Using Mobile Phones Abroad

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Remember when you went on holiday as a child? Chances are that if you went to the seaside or to a resort abroad, you probably purchased a postcard to send back home, if not to make your relatives just a little bit jealous.

However, with advances of technology there have come other ways of showing off where you are on holiday. Nowadays those inexpensive paper rectangles have been seemingly replaced by text messages and camera phones.

For some holidaymakers, their mobile phones can be as important as the suntan lotion, but many will no doubt be caught out by increased charges when using their phone abroad. Prices for both making and receiving calls can vary greatly depending on your destination, and even though providers will offer special packages for when you need to use your phone abroad these can still be costly.

As well as the roaming charges, which can lead to some expensive bills upon your return home, there are other difficulties that have to be overcome when you take a mobile abroad. Most notably, the issue of finding top-up cards for pay as you go mobile phones, which can be frustrating if your provider is not as well know in the country where you have travelled. And it’s not just making calls that can lead to an expensive bill, just answering your phone in another country can lead to increased costs, as well as sending and receiving text messages.

Many providers will offer the chance to ‘unlock’ your phone for use abroad, and many have special packages available for the duration of your trip, offering discounted rates on calling and texting. If you’re travelling to a certain country for an extended period of time, such as moving to a new job or embarking on a backpacking excursion, it can be worth looking into mobile phone deals in your destination country.

By purchasing a cheap pay as you go phone you can save yourself money on roaming charges and expensive text messages – as long as your travelling companions do the same or you keep such a phone for emergencies only.

Before you travel it’s best to double check with your mobile phone provider as to how much you’ll be paying for use abroad. Set yourself a budget for the duration of your holiday and try to use your phone for emergency situations only.

And most importantly of all, try to resist the urge to text your mates every five minutes, for as fun as it may be to remind them where you are (usually using a picture message) you can save yourself some much needed money on your return, as well as having more stories to tell when you come home and tell them all about it.