How to Use Your Phone While Traveling Europe
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ส.ค. 2024
- Find out your options for being able to use your phone while traveling Europe, including how to see if you can get an international plan, how stay connected to 3G by getting a local SIM card, and why a pocket wifi device might be a good option. Stay connected while on your Europe trip.
My other Europe Trip Planning videos:
How to Choose Where to Go On Your Europe Trip: • How to Choose Where to...
How to Travel Europe (Transportation Options): • How to Travel Around E...
How to Plan Your First Europe Trip: • How to Plan Your First...
Subscribe for more videos like this every week (it's free): th-cam.com/users/subscription_...
Mentioned in the video:
Pocket wifi device: bit.ly/1P9OeKQ
Wifi finder app: itunes.apple.com/us/app/free-...
You can also find me on:
Blog: loveandlondon.com
Instagram: / loveandlondon
Facebook: / loveandlondon
Pinterest: / jess_inlondon
![[TH] VALORANT Champions Seoul - Group Stage Day 5 - DRX vs FNC](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EGLDAmaBOhU/mqdefault.jpg)
I’m so excited I’ll be traveling to Italy next year with my bestie. Thank you so much honey!
I rented wifi pods a lot when Japan, it was so much better than renting or buy a local sim
Your. Videos are very very very good and useful!! Thank you so much for these videos! Making a trip to Paris this may! Thank you!! I am a subscriber to you now :))) p.s is there Uber or left out in Paris???
Thanks for the tips
Hi Jess - Love your videos! I'll be in London on either end of a two week stay in England January 16-29, 2017. I was there 40 years ago (solo at age 18) so this is a return trip many decades in the making (and a solo trip as well). I'm planning on being in London for two nights then on to Oxford for a day or two before visiting an old friend in the Midlands and back to London. I bought a Skyroam wifi device and am currently awaiting delivery. Thanks again for the great videos!
So glad you're getting to return! Thanks for watching and have a great trip!
How did that work out for you? I too am interested in a skyroam.
I think you can use your smartphone, even offline, for navigation (gps and map) if you save map of target area before entering blackout zone.
Although it would be awesome to go completely off the grid, as a foreigner I'd feel uneasy not having wifi for things like maps, hostel apps, etc. and therefore would be better off with wifi!
Totally! :)
However Wifi is not always free in some cases you have to pay. Prepaid SIM cards only cost 1 to 3 euros. with some credit or plan.
you are so helpful.
This answered my questions before I go to Italy! Thank u
+Barbie Pena welcome!
Hi jess just want to say thanks...Your videos are very helpful...I am going to london very soon and I know what to do when I get there.
You’re so very welcome Emmanuel!
Thanks!
Update your video: Starting last month (June 2017) the EU ended cellphone roaming. A SIM from one country (like Italy) would not be charged extra for roaming in another EU country. This includes the UK, although I don't know if that might change after Brexit.
Hi there, there's no way for me to update the video, I would have to make a new one.
Glad to have found your handy tips here. I'll be traveling to london & paris next week. what is the company ( telecommunication carrier ) i can purchase for the sim ?
In the UK, I have a SIM from Orange (also now known as EE). I believe T-Mobile is also part of the same company. Since you're going so soon, it's too late to buy one on eBay. I suggest looking for a retailer when you're in London or Paris. You might also be able to but a SIM at the airport. Also, if you have an account with AT&T (postpaid) in the U.S., they offer a roaming plan that is $10 for each 24 hour period you use your phone out of the country. You're billed for minutes and data like you're still in the U.S., including calls you make to other countries in Europe. It's not the most inexpensive, but should relieve worries that you'll end up with a huge data charge when you get back.
Love and London with the right program you can
Great tips in this video. I thought about doing this, but I think I'm going to do without the phone. My Europe backpacking adventure can do without people calling me constantly haha ;)
Completely agree! It's pretty liberating
Hi! Love your videos. So helpful. Concerning this SIM, can I use it to call other countries? Cos I'll like to call my family back home. I see it's on the O2 network cos I was thinking of buying the O2 sim card when I arrive.
