Why do I have to have an international cell phone for my trip?

You don't need a cell phone at all. Its simply a preference and slightly easier than finding a payphone or hotel phone. There are plenty of calling cards for purchase which in fact will be far less expensive than using a cell phone.

Haven't you seen all of those cell-addicted people who can't drive down the street or walk through a store without being on their phones? Last night I actually saw a woman at my gym talking on the phone while working out on the machines! Seriously, I have a pay-as-you-go that I use only occasionally - but I could also do without it. They are obviously nice to have, but some people are just dependent on them.

Cecily you don't "Need" a phone but its not only practical, its also more economical.

My brother in law is from Milan. He said that its normal for everyone to have a phone. Also, you can't always find a regular phone. Plus, its inexpensive.

As for practicality, here's an example: When you go to restaurants, rather than standing around for the table, they'll ask you for your cell. When your table is ready, they will call you. Most places assume you have a cell.

Its also more sanitary than using a public phone.

PS: Nancy, sorry that was me on the phone at the gym! LOL!!!

Cecily, while a mobile (cell phone) isn't "essential", it might be a good idea considering you'll be in France for 2 months. Whether you can "upgrade" your U.S. phone will depend to some extent on which network you're with? AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM, which is the technology used in Europe and most of the world.

There are several choices to consider: you could either upgrade your present phone (if possible) - if you already have a GSM quad-band phone you could have it unlocked so you'd be able to use a French PAYG SIM, or you could buy an inexpensive phone when you arrive in France. You could also have a look at Cellular Abroad or other firms that offer travel phones.

Happy travels!

Ten years ago you could easily still find pay phones, but they are few and far between these days. Also, every time you want to book a room, rent a car, make a restaurant reservation everyone want that mobile number. Sigh. I've rented phones with my rental car, but for a two month trip I think you should follow the advice her for using your own phone.

Pam

Sorry to be the contrarian on this,,,you do not NEED a cell phone. If after you have been there for a while you feel you want one, you can always buy it.
I have traveled to Europe for more years than I like to admit to anad have never felt the need for all this electronic paraphernalia people are attached to.
Go and enjoy. Buy a phone card. forget about being wired up to everyone and everything. Just soak up la belle France without all the distractions. My first trip to Europe(many moons ago), I was just out of college, there for 2 1/2 months and NEVER called home! Just sent postcards! My family knew how to contact me in an emergency!!! I still have all those cards I sent!!! Try saving phone calls!!!
Have a wonderful trip.

Cecily, I think what they meant is that you "need" to have an international cell phone, as opposed to a normal US phone, IF you do want a phone.

The backwards cell phone industry in the US "locks" their phones so you can only use it on one carrier (i.e., a T-Mobile phone will not work with Sprint). Not only that, but your phone needs to use the technology called GSM (as opposed to CDMA -- your phone uses one of the two; only T-Mobile and AT&T/Cingular use GSM in the US). If you want to use your phone, and it is GSM and also tri-band or quad-band, you need to get it unlocked. Call your provider and tell them you want to use it overseas.

If all that sounds confusing, just forget it and search ebay for "unlocked gsm phone" and pick out a cheap one that is tri-band or quad-band. When you get to France, stop in any tabac or phone shop and buy a SIM card, pop it in your phone, and you're good to go. You'll have a local (French) number and pay local rates -- though to call back to the US you'll want a phone card to get better rates.

Amazing how we managed without them for months on end before.

And there are still more then enough pay phones on the streets in Paris anyways. Last August I bought a phone card at a Tabac, and I am able to bring it back this July and use it again as I didn't use it all up and still have time left on it and it doesn't expire till next year!

No one needs a cell phone, you just think you do.
You do not need to phone home every other day do you? I sure as heck didn't when I was young, in 2 months I phoned home twice , the rest of the time I mailed postcards.
Even now I phone home only about once a week, my kids and husband fine with that, I think its just what people become accustomed to, and the young certainly seem to feel they can't function without a phone .

You can, really, it is amazingly easy.

PS Everyone says its nice to have one " in an emergency" ,, for what I would like to know.. ?

I bring a phone everytime.... just my phone from T-Mobile with international roaming turned on... but Hurray to you Cecily. I think it is a fantastic idea for leaving it home. If I didn't need mine for work I would leave mine too!

Do you have any special reasons to be checking in Stateside during your travels? Both my parents have medical problems such that I am most comfortable being able to call home briefly every other day or so. But if you don't need to be checking in, you might well find that you won't call home much if at all.

On the other hand, a much greater proportion of Parisian restaurants need to be booked in advance that is generally true in the US, including many small neighborhood places. A cell call is a lot more convenient than hoofing it to the restaurant to check on availability.

I travel with a cheap GSM phone with a worldwide SIM card--the rates per minute are high, but I only use it for relatively brief calls. I do appreciate having a permanent phone number so I can be reached in the event of an emergency at home. Your situation may be quite different though.

We spent one month in Europe (just got back) and based on what I read here, I was a bit worried about not having a cell phone for "emergency" purposes.

Guess what? Decided not to take one, but took a calling card from here, and never had to really use it, though I did call my mother and sister to tell them that I had seen the Pope close up! :-) Both my sister and mother have cancer, so hence the need to call them once during my entire trip.

Honestly, once I am in Europe or anywhere else for that matter (away from home) I disconnect myself...no phone, no internet. When I get back, people hear from me.

Eli..these are precisely my sentiments!!!

Eli & Maryann - Right On!! I feel so sorry for all the tourists I see every day laying on the beach and talking on their cell phones - Oh! maybe they are all doctors checking on their patients?

Charles ,Eli and Maryann, we all agree, cell phones are not essential on anyones vacation( although the example of having parents ill at home it DOES make sense) . I really think it is sad to live in a such a way that a person on VACATION( not a work trip) feels they still need to be in contact with work all the time,, my thoughts on that are, either your job is too consuming, or you think you are indispensible, LOL

Wife and I are going to London and Paris in September, and will bring our cell phones, only to use when we're separated and need to track each other down. Will be handy to have, a pay phone wouldn't work in those circumstances. Also, your phone is not unlocked when you tell your carrier you want to use it overseas, I believe.