Everyone loves to travel, and thousands of people across the world travel daily, be it for business or pleasure.  Your bags are packed you’ve got your money changed, depending on your destination, but then there’s always that other thing to sort out – the cost of using your phone abroad. It is an essential to keep in touch with friends and loved ones, but costly if you don’t plan it sensibly.
Eurotariff
It used to be far more expensive when using your phone abroad but since the changes in European law, mobile companies have to charge a standard rate called the Eurotraiff, so it’s far cheaper than before. This also applies for texts. It now costs around 31p a minute to make a phone call and 10p a minute to receive a phone call. Texts cost 10p to send and receiving them is free.
So it doesn’t always have to be expensive to use your phone abroad and different networks provide different deals, so do your research by calling your network provider or looking on mobile comparison sites which tell you which networks have which mobile phone deals when used abroad, to find yourself the cheapest deal.
Utilise the Internet
With modern technology, calling and texting isn’t the only thing to use while abroad. New mobile phones now have Skype features, which allows free video and voice calling. Most mobile phones allow you to send picture messages, so instead of hassling yourself with taking a photo, developing it and then posting it, one simple message or email can save you from having to do the work.
Many mobiles also give you the opportunity to download Apps that allow free instant messaging to make texting easier. Smart phones these days have it all!
If you are wanting to use your internet abroad a good tip to avoid an overload of charges is to always use WiFi networks because they will be free. Often cafes and pubs have free WiFi access and just ask that you buy a drink, which you can enjoy whilst catching up with your friends.
Another good way to keep in touch with others while you are away is by using Internet cafes. Internet access allows you to use your email or a social networking site to give family members or friends an update on what’s going on, or for you to see how they are doing.
Consider a Cheaper Phone
Smart phones aren’t the only money saver; getting a pay as you go phone and again doing research on price comparison sites are also a great help if you don’t feel like taking your fancy phone away with you and just want something a little cheaper to carry around.
It’s far easier now to be able to do all these things, all the new possibilities smart phones and pay as you go deals have give endless amounts of choice when going away and takes an extra stress off your shoulder rather then worrying about finding the nearest pay phone!