You can but the cost will be different.
i am going to Spain, Italy, and France on a cruise and then coming to London for a few days next summer but am leaving kids and my husband at home. For this reason I need to be connected so that I can touch base with them. Thanks for the help about ways to stay connected!
You're very welcome Jenny!
I just found your channel yesterday June 17 while browsing tips for Europe travelers on you tube. First I want to thank you for creating this channel. It's is VERY helpful, especially for first time travelers. My husband and I will be visiting London, Paris and Barcelona this year for the first time. I am kind of nervous for Paris because I only speak little French. Have you been to Paris and/or Barcelona before? if yes, if your able
can you please post some helpful travel videos for Paris & Barcelona please? Thank you so much :)
Hi Lia, thanks so much for watching! Have a look around at my other videos because I have plenty that will help you before your trip. I've been to both Paris and Barcelona a couple of times, no plans for specific tip videos for those cities yet but there's tons of great info out there on both destinations. Don't worry about not knowing French, most people in Paris speak English (especially in the touristy bits), just greet them in French and you'll be fine :)
Hi I’m traveling to London in October and arriving at Gatwick Airport. I’ll be traveling to both London and Scotland. Is there a sim that I can buy at gatwick that will work for both places? Also can u recommend some shops to get the sim at in gatwick south end airport? And do u know the average cost of them and how to activate them once you insert the sim, does the phone network configurations need changing?i have an unlocked iPhone
Hey there, any sim that works in England will work in Scotland because they are both part of the UK (and actually they'll work across Europe.) Costs vary. You can get a sim sent to you ahead of time if you want... here's my post about how to get your phone connected while in London (applies to all phones, not just US): loveandlondon.com/how-to-use-your-us-phone-in-london/
i will be traveling to London in February so I'm going with my phone provider for international roaming calls and texts so to me that's mt best option
3 mobile UK is Brilliant for international travel
Hi Jess, I'm stopping in London for about a week, and I would like to have data. The pocket wifi is a little too much... I know this may sound like a dumb question, but I haven't used my phone internationally, so how do local SIM cards work? Are there SIM cards with data on them, or are they only pay as you go? And do you know what the prices range for SIM cards? Thanks!
+monochromedx with a smartphone you'll get one with data, and it'll be pay as you go. Each card is different but they aren't expensive and you can get ones with just £5 up to as much as you want.
For my trip next week I'm trying off the grid except for hotel/random wifi basically. I'm taking screen shots of maps of the areas I'll be in and hopefully find some adventures along the way. Nervous but excited by the challenge of finding my own way in a country I don't know.
You can actually save maps through the Google Maps app for offline use!
We used the free city maps2go offline app when we went to Italy last year. It was a huge help! You can download maps for whatever cities you are visiting. We would have struggled without it!
Hi Aulia, while not having your phone to help you get around can be a little frustrating sometimes it's also so liberating! Good luck, have a lovely trip and thanks for commenting.
That's right!
Great tip Jaime!
I was traveling for 6 months in Europe last year, and I found that TMobile had the best international plan--free texting, unlimited data (it was super slow in some places, but I had it), and calls were .20/min, so it worked really well for me when I was bouncing around different countries.
Awesome! Glad you found the best option for you, especially as you were traveling for so long!
What about an eSIM Card like "Holafly"???
Hi!!! I will travel with my family we will be 7 persons... what is the better way to stay... Rbnb?
Up to you to choose which option is best for your situation.
I am going to Venice and Paris. I plan to get a sim for my unlocked AT&T phone once I arrive in Venice. I'm using the sim mainly for Google maps so I will not get lost. I was wondering if I would be able to use the same sim once I get to Paris or will I have to buy a new sim for France?
