We will be traveling in Germany and surrounds for three weeks. We would like to use our I Pad (wifi only) for maps, etc. as well as researching using the internet. We presently have our 3/4-G phones on Sprint, but they don't provide service in Europe. We would appreciate any hints on the I-Pad or phone use
Posted by
Salt Lake City
1528 posts
I noticed that more hotels are offering wireless LAN and internet access now. I used it with my iPhone at a couple hotels on a recent trip. One hotel had the service for free and another charged me 8 euros for 24 hours on a T-mobile hotspot. Both worked well. I exchanged emails with my wife back home and found a restaurant on Google Maps. It wasn't worth it for me everyday. I did not want to spend much time on internet. HRS.com shows whether a hotel has internet access or not.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32352 posts
Hank, You shouldn't have any problems using your iPad with Wi-Fi in Germany (in those locations where it's available). Wi-Fi is usually provided free by many Hotels, but some of the more "upscale" Hotels tend to charge for it. Other locations such as Starbucks or McDonalds may also provide Wi-Fi, but it's generally necessary to buy something to get the access code. What "hints" are you looking for on using phones in Europe? As you've noted, your Sprint phones will not work so you'll have to consider other options. It would help if you could provide further information on whether you want at least one phone for your trip, and what you anticipate using it for. Happy travels!
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
In Germany the term "WiFi" is less common. We call it "WLAN". There are many listings on the internet of places where you can get free WLAN, e.g. http://www.hotspot-locations.de or http://www.freie-hotspots.de
Posted by
OP
VALLEY OF THE WINDS, CALI, USA
3 posts
A FOLLOW-UP TO MY QUERY--
What we would ideally like to do, i understand that we can use a phone to create a mobile hot spot to access the internet as we drive-- What about renting a phone when we land-- or even buying one?
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10603 posts
For calls, in Spain and France I used Skype. Of course you must have wifi for that.
Posted by
Tuscaloosa, AL
1152 posts
Hank, I used a prepaid T-Mobile U.K. account for data access last summer in Germany. Here is a thread I posted after that trip: For overseas DATA use, local prepaid is best solution. T-Mobile U.K. sells a "mifi" mobile hotspot device that they call a "wireless pointer." I suspect T-Mobile Germany does, too, especially since Germany is T-Mobile's home country. They will also likely sell you a prepaid phone for not too much money, but a low-cost one won't be able to serve as a hotspot.
Posted by
Texas
531 posts
I took my IPad to Spain and Morocco this past fall....used wifi only which was available in all of our lodging. I didn't want to run up data charges. We also were driving and in need of maps. There is an excellent app called citymaps2go which I believe has over 7000 maps available for download to be used offline and they can be zoomed for easy reading. You just pick the maps you think will be most useful to you while driving, download and away you go untethered to the Internet. Best app ever. I left any last minute research for our overnite stops but I pretty much had everything organized before I left....screen shots help alot if you have certain web pages with important information. I texted more than made made actual calls on my phone since it was cheaper and oftentimes quicker.