Travelling to Europe in August and September. Mobile phones are with Telstra and we are wanting to know best options to use our current phones whilst away. We believe Telstra have a $10 per day charge plus data so really unsure what our options are. We would like a 30 day option. Any ideas would be great.
Thank you in advance.
Travelling Overseas to Europe
LTasslehoff on 04/06/2023 - 08:14
Comments
I decided against using my Telstra SIM and instead got one locally when I arrived. I believe I paid roughly $28 AUD equiv. for a 12GB data plan (it was actually more than 12 GB in the country I bought it, but it was 12GB available when roaming to other EU countries). Unlimited calls and texts to EU numbers.
My wife and I both got one, much easier that way.
Hi, do you remember which network provider you bought the SIM from?
Just get a local sim for way cheaper than the $300ish (x2?) that roaming with Telstra will cost you and use an old phone with your Telstra SIM in it to receive texts for free.
Get an esim for data so you can keep the telstra sim in the phone for the odd sms (eg credit card verifications).
THis. A secondary esim is the best way to go I've found. You just switch calls/messages/data between the 2 sims depending on requirements.
Why not make Telstra an eSIM?
You can check out roaming packs if you don't use that much data:
https://www.telstra.com.au/mobile-phones/prepaid-mobiles/int…For $50, it will gives you 8GB Data + 100 mins of calls and 100 SMS
We went to the UK in Feb, and churned to Felix Esim for the trip. It was one month free (now $17.50 for the first 3 months), and $20 for 4GB, 100 mins and 100 SMS (https://felixmobile.com.au/plan/international-roaming).
Got a local sim for the heavy data use (Tesco, I think), but coverage with Felix was good from central Scotland down to Cornwall, and you can add another roaming pack if that amount of data is suitable for you.
You don't need to activate roaming with Telstra if you have a modern phone.
Receiving SMS overseas is free.
You can make and receive calls as normal using VoWiFi. Despite the name, it also works over mobile data on a second SIM, as well as airport/hotel wifi.
Buy a local prepaid SIM on arrival. Use that for data and outgoing SMS if needed.If you have not done so already, convert your Telstra SIM to an eSIM.
Baffles me people are willing to pay $10 a day (!!) when you can easily get a 30 day sim wherever you land for $30-70 depending on what you need.
Providing you have access to a handset with eSIM the gold standard in cheapskate European mobile phonery remains, surely, this Orange Poland work of art that was posted some time ago by OP Jaseo;
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/709184?page=1#comment
From recent comments it looks like it is still operativeUsing a Mobile phone Overseas – eSIM, Travel SIM, International Roaming
Felix: 242/365-day | 4GB | 40+ countries | $20 ($35/mth plan permits pausing)
Amaysim: 365-day | 5GB | 90+ destinations | $70 – cheaper packs available (cheapest plan is $10 365-day PAYG)
do you have a spare or dual/eSIM-compatible phone?
Roaming is the easiest especially with SMS verification when you try and purchase something expensive, but my network experience with O2 roaming in London was very poor whilst it was really fast in Barcelona. Thing is you often don't get to choose a good network.
Think i ended up paying about $300 for the 3 and a half weeks with some data top up.