EuroTravelInfo.com - Internet Access

Cheap and instantaneous, e-mail cannot be beat when trying to stay in touch with those at home. Because Internet centers use telephone lines or cables, many also have house phones on-site available for calling home at cheap rates.

Libraries and universities often offer free Internet access to the public. Hotels may have a station in the lobby, but it is rarely free. Sometimes you need a password from the front desk to access the web, and it can cost up to $15 for a 24-hour period, depending on the hotel. Frequently, five-star properties do not charge guests for access.

Before you leave home, be sure you have an e-mail account that travels with you. Those linked to a workstation can be inaccessible, so consider setting up a free, universal account. Should you access your bank accounts online in public places, take the same precautions you would at home by logging off and closing the browser when finished so your password remains secure. Do not ever register your password.

If you bring your laptop, be sure to bring the plug and telephone adapters as well as a converter. Much of Europe has free Internet Service Providers (ISPs), which are easy to search for so you can set up the account and test it prior to your departure.

Wireless hotspots can also increasingly be found in hotels, restaurants, fast food chains, bookstores and public squares