If you’re taking your mobile phone abroad, there are some steps you can take to keep it safe, smart and connected while you travel. If you do it right, there’s no reason why your phone shouldn’t be able to handle just about anything you throw at it, and here are some tips that will help make sure of that.
1) Find out how to buy a SIM card while travelling
When it comes to travelling abroad with your mobile phone, there are several options available to you. While buying a Europe travel sim card by SimCorner can be beneficial, it’s a great option for those who intend to stay in one country for an extended period of time. If you plan on just hitting up multiple countries on shorter trips and don’t have much need for calling people, you might consider simply renting a data plan from your current provider (with some providers, like Verizon and AT&T, allowing you to use your own device). It may not be free—most short-term plans will run around $20 per day—but if you think about what that $20 could get you in terms of food or entertainment at home and apply it abroad, it can quickly add up.
2) Get an unlocked mobile phone if your current phone isn’t unlocked
Chances are, you’ve already got a mobile phone. If it’s locked to your current provider, you won’t be able to use it abroad. To get one that works internationally, you need an unlocked mobile phone. In most countries around the world today, carriers (the companies that sell mobile service) and SIM cards (the chips in your phone that contain your account information) are separated. That means you can buy a local SIM card in any country and plug it into your unlocked phone. Be sure to look up what size SIM card each country uses before you leave home so that you don’t waste time or money buying something incompatible with your device when you arrive.
3) Bring along power bank or solar charger
You may be surprised to find that there are not as many places where you can charge your mobile phone abroad. While traveling, bring along a power bank (or several) and make sure they are fully charged before leaving. You’ll also want to consider purchasing a solar charger that charges via sunlight. This is perfect if you’re staying in hostels or going hiking without reliable electricity access. Not only will it ensure you stay in touch with friends and family but it could also save you money on international roaming charges. These devices typically cost about $100 and can be used again after charging them from your next sunny destination.
Have at least one local SIM card. Many countries have local carriers that offer cheaper rates than their larger counterparts, especially when calling back home to Canada or U.S.. The downside is that these carriers often don’t support international roaming so having a local SIM card doesn’t always guarantee service abroad (even though it does work in most cases). The best way around this problem is by buying an unlocked cell phone prior to leaving home and then using pre-paid SIM cards while traveling around Europe, South America or Asia (or wherever else you might go). There’s no contract required so prices won’t change month-to-month – just pay as you go!
