Carolyn_Squire

I am travelling with my DD's (11 & 19) for 3 weeks to Paris, Mouxy and Nottingham, England. Our US cell phones will not work internationally. I would like us to have cell phones for emergencies, but am confused about buying here vs. there vs.renting and sim cards.....can anyone help????

ParisAmsterdam

First of all... don't rent. You're sure to pay more than you thought you would.

If you're going to England first, pick up a phone there and get a Lebara SIM. Low rates and it will work in France too at about 40 cents a minute.

If you go to France first you can do exactly the same thing... pick up a phone and get a French Lebara SIM. You may need to get a new phone unlocked. Not hard... there are phone shops everywhere.

Personally, I'd get a phone or phones at home and have them unlocked. That way you're free to use any SIM you like no matter where you arrive. Look on Kijiji, Craigslist etc. Or buy one from an online retailer like TigerDirect.com or NewEgg.com You need to look for unlocked, quad band and GSM.

You can even order SIMS from Lebara.co.uk or Lebara.fr... just add in your state and USA in one of the address lines on the online order forms. SIMs I ordered for a SIL arrived in Canada in a week!

bilboburgler

if you really want to keep your costs down, do as above but use TXT speak.

MarnieWDC

I ordered the Lebara Sim card from Lebara.fr and it arrived in Washington, DC in about 5 days. I put it into my unlocked phone and will turn it on at the airport in France.

Carolyn_Squire

Thank you all. We are going to France first, so I will get one there, or perhaps order one here so we will have something when we arrive. It helps to have specific type and what exactly to look for. I was baffled when I was told to get an unlocked phone. To look specifically for unlocked, quad band and GSM helped. Thank you.