Change Forum
Does anyone have any experience in purchasing cell phones at Paris CDG airport and if this is even possible? If not, is it better to buy a cell phone and SIM card before leaving US? I want to have a working one prior to traveling to Normandy from Paris CDG. Any insight? Thanks!
Buying cell phones at Paris CDG airport
Recent Activity
View all Europe activity »
- 1 UK for the first time!
- 2 Restaurants and places to see in and around Dubrovnik, Mostar and Sarajevo
- 3
Gertie in Eastern Europe
- 4 Idea for a quick stop in Paris?
- 5 Should I get a Visa?
- 6 What kind of cheese should we eat in Venice?
- 7 Recent earthquake in N. Italy
- 8 Sicily in the fall
- 9 Southern Ireland Itinerary
- 10 Cahir Castle and Rock of Cashel
- 11 Uffizi Academia Lines Ticket Pickup Official Vs Re-Seller Recommendations
- 12 Must Sees / Hotels: Copenhagen, Berlin, Vienna, Stutgart,
- 13 French nationality
- 14
Treacle Down Effect
- 15 Prague Vienna Budapest and Barcelona!
- 16 Hotel in London
- 17 Anniversary Lunch with beach view near Rome
- 18 Dinner in Tuscany: Which Town?
- 19 Looking for a good "castle hotel" in Edinburgh
- 20 Anyone with experience with Paris Deluxe rentals?
- 21 Visitng Amalfi Coast & Capri for 6 Nights - What Nights to Stay Where?!
- 22 My day with Monet in Paris, please comment
- 23
Germany, Austria, and Italy Trip Report
- 24 Which Paris apartment for family of four?
- 25 Motoring Trip to France
My recommendation would be to ask around at work, friends, family...as you'll probably find people who've "upgraded" and tossed their "old" GSM phone in a drawer. If not already unlocked, they usually can be.
One of the most economical SIMs - LeBara - is usually available at a Relay shop at CDG, but you may have to visit more than one, as they're often out of them.
If you want to be certain of having a working SIM on landing, take a look at Call in Europe, Roam Simple, etc.
Good advice above. People have reported buying SIMs at CDG
but I've never heard of anyone picking up a phone there. You'd think there'd be a market for them.
Take a look for an unlocked quad band GSM phone before you go... in addition to the sources djkbooks mentions above, I have seen new ones for as little as $30 at online retailers like newegg.com and tigerdirect.com
If you pick up a phone from a third party you can get it unlocked for 20 or 30 dollars... I was in a large mall today and saw 2 of the little cell phone accessory kiosks with signs offering unlocking and jailbreaking service.
Anyone with a discarded phone can easily obtain the unlock code from the provider so long as their account is in good standing.
Thanks for all of your good suggestions! I appreciate your input!
I think you will be disappointed if your plans include purchasing a mobile phone at CDG or any other airport in the world (though I suppose it might be possible somewhere). It is possible to purchase a SIM and I recommend you find a Lebara SIM as others are also available but not at the low rates Lebara offers.
>>>Anyone with a discarded phone can easily obtain the unlock code from the provider so long as their account is in good standing.<<<
Not where I live.
As mentioned, if you are in the US and a customer of AT&T or Tmobile, they will unlock any of their phones, upon request, as long as the customer is in good standing.