Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
want to save some money, ask your provider about suspending those services alto-
gether while you're gone.
By sticking with Wi-Fi wherever possible and budgeting your use of data, you
can easily and affordably stay connected while you travel.
Landline Telephones
Justlike Americans, these daysmost Europeans make the majority oftheir calls onmobile
phones. But you'll still encounter landlines in hotel rooms and at pay phones.
Hotel-Room Phones:
Callingfromyourhotelroom(in-roomphonesarerareinB&Bs)
can be great for local calls and for international calls if you have an international phone
card (described later). Otherwise, hotel-room phones can be an almost criminal rip-off for
long-distance or international calls. Many hotels charge a fee for local and sometimes even
“toll-free” numbers—always ask for the rates before you dial.
Public Pay Phones:
Coin-op phones are becoming extinct in Europe. To make calls
from public phones, you'll need a prepaid phone card, described next.
Telephone Cards
There are two types of phone cards: insertable (for pay phones) and international (cheap
foroverseas calls andusable fromanytype ofphone).Both types ofphonecard workonly
within the country of purchase, with the exception of some brands of cards that are us-
able in both the Republic of Ireland and the UK—confirm before buying a card by check-
ing for both an 1800 access number (used in the Republic of Ireland) and an 0800 access
number (for the UK—don't use the 0845, 0870, or 0871 numbers, which cost about 10p
per minute). If you have a live card at the end of your trip, give it to another traveler to
use—most cards expire 3-6 months after the first use.
Insertable Phone Cards:
This type of card can be used only at Irish pay phones. It's
handy and affordable for local and domestic calls, but more expensive for international
calls. Telecom Éireann phone cards are sold for €5, €10, or €20 at newsstands, TIs, and
post offices. To use the card, physically insert it into a slot in the pay phone. But be aware
that phone booths are becoming scarcer, and those that remain are often out of order.
International Phone Cards:
With these cards, phone calls from Ireland to the US can
cost less than a nickel a minute. The cards can also be used to make local calls, and they
work from any type of phone, including your hotel-room phone or a mobile phone with a
European SIM card. To use the card, dial a local or toll-free access number, and then enter
your scratch-to-reveal PIN code. Some hotels block their phones from accepting these ac-
cess numbers. (Ask your hotelier about access and rates before you call.)
