Friend going around the world - what's best way to call home to US?
Dec 27th, 2007, 09:33 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,748
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Friend going around the world - what's best way to call home to US?
They're hitting all continents and will be cruising in some instances where I know you can make satellite ship to shore calls for around $5.00 per minute, but what about on land? International phone card? Where to buy them? What kind? Was thinking about getting them a gift...
Dec 27th, 2007, 10:16 AM
#3
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just purchased an internation phone and a SIM card from telestial.com. I got a no roving card that is supposed to be good most places in the world. The calling rates vary, but from Europe it is .49 per minute and incoming calls are free. They also have a toll free number you can call from the US to connect to the phone, so calls seem to be no charge.
Dec 27th, 2007, 12:37 PM
#4
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 651
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My son did this 2 years ago and used calling cards which were cheap. Although the best thing he did was start a travel blog which he made entries to and downloaded pictures to from internet cafes. It was a great way for family and friends to keep up with where he was and what he was doing.
Dec 27th, 2007, 12:41 PM
#5
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We got the most complicated and most expensive global phone in the world from telestial and HATED it.
One of our only truly bad choices on our multi year trip around the world. I would not go that way. You have to dial about 5o things before you even get to the number...Yikes! The WORSE!
Take a laptop and use skype which is free and works GREAT. The webcam is also VERY handy for keeping in touch. YOu can also use skype from your computer to call cell phones or land lines for VERY cheap.
google skype and download it in minutes for free, it is hot in all internet cafes too and expats love it.You might look at there many options as they even have a phone too.
We loooove skype and use it wil local calls as well as calling friends and family at home almost every day.
I can yabber for hours with my mom for free and the webcam lets her play show and tell with her grand daughter.
www.soultravelers3.com
One of our only truly bad choices on our multi year trip around the world. I would not go that way. You have to dial about 5o things before you even get to the number...Yikes! The WORSE!
Take a laptop and use skype which is free and works GREAT. The webcam is also VERY handy for keeping in touch. YOu can also use skype from your computer to call cell phones or land lines for VERY cheap.
google skype and download it in minutes for free, it is hot in all internet cafes too and expats love it.You might look at there many options as they even have a phone too.
We loooove skype and use it wil local calls as well as calling friends and family at home almost every day.
I can yabber for hours with my mom for free and the webcam lets her play show and tell with her grand daughter.
www.soultravelers3.com
Dec 27th, 2007, 01:03 PM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
check out www.gphone.com
Dec 27th, 2007, 02:39 PM
#7
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Get your friend a U3 USB Smart Drive.
They plug into the USB port of any computer and include programs such as Skype for calling, Firefox for
browsing and more.
I picked up a couple of 4 gig drives
today for $29 at Staples.
A small cheap headset would be useful if they aren't available in internet cafes...
Rob
They plug into the USB port of any computer and include programs such as Skype for calling, Firefox for
browsing and more.
I picked up a couple of 4 gig drives
today for $29 at Staples.
A small cheap headset would be useful if they aren't available in internet cafes...
Rob
