I am traveling to Europe in two weeks and have been racking my brain trying to figure out how to call people in the States and in Europe without going broke. Using AT&T is not an option - costs WAY too much. The multitude of pre-paid SIM cards on eBay is giving me a headache, though...have you guys had any experience with them and can you recommend any? So far, I've looked at LycaMobile (I have the actual SIM, but I can't put any money on it because I don't have access to a Dutch bank), T-Mobile (sells on eBay for $40 with 20 GBP pre-paid funds, but sounds a bit too good to be true, I don't know what the rates are) and OneSim (or something like that) - the SIM card costs $25, but includes $5 of air time. Any ideas? Thanks!!!

Sychev22 said:I am traveling to Europe in two weeks and have been racking my brain trying to figure out how to call people in the States and in Europe without going broke.

1. Smoke signals, j/k.

2. forums at prepaidgsm.net (obviously your research was flawed)

I agree with the previous advice about some cheap SIM cards in the UK being about 10 pounds, plus having 10 pounds of free calls on them. These are easily obtained. You can probably even get one at the airport when you arrive.

Though calling the US from Europe, even on a "local" European SIM card, will still be expensive. Probably 1.50 or 2 pounds per minute. Better to buy a phone calling card there for 9-pence-a-minute (or similar) rates to the US.

And calling other European countries on a UK SIM card is not cheap. Best to get a cheap SIM card in each country. However, that means your cell phone number (for others to reach you at) will keep changing as you travel.

I can't tell you about sim cards in the UK but I bought one when I was in Cyprus earlier in the year. Although most of my calls were within Cyprus I did have to call the US and the cost of the call was 0.11 Euros/min (that's less than $0.20/minute). I thought that was a really good price.

I ended up getting one from eBay for $40 minus CashBack, with 20 bucks preloaded from Easyroam...

DSJ said:Sychev22 said:I ended up getting one from eBay for $40 minus CashBack, with 20 bucks preloaded from Easyroam...

1. Have you selected a callback provider to minimize the cost of outgoing calls?;

2. Of course, you'll sell the chip as soon as you return to recoup some of your initial outlay.1. Not sure what you mean?

2. Absolutely.

DSJ said:Sychev22 said:DSJ said:Sychev22 said:I ended up getting one from eBay for $40 minus CashBack, with 20 bucks preloaded from Easyroam...

1. Have you selected a callback provider to minimize the cost of outgoing calls?;

2. Of course, you'll sell the chip as soon as you return to recoup some of your initial outlay.1. Not sure what you mean?

2. Absolutely.

Read the site I suggested initially. Knowledge is money saving power.Any part specifically? I'm a bit lost there.

DSJ said:Sychev22 said:DSJ said:Sychev22 said:DSJ said:Sychev22 said:I ended up getting one from eBay for $40 minus CashBack, with 20 bucks preloaded from Easyroam...

1. Have you selected a callback provider to minimize the cost of outgoing calls?;

2. Of course, you'll sell the chip as soon as you return to recoup some of your initial outlay.1. Not sure what you mean?

2. Absolutely.

Read the site I suggested initially. Knowledge is money saving power.Any part specifically? I'm a bit lost there.

LINK>I don't mean to be a pest, but would you mind explaining what you mean so I know what it is I'm reading? Right now it's all Greek to me. You mentioned selecting a callback provider - how can I do that when I have been given a +44 number? Did you mean picking a number for a specific country? In that case I don't think I can change it without jumping through hoops and paying some fees. Or did you mean something else?

DSJ said:Sychev22 said:I don't mean to be a pest, but would you mind explaining what you mean so I know what it is I'm reading? Right now it's all Greek to me.

Your new international roaming SIM provides free incoming calls. If you establish an account with a callback service, you call their access number from anywhere, let it ring once, and hang up. Their computer immediately calls you back, you dial the destination number, and save 60%.

BTW In the USA, incoming calls aren't free (yet). Don't try this at home.Alright, that's much clearer. I'll see how I can do that.