Talk to me about... iPad/iPhone use in Europe!

[fleur-de-lis]

After a hiatus from European travel for a few years, I might be taking an impromptu trip to Europe next week! Since I've last been there, technology has advanced so much; meanwhile, I've heard horror stories about $1200 roaming/data charges when US-based AT&T customers take their iphones to Europe.

Does anyone have any advice for the best way to be connected while still being financially prudent? If we were to take a WiFi enabled 1st gen iPad (no 3G), how much useability would it have? It is safe to presume WiFi is ubiquitous and easy to access gratis within the cities so with an iPad email would be easy, maps and directions could be downloaded, Kindle Books could be downloaded/accessed easily, and apps would work? Also, if a phone were needed, do people still rent them at the airport, does one just buy cheapie pay-as-you-go phones on the streets, or something else? (I feel so ignorant now, help!)

Thanks in advance!

 

[chemgirl]

Set your phone to "data when roaming off" and you'll be fine. Otherwise it pings your email over and over again and the charges will get up there depending on how long you're our of the US.

You should probably just keep your phone in "data when roaming off" mode all of the time since it should only restrict you when you're out of the country, and then you want it to! This setting won't stop you from using wifi when its available, it will just block the data from connecting.

ETA: If you have access to an international version of a Nexus phone you can buy a prepaid sim card while in Europe and use its data to project wifi to your phone. Most other smartphones are locked to their carrier so this trick won't work.

ETA again: A Kindle with 3G (not the Kindle color) should work in Europe. Where in Europe are you going? Financially prudent cellphone usage really depends on the country. France is pricey, while the UK is dirt cheap. If you're in a country with cheap cell service, just walk in to a phone store and buy a prepaid phone. They should have an international option. For example, I was in the UK in May and bought a prepaid phone at Carphone Warehouse for 19 pounds. The phone came with 100 minutes of local calling and a bonus 60 minutes of international calling. You can refill the phone just like you would in the US.

Something you might want to check is whether the country you're going to uses chip and pin for debit and credit cards. Its getting harder to navigate some areas just using a regular credit card.

 

[Haven]

We go to Europe every summer but I never bring a phone so I'm no help there, but . . .

Where are you going?!?!?! I want to know more about this trip!

 

[Echidna]

My understanding is that wifi is more prevalent in the US than the UK/Europe, but I'm pretty sure all McDonalds (definitely UK ones, not sure about Europe but very probable) have free wifi if you're stuck