Getting cash and making international calls in Scotland
Jun 16th, 2006 | 01:42 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 246
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Getting cash and making international calls in Scotland
What is the least expensive way to phone home (California) while I am Scotland on vacation this summer?
I read that using my ATM card to withdraw cash in pounds from a bank in Scotland is the best way to get cash in Scotland (rather than changing it at the airport or at home before I go). Anyone have any reason I shouldn't go this route?
I read that using my ATM card to withdraw cash in pounds from a bank in Scotland is the best way to get cash in Scotland (rather than changing it at the airport or at home before I go). Anyone have any reason I shouldn't go this route?
Jun 16th, 2006 | 01:56 PM
#3
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 75,039
Likes: 50
To get money? - Yes you your ATM card
Calling home? _ the cheapest is to just wait until you are in the UK and buy a phone card from any news agent/book store, etc. There are lots of different brands - just buy whichever one the merchant recommends for your specific needs. I usually start out w/ a £5 card and seldom use it all up. Th ecards sold in the states (like at Costco/Sam's Club, etc) are OK but the ones you can buy in the UK are cheaper per minute.
Calling home? _ the cheapest is to just wait until you are in the UK and buy a phone card from any news agent/book store, etc. There are lots of different brands - just buy whichever one the merchant recommends for your specific needs. I usually start out w/ a £5 card and seldom use it all up. Th ecards sold in the states (like at Costco/Sam's Club, etc) are OK but the ones you can buy in the UK are cheaper per minute.
Jun 17th, 2006 | 03:42 AM
#4
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,784
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How long are you going to be gone? Mobal as a $50 phone that you can buy here that has free incoming calls from the US and $1.50 calls out (to UK as well as US.)
www.Mobal.com
It is cheaper to buy a prepaid "disposable" phone over there if you look for a good rate plan. You can get about a .$25 of a minute.
www.Mobal.com
It is cheaper to buy a prepaid "disposable" phone over there if you look for a good rate plan. You can get about a .$25 of a minute.
Jun 27th, 2006 | 07:18 AM
#5
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 640
Likes: 0
The least expensive way to call home is if you have a laptop with you and have broadband internet service available...using voice over internet service, such as Skype, you can call home for 0.02Euro per minute (and if your "home" party has a Skype account, call them for free). This worked for me at one tech-saavy B&B near Fort William.
Next best bet, take a cheap (unlocked) mobile phone that works in the UK. Go to Carphonewarehouse (Glasgow, Inverness, Edinburg, etc.) and buy a Mobile World SIM...they have a SIM with rates of 5pence/minute to the US (and 25 pence for UK calls). Cell phone coverage for Mobile World was good in many areas of Scotland, except the most remote highlands.
I used Mobal.com once before, but their per minute rates are horrible. I did keep the phone, paid 3UKpounds to get it unlocked, and loaded the Mobile World SIM into it. Worked like a charm.
ATM card is the way to get money, no question.
Next best bet, take a cheap (unlocked) mobile phone that works in the UK. Go to Carphonewarehouse (Glasgow, Inverness, Edinburg, etc.) and buy a Mobile World SIM...they have a SIM with rates of 5pence/minute to the US (and 25 pence for UK calls). Cell phone coverage for Mobile World was good in many areas of Scotland, except the most remote highlands.
I used Mobal.com once before, but their per minute rates are horrible. I did keep the phone, paid 3UKpounds to get it unlocked, and loaded the Mobile World SIM into it. Worked like a charm.
ATM card is the way to get money, no question.
