Could someone please advise of the cheapest way to phone home to the States from the Netherlands and Germany? A credit card through my long-distance carrier? An international prepaid phone card? Dialing collect through an operator? I will have to phone home every couple of days during a two-week period of time, so I need the most reasonable method possible. Thanks much!

We use our Sprint card regularly when overseas to phone home. Works well. Before Sprint, we would go to the PTT (Post-Telephone-Telegraph) offices or to the Post Office and phone home. Worst: phoning from a hotel -- they burn your socks off.

Agree with above - don't even THINK of calling from your hotel room. Best is to have them call you - depending on the country, cost from here to there is 1/4 to 1/3 the rate per minute compared with there to here. Or, call when you can, and have them call you right back. Have your family check with their long distance carriers - they will advise the rates at various times of the day.

We always buy the phonecards in Germany. They are available in 12dm and 50dm increments and can be bought at the Post and stores. You just insert the card in the international phone. Most of the time the yellow phone booths(found everywhere). The digital readout on the phone shows just how much money you are using up. This kind of lets you regulate how long you talk. Sort of like a taxi meter. We really love them as we leave our teenagers at home by themselves when we travel, so we call home OFTEN!

We don't use Sprint, but it sounds like we should for our trip where I too must call my office everyday. How do you get the card, and how does it work? Thanks.

The most practical way to do it is Lori's way. Buy a telephone card at any kiosk, tobaco shop, etc. Dial direct with it from any pay phone. The international prefix from Germany is 00. I think Holland's is the same.