Cell Phones in Europe - Rates Comparison
I have compared calling costs for two popular European cell phone solutions (our affiliates Call in Europe and Telestial). In these comparisons I am not looking at the cost of the unlocked GSM world phones that they sell. You can purchase a cell phone from them, or from another provider or use your US phone (if it is unlocked and a GSM world phone). Read more for the basics about cell phones in Europe.
Most companies selling European SIM cards to travelers sell two types of SIM cards:
- Country-specific SIM cards: These are the same SIM card you can purchase in the country (e.g. Italy - TIM, UK - Vodafone). Incoming calls will be free in that country and you will get good rates when calling within that country, but will pay for incoming calls and get higher rates when roaming in another country.
- International SIM cards: Usually more expensive per minute that the country-specifc SIM cards, but can be used in more than one country. Most have free incoming calls throughout Europe.
Country-specific SIM cards are a good solution if you are spending most of your vacation in one European country. These are prepaid cards and can be "recharged" or "topped up" (add more minutes) either through the company where you purchased them or locally.
International SIM cards differ from company to company and are either prepaid or you set up an online account with your credit card and you are charged for minutes used.
US Cell Phones and Providers
The most expensive option is to use your US cell phone and cell provider in Europe (if this option is available from your provider). For example, if you take your T-Mobile GSM world phone to Europe, you pay $0.99/min for incoming and outgoing calls. This is fine if you do not plan on making many calls from your cell phone.
Don't Forget Skype
If you travel with a computer and have internet access where you are staying, using Skype on your computer is the cheapest option for calling.
I always travel with a computer and use Skype if I have a high speed internet connection. Unfortunately, many vacation rentals do not have an internet connection. Many do not even have phones.
How To Compare Cell Phone Calling Plans
When comparing calling plans consider the following:
- What is the cost of the SIM card? Most companies charge more than if you bought it in Europe (but it may be worth it to have your phone number before you leave and have your phone ready on arrival).
- Incoming calls should be free for country-specific SIM cards.
- Find out the per minute calling rates for calling within the country, within Europe and for calling home. This varies greatly with different companies. If it is more than $1.00/min, you might as well use your US cell phone and provider (if you have a GSM world phone and international plan).
- How do you add more minutes? Is this automatically done with an account you set up or do you purchase more minutes locally?
- Is there a connection fee? Some cell providers have a hefty connection fee for each call.
- Does it cost more per minute if calling a cell phone in Europe?
- When does the card expire? Some cards do not expire as long as you use them once a year.
- If it is an International SIM card, what country is the card from? If it is issued in the UK and you are in Italy, people in Italy will have to call a long distance number to reach you.
Know the rates you will be paying so you can use your phone with confidence.
Call in Europe
Call in Europe offers "Keep Talking in Europe", country-specific SIM Cards (France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom) with great rates for the country and good rates when used in other European countries. They have no monthly fees, no connection fees and the card does not expire if you make $60 of calls per year (if you do not make $60 in calls, you can pay $29 to keep the account open for another year).
This is not a pre-paid service, as most SIM cards are. The service costs $29 for a year (currently on sale for $19). This sets you up with an online account and you are sent a SIM card for your phone. Your account is billed monthly for the minutes you use.
On the Call in Europe home page, when looking at rates by country, select the country where you will spend the most time on your trip. If going to other European countries, click "Applicable Rates" to see what the charges are when you are not in that country.
| Cost of Calls per Minute | ||||
| Incoming | Within Country | To Europe | To US | |
| France SIM Card (V33 plan) - $29 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In France | free | $0.39 | $0.39 | $0.39 |
| Out of France | $0.39 | $0.69 | $0.69 | $0.99 |
| Italy SIM Card (V39 plan) - $29 | ||||
| In Italy | free | $0.39 | $0.49 | $0.49 |
| Out of Italy | $0.49 | $0.99 | $0.99 | $2.99 |
| UK SIM Card (V44 plan) - $29 | ||||
| In UK | free | $0.29 | $0.39 | $0.29 |
| Out of UK | $0.49 | $0.69 | $0.69 | $0.99 |
Calls to cell phones or landlines are the same price.
> The per minute calling rates are very good. Even though the rates are higher when roaming, it is good to have the roaming option. Calls back to the US have a very good rate. I like the payment method - you are billed for calls made and never have to worry if your SIM card is about to run out of minutes. The up front cost is low ($19 - $29).
Telestial
Telestial offers country-specific SIM cards (the same as you would get in that country) and Passport international SIM cards (can be used in many countries).
Country-specific cards are prepaid and usually include some minutes of calling. More minutes can be purchased. The Passport international SIM cards are prepaid and you can set up an auto-recharge.
| Cost of Calls per Minute | ||||
| Incoming | Within Country | Country to Country | To US | |
| France SIM Card (Mobiho) - $59 (€10 credit) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In France | free | $0.56 (€0.39) | $0.30 (€0.19) $0.55 (€0.38) cell* |
$0.28 (€0.18) |
| Out of France | cannot roam to other countries | |||
| Italy SIM Card (TIM) - $39 (€5 credit) | ||||
| In Italy | free | $0.35 (€0.28) | $0.60 (€0.50) | $0.60 (€0.50) |
| Out of Italy | $0.48 (€0.40) | $0.93 (€0.78) | can call Italy only | n/a |
| UK SIM Card (IDT) - $29 ($1 credit) | ||||
| In UK | free | $0.30 (15p) | $0.08 (4p) | $0.08 (4p) $0.12 (6p) cell* |
| Out of UK | $0.39 (19p) | $0.76 (38p) | $0.76 (38p) | $1.80 (90p) |
| International SIM (Passport)* - $29 ($10 credit) | ||||
| In Europe** | free | $0.49 $0.84 cell* |
$0.49 $0.84 cell* |
$0.49 |
* Calls to cell phones in western Europe.
** Passport SIM is a UK phone number and has $0.25 connection charge per outgoing call.
> Telestial offers good country-specific SIM cards. You pay more than if purchasing in the country, but it is worth it to have everything before you leave. The Passport SIM is good if you are traveling to different countries (incoming calls are always free). The per minute rate is more than with country-specific cards, but not that much higher (remember the connection fee of $0.25).
Slow Europe shows you how to find vacation rentals in Europe - villas, houses, cottages or apartments that you rent by the week.
What are Vacation Rentals?
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