using cellphone on trip to europe?

[///M42 sport]

first time traveling to europe. How do I go about using my phone internationally?

[eur04lif3]

first time traveling to europe. How do I go about using my phone internationally?

I used viber my last trip to Germany.

http://www.viber.com/

[eur04lif3]

Its free, but must be connected to WiFi.

[///M42 sport]

thats awesome thanks

I guess other people have to have viber too then

[Reichart12]

I remember years ago when I last traveled out of the country I just had to call my phone company and let them know I was leaving so they activated my phone for international use. It was kinda expensive to use still, but maybe things have changed.

[Sea Aych]

For the love of all things holy make sure your data roaming option is set to OFF.

[Sea Aych]

I remember years ago when I last traveled out of the country I just had to call my phone company and let them know I was leaving so they activated my phone for international use. It was kinda expensive to use still, but maybe things have changed.

They offer packages now, but really not worth it. Either use viber like was already stated, or just get a prepaid while you're there!

[///M42 sport]

Then I've read that most wifi isnt free in europe?

what if I wanted to use gps

[Todd Black 88]

It was free everywhere I stayed the last two trips through Europe. Sometimes it's not in every room, but usually the lobby of most pensions have free wifi. Hell, even some of the longer trains had free wifi.

Turn your cel service provider off and run on wifi.

[tkeenan]

You can use google phone no. on a computer over wifi.
You can use skype from a computer or phone over wifi.
I used this last time:

http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/05/16/grooveip-updated-with-support-for-a-new-voip-service-and-makes-paid-features-free-as-third-party-google-voice-access-ends/

The most straight forward is to have an unlocked GSM phone and buy a SIM when you get there at the airport. I had this too, so I wasn't prisoner to a WIFI all the time.
If you change countries, you might need to get a new SIM.
You can try this: http://www.onesimcard.com/international-sim-card/
but it might have lesser call quality (just a hunch)
BTW: McDonald's always has a free wifi.

[_JohnnyD_]

Bring a cheap unlocked phone and buy SIM cards when you get there. In Germany I bought a SIM card with 100 mins of calling and 500 MB of data for 15 euros at a convienence store. Ask a local for the best deal on SIM cards, they vary in price and features. The most expensive place to buy them is train stations or airports. That easily lasted me the 17 days.
It may be more complicated with SIM cards if you are traveling around multiple countries in Europe due to roaming.
Free WiFi was not as widely available in Germany as it is here in Canada and US. I found a lot of the small cafes, bars and restaurants do not offer WiFi. If you are in smaller towns it is hard to find public places that offer WiFi (like train stations, museums, etc).

Whatever you do DO NOT bring your phone or SIM card from NA to Europe. Even if you have a Europe plan with your local provider. The messages for going over your limit tend not to work. Data overage for my provider was $10 per 1 MB in Germany.

[M-technik-3]

Buy a cheap 15 buck prepaid phone there. Incoming calls are free, outgoing are what you pay for. Estimate a decent amount if you want data. Hotels big ones WiFi is free, smaller Mom and Pop are usually pay type via T-Mobile.

[Mistawall]

Bring a cheap unlocked phone and buy SIM cards when you get there. In Germany I bought a SIM card with 100 mins of calling and 500 MB of data for 15 euros at a convienence store. Ask a local for the best deal on SIM cards, they vary in price and features. The most expensive place to buy them is train stations or airports. That easily lasted me the 17 days.
It may be more complicated with SIM cards if you are traveling around multiple countries in Europe due to roaming.
Free WiFi was not as widely available in Germany as it is here in Canada and US. I found a lot of the small cafes, bars and restaurants do not offer WiFi. If you are in smaller towns it is hard to find public places that offer WiFi (like train stations, museums, etc).

Whatever you do DO NOT bring your phone or SIM card from NA to Europe. Even if you have a Europe plan with your local provider. The messages for going over your limit tend not to work. Data overage for my provider was $10 per 1 MB in Germany.

^this
I had an unlocked iphone 4 so i just bought a simcard out there with a decent data plan. didnt really have a need to call anyone but gps and internet came in very handy. i just bought a new sim card in every different country i visited.

[BobombETA]

do you use an unlocked GSM phone? If so, i believe you can just buy a sim card there and pop it in.