International Phone Cards
The cheapest way to call from Europe back to North America, or to call within Europe, is using an International Phone Card.
I use the ZapTel True North phone card for the following reasons:
- You purchase the card online.
- The card can be used around the world, including calling from the US to Europe.
- The rates are good (13.8 cents/minute calling to the US from Italy).
- Calls are charged in 6 second increments (not rounded to the minute).
- The card is rechargeable online.
- The card does not expire if you use it once every six months.
Use the ZapTel search box above to see the list of their phone cards. The website gives detailed information about each type of card and it is easy to set up an account to purchase and manage your phone card.
Some Sample ZapTel Rates - True North Plan
Calling to the US from Europe: Italy - 13.8 cents/min (7.3 cents/min from Rome or Milan), France - 14.8 cents/min, United Kingdom - 13.9 cents/min.
Buying International Calling Cards in Europe
When you are in Europe you can purchase International Phone Cards with better rates than you find with ZapTel, but they usually expire after a few months. Many of them can only be used to call from the country where they were purchased. I gave up on buying local calling cards because I did not use them up and had to throw them away with unused minutes.
But, if you are looking for the best per minute deal and will be doing enough calls on your trip to use up the card, look for phone cards when you are in Europe. They are sold in Newsagent or Tobacco shops or at the Post Office.
How the Phone Card Works
When you purchase your ZapTel phone card you print it out with your assigned PIN and a list of the access numbers for the countries you will be traveling to (you select which countries you want to print out).
There is usually a toll-free access number for each country, plus a list of local numbers. It is best to use the local numbers because there can be extra fees if you call a toll-free number from a cell phone (and sometimes from a pay phone).
Dial the access number, enter your PIN when prompted and then follow the instructions to place your call. Line quality is good and the system is easy to use.
Warning: Can be expensive when using with a cell phone
When using the International Phone Card from your cell phone, you MAY pay per minute for the cell phone usage plus the per minute charge on your phone card. This varies by cell phone provider and country.
Some cell phone providers charge a premium per minute rate to call a toll-free number (yes! I could not believe this either). If this is the case, then call the local access number - you still pay per minute on your cell phone but it is at a less expensive rate.
Find out what the long distance rates are on your cell phone; it may be the best option if you don't plan to make many calls.
Read more about cell phones in Europe.
Purchase an International Phone Card from ZapTel.
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