What is the best (aka cheapest) method to call from NZ and Australia back to the US ? Would it be best to bring a calling card with us (I mean the kind you buy with X minutes/dollars - not the kind that ties back to your phone bill) or would it be better to buy one on the spot ? Would the same cards work in NZ and Australia ?<BR><BR>Thanks for your help.. Sharon

Hi,<BR>I just bought calling cards from newsagents once I arrived in Australia. The rates were really cheap, only a few cents/min. It was actually cheaper to make international calls than domestic.<BR><BR>Debbie

I wouldn't think you could use the same for both countries - we are the same as USA and Canada!

Hi Sharon<BR><BR>I bought a $20 card from Sam's Club and took it with us and used it in both Australia and NZ. In certain areas of NZ the phone cards were difficult to use. We did find that internet cafes were all over Australia and New Zealand and were, by far, the most inexpensive way to get messages back to the states. My family and friends also e-mailed us and I picked those messages up at the cafes.<BR><BR>I still have minutes left on the calling card!!<BR><BR>Have a great time!!!

I haven't used it myself but Lonely Planet have a card called Ekno which you can use as a phone card, it also has voicemail and other facilities. I've heard it's pretty good.<BR>www.lonelyplanet.com.au<BR>Kay

By all means, wait until you get to Australia. Phone cards there are so incredibly cheap. We bought an &quot;Apple&quot; card for A$10 (about $5 US) and had at least 6 hours talk time to US, as long as you were calling from a major city area in Oz. Could also be used domestically there. Buy them at the counter at a convenience store. Not sure about NZ.

I bought a $10 AUD calling card from Thomas Cook at the airport upon my arrival in Sydney. I was gone for a month and came back to the States with minutes left over. It's incredibly inexpensive!

yes, by a card when you get here! so so so cheap to call back to the states! the only difficult thing is getting your timing right-- EST is 16 hrs behind melbourne time.