Until about a week ago I was assuming that I would not be taking a mobile phone with me on my travels in November, however my mum has has been desparately trying to get me to take one just incase of an emergency.....what does everyone else think??? I think I can't be bothered carrying one around, problems with battery etc!!!
I thought I would cope with an international phone card myself!! Let me know if you have needed one or if it simply isnt worth the hassle!!
Thanks
Reply to this I have always taken one with me and think its worth it. I buy a new sim card and make sure you dont give anyone your phone number though (other than for emergency etc). You dont want your trip to be interrupted by mates or family just texting to see how you are.
Reply to this thanks for that...am gonna def gonna think about bringing a phone.
Reply to this I'd take a phone as an emergency option.
Leave it in your pack. Don't look at it, forget you even have it.
You can get by perfectly without one - but if the worst really did come to the worst, it could save a lot of hassle.
Reply to this SIM cards are the way to go - you can get a new sim card in many countries very cheaply, my malaysian one just cost $2, with $1 of calls and texts.
But if you can avoid using it...
Reply to this Yes of course, you should take a mobile phone with you if you have already one! There can always be an emergency and looking for a phone (public phone) can cost life......
And most of the time, SIM cards are not very expensive, especially when you stay longer than a few days in abroad. Otherwise use your own SIM card: more expensive, but better than nothing!
JD
Reply to this It's not hard to manage without one really.
I thought long and hard about taking one with me when I was backpacking, and I decided not to bother. It would be a luxury, but also it would be one more thing to worry about, and have to keep charged up while away. I just bought phonecards, and in some countries I just used the callshops that seem to be on every street corner.
If you are going to be in places for longer than a week, and NEED to keep in touch with people back home, then I guess you should take one. Otherwise, I would say no.
Reply to this i was thinking brining mine for emergency calls, but also to serve as calculator, calendar and especially as and alarm clock... what do you think?
do txt msgs cost a fortune overseas, or is it the same rate as i pay here?
Reply to this > for emergency calls, but also to serve as calculator, calendar and especially as and alarm clock... what do you think?
Yes, they are very useful for that - try to get a very small charger and a universal power adapter for it.
> do txt msgs cost a fortune overseas, or is it the same rate as i pay here?
Generally - yes - they will be much higher cost and there is a charge to receive them. If you get a local SIM card - it can be cheaper to send an international text message than it would be to send one at home!
Also keep in mind that if you have a very expensive phone - you might consider leaving it somewhere safe and buying a dirt cheap second-hand unlocked one somewhere like south-america or asia. Or ask around friends if they have an old phone that you could borrow...
Reply to this Im in two minds to bring one, my mum wants me to take one, but id rather not bother, its just something extra to carry
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