Hi! It will depend on what kind of sim you purchase. Most likely you'll need to get a new one but they are really cheap so don't worry :)
Hello Jess Love your videos, I am a single guy early 50's Lived in England as a teenager planning a trip next spring. Do you have a video about best ways to get from Heathrow to Hotels. Best places to eat. Places to stay away from. Best pubs. Best Hotel im planning to stay at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge. Any info on anything would be helpful. Thanks James
Thanks so much James! In this playlist you'll find every single one of my videos about London: th-cam.com/play/PL6u96nZN-L_bjBvhTdAYvq0EpL3y-At9C.html Enjoy!
what is the best pocket wifi should I get ? we will be there on the 18th
+Andy Zapata hi Andy! There's a link in the description for one :)
I will contact AT&T to see what the deal is but I wonder - I have Wi-Fi in my hotel room. Will it just automatically work from there? Great video!
Hi Karen! You'll get instructions on how to join the wifi and it will only work in your room/around the hotel.
Also be aware of what technology your phone uses. Ie code division multiple access, (CDMA), or global standards for mobile (GSM). I know in the uk you all use GSM as does every other country besides the United States. The reason this is important to know is because this is how your phone will encrypt, decrypt data. Plus they operate at different hertz. If you were to put a GSM Sim in a CDMA phone you won't be able to connect to the network. You might be able to use data I'm not entirely sure. LTE is gsm technology so, CDMA carriers have some gsm technology now a days, but don't quote me on that part. Also if you do have a phone that offers both CDMA and GSM. A lot of major phone companies like Apple and Samsung puts both radios in their United States models ONLY be aware of this. make sure your phone supports the bands the carrier you'll be using in your overseas trip uses. What I mean by bands is what hertz can your phone actually hear. maybe the carrier supports 1800- 2000 mega hertz, but your phone only operates at let's say 1600 mega hertz then your phone won't be able to hear the carrier. This is very unlikely unless you have a budget phone or smaller company's phone. They'll cut costs by limiting what bands your phone can use. If you have apple, Samsung, LG you'll most likely won't run into this issue. Double check just to be on the safe side. I know this was very technical but these are things you need to be careful about, before planning your overseas trip. Have a wonderful trip.
Thanks Jacob! Yeah I think most people watching this video won't have to worry about this ;)
Hi, may I know what is the sim card plan in UK? Thanks
There are loads of options Bei.
Just switched to T-mobile, unlimited data and text in all of Europe including Eastern Europe on a U.S. plan. 🍻
It's cause it's a huge provider here
I from USA I have WiFi calling will that work in England
You probably need to check with your provider but I don't see why not
for people from the U.S. T-Mobile has the best option for traveling
Among Canadian cellphone providers, Telus, Rogers and now Bell offer data roaming (although Bell's is more limited for much of Africa, parts of the ex-USSR and US Pacific territories).
With AT&T, it’s $10 per day. I thought that is a good deal.
That sounds pretty expensive to me. I guess it would be fine if you're spending the weekend in London or something, but for an extended stay...
Miss Jessica ...I just left AT&T after 15yrs because of this. T-mobile has been stepping it up. My wife and I are in Europe for a month starting next week.
I am visiting London and some surrounding cities and countries in a few weeks. Would I be able to call US, as well as places in Europe, from London on T-mobile phone? Is this done with a SIM card? I have been driving myself crazy trying to figure out what to do about this!
Hi Jess, I just ha e one question that I can't seem to find the answer to and I hope you can help me. My phone is unlocked(Iphone) and when I go out the country and get a local SIM card so I can stay in touch with family, will my phone number change? I'm worried my number will change for some reason or that I'll have to use special codes to call back to the US with the international SIM in my phone. Does that sound right?
Hey! Yes the number will change, so you'll need to add +1 to US numbers before calling or texting :)
If you are travelling around Europe once and card will do for all countries in EU It will be the same price because data roaming doesn’t apply no more
Yup!
AT&T is also $10 a day if you use it over there, BUT make sure you add the International Plan prior to your trip. Long as you have an unlocked phone (which they can tell you easily/any phone you get from them will be unlocked) all you got to do is go there normally and it'll pint upon arrival.
Yup!
