is it expensive calling from europe to british columbia,canada??.what are the convenient ways to do long distance calls. since iam a traveller i can just buy phone cards but i am not sure which kind to get. anyone know the best rates calling from geneva to canada, i desperately need your help.<BR><BR>thank you for reading my message.<BR>

International phone cards are available everywhere, every newspaper stand, kiosk, small shops, just all over. But the choices are overwhelming and which is best will depend on a lot of things. None of them are expensive. I usually buy one that costs between US$7 and $15 depending on which country I am in, and they are always good for many calls to the States. The sales clerk can steer you to the best one for your needs.<BR><BR>And any time left on the cards is still good back home. I used the last 10 minutes of the last one I bought in the UK to call from LAX to my shuttle company to tell them my flight time had changed.

Magda, You are in luck. The best bargain we have found in Switzerland is the international telephone card. And the cards are easy to use from the many public telephones. Have fun. Linda

Thank you for your replies. <BR><BR>Linda, do you remember the name of the phone cards you bought in Switzerland?.<BR>I am more at ease knowing these infos beforehand =)<BR>

Dear Magda, I don't remember the name but we bought the first one at a train station stop in Lugano and the second one at a &quot;convenience store&quot; in Vevey. Don't think it will be a problem. Just try the card right after you buy to make sure it works. But knowing the Swiss, it will. What are you going to be doing in CH? We loved Montreux, Vevey and Lausanne. Didn't venture out to Geneva, though.

I am Swiss and use often the &quot;Teleline&quot; phonecards available from most newsstands. They are easy to use from public phones with a 0800 tollfree number and PIN code. Staying at a hotel you may wish to check if there is a surcharge for dialing such numbers (up to CHF 5.00 in some city hotels).<BR>Outside my country I use the services of www.globaltelcallback.com which is a great American company (there are still great things about the New World!). This company offers internet programable callback services AND tollfree access numbers in many countries. In Switzerland however &quot;Teleline2 is more competitive.