In late June early July we will spend a week in Paris and a week in Provence. We will need two cell phones 1 for parents 1 for teens. What is the most economic/reliable way to do this.
Posted by
Ardmore, PA, US
225 posts
Do a search on this website for "cell phones" and you'll find a wealth of information.
Posted by
Anaheim, CA, USA
1455 posts
In a previous trip I got my phone at one of the cellphone stores in London... those "pay as you go" ones.
This time I'm traveling with my niece and got my phone on raileurope.com for $39.
The raileurope plan has free incoming calls if you're in certain countries, with UK and France as one of them.
Posted by
OP
Bainbridge Island, WA, USA
32 posts
Thanks to both of you
Posted by
Davidson, NC, USA
82 posts
Sherrill,
We just got an ISIC student discount card for our 16-yr son and one of the perks is a $29 cell phone that works in Europe. The per-minute rates are reasonable and it can receive calls free in France. We will be in France the same time - if you get a phone, call us! Ha!
Lisa
the ISIC website is www.myISIC.com
Posted by
Washington, DC
180 posts
Not sure if it's the cheapest - but it's convenient. I got int'l cell phones from mobal.com - the phone costs $49 each and you pay as you use it. It's a UK number and normally it's about $1.50 a minute but you can look at their website to see specific prices.
Maybe check your local cell phone carrier and see the cost and options for use in Europe
Posted by
Grapevine, TX, USA
875 posts
I got a cell phone in Paris at The Phone House for 29 euros and spent a little more to add more minutes. There are many Phone House locations in Paris as I saw several of them.
Posted by
Rocklin, California, USA
24 posts
We have Verizon and they will send us a free international phone to use on our trip to Spain & Portugal. They say it will have the same phone number we use in the states now. We just have to return the phone when we get back.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
Gabriella, what kind of charge is there for this (for international access and calls)? I can't imagine it's cheap.
Posted by
Rocklin, California, USA
24 posts
Nancy, I am not sure of the charges to use the phone, we just figured this would be the simplest way to go, as we don't plan to use it, just for emergencies. Also, since it will be the same number we can easily be reached from home, if needed. I will post the charges though as soon as we order the phone.
Posted by
Anaheim, CA, USA
1455 posts
Verizon is handy if you do not plan on using it, but for family from the US to call YOU. Incoming calls are free on the Verizon, but about $1.50 a min to call.
What they do is give you a rental phone with a UK #. People at home calls your US cell and (before leaving) you forward your US cell to the UK# for free. That's how family reaches you.
I did this when I was in London in October but the husband stayed back in California, so the call was free for him as long as he called me.
Sherrill, if you are staying in 1 country (ie:France) just pick up a cell when you are in Paris. Or, get one from the sites mentioned earlier, or get a tri or quad mode unlocked phone on ebay, and get the SIM card in Paris. There's many easy options in getting a spare cell.
Posted by
OP
Bainbridge Island, WA, USA
32 posts
Thank you all for your input. I went to the Verizon (my carrier) web site and got a number for global short term use. THey were very helpful. For $9.99 shipping they will send a phone that, when activated will have my number. Incoming and outgoing calls are (I believe) $.99 a minute, texting is less (I may have to learn how). The phone is free for one month, they include shipping label to return. My main need is to have a phone for my wife and I and one for my kids in Paris, they are at an age where they can go off on their own but I would like to be able to stay in contact with them.
Posted by
Davidson, NC, USA
82 posts
I just got home from the Verizon store (my blood pressure goes up every time!) and here is what I was told: They have 2 options for customers of Verizon:
1. a "loaner" phone which is basically a razor which is equipped with the GSM innards necessary to work overseas. There is no fee for the phone. They temporarily disconnect your regular cell number from your existing phone and attach it to the new "loaner phone". Your number stays the same. There is a $1.29 per minute roaming fee for both incoming and outgoing calls. He said that there is a time limit for the "loaner" but didn't know what it was.
2. a "rental" phone which you pay for and prepay (I believe he said you have to deposit at least $300 at first). This is given a UK number. You forward your calls from your US number to the UK number. From what the salesman told me, people calling you pay only the regular minutes, but you are billed roaming for both incoming & outgoing calls.
Either way, it is expensive to use Verizon overseas. I think if you just need an "emergency" phone so folks at home can reach you, the loaner plan is the way to go and then call home with calling cards from payphones!
Lisa