AmyHuang
Be contactable without the cost: mobile phones
Any frequent traveller would know just how expensive global roaming with your mobile phone provider would be. I've seen too many times when friends and colleagues have gone overseas on business or leisure when they come home to find their mobile phone bill to be quadrupled.
While most of the time I prefer not to be 'easily' contactable and use email as a main form of communication while travelling, there are times when you just need access to a phone!
One of my previous tips would have been to purchase a local SIM card instead of using global roaming on your mobile phone account. Local SIM cards can be quite cheap (especially in Asia) to purchase, and you can receive calls and SMSs for free. Most of us mainly text when we are away so this solution will avoid the double cost you incur with global roaming.
However on my last trip I discovered travel SIM cards. These are SIM cards that are globally use, not attached to a local telco and you get one number to stay with you when you travel. They are more expensive, and calls may cost a little bit more, but you avoid having to buy a SIM card for every country you visit, and having to communicate yet another new number to family and friends back home. More and more airlines are selling these SIM cards on their flights now, or you simply have to Google 'Travel SIM cards' to find a variety out there. Make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully, there are differences in the way they work and you need to choose one that most suit your needs.
Alternatively, those with a smartphone (iPhone for example) with the ability to text and make calls using Wi-Fi rather than through the mobile phone network - for free. Look out for apps called 'Tango' and 'Ping Chat'. The service may not always be the best, and Tango can drop off easily as it is dependent on network reliability, but it certainly is better than paying big bucks just to tell someone you miss them!
Of course, you can always use Skype/email to keep in contact!
While most of the time I prefer not to be 'easily' contactable and use email as a main form of communication while travelling, there are times when you just need access to a phone!
Keeping in contact while travelling can get really expensive with global roaming
One of my previous tips would have been to purchase a local SIM card instead of using global roaming on your mobile phone account. Local SIM cards can be quite cheap (especially in Asia) to purchase, and you can receive calls and SMSs for free. Most of us mainly text when we are away so this solution will avoid the double cost you incur with global roaming.
However on my last trip I discovered travel SIM cards. These are SIM cards that are globally use, not attached to a local telco and you get one number to stay with you when you travel. They are more expensive, and calls may cost a little bit more, but you avoid having to buy a SIM card for every country you visit, and having to communicate yet another new number to family and friends back home. More and more airlines are selling these SIM cards on their flights now, or you simply have to Google 'Travel SIM cards' to find a variety out there. Make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully, there are differences in the way they work and you need to choose one that most suit your needs.
Alternatively, those with a smartphone (iPhone for example) with the ability to text and make calls using Wi-Fi rather than through the mobile phone network - for free. Look out for apps called 'Tango' and 'Ping Chat'. The service may not always be the best, and Tango can drop off easily as it is dependent on network reliability, but it certainly is better than paying big bucks just to tell someone you miss them!
Of course, you can always use Skype/email to keep in contact!
