I am an American college student who will be studying in Germany this fall. I was wondering if there is any type of pay as you go cell phone plan in Germany (similar to what we have in the U.S.) I'm just looking for something fairly cheap that would allow me to make calls in case of changes of plan/getting lost/emergencies, etc. Is there such a phone? Would I be able to make calls from anywhere in Europe? Where could I receive calls from? Would it be best/cheapest to buy such a phone when I'm in Germany (as opposed to one of these "international traveler's phone plans" I've seen on the internet, but which look fairly expensive).

I also have one additional question: I need to bring presents for my homestay family. What type of gift would be good for a guy and a girl (ages 19, 21) and an adult woman? I was thinking NFL football stuff for the guy (I live in an NFL town). Any thoughts?

Thanks so much!

Hi,

>I am an American college student who will be studying in Germany this fall. I was wondering if there is any type of pay as you go cell phone plan in Germany (similar to what we have in the U.S.)

There are very cheap prepaid phones - a basic one won't cost you more than 20-30 Euro, and half that price is a calling credit anyways.

>I'm just looking for something fairly cheap that would allow me to make calls in case of changes of plan/getting lost/emergencies, etc.

This should suit your neds just fine. I am not sure thiugh that you can call to USA with a prpeaid phone. Receiving isnt a problem though. It can be that you would also have to pay for receiving calls from abroad.

>Would I be able to make calls from anywhere in Europe?

Yes, but everywhere outside of Germany it will be very expensive...

>Where could I receive calls from?

I think from just about anywhere.

Would it be best/cheapest to buy such a phone when I'm in Germany (as opposed to one of these "international traveler's phone plans" I've seen on the internet, but which look fairly expensive).

Definitely. Look up the T-mobile, Vodafone and O2 price plans.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34815748

You have an "endless" choice of possibilities. 15ct to German landlines plus a cheap phonecard th reach the US is one of them. Incoming calls are ALWAYS free on the home network in Germany. Across the street a Sagem myx1 phone with 10€ calling credit costs 19.90€ (incl. all taxes) No need to worry!

My daughter studied Spring semester in Europe. Get an unlocked GSM phone with the proper bands on ebay. You can get one as cheap as $40 or much higher if you want camera, polyphonic tones and etc. When you arrive there get a DT SIM at any Deuche Telecom store. They are as good as any and easy to find anywhere to add more minutes to the account as you go. Set up an account with callbackworld.com to call home or long distance with. Do not use this SIM card while out of Germany.

Search here for messages by xyz123, he has written very detailed instructions which should explain everything.

>DT SIM at any Deuche Telecom store.
It's expensive at Deutsche Telekom (T-Punkt stores) but it's a possibility. You don't need triband, any locked German dual band mobile with SIM card will do. If you already own an unlocked phone with the proper frequencies a T-Punkt isn't a good choice for SIMs, it's a rip off!.

logos999

Do you know a location in Munich that I can buy the cell phone that you posted for 19.90 Euros? I will arrive in Munich on on 10 September.

You won't have a problem. Downtown at Kaufhof 4(or 5th) floor you'll pay 24.90€, same at Karstadt. Those are the easy options...

I wouldn't recommend going there because there are so many alternatives, if you just walk through the street with your eyes open ,but the "shop across the street", is at Laimer Platz station Heidi-Foto. 19.90€ for a Sagem myX1 10€ calling credit. Still got lots of them, since it's a standard offer.

Thanks Logos999!! You always have great info.