You probably already own a cell phone. Now if you are traveling abroad, do you know what the capabilities of your cell phone are? Chances are it is not meant to be used in other countries. If it is, you should definitely take the time to see how much it would cost you per minute to use that phone while abroad. Most U.S.-based cell phone plans do not cover communication while in another country. In order to save money and to have the proper service you should look into a travel cell phone.
It might seem obvious to go to your cellular phone company to obtain a travel cell phone, however that is not where you will get the best price. The major U.S. cell phone carriers do not offer affordable packages for traveling abroad. Instead you should find a reputable cellular company that specializes in phones used for travel. At these companies you will find options to rent and purchase phones to use abroad. You can look at the various plans and decide which one makes the most sense for your situation.
If you are a frequent traveler, purchasing a travel phone as well as a large prepaid SIM card probably makes the most sense. If you are an infrequent traveler or you won’t be making a lot of calls while you are traveling, you can also rent phones while you travel. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages.
The main advantage to using a company that specializes in cellular phones for travel abroad is their affordability. Not only are the phones less expensive, the calling plans can save you up to 90 percent of what a traditional cell phone company would charge you.
SIM cards that are meant for international calling are purchased on a prepaid basis. This helps you to dramatically control your phone expenses while traveling abroad. Knowing your costs before you go will prevent you from going over your minutes or from getting caught up in the moment of talking on the phone. It can be easy to forget how expensive it is.
The standard costs to talk while you are in another country are astronomical. Rather than taking a chance of having a payment that is larger than your mortgage payment when you get home. To avoid this and avoid worrying about staying in touch while you’re away from home, choose a travel cell phone and a prepaid SIM card.