Traveling Light

Travel question of the month

Dear Rolf,

I am planning a trip to Europe for an undetermined amount of time.  Should I bring my cell phone for emergencies?  What is the protocol on that?

— Stefanie, Bremerton, WA

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Dear Stefanie,

Bringing a cell phone from the U.S. on a European journey is never a sure bet, since most U.S. phones aren't compatible with European cellular networks.  If you want to have a cell phone during your trip, your best option is probably just to buy one when you arrive in Europe.  And, since Europe has adopted GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) as their cell phone standard, a mobile phone bought in one European country should work for the whole of Europe.

I'll explain more about the intricacies of European cell phones in a moment, but first I'll suggest what might be the best system for your travel experience — and that is not using a cell phone at all.  After all, travelers to Europe had amazing experiences for decades without cell phones. Part of the very charm of travel is being disconnected (for a while, at least) from your home and your friends.  As Paul Theroux writes in "Dark Star Safari": "Being available at any time in the totally accessible world seemed to me pure horror.  It made me want to find... the wonderful old world of being out of touch."

Moreover, toting a cell phone on a European sojourn can annoy and disrupt — or even cut you off from — the people around you.  "The world has gone to hell in a hand-held device," says travel author Elliott Hester, whose book, "Adventures of a Continental Drifter," documents a multiyear trip around the world.  "I heard mobile phones ringing in sacred churches, on pristine beaches, along remote village roads... It used to be that a traveler went to the local bar when he was lonely.  These days, travelers are so busy telephoning their friends back home, there's hardly enough time to enjoy the surroundings."

So, if you don't mind sacrificing a bit of your communication capabilities, I'd recommend forgoing a cell phone altogether.

That said, cell phones are handy (as you suggested) in the case of emergencies, and they do help in making reservations and coordinating plans with your new European friends.  Thus, if you choose to buy or rent a European cell phone, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Most European cell phones don't have monthly calling plans, as in the U.S. and Canada.  Rather, they utilize SIM (Subscriber Information Module) cards, which are essentially small chips that fit into your phone.  Incoming calls are free (which is nice), and time is deducted from the SIM card account information with each outgoing call you make.  When you run out of your prepaid time, you can purchase more time in various increments (25 euros is a common amount).  A nice advantage of SIM cards is that they can be changed from country to country (even in non-European destinations, like Thailand or Australia).
  
  
• Some companies, such as Cellular Abroad, offer reasonable cell phone rental plans for those on shorter trips.  For a long-term Europe trip, I'd recommend just buying a cell phone at a cellular store in your initial destination (some European airports even have cell phone stores), and selling it to another traveler just before you return home.

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