Which disposable cell phone to buy in France?
#1
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Which disposable cell phone to buy in France?
Any suggestions or opinions about which disposable cell phone would be the best to buy upon arrival in France? Where would be the best place to buy one in Paris?
#2
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While locations selling SIMs are plentiful, I have not seen anywhere that sells disposable mobile phones. I´m not looking for one so maybe that´s why I haven´t seen any but I am not sure where you would even find one.
#3
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If this is the route you wish to take - a disposable phone - you are best buying an unlocked quad band phone on ebay and then buying a SIM card in France. Not sure you are going to get a smart phone but if you are looking for basic phone service, it will work.
If you want GPS, data, text capabilities -- there are other ways to get that type of service.
If you want GPS, data, text capabilities -- there are other ways to get that type of service.
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You can get a cheap unlocked Android phone for about $US100 on EBay or Amazon, so if you want data or GPS capabilities, that would be the best thing to get. As for text, even the cheapest dumb phones have that.
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Our USA cell service can't be used in Europe. We thought we should have a phone if we needed to call or text numbers within France while there or had an emergency. It would also be good to have a GPS. We weren't sure what the best way was to do this. We appreciate your suggestions!
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Several years ago my wife and I bought clam shell phones at an Orange store for 35€ each. I think you can do better as Orange was expensive. There are a lot of mobile phone stores in the city that sell all types (we were in the 10th for several months and saw a number of stores. We could call and text. no GPS. However, we downloaded street maps and metro maps that were useful offline on our smart phones.
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Buying a disposable mobile phone is pretty much on the out since 9/11, unless you can find one at one of the questionable mobile phone stores on some side street in Paris. I've seen a few.
You will need to present your passport and major credit card in order just to buy a sim card. Buying a disposable mobile phone might bring a little unwanted attention your way.
You will need to present your passport and major credit card in order just to buy a sim card. Buying a disposable mobile phone might bring a little unwanted attention your way.
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As DebitNM has pointed out, it might be better to buy the phone in the US from Amazon or EBay. As long as it's an unlocked quadband GMS phone, it will work in France. Then you would just need to get the SIM card when you arrive.
Here's an example for $21.49, for talk and text only:
http://www.amazon.com/LG-A275-Black-...QPO/ref=sr_1_2
Here's a cheap Android phone which would also give you GPS:
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Androi...FI/ref=sr_1_14
There are even cheaper Android phones, but read the reviews because they're brands I don't know, with mediocre reviews. Maybe they'd still be find for your purposes.
It sounds as though your cell phone can be used in Europe, but that your plan can't. Every company I know of has optional international travel packages, and for the very limited use you plan to make of the phone, your best option might be to add an international option to your plan. It would normally be temporary, and have no effect on your current plan.
You can use GPS without paying for data services, by keeping data services turned off, but GPS turned on. However, to do this you should download the maps in advance, because that requires data services. Google Maps allows you to do this in advance using wifi, either at home or in your hotel room. In the case of Google Maps, you can get itineraries based on your current location, for driving, or walking. There are other apps that allow you to use offline maps, and some may be better than Google, but I'm not familiar with them.
Here's an example for $21.49, for talk and text only:
http://www.amazon.com/LG-A275-Black-...QPO/ref=sr_1_2
Here's a cheap Android phone which would also give you GPS:
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Androi...FI/ref=sr_1_14
There are even cheaper Android phones, but read the reviews because they're brands I don't know, with mediocre reviews. Maybe they'd still be find for your purposes.
It sounds as though your cell phone can be used in Europe, but that your plan can't. Every company I know of has optional international travel packages, and for the very limited use you plan to make of the phone, your best option might be to add an international option to your plan. It would normally be temporary, and have no effect on your current plan.
You can use GPS without paying for data services, by keeping data services turned off, but GPS turned on. However, to do this you should download the maps in advance, because that requires data services. Google Maps allows you to do this in advance using wifi, either at home or in your hotel room. In the case of Google Maps, you can get itineraries based on your current location, for driving, or walking. There are other apps that allow you to use offline maps, and some may be better than Google, but I'm not familiar with them.