We're going to Italy in November and I want to know the cheapest way our family can call us while we're there. Any suggestions? What calling cards should they use? I already know what to do to call the US from Italy.

This is not phoning your family, but I have found that the cheapest way to contact my family from Italy is to communicate via email that is available from the numerous internet cafes located throughout.

In addition to being an inexpensive way to do so, you don't have to be concerned about the time differential between Italy and home.

Hi mckim, I have never purchased one but I have had people tell me that the phone calling cards from SAM'S is a good bargain for making international phone calls from the US to Italy. I have a plan with my phone co. so I don't buy the calling cards. There has been some post here on Fodor's that have given some 800's for international phone calls. Good luck with using the search box, I never had much success. Hopefully some Fodorites will see your questions and give you those 800's numbers.

In the past, except for emergencies, I've asked my family to FAX to the hotel where we are staying a short "call xyz at such-and-such a time." This could take 1-2 minutes (under $1) at international rates. Then, we would call at the designated time using a calling card we had purchased in Italy, knowing xyz would be waiting by the phone.

It's still a pretty good system, but we generally use our cell phone now.

Hi, all,

My second attempt at posting this (has anyone else been having issues lately?)

Many calling cards work well from the USA and have good rates. We have used MCI cards, Kroger cards, etc.

Are your relatives pretty adept at this stuff? If not, an alternative is to call their current long distance carrier and ask about their per-minute rates to Italy.

Some long distance carriers offer a monthly international plan. You pay $5 a month and get much lower rates in exchange. Now, this is not a good deal but unless you plan to talk A LOT, it might be the least hassle.

Also don't forget to give them the full number of your lodgings or other contact number:
011 plus country code plus city code plus phone number.

Will your family be calling you at your hotel's phone, or on your cell phone? There's a huge difference in rates. To a land-line from Colorado is only about 7 cents a minute, to a cell phone it's over 30 cents a minute. For a short term, I'd suggest an MCI calling card, which you can buy at Costco. And try to call a land-line, obviously.

I use an MCI INTERNATIONAL calling card I picked up at Costco. 6c/min to a land line, 35c/min to a mobile. No contract, no monthly charge, no per connection charge: per minutes usage charge only. A typical call/fax to a hotel takes about 2 min or 12cents.

Hi M,

For calls to land lines:

If you dial 1016868 first, your call to Italy will be 10 cts/min.

If you dial 1010987, there is a 53 ct connection charge. It is then 4 cts/min.

I'd recommend one of two ways: 1) a dial-around service such as 10-10-987 or 2) have them subscribe to Gorilla Mobile for a $5.95 per year. 10-10-987 is one of MANY dial-around services, but I think they offer the best combo of low rates, ease of use, and fewest hidden fees. You can Google "dial around services" and find a lot of info. The other option,Gorilla Mobile, will let you register up to ten cell and/or land line numbers under one account for an annual $5.95 fee. The caller then pays a small per-call connection charge and very reasonable per minute charges to most of Europe and other popular tourist destinations. It's definitely one of the cheapest ways to call from a cell (mobile) phone. Have a great time in Italia!

Check <www.onesuite.com> a prepaid long distance retailer.

US to Italy (land based) - 3 cents/min with a local access number; 4.5 cents/min with toll free number.

Cons: 1) You have to buy a minimum of $10 to start this service.
2) They charge you the first minute even though the call does not go through. You get credit back if you call them .

Othersise, they have provided me with good service over last 2 years.

I think the best thing is to buy a calling card for $5 Euros it will last more than 3 hours I use it all the time they sell them at tabacco shops just ask for a card to call the United States

Compare the several dialaround services (10-10-xxx, 101-xxxx) because as Ira notes, some are cheaper for short calls and others better for calls of 10 minutes or more.

http://1010phonerates.com/1010987.html

However, even at 65 cents for three minutes, instead of the cheapest at 30 cents, you have quite a bargain for landline-to-landline calls.

Is your family computer-savvy? If so, the cheapest way to call internationally is to use Skype Out, which costs about 2 cents a minute.

http://skype.com/products/skypeout/

Hi tribi, mckin is asking about her family calling her from the US to Italy. Not from Italy to the US.

But for anyone in Italy I agree, those calling cards are great. My friends in Italy normally use them when they call me here in the US as it saves them so much money.