Help! I'm with my family in Paris, and we need to be able to contact each other. Even text only would help. We don't ave our own US phones with us. Can anyone tell me where to buy a pay as you go phone here in Paris easily?
Posted by
Savannah, GA
1382 posts
Orange Mobicarte, I find, is the best way to go! Go to the Orange store and ask for a "mobicarte" plan (which is a pay as you go plan. The cheapest option, I believe, is the Bic phone. It's less than 50EUR a phone. I used Orange Mobicarte for over a year. I had no issues and even texted back home in the states.
Posted by
Fontainebleau, France
893 posts
La Poste (the post office) offers some of the lowest rates on "pay-as-you-go" cell phones and are everywhere. Virgin Mobile also offers low rates, but they're not as prevalent. SFR, Buoygues, and Orange are three of the bigger providers and have stores all over. You'll have to buy a phone, SIM card and then a "carte" with credit on it. Usually you can get a box with all three together to get you started. Prices generally start around 30€. Do NOT use Free for your cell phone provider. Loaded with problems getting coverage.
Posted by
OP
Pasadena, California, United States
9 posts
Thanks very much to both of you - very helpful. I decided against this approach because we only have 4 days left in France and I learned that we couldn't use in Italy or buy a new SIM card for the phone once we got there.
Posted by
Tuscaloosa, AL
1152 posts
Not sure if I understand your latest post. Are you saying that a phone card bought in France wouldn't work in Italy? I'm not sure that is true. Also were you saying that your phone wouldn't work with a SIM bought in Italy or that you couldn't buy a SIM in Italy? If it is the latter, I don't think that is correct. But, I agree with your overall decision. With four days left on this part of your trip, getting a bunch of phones doesn't seem like the best solution. Have to go back to the good old ways of keeping in contact: Rendezvous times at specific locations.