Best way to use your cell phone (Internet) while traveling

These days, we don’t go anywhere without our smartphones. As much as you may try to persuade by hand that you’ll limit phone usage while traveling, we all know that’s easier said than done. You will most possible want to post that perfect Eiffel Tower pic immediately to Instagram or start a live video from the Excessive Wall of Porcelain, and you’ll be wishing you had been better prepared.

Bringing Your Cell Phone when Traveling Abroad 

Below are some tips on how to get the most out of your cell phone while traveling internationally, from battery life hacks and how much extra it may cost you to use your cell phone while away.

International Texting and Data

You may be traveling somewhere that does not have Wi-Fi widely available, or maybe you just don’t want to wait to post to your social media accounts. Don’t concern, there are sufficient choices out there for you. Global phone plans will vary by facility provider.

Unlimited Plans

Sprint and T-Mobile are the best phone plan for the international traveler, with unlimited texting and data included in their monthly plans. The data is slower at 2G, but you can upgrade to faster speeds for an extra $5/month, which might be worth it during the time you will be traveling.

Add on Plans

Verizon offers a Travel Pass, which is $5/day in Mexico and Canada, and $10/day in over 130 countries. This will give you infinite text and data while overseas, as well as noises to the US. They too have a once-a-month plan that twitches at extra $15/month with a lower price per edition, a data payment, and talk notes, all which vary by a republic. You will find an alike plan with AT&T, with $10/day for international texting and data. If you choose not to add on an international plan before you travel, pay-per-use rates start at $2.05/mb, with 0.50 per text on AT&T, and $.99/mb (in Canada and Mexico), with 0.50 per text on Verizon. If you think you are going to be tempted to be on your phone, and you don’t already have T-Mobile or Sprint, your best bet is tacking on one of the international plans while you are away, to avoid any sticker shock on your next cell phone bill.

Wi-Fi

The best and most obvious way to use your phone is with Wi-Fi. A lot of museums, cafes, restaurants, and even stores will offer it for free. Your hotel will also most likely have it (but be sure to check before booking). You might have until you’re back at your hotel before uploading that amazing photo of you and an elephant, but this option is going to be you’re cheapest. If you are successful to a remote place you know will not have Wi-Fi, or you’re afraid the Wi-Fi won’t be up to your values, you can stab one of the newer portable Wi-Fi services like Tap Wireless. You can rent a portable hub, bring it on your trip, and return it when you get home!  Don’t forget, you most likely will be charged for texting even if you have Wi-Fi unless you have a plan that includes international texting, which we will get to next.

Power Up

Before we get into the choices you have for cell phone facility while abroad, there is one main, yet basic thing you need to do to make sure you can charge your phone: find out what kind of plug the country you are traveling to uses. Plugs fluctuate from country to country, so you need to check and see what connectors you will essential to bring. The International Electrotechnical Commission has a handy guide to chargers, which includes voltage.  Most chargers will automatically switch voltage, but you must check before itinerant to make unquestionable you don’t need a power converter as well. Your mobile should have its voltage written somewhere on the phone, or, if you be situated sure, you can continuously check with the builder. I travel with at least 4 adapters so I can charge my phone, tablet, e-reader, electric toothbrush, and anything else I may need to power up. You can buy a worldwide power connector, which can be converted to different masses from several republics, and has USB ports to charge all of your devices. This one from Huanuoav has 4 USB ports. Your strength also want to transport a portable mount, so during your long days of tourism and captivating movies, you can have your phone motorized up.

Keeping your phone charged is just a tiny piece of the traveling-with-your-phone puzzle. Once it’s on, there are a few options to consider for texting and data.

  

Prepaid Plans

As far as prepaid phones go, Project and Metro PCS both offer worldwide texting, calling and data. The project I’s is included with your base plan and Metro PCS offers a World Calling add-on for $10/ month on top of their base plan.

Unplug

You may decisively want to avoid posting to social media or examination in with friends and private back home while you are itinerant. Maybe you are one of the few people left who actually wants to soak in every moment in real life, not through the screen of your smartphone. If you are one of these people, there are still things you need to do to ensure you don’t rack up extra charges on your cell phone bill. Usually, as soon as you land in a foreign country, your phone will know that you are not in the US anymore, and a message will most likely pop up telling you that you are abroad along with rates in that country. In order to not incur wandering or statistics fees (which can happen even if you are not vigorously using the internet or apps that need the internet/data), you consume to turn off the cellular data and roaming on your phone, which you should also do even if you plan on using Wi-Fi. You may want to do this before you even land to avoid any surprises on your next bill. You could even just turn your phone off or, dare I say it, leave it at home.