My phone won't work in Europe. callineurope.com quoted me a total of about $70 (phone, sim card, shipping). So I wonder if I could get a phone cheaper in Paris. I don't need a smart phone and I don't text much, I'd just like a basic phone to check museum hours if necessary, or for emergencies. I could just do without, too. What have people experienced with and without cell phones? If you got one there, where did you find it? Tobacconist?French equivalent of Radio Shack?
Posted by
Fontainebleau, France
893 posts
Right now, the cheapest pay-as-you-go phones are selling for 29€ + cost of pre-paid card. So, yes, you can get a phone cheaper in PAris. The question is whether it's worth it to you to take the time out of your trip to get one. <B><B> As to where to get one - there are lots of options. Orange & SFR are the two main providers. They have boutiques throughout Paris. There are also independent cell phone places like The Phone House that sell phones from many different providers. You should be able to use this link to find out if there's an Orange boutique near your hotel: http://boutique.orange.fr/mx/?tp=php&IDCible=1&type=12&code_rubrique=5-325853 and this for SFR: http://espace-sfr.sfr.fr/espace-sfr/recherche#sfrintid=HPI_bdroit_espsfr_autre Not sure how long you are staying, but in general, low value cards for minutes don't last long (some only one week)) so watch out for that. It can also be very expensive per minute. Cards can be purchased at the post office if you need more minutes.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Paula,, I have never taken my cell to Europe. Its really not needed,, its a convenience item,, people travel without them all the time. I do buy a phone card from the Tabac,, for 7.50 euros I can phone home( Canada) every few days if I want( which I don't,, LOL ) and phone local friends etc from payphones..or hotels in some cases,, I always end up with time left over too.
Posted by
Seattle, USA
990 posts
Mobal and Telestial have a variety of cheap phones and international SIM cards online. Right now Telestial is selling a basic phone for 39 dollars, plus a 5 dollar international SIM card with 5 dollars' credit on it already. (More airtime can be added online in 25 dollar increments.) They advertise this particular phone as ideal for users who don't make many calls, which sounds like you. I personally travel with a cellphone and one of the global pay-as-you-go international SIMs. I don't make many calls back to the States[INVALID]usually a brief checking-in call with my husband and daughter to let them know I arrived OK and an "everything is fine" call every week or so. It is convenient for contacting small hotels to let them know you're running late so don't relet your room, making reservations at restaurants, etc. Convenient but not essential. But for me, what makes the cellphone a must is that I have to deal with my aged parents with multiple medical issues, since I am the primary contact with their doctors and hospital staff. Sadly, medical emergencies have become more frequent with them in recent years. I've dealt with several episodes while on the road. If I hadn't had a cellphone I probably would have had to fly back or stay glued by my hotel room phone.................................Depending on where you want to travel, you might find a local SIM card makes sense for you, since local calls then are much cheaper than on a general international SIM card. Just keep in mind that local SIM cards will only work within that country. For me, the break-even point is about a month. But, as I said, I am generally a low-call user.