That’s why I like AT&T
3 uk give there advanced plans free roaming in most countries also if you buy a phone SIM in the UK you can take IT around Europe without charges
Just seen this one, and it's worth pointing out that the law in Europe (Which includes the UK at least for now :( ) has changed - and roaming within Europe has been removed.
If you have (for example) a Vodafone SIM in the UK, you can use that across Europe, using the Mins, Txts and Data in your plan as if you where still in the UK.
This is true for all providers- The EU changed the law to make- some of the countries included may vary, so it's worth checking (EU countries are included, but some also include places like Turkey).
Yup! Nice one, thanks Richard. It will be nice while it lasts!
I purchased an unlocked Google Pixel about a year ago. I plan to travel through many countries in Europe next year. I'd at least like to be online just a little like update family where I'm at and upload photos here and there. I think I'm a little more concerned with plug sockets lol Do they vary by country?
This video was helpful! Thanks!
Most of Europe is on a Euro plug, we've got a UK one here!
@@loveandlondon I found a set online! Thank you very much! :D
new to your channel guick? do u have to get sim card in Europe or can I get sim in the usa?ie Amazon or online???
You can pick a SIM card up at the airport when you arrive.
Thanks!
Do you realize there are no charges in Europe since June 2017?
My wife and I are going to europe for almost 2 months and as she works from home wwe are worry that her being there for this long will be come very expensive since she needs to place phone calls for meetings basically every day, so what would you recomend?
Thank You.
Use Skype for phone calls! It's pretty cheap.
(or use the free audio call option)
Jess - I love the videos, keep them coming! I did want to let you and your viewers know that there are a number of people who send FREE GiffGaff SIM cards overseas to people needing them. Gives one a working phone as soon as they touch down - as long as the phone isn't locked by a provider.
I ordered mine AFTER I came home from London, but I keep it active every 3 months by sending a text (as it is £1 per minute to roam in North America - the text only costs 30p). I'm digging around to find the link, and will post a follow-up. Once again, your vids are awesome. Cheers, Dave
Cool, thanks Dave! Does it only work in the UK though?
No, it roams fine. The main reason I posted is that some people may WANT their phone to work upon touchdown in the UK, hence getting the SIM prior to flying over. IMO it is a really good deal if one is planning on being in the UK for a week or so, not necessarily using it abroad. I've actually never used mine in the UK as of yet. I've only used it (accidentally) here in the USA (that was an expensive call - lol). One can roam with it most everywhere, but it is a bit steep. Here's a link to the rates:
www.giffgaff.com/index/international#roaming-eu
Every time I take my spare iPhone 4s off Airplane mode, I get a free message stating "Welcome to USA. Calls cost £1/min to make and to receive, 30p/text and data is £5/MB."
One either tops up, or buys a Goody Bag good for a month. They are VERY reasonable prices for the benefit of having a working, UK number upon arrival that can make very cheap International calls and also provides for data. Link to goody bag prices here:
www.giffgaff.com/sim-only-plans
Also, one cannot simply get a free Giff Gaff SIM by oneself - it is only delivered to a UK postal address. Hence the link I'm trying to find which allows one to fill out a web form and have one sent by a person in the UK. Thanks for your reply!
That's great Dave-- so you haven't found out how to get it delivered to the US before you arrive in the UK? I don't know of any companies that do that either unfortunately!
I have the email address of the person who sent mine, but I wanted to ask her permission to post it via an email to her not long ago (prior to posting it on Love and London's page). I originally got it via a Rick Steves blog post a while back. When I get permission or find the link, I'll post again. Keep up the good work.
Here it is: community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/giffgaff-phone-service
All the best! Dave
Ok sim card sounds better i got a merto t moblie aristo 5 LG phone but will the sim card work in my phone so i dont have to buy another one when i get to London
Call your provider and ask :)
@@loveandlondon ok
Have you ever heard of the camden lock hotel in London thats the place i want to stay when i come there
Can u buy the pocket wifi device instead of renting it?
I believe you can!
Google Fi. I'll be visiting London in March next year... all I have to do with Fi is turn my phone on.
