Cell Phones - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**Ozpacka** · 01-08-2004, 01:37 PM

hi ppls...

Has anyone had experience with buying a new simcard for each country they visit.

I guess what i really want to know is do all phone companies allow international dialing, cuz the worst thing i could do is buy a sim card in say, germany, and not be able to dial back home to australia if i needed.

Any reccomended companies to stick with, that are european/uk wide, virgin, vodefone, etc???

Your help is appreciated...

Leeroy.

**cliffo** · 01-09-2004, 01:11 AM

What carrier are you with?

I'm with Telstra and you can use global roaming in pretty much every country - no need to buy a new sim card. I think the calls are more expensive but saves the hassle of changing sim cards in each country.

To make it work you just have to select a compatable carrier in the country you are in and you're sweet

**Ozpacka** · 01-09-2004, 01:22 AM

Thanks Cliffo...

Optus also offers this, and thats how i went about it last time, but that was only for 5 weeks. For my much longer stint, i just dont want to be tied into a contract (24mths) and be in london in 12 months time and have no money, and still have to pay $30 odd a month. At least with prepaid, i can use my mobile throughout europe to keep in contact with my mates/family and my travel partner, with out the bills hitting me monthly...

Are u the only fellow aussie on these boards that you know of...
Thanks
Leeroy.

**cliffo** · 01-09-2004, 03:37 AM

I guess prepaid sounds like it'll suit you much better than the roaming option.

As far as me being the only other aussie here, i think so but not 100% on that. Others have popped their heads in from time to time though.

..... put that there because i think its cool...might be just me though

**travelpunk** · 01-11-2004, 05:27 AM

Hey fix,

Are you going to be traveling for awhile? If you'll be gone for a couple of months or less I wouldn't even stress about bringing a cell phone. There are internet cafe's all over Europe and you can easily and cheaply email your buds and family form time to time. In fact, inernet access is so readily available out there, that I purposely didn't email people daily or every other day, just to make them think that I was out enjoying the scenery, sites, museums, people, cultures, and foods, of many different countries, and that I didn't have time to sit in front of a computer (even though I was, daily

)

Personally, I'd leave the phone at home. Buy a phone card every now and then if you really must hear their voice, or the matter was urgent. One email a week to your family and they'll be fine.

Just my humble opinion

**Ozpacka** · 01-14-2004, 01:31 AM

thanks TP...

Where can i find out more about phone cards, and how and where they can be used (eg; payfones?).

Main reason i would need fone is for booking accomodation in advance. How did you find the best way of doing that mate?

Thanks...
Leeroy

**Canadian Dude** · 01-14-2004, 04:59 AM

You need not go far to book a hostel in advance, all you need is an Internet connection.

Travelpunk Hostels

Book it through this service, it works and its easy. I used it when I went to Amsterdam and Belfast and it was all good the folks at hostelworld.com even helped me with my problem I had at the Linen Hose Hostel in Northern Ireland. And I ended up with a full refund!!! Its nice to have some recourse action when something goes wrong.

Anyway, its a good service!

**Ozpacka** · 01-14-2004, 06:46 PM

Thanks guys...

looks like im gunna go sans fone...

and its one less thing to loose i guess...

T H A N K Y O U A L L

**zylah** · 01-16-2004, 09:42 PM

Does anyone know about getting a phone over in Europe. My partner and I are planning on going backpacking for a few months and then trying to get permanent jobs over there (he has an EU passport and i will have a PHD) so i am thinking it would be good if potential employers can get in touch with us by phone, and as we wont be staying in one place i though a prepaid EU mobile might be the way to go. But ihave know idea how much they cost over there and how it goes calling from one country to another.
does anyone have any advice?

**Ozpacka** · 01-17-2004, 01:27 AM

Hey, correct me if im wrong, but zylah, i though you are posting fromoz at the moment. Just pick up a phone from here b4 you leave. Phones from oz will work in uk/europe, and you can get a prepaid one, not locked into any network for around $100. Worth a look.

Just a thought...
Leeroy.