When traveling to a country in Europe, it is cheaper and easier than one might think. While traveling with a phone, a tablet, a laptop, or even all three devices, it is very simple to communicate on the go and reach out to friends and family who are back at home. Additionally, mobile devices will help make the most of your time when traveling. You can use Google Maps if you have lost your way, you can use audio tours for when you are at certain locations, and you can call restaurants for reservations hours before your planned lunch or dinner.
Of all the different kinds of mobile devices, the phone is the most important to bring. You can call businesses like restaurants, hotels, and museums for inquiries, which you cannot do on a laptop or tablet. Having a phone with you is also great for when you are traveling with a group of other people. If you fall behind your group, you can always reach out to them to ask where they have wandered off to.
For most travelers who have never been to Europe before, you could set up your very own mobile phone with an international data plan that is tailored to meet your needs. This way, you have all your personal contacts on your phone – the people that you can call at any time. Be mindful of international times zones, however. A call from Italy at 9 PM could mean an early 4 AM wakeup call to your parents back in the United States!
Instead of an international phone plan, a cost-efficient option would be to bring your phone and do everything with Wi-Fi. This way, you will not need an international plan, and if you are careful enough, will not get hit with roaming charges. Try finding a Wi-Fi hotspot at a restaurant or hotel with a good connection to the internet. As long as you are connected to a Wi-Fi network, your web surfing is completely free with no strings attached.
To bypass the costs of an international calling plan, get great internet reception from anywhere you go, and to avoid the risk of getting penalized with your current phone plan, you can buy a SIM card for Europe travel. This options requires a little bit of tinkering with your phone, as you will have to swap your current SIM card in your phone with a new one. With a new SIM card, you are free to make as many calls as you’d like on your current phone without having to buy a new phone or a new phone plan. Before you leave for your trip to Europe, let your friends and family know of the phone number that you will be using, as you will be away for a number of weeks. Buy a SIM card for Europe travel to avoid penalties you might incur with your current domestic phone plan.
Another option to consider is to leave your phone at home. You can still travel without a phone, but you will be severely limited in connecting with friends and family members with your laptop, a public computer, and/or a traditional phone that is in your hotel room.
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