jordan,

IMO, a cell phone isn't "necessary" but having one during travels can really makes life a lot easier in some circumstances. I've been travelling with a cell phone for years, and wouldn't leave home without it. I primarily use text messaging to keep in touch with family back home, and occasional voice calls for confirming hotel reservations or whatever.

I packed a basic Motorola flip phone until recently, and it worked well for voice and text use. For the past few years I've been using an iPhone and it's also been great although more expensive when data is included. I've been using a SIM card from one of the travel phone firms, and have found that approach works well as the rates are consistent throughout much of western Europe and the billing is post-paid so no "topping up" is necessary. One of these firms currently offers a Europe SIM card for $5 and a basic phone for $29, so it's not really too expensive.

Yes, bring your mobile. If you have airline problems in the States, you can use your mobile to call your airline for assistance.

Finding a pay phone in Europe can be a problem. We arrived at an unstaffed train station in a small Austrian town on the town's outskirts. Our hotel was several kilometers away and had our ski and gear bags. The next bus was scheduled for late afternoon and train station taxi service had to be ordered by phone. None of us had Euro enabled phones. We were fortunate to have a young mother arriving on the next train use her mobile to help us call for taxi service. So the short answer is that you don't need a mobile if you can get help from kindly locals.

I take my iPhone but I don't use it for calls, just other functions previously mentioned. I also have a wifi-only iPad for email and tons of other things.

FOLLOW-UP QUESTION and response to Jordan

We are traveling in EU next month have decided carry an iPhone (parked in Airplane mode) for use only in extreme emergencies of Biblical proportions (e.g. 911, earthquakes, erupting volcanos, massive floods, terrorist attacks, Russian invasions, etc) and rely in a wifi-only mini-iPad for Skype calls, email, and updates to off-line app.s.

NOTE: we will use the MapsWithMe app (both for iPhone and iPad) and several METRO apps for most of our map-related planning. These work totally offline (no data plan required) after you download the maps you need. These require some preplanning to use but have a very nice user interface and carry onboard very detailed information. We have bookmarked all hotels we will (and might) use, dozens of points of interest, restaurants recommended by others, key METRO stations, possible picnic spots, etc. -- info gleaned from Rick Steves books and travel classes in Edmonds and fellow travelers.

My question: if we were to use the iPhone for email on wifi (Airplane mode off), how can I avoid receiving an occasional, costly incoming phone calls or voice mail message?

Thanks Dick - with the answer I needed.

Jordan,
I will be going through 3 countries next year. I plan to use my IPhone & translate.google to help me pronounce the short phrases I may not know.

Necessary - no - people have traveled for centuries without one. Convenient - heck yes! I never travel without mine. I love the convenience of everything in one small package - maps, guide book, translator, hotel info, train schedules, etc. I keep mine on data & all no matter where I am. For me it is worth every penny.