Travel Tips for Europe - Phones and Internet

Phones and Internet in Europe

When traveling in Europe our best advice is not to phone home unless you have an emergency. Remember that you are on holiday to get away from life’s everyday worries. If you do need to communicate with someone at home, or simply call ahead to your next hotel to confirm your reservation, here’s some advice.

To phone the U.S. from Europe first dial the international access code (00) and then the U.S. country code (1), next dial the area code and phone number as usual.

Overseas phone calls can be very costly, so don’t make them just to chat, and remember the time difference so your call isn't coming in the middle of the night. The most expensive call home is from your hotel room. There are not laws governing how much a hotel can charge you for a phone call in Europe. If you want to make a reasonably priced call, use a pay phone.

Many cell phone carriers now offer international plans if you have a “World Phone” which can operate as seamlessly in Europe as it does at home. Call your plan provider to see if they can offer such a plan and if your phone qualifies. The calls are often $1-$2 per minute, but in case of an emergency, you'll be glad you have it. If you own a phone that will work in Europe, you can purchase a prepaid ‘SIM’ card that will give you a local number and a certain amount of pre-paid minutes. This might be a good idea for a longer stay. Just be sure to take good care of your other "SIM' card since you’ll need it when you get home!

Calling card phones have almost made coin operated pay phones obsolete in Europe. You can purchase a calling card in the States to bring with you, but make sure you get the access numbers needed to call from overseas. Easier yet, phone cards can be purchased in Europe at many cafes, newsstands and tobacco shops. The cards come in a variety of denominations from about $3.00 to $20.00. Once purchased, you slip the card in the phone just like an ATM. When you are finished the digital display will tell you the remaining value of the card.

To phone Europe from the U.S. first dial the international access code (011) and then the country code and city code that you are calling, and finally the specific number. Pushing # after dialing speeds up the calling process. Listed at the bottom of this section are country codes for many European countries.

Country Codes

Austria 43, Belgium 32, Britain 44, Croatia 385, Czech Republic 420, Denmark 45, Estonia 372, Finland 358, France 33, Germany 49, Greece 30, Ireland 353, Italy 39, Netherlands 31, Norway 47, Poland 48, Portugal 351, Slovenia 386, Spain 34, Sweden 46, Switzerland 41

Occasionally a telephone number in Europe will start with a 0. In the following countries, this 0 should be dropped when dialing from an international destination: (Austria, Belgium, Britain, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland)

Internet in Europe

Internet cafes are very popular in Europe. If you want to keep in touch with home or work while traveling, set up a Hotmail account, or learn how to access your regular e-mail from a remote computer. Then you can stop by a café, have a cup of coffee, and log on to the Internet to access your email.

Many hotels also have a computer available for guests to use for a small fee. Hotels are starting to install WiFi systems as well. If having your laptop is important, make sure to ask your hotel for details in advance.

Travels with Friends: Learn more about other European destinations and tips for traveling within Europe. www.TravelsWithFriends.com

Private Guides: See Europe and learn about its history with your own private guide. www.PrivateGuidesInEurope.com

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