EuroTravelInfo.com - CellPhones

Europe has extensive mobile phone range, and carrying a phone may be the best packing decision you make. Alternatively, due to issues with compatibility and pricing, it may seem as though you’ve brought along one more expensive appliance. As with many things in life, it pays to do a little research up front.

There are good reasons to carry a cell phone: you can stay in touch more easily with other travelers during the day and with friends and family back home; some accommodations do not have telephones (hostels, apartment rentals); or it may just be more cost-efficient to have a cell phone.

Chances are, the current mobile phone you use in the U.S. may not work in Europe. To have complete access to your cell phone while traveling abroad, purchase either an unlocked dual band Global System for Mobile (GSM) cell phone with a SIM card for Europe or a tri-band phone that will work outside the U.S.

Among the options you have are to buy a new or used GSM phone in the U.S. or Europe with the SIM card of the country or countries you are traveling to or rent a phone either prior to your departure or in Europe, where they are readily available. If you would rather use your own GSM phone from the U.S, check to see if international roaming charges will apply; if so, you may just want to use your cell phone for emergencies. Car rental companies may also be able to add a GSM phone to your car rental.

The logical choice might be a SIM card for Europe that will allow you to pay the local rate wherever you may be traveling. Some U.S. service providers “lock” your subscription card to keep you from switching networks, so be sure to check and see if your service provider is one that allows flexibility.

You can purchase one SIM card for your U.S. location, individual cards for the countries you will travel in or an international SIM card. Most European SIM cards are prepaid and can be replenished with a “recharge card.”