Ring A Ding: Cell Phones & Traveling Abroad

Most people are confused & intimidated

by traveling abroad with a cell phone.

I get it, 

it's a bit confusing 

and the cost of doing it wrong

can be extremely expensive.

Here's are you two basic options:

You can either work out an international plan 

with your US provider to use your phone in Europe,

or you can buy on here and get a local number.

I would recommend using an international plan 

for anyone traveling under 2 weeks

and who will be staying in hotels.

If you're planning on a longer stay

and having an apartment

(or place to stay without a concierge to make your reservations for you),

I'd recommend buying a cheap prepaid phone upon arrival.

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PROS ON BUYING A PHONE ABROAD

You won't get a surprise phone bill of a gazillion dollars when you get home.

Roaming in Ravenna? Data-charges in Denmark?

It's the quickest way to bleed cash that I know of…

take it from me.

I had no clue I was "roaming" when I backpacked for 5 weeks in college.

A month later, a cell phone bill over $2000 appeared in my mail box.

Your incoming calls are free- even if they are international calls.

Have old mommy dear call your new phone on Skype and it's super cheap.

You can book things easier here with a local number. 

Cab companies and restaurants won't accept international (read: US) numbers for reservations.

They are cheap and easy to put credit on.

Walk into a earphone warehouse and buy one for about £5.

You can add as much credit on it as you like.

I would guess £10 a week would be plenty for local texts & calls.

You can top up at anytime from most grocery stores or newsagents.

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CONS ON BUYING A PHONE ABROAD

You probably won't get to have data,

since most of the "pay-as-you-go" phones are super basic.

You'll have to get email and Facebook when you get back to your laptop.

Unless they are Skype savvy or your parents,

you probably won't get a lot of calls from your friends.

People get so confused with how to dial international numbers.

Your current US plan will go unused in the meantime

and will still cost your monthly fee.

* * *

How to Dial an UK Telephone Number

Let's say that this is the number you've been given.

+44 (0)7500 806 655

Here's how you would dial it 

LOCALLY IN THE UK:

07500 806 655

Simple.

 Just drop the country code

and start with "0."

____________

Here's how your mom would dial it 

INTERNATIONALLY FROM THE US:

011 44 7500 806 655

____________

Here's how you would dial it 

ON A CELL PHONE FROM THE US

(in or out of the UK):

+44 7500 806 655

(hold down the "0" to add the + sign at the beginning)

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Welp, that's all I have to say on this subject.

Have a nice day.

Okay.

Bye.

(click.)

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