Verizon has, as of this date, an international plan. $10 a day, same data as your US plan. Mine is unlimited everything, so I hope it works out. A coworker, she has ATT, recently went to Rome et al, had the same deal. Plan worked well for her. No trouble, $10 a day, same plan as at home.
Fab.
where is the link for the pocket wifi device
We no longer recommend it !
Hope you don't need it but one good thing about Europe is that you can use the same number to call the emergency services across all 28 countries of the EU 112
... if you have cell service.
The number works on all phones Cell, landline and phone booths its also free.
the messanger app will work if you have wifi regardless of the country
Yup! Anything that runs off 3G/wifi will work when connected to wifi
That’s why I bought an unlocked iPhone before I left the US, so I can use it in England.
Hi! Has anyone purchased a sim card at the Heathrow London airport? I'll be traveling to London from California, and will need to get a card as soon as I land. Do they sell them at any of the airport shops, or just at vending machines? I know there are quite a few different options. If anyone can give me any info, or suggestions as to which one works great, I would really appreciate the help! Thanks :)
Hi Maria, I believe there's both at many terminals. Here are some more tips for getting your US phone connected, including a way to get a free sim sent to you in CA: loveandlondon.com/how-to-use-your-us-phone-in-london/
T-mobile. Is the best
Would I be able to just use WATSAPP from my phone when we get to Germany?
Yup! All over the world.
Of course ! Just to sure that you're data isn't super expensive, or use a Wi-Fi connection
I was also able to make calls over FB messenger when I was international. Not sure if this works in Europe. It did in Jamaica
Hi Jess! I'll be visiting London for the first time in mid-November, and have been watching your videos for tips- good info!
I wanted to add that you can check whether your smartphone will work on any given network on the website willmyphonework.net and also that US users can usually find various UK network sim cards available on ebay- I got an EE card for my trip already, so I know what my UK number will be, and can give it to UK friends before I leave.
Nice-- thanks for the tips Jamie!
Get t mobile and get connected everywhere! No sim switching, no unlocking. Switch now! Best decision i ever made
Totally!
Love and London , love your video s
Now, if you have a mobile number from an EU country, and much of the EEA (such as a prepaid SIM) new EU regulations ended roaming charges within the EU. So if you have a SIM from a provider in the UK, making calls, texts and data would be treated the same when you go to a country like France. I have no idea what may change in the UK after Brexit, but it's this way for now. With me, I've just been using AT&T's $10 a day international roaming plan. I'm billed $10 only when I use my phone outside the U.S. With this plan, when traveling in Europe, calls within Europe and back to the U.S. are no extra charge, and texts and data are calculated at the same rate as if I'm still in the U.S. This is much simpler for me than to deal with getting and activating local SIMs. If you do want to get a local SIM before traveling, you can find them on eBay. Good video.
But you're talking $300 per month vs. $10 a month with a local sim. Sure, if you're coming over for 2-3 days, I guess it's not that much of a difference, but anything longer you're paying through the roof.
Make sure your internet activity is encrypted and you are using a VPN service. You just never know what hacker is looking at on your phone or trying to steal your ID when you are using a public WiFi service.
Make sure you call your carrier and check if your phone is unlocked. Then, use willmyphonework.net/ to see if your phone will work on a carrier in the UK. I would recommend giffgaff. That is what I will be using because they have the best plans. Also, you can order a giffgaff sim card to any address in the US and pay for service with any US credit/debit card.
Just use wifi
In the thumbnail you look like Lily Singh
Hahah amazing
What should we Indian do??
Same deal as what I talked about :)
The problem with Verizon is NO ONE knows how to get their phones to work in Europe! Two different stores and their tech lines... NO ONE knows! God I hate Verizon
Oh dear!
I have Verizon and I just bought a SIM card and popped it into my phone while in Vietnam. Definitely do no pay Verizon for their ridiculous international fees.
I thought all Verizon phones were unlocked for international use? I’m heading to Rome in a couple of weeks and was just going to buy a sim from one of the phone stores there.