What about a cell phone?

[snorkelman]

My cell phone does not work in Europe, but some people have a fancy type of plan that does work in Europe.  If this is what you have, then bring your cell phone and you will be a KING!  You may want to look into calling  Voicestream at 1-877-666-4246. This company lets you rent a phone for $50 / month and you only pay for calls you make and just mail the phone back to the company upon your return home.
Being able to make calls to hostels with a cell phone would mean that you would not have to hunt for a payphone that works, you would not have to find coins or a vender selling calling cards, and would not have to dial a U.S. operator to use your American calling ca

[LHR02]

Snorkleman,
  I've been thinking about/checking into just this thing.  Mainly to offer a way for my family to be able to reach me quickly in an emergency.  Went to Voicestreams site as you suggested, but will have to call I suppose as I still have several questions.    My concerns about doing it?  First, just something else to have to worry about keeping track of, losing, or getting stolen.  Secondly, lord don't I know my best friend and my daughter and have visions of them just deciding they haven't talked to me in a while, they will just call for a 'couple of minutes' etc and me ending up with one huge bill!   ;D  Add to that, I am not a cell phone person, have never had one (I know, almost unbelievable!) so I am not in the habit already of being 'aware' of my phone's location.  te-he  <br>   Anyway, anyone else thinking about going this route, or already done so?  Oh, one more thing, most everywhere I have checked I find the rates to be about 29cents a minute, both incoming and outgoing.  I just know I can beat that price by using a regular old pay phone!  But not sure if that is the rate in-country or just for overseas/roaming charges.

   Thoughts anyone?

ginger

[snorkelman]

Hey Ginger - from the sounds of it, maybe a cell phone is not the way for you.  It is good if you need it for business, or if you want it for convenience.  I don't think that you should plan on paying the same rates for cell phone use in europe.  I bet that you will NOT get any better deal than 29 cents per minute calling from europe to the usa on a cell phone.  in fact, i know that using a pay phone in europe can be quite expensive (especially if you plan on putting coins in that phone).  


Bottom line, i think that if saving money is your top goal - forget the cell phone.  If convenience is the top goal, get one.

I hope that others add onto this discussion.

Dave

['Guest']

dave's suggestions are right on the mark, usually.  but as a backpacker, will i want to keep up with a handy?  (that's what cell phones are called in much of europe)  

maybe i've just been lucky, but i've never had trouble finding a payphone that works.  `sides, i wouldn't call home from a payphone, i'd go to the post office where i'd have a "call back" number to give to "mom," so she can call back.  the rates are much lower to call from usa to europe than vice versa!  

[nitsansh]

It's no problem for me to get by without a cellular phone.
I feel better when I can't be contacted from home every hour... I use a phonecard whenever I like to call home (and that's not frequently, about once a week). I buy a local phonecard for local calls, and I never use it up... last time I went to Czech Republic I bought a 50-unit card and used about 5 units in a week.

[LHR02]

Good morning,
  Found a tip on Rick Steves graffitti board regarding this and checked it out.    A fellow posted that he was 6 months into a trip, had a phone, and why he thought it a great deal.  It was from IntouchUSA and seemed to meet what I was searching for.  I had decided not to go this route...to the howls of family and friends.  This poster was right...they have a good deal.  They offer several phones, in a variety of prices, there is NO monthly charge, it is an unlocked SIM card, works in any country just about, even US.  Rates are flat....regardless of country, and prepaid.  (which is just what I was looking for, do not want to have to worry about an unpaid bill while I am gone)  $1.60 outgoing, .80 incoming.  And you can email or call them and have your account 'reloaded' as needed.  Best of all, for me, you have a Swiss number as they use SwissCom.  Sooooo.....if my dear daughter decides she just must talk to mom, she is going to have to dial international to do so.    Will perhaps slow her phoning down just a bit.  But, I still have a number where I can be reached in an emergency.  One additional thought....should you choose to, you could buy a SIM in whatever country you are in for 'local' calls which will greatly decrease the cost of local calls.  For me, that is going to be way too confusing, but thought I would mention it is available.  Fellows name is Jeff, he is extremely helpful and knowledgable, number is 703-620-0879.  

ginger

[[e-mail]]

My wife and I are going to be backpacking through all of Europe for a good 6 months starting at the end of January and I too have been studying up on my options for a global phone.  I thought up untill yesterday that the IntouchUSA SIM card idea was the best, then I heard about Voice Streams deal.  For $19.99 a month (thats the lowest plan they have) you ask for the "International Rate Package", buy a GSM phone and then you can use it anywhere in Western Europe for $.99 a minute incoming or outgoing.  I think the is a better deal then the SIM card idea.  

[[e-mail]]

Me and four buddies spent two months on a whirlwind tour of Europe last year and loved the Cell Phone we rented. #1, we were just winging it and making it up as we go and we didn't know where we were going half the time, and once we made a plan it was really convienent to call ahead and book rooms. #2 it was great keeping in touch with other people we met on our trip and the in-europe calls are cheap. #3 it was really cool to call and brag to our other buddies who didn't come with us from such places as the top of the Eifell Tower or drinking a beer in the Hofbrauhaus #4 The phones in most countries suck...plus, if your hitting multiple countries, no two are the same. #5 was actually cheaper calling the US then our calling cards #6 has voicemail which is nice #7 worked great in an Emergency....we had the pleasure of our vehicle breaking down in the middle of no where and being able to get help, and saw a car rollover in Ireland and were able to call the Rescue Squads......split among a few people and the use of a little disciplne and it works out Great