Comments on: How to Find or Buy a Cheap, Unlocked Phone For European Travel

By: Judy

Judy — Sat, 09 Sep 2023 19:33:29 +0000

Tell me what you did and how it worked out. I also have TracFone!

By: Robbo

Robbo — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 21:08:47 +0000

I used to buy a SIM card when I arrived in the UK. Don’t have connectivity until you have one that’s activated.
About three years ago I switched to Google Fi. Unlimited voice and choice of data; $10/gig – prorated – until 6 gig, then no additional charges – or unlimited (not sure if available outside the US). On two to three week trips anywhere we’ve been in the world so far, never not had connectivity. I believe they cover about 200 countries. Never had a bill (two people) over $95 yet. Turn my phone on while taxiing – have connectivity before I’ve exited the plane. LOVE IT!

By: Paige Bennett

Paige Bennett — Fri, 10 Jun 2022 15:15:04 +0000

Thank you so much for these updated tips, Paul!

By: Paul Heymont

Paul Heymont — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 19:17:43 +0000

A few notes, because this article shows signs of not having been fully updated.
1. CDMA is no longer an issue. Verizon’s phones for the past several years have all include 4GLTE which is not CDMA and is interoperable with all European networks, as are its 5G phones. In fact, the Verizon CDMA networks will be turned off in December; T-Mobile has already turned off the Sprint CDMA network and repurposed the bandwidth.

2. Travelers visiting multiple European countries don’t need multiple SIMs, since EU regulations ended roaming charges a couple of years ago. But do be sure you buy ‘enough’ because some prepaid plans are cheaper to buy big than to keep topping up.

3. For T-Mobile, unlimited international data is included with most plans, and while it says 2G, that hardly ever happens because almost no European carrier has anything that slow. If you’re planning to make calls, though, at 25c a minute it can get expensive fast, and it’s worth looking at T-Mobile’s data passes (good for 10 or 30 days) that allow unlimited calling and a big chunk of high speed data before it defaults to slower.

By: Kathy Kelly

Kathy Kelly — Thu, 26 May 2022 17:36:33 +0000

Help! I use TracFone and for my everyday needs it’s fine.
Going to France in 3 weeks TracFone doesn’t work there.
Thinking of buying a cheap Blu ii phone and a sim card that works in France. What else do I need.