A European vacation is bound to bring historical intrigue, incredible food, encounters with interesting people, and great memories. Chances are that you’d like to make sure you have connectivity without concern for the costs so you can capture those memories and stay safe while doing so. Prepare for your trip with 6 tips for using your phone in Europe.
How do I use my cell phone in Europe?
If you’re planning a trip to Europe or anywhere abroad, ensuring your cell phone is ready for international use can save you a lot of hassle and keep you connected while you explore new places. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of your mobile device abroad.
1. Make sure you’re ready for different charging standards
Most of us already own phone chargers for when we’re at home, but depending on where you’re going, international travel might require a few additional preparations. Electrical charging standards vary in different countries, so there might be problems if you try to use your normal charger abroad. One solution is to buy an adaptor, but even that might not be enough. You might run into different charging standards as you move across Europe. That’s why it might be helpful to purchase an international charging kit that’ll give you a variety of plugs that cover the six dominant power formats you might encounter on your travels.
2. Consider an international phone plan
If you plan to use your mobile phone service in Europe, you have a few options. The first would be to limit your usage to when you’re connected to public Wi-Fi, which is often available in public spaces, hotels, and at other businesses. While public Wi-Fi may be free, it comes with security risks to your personal data. Add to that, depending on your plan, you may incur per-minute charges for Wi-Fi calling. It’s best to know what your carrier’s policies are before using Wi-Fi while traveling abroad and keep Wi-Fi usage for tasks like sending photos.
Another idea would be to look up the data roaming fees or per-use rates for your mobile phone carrier, and just pay as you go. That option can get expensive, but it’s good to keep in mind as an option in case of emergencies.
The third option would be to purchase an international travel plan through your wireless service provider. This is the option I would recommend if you’re planning to use your phone a lot, make international calls, or have high-data usage activities on your trip like gaming or heavy internet usage.
Our customers can sign up for AT&T International Day Pass®, which enables you to use your phone like you do at home. You get unlimited high-speed data*, talk, and text at over 210 destinations. This includes where you can access 5G International.
AT&T International Day Pass costs $12 per day for the first line on your account. After that, it will only cost $6 per day for each extra line used on the same calendar day. You won’t be charged for more than 10 days per line in a billing period. That means you won’t be charged more than $100 per line per bill cycle for use in AT&T International Day Pass countries.
One other nice thing about AT&T International Day Pass is you won’t have to manually turn off this feature once you return to the United States. You can keep it on each line on your account and you’ll be all set for your next trip. You won’t be charged again until you use your phone in one of the 210+ destinations.
Note that AT&T may slow data speeds in the U.S. or Mexico if the network is busy.
*When added to your Unlimited Plan. Coverage and data speed vary by country and may be changed.
3. Consider using an international SIM card
Your SIM card (Subscriber Identity Module) is how your phone connects to a cellular network. If you use your phone while traveling to Europe or other places outside of the United States, you might incur additional charges.
To avoid this, consider buying an international SIM card. You can use it to stay connected for everything from calls and texting to swiping through social media apps. By swapping out your current physical SIM card for a European SIM card, you can access local data plans at more affordable rates than typical data roaming fees.
Before you leave for your trip, make sure your phone is GSM-capable and unlocked, allowing it to work with the new SIM card. What’s GSM you ask? It stands for Global System for Mobiles. It’s a wireless technology that makes international roaming possible so you can stay connected while you travel.
You can purchase an international SIM card either before your trip or once you arrive in Europe. Buying a physical, local SIM card may save you money, but if you’re not fluent in the language of the country you purchase it from, you might struggle with a language barrier with the carrier’s support while setting it up. Also, be sure you know how to access your SIM card on your phone before choosing this option, especially if you plan to change it out yourself.
Alternatively, if your phone supports eSIMs, you can skip the physical SIM card altogether. An eSIM is a digital SIM that you can activate with just a QR code, making it even easier to get connected without the hassle of swapping cards. This option is ideal for travelers who want to avoid carrying extra SIM cards or dealing with the logistics of buying a European SIM card.
Whichever SIM card option you might choose, know that you don’t have to buy a new card each time you travel to that country. You’ll likely be able to use it if you return to that country or continent. You may, however, need to add credit to the card. Make sure you check the terms of the SIM before you purchase it.
4. Invest in a portable power bank
Many travelers rely on their phones for important tasks like navigation. The downside of this is that if you use your phone frequently, you’ll also be wearing down your battery a lot. It’s very important to invest in a portable power bank so you can make sure you always have a charging source with you. That way, if your phone starts to die, you can plug into your power bank rather than having to stop to recharge your mobile devices. After all, nobody wants to be stranded with a dead phone, especially if it’s your main source of directions in a foreign country.
Having a power bank also enables you to keep your phone charged in case of an emergency. But make sure you charge the portable power bank every night so that it has the power to charge your phone.
5. Back up your pictures to the cloud
The pictures you take on your trip to Europe could be something you look back fondly on for years to come. We all try to be careful, but sometimes life happens, and a phone ends up lost or broken. To make it worse, you may end up with a cracked screen. It’d be a tragedy if you lost all the pictures from your trip.
To prevent this, I strongly recommend that you make a habit of backing up your photos to a reliable cloud service. If you’re an AT&T customer, consider AT&T Personal Cloud. We offer a few storage options based on how much storage you need. And even better, it’ll back up your stuff automatically, taking the hassle out of remembering to back up your data.
6. Protect your phone from accidents
It’d be unfortunate to go through all these steps to prepare your mobile device for your trip to Europe, only to drop it while getting on the plane making it break and be unusable. Some phones are more durable than others, but I’ve found it’s best to be on the safe side and invest in a high-quality phone case and screen protector. This will help you make sure you keep your phone protected so you can take pictures, keep in touch with loved ones back home, and have your personal navigation device working and ready to go.
Enjoy your trip to Europe!
Whether the plan for your trip is personal fun, peace and quiet, or a family adventure, you can protect that by making sure your mobile devices are ready. From exploring Roman architecture to roaming from one country to the next, good planning will help you not worry about things like your cell phone plan, SIM cards, and keeping your phone charged. I hope these travel tips helped you plan and put your mind at ease. Safe travels!
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Updated by Zoya Cochran, TechBuzz by AT&T and AT&T Business Insights editor and contributor.
This article is AT&T sponsored content originally written by former AT&T employee, Matt Johnsen, a TechBuzz contributor and AT&T employee. The statements in this article are his own and don’t necessarily represent the positions, strategies, or opinions of AT&T.
