International travel phone plans

[OzzieandHarriet]

We will be traveling in Europe for a couple of weeks, and I was looking at options offered by our wireless service (AT&T). One is $60 for a month -- but it doesn't seem like you get much for that:
Unlimited texts to the world
1GB or 3GB of data included
$0.35 per minute for calls

Then there's the $10/day plan:
With International Day Pass, you can use your Mobile Share or an AT&T unlimited plan while traveling abroad in more than 100 countries for a low daily fee. Instead of being charged per minute, message, or MB, you'll be charged $10/day per device, only for each 24-hour period you use your device in any of the 100+ countries where International Day Pass is available. You'll get unlimited talk within and between International Day Pass countries and back to the U.S., unlimited text, and use of the data plan that you use at home. Since charges won't be incurred until you use your phone abroad, you should add International Day Pass to each device prior to traveling abroad.

I'm leaning toward the day pass because I doubt if we will need to use it every day, but if we do, it seems to offer more than the $60/month thing ("unlimited wifi"? don't you get that for free?).

The "we" is my husband and I.

What's the mustachian opinion on this?

[reeshau]

Are you expecting calls, or primarily looking to use data?  There are a number of workarounds that can minimize your need:

1) Activate wi-fi calling, and you have a fully functioning phone within range of a wi-fi repeater.
2) Make sure and download offline maps before you go, so you can navigate with just a GPS signal.
3) Most places in Europe, you can get a dirt cheap used phone, (or bring your own; since you have AT&T, you have a GSM-capable phone.  It may need to be jailbroken, though) and a local SIM for a month for $20.

My wife uses her T-Mobile phone in Ireland with no changes or charges whatsoever.  In fact, coverage is somewhat better than in the US!

[GizmoTX]

With ATT, nothing is free, especially internationally. When we had ATT wireless, we put our phones into airplane mode (no cellular phone calls) & then turned wifi back on. You do NOT want to use any public wifi! Instead, we've rented a pocket MiFi from various European companies, depending on where we were going to travel. One of these companies we would rent again from is Hippocketwifi.com. The device is typically waiting for you at your first hotel & includes a drop envelope that you leave with your last hotel or mail from the airport. It converts local cellular to wifi, supports up to 5 devices, is affordable, portable (the size of a cellphone or battery pack), is rechargeable, and most important, is password secure. You typically choose a total amount of data which can be topped up if you need more. We limit our usage to email, GPS, making reservations, & downloading kindle books.

We now have T-mobile's senior plan (one person must be 55+): 2 devices for $70/month, including all taxes. This is unlimited data, calling, & texting in the USA -- way cheaper than ATT. We've not had one dropped call, which was happening frequently in our Austin area house. It detects & alerts scam calls. Some access to Mexico & Canada. We haven't traveled internationally with it yet, but T-mobile advertises unlimited text and data included in the plan. VOIP (voice over internet) works if your phone supports it.

[Telecaster]

The thing about the $10/day pass is that I find I wind up using it more than I think I'm going to.  So try as I might I always return home to a big phone bill.     I highly recommend making sure your phone is unlocked and buying a local sim card.   That's worked great in the past.   Not having to worry about sending that text or trying to figure out directions is well worth it.   

My wife just switched us from AT&T to T-mobile.  I'm not sure what the cost differential is because she did the leg work, but the monthly cost is lower and free international texts and data (maybe calling too, I can't remember).   

[jamesbond007]

Just get a local SIM or a local Wifi Hotspot once you arrive. It will be much cheaper. Or get a number from Google Fi for a month.

[robartsd]

3) Most places in Europe, you can get a dirt cheap used phone, (or bring your own; since you have AT&T, you have a GSM-capable phone.  It may need to be jailbrokenunlocked, though) and a local SIM for a month for $20.

Jailbreaking is about putting on unauthorized applications, Unlocking is about allowing you to use a SIM card from any carrier. If your phone is carrier locked, you can request a carrier unlock after paying off the phone/completing your initial contract.

[I'm a red panda]

We have been really happy with Google Fi when we travel

[MatthewK]

following...

Will be in Canada for a couple weeks, traveling by car and still have not sorted our wireless details. I'm on redpocket, so no coverage for me and DW is with at&t and not thrilled with either of the options they offer and were mentioned by OP.

Neither of us are heavy users and would use wifi when available where we are staying, download maps off Wifi. But since we are driving with 3 kids it'd be nice to call in an emergency situation.

[EastCoastBestCoast]

I went to Italy for a few weeks and bought a sim through TIM.  Just popped it in my unlocked phone and it worked great.  I second what Jamesbond said above ^^^.

"Just get a local SIM or a local Wifi Hotspot once you arrive. It will be much cheaper. Or get a number from Google Fi for a month."

[OzzieandHarriet]

Would it be dumb to just use free WiFi for calling and texting and not bother with an extra plan at all?

[Telecaster]

Would it be dumb to just use free WiFi for calling and texting and not bother with an extra plan at all?

Depends on how much you rely on your phone.   Free wifi isn't nearly as common in Europe as it in the United States, so you might not be able to call or text when you want to.

[GizmoTX]

Finding WiFi is a hassle, it's usually not free, & is definitely not secure; you should access it using a VPN (virtual private network) app. A very few hotels provide a computer in a business center or your room, but it's complicated, in that country's language, & not secure.

[zhelud]

When I visited Europe last year I got a prepaid SIM card with 5 GB data and 3000 talk minutes and 3000 texts for about $20. I put it in my cheapo unlocked phone and it worked great- never had a problem.  I bought it ahead of time on Amazon from UK Three. It assigned me a UK number but I could call anywhere in Europe. 

[Daley]

For the light, casual international user who has no international plan with their current carrier and doesn't want to bother with local SIM cards (either due to stay length, usage level, or convenience factor), let me introduce all the newer forum members to KnowRoaming.

They sell this sticker that overlays on your SIM card (though they also have a discrete SIM card), which basically turns your phone into a dual-SIM phone. Add in their app, and it basically lets you toggle between your primary provider and them for roaming. You can have your calls from your primary phone number forwarded to you internationally using it (provided your carrier allows call forwarding, not all do), gives you SMS access, and data at an affordable rate all things considered. They have both unlimited data day passes and free data usage for WhatsApp, and credit added to the account lasts for nine months.

[OzzieandHarriet]

Finding WiFi is a hassle, it's usually not free, & is definitely not secure; you should access it using a VPN (virtual private network) app. A very few hotels provide a computer in a business center or your room, but it's complicated, in that country's language, & not secure.

How does a VPN work?

[OzzieandHarriet]

I should add, I guess: we will need the phone for occasional local phone calls, texts, and occasional emails. Nothing fancy. We might look up restaurants or places we want to visit.

[tawyer]

I used Google Fi for a two week trip to Europe. It generally worked well and I canceled the service when I got home, so I only paid for one month of use. Cost me about $20 all in.

[MatthewK]

I used Google Fi for a two week trip to Europe. It generally worked well and I canceled the service when I got home, so I only paid for one month of use. Cost me about $20 all in.

Decided to try this ^^^ I've got a sim on the way and will just chose a new number. I'll cancel after a month and go back to my RedPocket plan, I've paid for a year so I'll just slip that sim back in. And who knows, if it works well I may be able to convince DW of quitting expensive AT&T and go with a more affordable Google Fi plan ;-)