European Vacation (with work)

May 2, 2005 10:25 AM

I am travelling to London and Germany next week (from the US), and while I had planned to leave my computer at home, procrastination and the dissertation deadline have made that plan impossible. I don't want my advisors to notice I'm gone.

The world is more complicated than the last time I hopped the ocean, and I have to be able to work and have access to the Web and email while I'm city hopping. What are the best recommendations for access (does wireless work?), preferably free but if not reasonable, and readily available (equivalent of Starbucks on every corner?) Should I do anything in advance (pre-pay something)? Are rental cell phones available? Or would a phone from the US work (like a prepaid Virgin phone)? What else do I need to consider beside a European power adapter?

Also, is anything really cool, besides the normal coolness, going on in London this weekend, or in the south-western corner of Germany next week (like a folk festival or something)? If I'm going to be in the sh*thouse, I want it to be great.

posted by dness2 to travel & transportation (10 comments total)

There are Starbucks on every corner in London too, and they have wi-fi. The only thing to do in advance is to find a list of hotspots in the areas you're staying and save it on your computer.

A US Virgin phone will not work here, though you can buy UK Virgin prepaid phones here, and they are data-enabled out of the box (if you get one with IR or Bluetooth). I've not heard of rental phones, but prepaid phones start at £30 and will probably also work in Germany. If you have a US GSM phone, it may work in Europe too.
posted by cillit bang at 10:39 AM on May 2, 2005

The "easyEverything" empire seemed in quite a rush to build out easyInternetCafes (link to UK list) the last time I was in London, which was in summer 2002.

Fairly inexpensive, as I recall... Be warned, however, that some of the centres can get crowded -- even Tottenham, with workstations as far as the eye can see -- so be prepared for a wait.
posted by skyboy at 11:44 AM on May 2, 2005

Rental Cell Phones and SIMs

Although it might be cheaper just to buy a secondhand phone or SIM (assuming your phone works here at all). Using your U.S. phone plan will be mega-expensive.
posted by grouse at 2:31 PM on May 2, 2005

I've used a tri-band GSM phone in Europe without issue simply by buying a new SIM to use once I wa over there. If you don't already have a world-capable phone, then just buy a pre-paid once you're over there.

Wi-Fi is plentiful, but I suggest making sure your lodging has high-speed internet. It's relatively common, but is by no means in 100% of European hotels.
posted by mosch at 2:42 PM on May 2, 2005

How about replacing a cell phone with VoIP?
posted by michaelkuznet at 4:25 PM on May 2, 2005

You might also sign up for a dial-up service--most dial up services are free but you pay for the phone call--I would recommend you try either clara.net or demon.net as they are not tied into the telephone companies and will work no matter who provides the phone service--both have excellent reputations and offer free accounts (unlimited trials) throughout out the UK--I have always liked clara--both have UK wide toll free numbers--Clara also has services in Germany--don't forget to take a phone adapter and make sure your laptop will handle 220 V--converters and adapters are available @ Radio Shack--Happy Computing
posted by rmhsinc at 4:32 PM on May 2, 2005

After thought--do not plan on using your GSM phone as your link to your ISP unless you are independently wealthy--if you decide get a GSM it is often cheaper to purchase the phone and then buy your SIM card for the Uk and Germany and use a prepaid plan--Orange is everywhere and has many flexible plans
posted by rmhsinc at 4:38 PM on May 2, 2005

Damn--I meant O2 not Orange
posted by rmhsinc at 4:38 PM on May 2, 2005

Thanks for the information.

I'm more concerned with people being able to call me, than with me being able to call out. There's probably no way to keep a US number, is there? I know it would be big bucks to roam, I'm wondering more about technical feasibility.
posted by dness2 at 5:02 PM on May 2, 2005

My wife just spent a month in Ireland--O2 has a service plan where all incoming calls (even from US) are free--buy a cheap GSM, prepaid service and have your friends call you--do a group e-mail with your phone #--don't panic. it is quite manageable
posted by rmhsinc at 5:39 PM on May 2, 2005