Mike

I thank everyone for the excellent advice and answers from my other questions. I am getting extremely nervous about this trip as I've been so busy with business travel I've not had time to devote to the planning stages. One specific question I have regards calling the States from London. Are there calling cards or calling methods that I should consider? I doubt we'll be making many calls, but a few here and there to friends and family to share our experiences shortly after they occur.<BR><BR>Thank you,<BR>Mike

Ann

You can pick up a prepaid calling card over there from any corner shop. This is the easiest and cheapest way to call.

sam

I've had trouble finding the calling cards over there when I need them. It's easiest to buy a prepaid calling card here, one that allows calls to the states from overseas...just call the 800 number on the back before you go to get the UK access number...then dial that number from the UK and follow the instructions.

Mike

Sam,<BR>Any particular type of card? Just any of those I see at all the checkout counters or are there special internation cards? I've not been out of the US so I apologize if this is a silly question.

Janice

This is NOT the typical reply you will get, but I've had wonderful luck just calling from my hotel. Sometimes I don't get charged for the call at all (!!!) and most of the time a 5 minute call costs about $1. Maybe I just have really good telephone karma, but I've never been tempted to do anything differently.

Carolina

Hi,<BR>I would call from my hotel and get friends and family to call me straight back. This works well if you are not making a lot of calls, even better if you can give friends and family hotel telephone numbers beforehand. <BR>Carolina

Ed

Calling from your hotel is likely to be the most expensive way to call home. The best is with a calling card. The best place to buy a calling card is from Costco.

janis

I usually use prepaid cards - but the conventional wisdom about expensive hotel rooms isn't always the case. Last Oct I called California from my Paris hotel twice and the most expensive one was less than $2 - that was for about 15 minutes at midnight (3PM CA time). The other call was less than $1. I have had the same sort of experience in Italy and the UK.<BR><BR>I find from small or independent hotels the rates are less than from the international chains. So get a prepaid card - but don't panic if you need to phone from the hotel.

Amy

I have to stand with the two Janice/Janis-es on this one. I recently called home from my hotel room in Italy and a two minute call to just say we made it there was only 0.27 euros. You can't beat that! Unfortunately you won't know how good your hotel rate is until you check out and get your room bill.<BR><BR>Amy

sam

mike,<BR>any of the prepaid phone cards you see in the stores will work...just check the back and see that it has directions "from overseas to USA/other countries". You need to call the number on the card before you go and tell them what country or countries you'll be in and they will give you a phone number to dial once you are in Europe that will access your card. Once you dial the local access number, follow the promts...usually it will ask for the PIN but type in the world service code on the back of the card first then the PIN when prompted. It's easy once you get used to it. I just returned from Europe last week and had a MCI worldcom card from Walgreens. I agree with the above poster that the ones from Costco are best...they have the cheapest rates but if you don't live near a costco, try wal-mart or target or any big chain store. good luck phoning home.

Patrick

I agree with calling direct from your hotel. After being stung a couple of times by MCI and ATT both with whom I had special international rates, I gave up -- ripped off every time. My direct dialed calls from European hotels have been the cheapest. Granted I don't stay in the big American type hotels in Europe, but usually three star local places which pass on their own direct rate to their guests.

Mike

I think I got it...thanks folks. Sam, I'm off to buy some cards right now. Again, thanks all.

David

If you live in the states, My suggestion is to buy an AT&T calling card from Sam's club and using an AT&T access number in the UK. Its easy and very cheap (only 10 cents per minute). You can use the card anywhere in the UK, and if you run out of minutes, you just charge some more on a credit card at the same rate. I've done it many times. Just get the AT&T access number from AT&T's website at http://traveler.network.att.com/trav...united_kingdom. You also use to be able to purchase the card through www.geocities.com/travellynx. If you don't use the time on the card, use it at home. Its only 4 cents per minute domestically from anywhere in the U.S.

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