Using a US phone in Europe

My US wireless carrier (Verizon) sells a service that claims to allow me to use my phone as usual while in Europe, for a flat $10/day. There's no mention of changing SIM cards, per-minute charges, or anything like that. That sounds too good to be true. Does anyone have experience with this service (TravelPass)? Is it as advertised?

EDIT: it's a GSM-compatible phone. I checked.

cellphones

Best Answer

I used this service when I went to five European countries in March/April 2016, and it works pretty much exactly as advertised – you’re basically paying Verizon a $10 per day surcharge to pretend your phone is in the US when it isn’t (and thus, you just use your normal pool of minutes/texts/data).

The good thing about this approach is that you still have your US number, so communicating with anyone in the US is not treated as an international call/text.

The bad thing about it is that if you’re calling/texting someone in the foreign country, it is treated exactly as if you made the call from the US - that is, you’re paying international rates to call them and vice versa.

Still, it’s a nice setup and once you opt in, it’s automatic – you only get the surcharge on days you use the phone on the cell towers of a foreign country.

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Can you use an American phone in Europe?

Can I use my American or Canadian cell phone in Europe? Almost all modern mobile devices are compatible with European cellular networks, so you should be able to use your phone in European countries without interruption. So yes, you can buy a phone in the US and use it in Europe.

How can I use my phone in Europe?

You buy a European SIM card (a microchip that stores your phone number and other data) to insert in your current phone \u2014 or into a cheap mobile phone that you buy for your trip. This gives you a European number \u2014 and the same local rates Europeans enjoy. Leave the devices at home.

Do US phones work internationally?

Every major cell phone company has some sort of international roaming option. These range from excellent to extortionate and are your easiest (though not often best) option. If your carrier is T-Mobile, Sprint, or Google Project Fi, you're covered with some kind of unlimited data in most countries around the world.

Can you still use your phone in Europe?

Can I use my mobile in the EU? Yes, you can use your mobile, it's just that now you might have to pay for roaming. Always check what your phone operator is likely to charge you, before you set off. Some providers offer additional data roaming as part of their contract deals \u2013 and not just for the EU.

HOW TO USE YOUR PHONE IN EUROPE: cheap phone plans and SIM cards for your trip to the UK and EU

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Images: Keira Burton, Samson Katt, Samson Katt, Samson Katt