What's the best way to get reasonably priced cell service while traveling in Europe?

Do some research about the countries you'll be visiting and don't ask broad questions regarding your topic that cannot be answered without additional information.

What countrY? And what do you need it for?

I have a friend with AT&T and they just had a temporary plan for a month she should sign up for when she was in Italy. It wasn't super cheap per minute but she just wanted it for emergencies and so over the whole month, it probably only cost her $25 or less. It didn't cost much to sign up, as I recall.

Where are you from?

Who is your local carrier?

I have AT&T in the US, and I just need it for emergencies. I'll be in Germany and France.

Sounds like my friend. If it were me, I'd use the AT&T Passport service, it's a one time fee of $30 for 30 days. It is $1 a minute when calling, also, but for emergencies only, it would be a lot easier than the altnernatives, getting new SIM cards, etc.

http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/int...ing.html?tab=1

So no, I'm sure it's not the cheapest, but it is easy and I think reasonable if you don't really need it for much.

If you have a smart phone with WiFi, consider installing the Google Hangouts app so you can make free calls to US phone numbers while on WiFi. If you want to receive calls to a US phone number for free as well, sign up for Google Voice - also comes with Voicemail.

agree with Christina...if all you need is the phone, and you want to use your own number because its for an emergency, just get AT&T's plan. Probably not the cheapest, but far and away the easiest, most reliable solution.