international card with sims phone?

If you want to be able to use it anywhere in the world your phone needs to be an unlocked "quadband" or "world" GSM phone since the phone frequencies used in Europe are different than those used here in the States. You can buy them very reasonably on eBay and on websites like TigerDirect. You can put a local SIM card in it when you get there. They're sold at airports and at phone stores so you don't need to buy one here in the states. So are cheap European mobile phones. You won't be able to activate the SIM until you get to Hungary anyway.

Jacque, Could you provide a bit of further information on the type of uses for the phone (ie: voice calls, mostly texts or ?), and whether you'll be travelling in other countries besides Hungary? Do you currently have a Cellphone in the U.S. and if so, which network are you with? Finally, are you looking for a "basic" Cellphone, or a Smartphone that allows internet access and E-mail? The easiest method would be to buy a basic unlocked quad-band GSM phone off E-Bay or other site, as that will provide more choice to get a phone that you're comfortable with. Buy a SIM card either in the destination country, or one obtained from one of the "travel phone" firms such as Roam Simple, Cellular Abroad, Call In Europe, Telestial or Mobal.

I've got an unlocked, no-contract iPhone 4S. I'm planning a trip to Slovenia and Croatia in May, and would like to use it there. Probably not for making a lot of calls (just a few), but I expect that internet access would be very handy. Any recommendations for the best time/place to buy a SIM for Solvenia and Croatia?

@David, I also have an unlocked iPhone 4S so I'm also looking at the same thing prior to my trip next year. The only options I've found so far are: This This This (Neither of the first two firms seems to have Croatia on their list?) These plans seem to have somewhat limited data capability, so it might be necessary to do most web surfing in locations where Wi-Fi is accessible. Cheers!

What would you be using the phone for? The sim card in your phone would allow your phone to work. You could within Hungary and probably Europe. Believe you could also call the US. The cost to call out of country would be more per minute. The international phone card allows you to call anywhere by keying in your code. You can call from land lines. Not sure if you can use the phone card on cell phones but if you can the per minute charge is probably more. I believe the problem with using the phone card on a cell phone is that you are using phone card minutes as well as cell phone minutes. Hopefully someone will correct me if this is wrong. You might want to call the phone card company to find out exactly how this works or check their website. We bought an unlocked cell phone to take to Turkey. Bought a US sim card first just to be sure the phohe worked. In Turkey we bought a sim card with minimum amount on it to use within Turkey for emergencies. I believe we could have called out of country with the phone if we wanted to. We also have a phone card from past years which we have used from land lines. Not sure if this is of any help.

Everyone has been so helpful in their comments which has definitely helped me move in the right direction! I do have a cell phone here in the US which is my only phone. I text but haven't begun to use the internet on it which I realize I'd like to learn next. It's a basic phone but texting and internet are included in my plan. I realize once I start to use the internet on it I should then know if I want a GSM phone for Europe that would allow internet as well. I do know that since I don't plan to bring any type a computer with me traveling I will need to use my phone for texting, local calls, calling US possibly - for emergency and voice mail. I have a Verizon cell phone here and Verizon said that it would not work in Europe . Any other suggestions that you have for me are always appreciated..

Jacque, Based on your last post, one method that might work would be a "basic" GSM phone which would cover voice calls and texting, along with an iPod Touch for E-mail and web surfing (using Wi-Fi). Regarding the phone, there are several choices: > Buy an unlocked quad-band GSM phone from E-Bay, and use either with a SIM from one of the travel phone firms, or purchase a SIM in the first country you visit. > Buy a GSM "travel phone" from one of the travel phone firms. > Buy a GSM phone in the first country that you visit in Europe. When using a SIM from one of the travel phone firms, it will likely be a U.K.-based number and will provide consistent rates (depending on which countries you're visiting - they're arranged in "zones"). Most of these SIM cards are sold on a post-paid basis, with calls charged to a credit card. If you buy a SIM in the first country you visit, it will provide the cheapest rates in the country of origin, but the rates will be higher in other countries as you'll then be "roaming". It's difficult to provide specifics on the rates as these will vary according to the country you purchase the SIM and the plan you choose at the time. SIM cards purchased in country are usually pre-paid and must be "topped up" from time-to-time. If didn't mention Smartphones, but if you have a "large budget", you could buy an unlocked GSM iPhone or similar from E-Bay, and just use it for voice and text. Buy a Micro-SIM from one of the firms mentioned in my previous reply. Leave the data portion turned "off" and just access the net or E-mail in Wi-Fi areas. Good luck!