In Rome the best thing to do if you want easy wifi access is to buy a dirt cheap pay as you go phone to have an Italian SIM card. I don’t think I’m charged if the phone rings only.

So I switch off my iphone in the US, except for a few minutes per day to get any SMS sent to me when it was switched off. The US carrier charges my carrier for roaming and in turn my carrier charges me. When I’m in the US it’s the same principle. I’m not American but my experience can still be useful. How to Keep Your Smartphone Safe in Paris… and What to Do if It Gets Stolen Tips for Windows, Android and Blackberry CustomersĪT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile: A comparison of international plans How to buy a SIM card in Europe for your phone Setting up your phone to avoid a billing “surprise” But how could I use it without going broke?Īfter hours of hair-pulling and squinting at fine print (and some phone time with Verizon and AT&T employees), we have compiled a list of pointers for American travelers hoping to use their iPhones in Europe. I realized that my iPhone could be handy. And if you turn on your connection, you could receive phone calls from home - which will cost you. Those, however, don’t always work with American cell phones and, if they do, require an international phone connection.

I brought along my laptop, but what to do with my iPhone? Was there an economical way to use it in France and Italy? Should I pay for one of the international data packages offered by AT&T (my carrier)? Should I get a new SIM Card? Should I just leave the thing in New York?Ĭonnecting with friends and travel companions is obviously aided by sending text messages. This was a work trip, during which I visited about 90 hotels for EuroCheapo. I recently returned from two weeks in Europe, one spent in Paris and one in Venice. After all, most American phone carriers’ rates for international calling and data use can be confusing, and misunderstanding your usage or phone setup could be a very costly mistake. If you’re an American smartphone user getting ready to take a trip to Europe, you’ve likely been warned about using your phone abroad.

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