DD Traveling to London- Best Way to Call Home - The DIS Discussion Forums

Mimi Q · 11-16-2009, 03:56 PM

17 yo DD is traveling to London for a week next month. I am trying to figure out the least expensive way for her to call us while she's there. Any advice would be most appreciated.

rgf207 · 11-16-2009, 03:57 PM

If she is taking a computer, use skype. http://www.skype.com. It's free from PC to PC. I used to use this all the time when I traveled overseas for work.

FireDancer · 11-16-2009, 04:00 PM

I second Skype.

PatsMom · 11-16-2009, 04:03 PM

If not taking a computer, pre-paid phone cards are easy to use. When I went to France with my daughter's high school French class, some of the kids used those to call home.

I have to tell you that most of the kids in our group did not call home at all though. It was kind of understood that if there was a problem, the group leader would contact the parents. Other than that, just assume the kid is having a great time. With the time differences the kids did not want to be tied down to having to make phone calls at certain times. They had pretty full schedules.

My daughter and I called to say goodbye to my husband from the airport in Boston and then called him again when we returned!

If you decide to go with phone cards, they are readily available.

Mimi Q · 11-17-2009, 06:38 AM

She isn't taking her computer with her.

AnnaS · 11-17-2009, 06:40 AM

Does your daughter have a phone with the internet? That might be another option. When my son went to Italy (high school trip), we emailed each other a lot.

Just another thought.

just4today · 11-17-2009, 06:49 AM

She can get a pre-paid cheap phone from Carphone Warehouse, or O2, or any cellular store. They are usually about 14-15 pounds, including 10 pounds of pre-paid talk time. That would be enough to call home a few times.

Nennie · 11-17-2009, 06:57 AM

We went to London last year and rented UK capable cell phones through our current cellphone company (verizon) before we left. Verizon shipped the phones to us before we left, which included instructions on forwarding calls to our regular number to the UK phone.

Outgoing calls weren't too expensive, but the best part was that incoming calls were free! So if we needed to call home, we'd call and then have the person just call us back (they would only have to dial our local number).

It was definitely worth it, and was nice to have a cell phone while we were there for making calls within the UK as well.

funhouse8 · 11-17-2009, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nennie

We went to London last year and rented UK capable cell phones through our current cellphone company (verizon) before we left. Verizon shipped the phones to us before we left, which included instructions on forwarding calls to our regular number to the UK phone.

Outgoing calls weren't too expensive, but the best part was that incoming calls were free! So if we needed to call home, we'd call and then have the person just call us back (they would only have to dial our local number).

It was definitely worth it, and was nice to have a cell phone while we were there for making calls within the UK as well.

I also rented a phone from AAA. The outgoing calls costed money but if I used a calling call to call her the calls were free. I told her I will be calling her everyday at a certain time and she picked up each day. My DD was also 17 and went with friends to visit friends in college so no group leaders there. LOL

Rora · 11-17-2009, 08:33 AM

My mom and I travel to Europe over most Spring Breaks (she's a High School teacher and takes her students- we get to go for free! Yippee!) and we always use phone cards. We get them from warehouses like Costco or Sams and buy 2 for each of us.

They work really well for us as we make one phone call a day home to our husband/fiance.

OP- hope your daughter has a great time!!

laurafergie · 11-17-2009, 08:47 AM

When my two DDs went to Europe last spring, our cell phone carrier (Verizon) sent us an International capable phone to take to Europe, as their cell phones they owned were not international capable. I want to say it was $35 for the phone. You are "renting" this and then it was a really low rate for speaking. But texting was high - like .50 each, sent and received! This was the best solution for us.

ElizK · 11-17-2009, 08:50 AM

Is your wireless service through AT&T? You can buy an international SIM card.

golfgal · 11-17-2009, 08:55 AM

Check with your cell phone carrier to see if you can switch to an international plan for a few weeks. Personally I would not do anything and if she NEEDS to call home, have her buy a phone card THERE, not here. I would not expect a phone call if she is only going to be gone a week.

golfgal · 11-17-2009, 08:56 AM

Also, there are probably internet cafe's all over the place so she could probably find one to send an email if necessary.

11-16-2009, 03:56 PM	#1
Mimi Q Can't wait to ride it Wears shoes in every room Don't fly or go to the gynecologist without a xanax Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,833	DD Traveling to London- Best Way to Call Home 17 yo DD is traveling to London for a week next month. I am trying to figure out the least expensive way for her to call us while she's there. Any advice would be most appreciated. __________________ November 1997- Grand Floridian, February 2000- All Star Movies, June 2001- All Star Movies, November 2003- All Star Movies, May 2004- Contemporary Resort, November 2005- Pop Century, September 2006, 2007 & 2008- All Star Movies

11-16-2009, 03:57 PM	#2
rgf207 DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,097	If she is taking a computer, use skype. http://www.skype.com. It's free from PC to PC. I used to use this all the time when I traveled overseas for work. __________________ 2002 - Off Site;2004 - Off Site;March 2005 - AKL;Sept 2005 - PoP, POR, ASMo;May 2006 - POR;June 2007 - BCV;June 2008 - SSR; March 2009 - SSR; August 2009 - SSR, AKV; Feb 2010 - VWL; Jun 2010 - BCV

11-16-2009, 04:00 PM	#3
FireDancer "Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever." - Lance Armstrong Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Suburban Cleveland, OH Posts: 3,660	I second Skype. __________________ - Frank DIS Races: 2006 WDW Half Marathon - 1:42:37 2006 Disneyland Half Marathon - 1:32:04 2008 WDW Half Marathon - 1:34:07 Aiming for the WDW full in 2011

