Are you loath to leave home without your cell phone, smart phone or tablet? With countless travel apps, maps and booking engines, mobile devices have transformed the way we travel… But at what price?
We’ve all heard a few horror stories in the news about travellers returning home to discover hefty bills from their wireless providers — sometimes to the tune of hundreds or thousands of dollars. The worst part? Those fees weren’t due to heavy use. Travellers were unaware of roaming charges or other fees, and their carriers didn’t notify them when the costs started to pile up.
While these cases may seem extreme, any charge you weren’t expecting is still too much. Here are some ways to keep those bills in check when you travel.
Assess your needs. As with any money-saving measure, the first step is to know what you already have and what you need. Consider:
- Will your currently mobile device work in the countries you plan to visit? (You may need to “unlock” your phone or obtain an unlocked phone to take advantage of some options.)
- What roaming charges apply to talking, texting and accessing the internet?
- How much will it cost to make a call, especially if it’s long distance? Will you be charged when people call or text you?
- What are your needs when you travel? For example, will your phone be used for emergencies only, or do you need to touch base at home and work? Will you use travel apps that require internet access? Do you want to upload photos to social networking sites or a travel blog? Will people need to reach you on your cell phone, or can they call the hotel?
Don’t forget to consider your travel budget as well. Think about how much you want to allot for mobile use and look for options that suit your number.
Rent or buy abroad. Even if your mobile device will work abroad, it may be cheaper to leave it behind. Veteran travellers know it’s often less expensive to buy or rent a phone at their destination and use a pre-paid card. You’ll enjoy local rates, and you have the option to buy another card if your time runs out rather than unknowingly running up a bill.
Where can you rent or buy? You can often find this service alongside car rentals or hotels as well as from mobile phone companies. Some travel providers also offer packages. Wireless plans are competitively priced in Europe and Asia, but expect to pay more in countries where the technology isn’t as common — like South America. Regardless, it’s wise to stick to reputable providers.
Buy a SIM Card. If you have an unlocked phone, an international SIM card can let you make calls for a fraction of the price you would pay with your regular carrier. There are a variety of SIM cards on the market with a range of packages and pricing. Many cards are pre-paid so there won’t be any surprises, and some SIM cards even include pre-paid data plan access in some countries.
