Calling home while on vaca internationally

What do you guys do, use the hotel phone to call home and check in? Something else?

I just looked up Skype and they have international rates, but doesn't look like they service France.

I'm not planning on having a long conversation, just checking in, in case there's an emergency. I could always have my parents call us (they're dog sitting for us) and reimburse them when we get back.

Thanks

Re: Calling home while on vaca internationally

When I was in Dominican republic I bought a calling card and used the phone in the hotel lobby. It was cheaper than using the phone in the room (cuz with the calling card you STILL have to pay the fee to use the card in the room (at least at my resort)

Re: Calling home while on vaca internationally

Try NOT to use the hotel phone wherever you are. It is wayyyy too expensive. Try a calling card.

Best bet would be to do Skype for the free chat. Can your parents leave Skype "on" at their house and you can call them if you get a chance? It would ring on their end and then it would kind of be the same as you calling them on the phone, except it would be free!

Re: Calling home while on vaca internationally

will you have wifi at the hotel? we did face time with my dad from DH's itouch.

Re: Calling home while on vaca internationally

I called our phone carrier and asked them what our international service was. We didn't have it. So they suggested we add it for a month and than just remove it.

Re: Calling home while on vaca internationally

If you are using your smart phone, make sure you turn the phone service off and use your hotel's Wifi. Make sure you turn the phone service off or you will get big charges.

There was an article in the paper a few weeks ago about a man who ran up a $3000 cell phone bill because he didn't know that it was going to cost him money to download stuff...dur.

Also, you can get a cheap calling card once you get there.

Re: Calling home while on vaca internationally

I used primarily used Skype with a cheap pay as you go phone for back up.

Re: Calling home while on vaca internationally

If you have a smartphone download the skype application. You can buy credit and use it as you go or buy an unlimited U.S calling plan. I just did this when I traveled internationally and had no problems. However, put your phone on airplane mode and make sure your data and roaming is turned off. The only catch is you can only access Skype if you are connected to Wifi. Luckily, most international hotels offer this service. Good luck !

Re: Calling home while on vaca internationally

When we were in Ireland we bought calling cards. It was 20 Euro for a calling card to the US and it had 1500 minutes. We all shared one card.

Re: Calling home while on vaca internationally

I think I'm going to borrow my parents Magic Jack when we go to Barbados

Re: Calling home while on vaca internationally

Posted by

I just looked up Skype and they have international rates, but doesn't look like they service France.

Thanks

Re: Calling home while on vaca internationally

Used the hotel's wifi ($42) and my cell was enabled for international calling.

Re: Calling home while on vaca internationally