Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
• The instructions above apply whether you're calling to or from a European land-
line or mobile phone.
• If calling from any mobile phone, you can replace the international access code
with “+” (press and hold 0 to insert it).
• The international access code is 011 if you're calling from the US or Canada.
• To call the US or Canada from Europe, dial 00, then 1 (country code for US and
Canada), then the area code and number. In short, 00 + 1 + AC + LN = Hi, Mom!
Roaming with Your US Mobile Phone:
This pricier option can be worthwhile if you
won't be making or receiving many calls, don't want to bother with SIM cards, or want
to stay reachable at your US number. Start by calling your mobile-phone service provider
to ask whether your phone works in Europe and what the rates are (likely $1.29-1.99 per
minute to make or receive calls, and 20-50 cents to send or receive text messages). Tell
them to enable international calling on your account, and if you know you'll be making
multiplecalls,askyourcarrieraboutanyglobalcallingdealstolowertheper-minutecosts.
When you land in Europe, turn on your phone and—bingo!—you have service. Because
you'll pay for receiving calls and texts, be sure your family knows to call only in an emer-
gency. Note that Verizon and Sprint use a different technology than European providers,
so their phones are less likely to work abroad; if yours doesn't, your provider may be able
to send you a loaner phone (arrange in advance).
Buying and Using SIM Cards in Europe:
If you're comfortable with mobile-phone
technology, will be making lots of calls, and want to save some serious money, consider
this very affordable alternative: Carry an unlocked mobile phone, and use it with a
European SIM card to get much cheaper rates.
Getting an
unlocked phone
may be easier than you think. You may already have an
old, unused mobile phone in a drawer somewhere. When you got the phone, it was prob-
ably “locked” to work only with one company—but if your contract is now up, your pro-
vider may be willing to send you a code to unlock it. Just call and ask. Otherwise, you can
simply buy an unlocked phone: Search your favorite online shopping site for an “unlocked
quadband phone” before you go, or wait until you get to Europe and buy one at a mobile-
phone shop there. Either way, a basic model costs less than $50.
OnceinEurope,buya
SIM card
—thelittle chipthatinsertsintoyourphone(eitherun-
derthebattery,orinaslotontheside)—toequipthephonewithaEuropeannumber.(Note
that smaller “micro-SIM” or “nano-SIM” cards—used in some iPhones—are less widely
available.) SIM cards are sold at mobile-phone shops, department-store electronics coun-
ters, and some newsstand kiosks for $5-10, and usually include about that much prepaid
calling credit(makingthecarditselfvirtually free).Inmostplaces,buyingaSIMcardisas
