English vacation logistics help
July 15, 2015 5:34 PM Subscribe
I'm returning home to England for a visit next month and I haven't been home since 2011. Please help me prepare properly.
1. We'll be spending 3 days in London and 2 days in Paris, the rest my hometown. We'd ideally like to have enough data to allow us to use google maps. Both in France and when driving in England. I don't know whether it's better to call AT&T and buy a data package, or whether to buy a sim card before/after we arrive. I wouldn't know where to look for that. I have an iPhone so it would need to be compatible. How much data does Google maps really require?
2. We were going to get the Barclaycard Arrival Plus (we'll need a chip and pin card) but after browsing around online, it seems the Travelex Pre-Paid Mastercard does exactly what we need and allows multiple currencies to be loaded on. Has anyone used one? Are they a good idea?
We're based in the US if that's important.
Thanks in advance!
1. We'll be spending 3 days in London and 2 days in Paris, the rest my hometown. We'd ideally like to have enough data to allow us to use google maps. Both in France and when driving in England. I don't know whether it's better to call AT&T and buy a data package, or whether to buy a sim card before/after we arrive. I wouldn't know where to look for that. I have an iPhone so it would need to be compatible. How much data does Google maps really require?
2. We were going to get the Barclaycard Arrival Plus (we'll need a chip and pin card) but after browsing around online, it seems the Travelex Pre-Paid Mastercard does exactly what we need and allows multiple currencies to be loaded on. Has anyone used one? Are they a good idea?
We're based in the US if that's important.
Thanks in advance!
Yeah, the phone will have to be unlocked for the SIM card to work. Call your provider and ask whether you're unlocked, and if not, if they can do so. This sometimes inexplicably takes a few days to happen so do it well in advance of your trip.
And I do recommend the SIM card there. It's so nice to not constantly be worrying about how much data you're using, whether it's for maps, tour guides, whatever. There are SIM vending machines at Heathrow, or you can stop by an EE or Vodafone or whatever shop for a prepaid SIM outside of the airport. I know Vodafone has a package that will cover you in both the UK and France but the others may have caught up to this as well.
posted by olinerd at 6:48 PM on July 15, 2015
And I do recommend the SIM card there. It's so nice to not constantly be worrying about how much data you're using, whether it's for maps, tour guides, whatever. There are SIM vending machines at Heathrow, or you can stop by an EE or Vodafone or whatever shop for a prepaid SIM outside of the airport. I know Vodafone has a package that will cover you in both the UK and France but the others may have caught up to this as well.
posted by olinerd at 6:48 PM on July 15, 2015
If you will spend $3000 in the first three months on the Arrival Plus, it will give you a $400 credit which is nice.
posted by the agents of KAOS at 7:01 PM on July 15, 2015
posted by the agents of KAOS at 7:01 PM on July 15, 2015
Orange has phone deals that offer minutes/data/sms in France and England, that you can buy either in France or England. I've used the monthly contract but they likely have similar pay as you go.
posted by ellieBOA at 4:00 AM on July 16, 2015
posted by ellieBOA at 4:00 AM on July 16, 2015
I use giffgaff in the UK. Cheap, easy to use and comes highly recommended from North American friend who use them whenever in the UK/Europe.
posted by kariebookish at 5:54 AM on July 16, 2015
posted by kariebookish at 5:54 AM on July 16, 2015
If you have an unlocked phone (https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/?#/), I think one of the best/cheapest deals in the UK right now is the Three Mobile PAYG SIM. A month of unlimited data, 3000 texts and 300 minutes of calls for £15. They also have an iPad SIM plan that's similar. And they've recently added the ability to use the same package abroad with no roaming charges: http://www.three.co.uk/Store/SIM/Pay_As_You_Go - get this at any three store, or Carphone Warehouse.
Mobile coverage here in general, though, is still spotty outside major centres. London will be fine (and you may even get 4G there!) but small towns or rural areas can be total dead zones.
You can google coverage maps, but I've found them unreliable. If you know anyone in your hometown area, it's probably asking them which providers have the best service there.
Good luck & enjoy your trip!
posted by jennyweed at 8:53 AM on July 16, 2015 [2 favorites]
Mobile coverage here in general, though, is still spotty outside major centres. London will be fine (and you may even get 4G there!) but small towns or rural areas can be total dead zones.
You can google coverage maps, but I've found them unreliable. If you know anyone in your hometown area, it's probably asking them which providers have the best service there.
Good luck & enjoy your trip!
posted by jennyweed at 8:53 AM on July 16, 2015 [2 favorites]
I came here to recommend the Three sim as well. I just got one for a friend who is coming to visit the UK and it is a 3-in-1 meaning you can punch out whichever size you need. I have Three for my monthly contract sim and I've used it extensively in the UK and France and have never had problems.
posted by tractorfeed at 9:41 AM on July 16, 2015
posted by tractorfeed at 9:41 AM on July 16, 2015
Check your mefimail.
posted by tractorfeed at 11:00 AM on July 16, 2015
posted by tractorfeed at 11:00 AM on July 16, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by shesbenevolent at 5:38 PM on July 15, 2015