What is the best way to call US from Paris? Do we have to buy a calling card? If our family here call the hotel, will the hotel staff let us recieve the phone call? Thanks!

Ask at your hotel. I can call home from my hotel for less than $2. I do not talk for a long time--perhaps 3 minutes.

Your family can most usually reach you through your hotel. You may want to have them dial 101-6868 prior to the normal #. This # is for a long distance company with rates to Europe for approx. 12-18 cents per minute. There is no monthly fee, and the bill shows up on your normal phone bill.

I am not sure of the best way to call home from Europe, probably a prepaid calling card from over there...?

I buy MCI calling cards at Costco--I believe its 670 minutes for $20. You're told to call a special number for instructions on how to use it in Europe. It worked wonderfully when I was calling the U.S. from Paris. Plus, I had the added advantage of being able to use in the U.S. when I returned.

Thanks a lot to everyone!

Buy a phone card with a code for the US. I got a phone card at a newsstand on Blvd. St. Germain for around 7.50 euros for 500 minutes. It was good as I could use it on any phone but I understand if you use it with a hotel phone the minutes get subtracted quicker than at a pay phone.

The card bought on St. Germaine--can it be used within France and also calling the states?

If it can be used within France, can it be used from private phones or public phones or both?

I, too, bought one for 7.50E and was able to use it to call within France, and to the States, from my hotel and from pay phones.

I also use the MCI/Costco card but I think the overseas rates are more expensive than the US rates but still a good deal. I always call their toll-free number before I leave to double check the codes and access numbers.
Mara