How to Get a Cell Phone to Use in Europe

Taking your own phone to Europe during your trip might not be a very good decision, even if you have a global plan activated. It can be extremely costly and there are several other much better alternatives you can consider. So, the best thing for you to do is to leave behind your own cell phone during your trip, and get another cell phone equipped with a local Europe SIM card that you can easily use. You can pick up this extra cell phone from a number of places without having to spend hundreds of dollars on it. Here are some places to look: In StoresIf you think that buying a phone right from the store would mean buying something very expensive, you need to think again. There are a number of stores in Europe where you can pick up reasonable cell phones, all equipped with a local SIM to go along with it. If you don't want to buy the SIM from the same place, you can easily get cheap and used unlocked phones in the supermarket or at phone retailers that can suit your purpose during your holiday in Europe. You don't necessarily have to pick up a modern phone with bells and whistles, you simply need a phone you can use to contact your family via calls and messages while you are away. Online StoresThere are several websites and online stores that offer tourists cheap phones they can take for their holiday trip. If you are looking to buy a locked handset with a local card attached, getting one online can be actually cheaper than getting one from the store. You can even get airtime credit, as much as you need, and get the phone delivered to your house. If you already have a Europe SIM card, you can also get unlocked phones to use. Shopping SitesIf you are looking for cheap phone stets, there is another place much better than online stores; online auction sites and second-hand virtual marketplaces. Using sites like eBay, you can easily get a used handset at unbelievably low prices even before you leave for your trip. If you get a phone this way, you can simply get a SIM once you reach Europe and start using your phone right away. Once you get back from your trip, you can even sell off the handset again on the same platform. Go For a Europe Cell Phone RentalIf you don't want to purchase anything at all, you can always rent it. There are several different Europe cell phone rental packages available that you can easily review online. These packages not just offer you a cell phone for rent, but also a local network SIM for rent that can be used in Europe. If you are travelling for a week or two, you can check the rates for these rental packages and decide whether they would be better than purchasing. If you want to get the best prices, it is better to shop for both your phone and your card before you leave for your trip. Since you will be new in Europe, you might end up paying much more for getting it from local shops than the actual cost. There are a number of different sites where you can find suitable cards or phone rentals that you can get delivered to your home before leaving for your trip. So, if you are going out to enjoy Europe, don't forget to take a cell phone so that your family can reach you at all times.