communication - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

truflais · 03-29-2005, 04:08 AM

I'm traveling around europe with 5 other friends in july and was wondering if it'd be a good idea to bring 2 mobile phones between us in case we want to split up for a day, we'd be able to keep in contact, and for saftey as well. would it be safe to charge it in the hostle?
good idea/bad idea?

**agriadam** · 03-29-2005, 04:23 AM

first of all did you check if your mobile phone will work in Europe ie do you have service...

second europe has different outlets than the US (if you are from the usa) they have 220 volt we use 110

third at least in my experience things have a tendincy to get "lost" in hostels

forth international calls are expensive I know for a fact that on Cingular wireless it is around 1.92 USD a minute.

Use phone card to call home and schedule a meeting time and location and schedule a back-up meeting location and time, possibly same place same time the next day just in case something happens ands one of you can't make the first meeting.

Good luck and have fun

**agriadam** · 03-29-2005, 04:24 AM

But I just realized you said 5 people so maybe you could get a private dorm at some hostels and then you wouldn't have to worry about peoples sticky fingers...

truflais · 03-29-2005, 05:31 AM

we're from europe so the functioning of the phone won't b a problem, and we'll try and stay in 6 person privates as much as possible, but do you think it'd be worth taking phones?

**agriadam** · 03-29-2005, 05:41 AM

personaly I would it would make your lives alot easier. and Chances are if the phone does get lost or stolen it's only 100 or so dollars/euros/monatary unit. so it's not that big of a deal.

truflais · 03-29-2005, 05:45 AM

Thanks 4 your help

**omisan** · 03-29-2005, 10:09 AM

Definitely take your phones. If you have 'em and they work there, there's no reason not to. TXTing can be so handy while traveling. Or calling people when you're lost!

Mobiles are so abundant, that I never thought once about the possibility of it being stolen while charging in my hostel room. You have to worry more about it getting jacked in the park or on the metro, I'd say.. anyway, the benefits are definitely there, and it's not like they take up too much space in your bag.

For those of you in the US who want to use your mobile in Europe (or other places w/ GSM networks) - you need a GSM phone. This is pretty much standard if you're with ATT/Cingular or T-Mobile. With both those companies, you can activate International Calling (no charge w/ T-Mobile, at least) and then pay around $.99/min in other countries - not great, but handy in a pinch.

If you're going long-term, have your provider (or some mom & pop outfit with the codes) "unlock" your phone. Then you can buy a prepaid SIM card for whatever country you're in, which generally works out to about $.42/min.

Voltage is not an issue. Your phone's charging cable has a built-in transformer that will acommodate various voltages throughout the world. You just need a plug adaptor.

If you are worried about leaving your phone out to charge and you aren't planning on using your phone much, you can buy cheap "booster packs" at a lot of electronics and convenience stores. These disposable units plug into the charger port of your phone and give it a fill.. So you could plug one in, stick your phone in your bag/locker overnight, and be charged up the next morning.