Greetings, friends..... My son will be studying at Corvinus for the fall term. Can anyone provide any info as to what the best/cheapest option for calling or texting back to the U.S. would be? I'm getting the feeling Skype wouldn't be an option so looking for advice on cell phone plans. Thank you in advance.

Why isn't Skype an option? That is usually the cheapest, free, if both sides have internet. Even if one side needs to use a phone, Skype can be funded to make cheap calls. There are other options. Where are you calling from? Which is the direction of calls? Do callers have to mobile? Are calls made on schedule or unpredictable? The usage model drives the implementation.

My dauhgter bought an unlocked celphone on ebay. then bought sim card when she arrived in UK. I use voipcheap.com to phone abroad from PC/phone . its very cheap.& they let you make a test call free.

First choice for calling home is Skype. But he might want a local phone. I got a pay as you go phone from T-Mobile at the West End Mall. For some reason this seems to be the best or possibly only option if you don't have a Hungarian ID. I have also used a cheap unlocked phone and an "international" sim card. But these are generally VOIP patched calls and the quality isn't great.

He may want to look thru his school info... My daughter got a prepaid local phone.... And I am pretty sure the school helped her get it. They have quite a bit of time at the front end to tour Budapest, get their residency permits, etc.. During this time she got a phone.

Of course, she had wifi and used iChat etc.

I probably phrased it wrong. "Prepaid" is what I meant. Talk then go "recharge" it and talk some more. Really wasn't worth the effort for the way we visit. Skype works for calling home. I can use my lap top or tablet or telephone for the Skype. For calling taxis or making reservations I just accept that if will cost about a dollar fifty for the convenience. New York Pizza has caller ID and now when I call for a pizza they answer "Hello Mr. Davis" and ask if it goes to the usual address. City Taxi does the same. The must think it nuts to be getting orders from a US phone number. I really enjoy the people a lot.

I am watching all your posts for my D for next semester. I think you are on your trip now. Looking forward to an update!

If your son has a fast internet connection (WIFI), he can get a MagicJack Plus, hook it up into a laptop, and connect a old style handset into the Magicjack.

Calling then is free for $19.95 per year.

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