11-16-2009, 04:03 PM	#4
PatsMom Sometimes has Dory moments! I have two brothers and either of them would have been proud to be suspended for stinking up the bus Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Northern NH Posts: 3,586	If not taking a computer, pre-paid phone cards are easy to use. When I went to France with my daughter's high school French class, some of the kids used those to call home. I have to tell you that most of the kids in our group did not call home at all though. It was kind of understood that if there was a problem, the group leader would contact the parents. Other than that, just assume the kid is having a great time. With the time differences the kids did not want to be tied down to having to make phone calls at certain times. They had pretty full schedules. My daughter and I called to say goodbye to my husband from the airport in Boston and then called him again when we returned! If you decide to go with phone cards, they are readily available. __________________ 1981 to 1983 - Disneyland many times November 1987 - Fairway Villas (prior to the Disney Institute) September 1996 - Fort Wilderness (DD and DH's first trip) October 1999 - Fort Wilderness November 2001 - Fort Wilderness November 2004 - Fort Wilderness November 2005 - Saratoga Springs December 2006 - Saratoga Springs February 2007 - All Star Sports August 2007 - Boardwalk Villas November 2007 - Saratoga Springs February 2008 - Villas at the Wilderness Lodge August 2008 - Old Key West December 2008 - Saratoga Springs February 2009 - Beach Club Villas September 2009 (50th birthday trip) - Bay Lake Tower January 2010 - Animal Kingdom Villas (Kidani Village) May 2010 - Old Key West September 2010 - Saratoga Springs

11-17-2009, 06:38 AM	#5
Mimi Q Can't wait to ride it Wears shoes in every room Don't fly or go to the gynecologist without a xanax Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,833	She isn't taking her computer with her. __________________ November 1997- Grand Floridian, February 2000- All Star Movies, June 2001- All Star Movies, November 2003- All Star Movies, May 2004- Contemporary Resort, November 2005- Pop Century, September 2006, 2007 & 2008- All Star Movies

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11-17-2009, 06:40 AM	#6
AnnaS The puppy has now left the building and I am exhausted Will you be rolling? I can't wait to try them all Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 4,241	Does your daughter have a phone with the internet? That might be another option. When my son went to Italy (high school trip), we emailed each other a lot. Just another thought. __________________ Anna DVC 9/00 OKW - 6/02 BCV DCL '01 Eastern, '03 Western, '05 West Coast Cruise '07 11 N. Med. Cruise WDW - CBR, POR, OKW & BWV, BCV, AKV, HH

11-17-2009, 06:49 AM	#7
just4today Quirky about hair in front of eyes Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,311	She can get a pre-paid cheap phone from Carphone Warehouse, or O2, or any cellular store. They are usually about 14-15 pounds, including 10 pounds of pre-paid talk time. That would be enough to call home a few times.

11-17-2009, 06:57 AM	#8
Nennie Insert funny comment here! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 699	We went to London last year and rented UK capable cell phones through our current cellphone company (verizon) before we left. Verizon shipped the phones to us before we left, which included instructions on forwarding calls to our regular number to the UK phone. Outgoing calls weren't too expensive, but the best part was that incoming calls were free! So if we needed to call home, we'd call and then have the person just call us back (they would only have to dial our local number). It was definitely worth it, and was nice to have a cell phone while we were there for making calls within the UK as well. __________________ Trips since we joined DVC! 10/05 - Beach Club Villas 1/06 - Beach Club Villas 9/06 - Beach Club Villas 1/07 - Beach Club Villas 5/07 - Beach Club Villas 9/07 - Beach Club Villas 5/08 - Boardwalk Villas 5/09 - Boardwalk Villas (Baby's first trip!) 5/09 - Boardwalk Villas (Baby's second trip! LOL!) 9/09 - Bay Lake Tower

11-17-2009, 08:33 AM	#10
Rora I'm the needy, sexy Unicorn fruit-hating Ballerina I just eat it. I bite into it. Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 4,204	My mom and I travel to Europe over most Spring Breaks (she's a High School teacher and takes her students- we get to go for free! Yippee!) and we always use phone cards. We get them from warehouses like Costco or Sams and buy 2 for each of us. They work really well for us as we make one phone call a day home to our husband/fiance. OP- hope your daughter has a great time!! __________________ Me-Rory, 23 and DFiance-Jackson, 24 Marrying my Prince Charming April 10 2010. Happy Valentine's Day!

11-17-2009, 08:47 AM	#11
laurafergie Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Portsmouth, Virginia Posts: 274	When my two DDs went to Europe last spring, our cell phone carrier (Verizon) sent us an International capable phone to take to Europe, as their cell phones they owned were not international capable. I want to say it was $35 for the phone. You are "renting" this and then it was a really low rate for speaking. But texting was high - like .50 each, sent and received! This was the best solution for us.

11-17-2009, 08:50 AM	#12
ElizK I'm a whosoever! My threads are dead before they're even posted! Gained 10 lbs just reading a thread on the DIS Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Ft Worth, TX Posts: 2,663	Is your wireless service through AT&T? You can buy an international SIM card. __________________

11-17-2009, 08:55 AM	#13
golfgal DIS Cast Member When did vacuums become a status symbol??? Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 18,551	Check with your cell phone carrier to see if you can switch to an international plan for a few weeks. Personally I would not do anything and if she NEEDS to call home, have her buy a phone card THERE, not here. I would not expect a phone call if she is only going to be gone a week. __________________ First trip to Disney May 29-June 4, 2005 AKL DH ME DS17 DD14 DS14

11-17-2009, 08:56 AM	#14
golfgal DIS Cast Member When did vacuums become a status symbol??? Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 18,551	Also, there are probably internet cafe's all over the place so she could probably find one to send an email if necessary. __________________ First trip to Disney May 29-June 4, 2005 AKL DH ME DS17 DD14 DS14

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