I may need some help here: ED Nav. Related ?

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by pbsis

how are you guys using your phone data for google maps and waze? I was told (US verizon) it would be a large charge.

Just buy an international plan for the time you will be gone. Even if you don't need the map service, it's indispensable for everything else!

I'm surprised at how many people have had issues with the USB European maps...

['Cane]

I have an international plan, but the overages are exorbitant, so fortunately the Nav has been working.

[pbsis]

Ya I will purchase an international plan but like Cane said the overages are ludicrous. I am thinking of picking up a pre-paid sim from one of the many wireless carriers once I land in munich and swapping into my phone.

[backagain]

I highly suggest you pick up a SIM once arriving at the destination airport. Usually the cheapest is the data only SIM, at very reasonable rate, ~ 20 Euro for 1G data. I've done this many times at different countries (Europe and Asia).

But you need to have your carrier unlock your phone, otherwise the SIM won't work. Alternatively, I just carry an old phone that has been unlocked.

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by pbsis

how are you guys using your phone data for google maps and waze? I was told (US verizon) it would be a large charge.

During our recent Euro Delivery, my wife and I both had a Samsung S5 with Verizon, a "world phone" and we were the only people in our group of 31 people that had an Android phone from Verizon. Everyone else had AT&T, Sprint, or T-Mobile, both Android and iOS, and everyone just used their phone for calling, texting, and uploading pictures to Facebook just like they were at home, no problems and no additional cost.

The Verizon International plan is very expensive for data which is why we opted to get an Ortel SIM with the CROSS plan. This worked great for the first few days, until I suddenly ran out of data even though I had a 1GB plan. I couldn't create an account on the Ortel website with my laptop to add data, and I couldn't understand the German texts that I got when I ran out of data or each time we crossed into another country. The whole phone/text/data situation was completely frustrating. This may be easier if you are only going to be in Germany, but we got the Ortel CROSS plan because it is supposed to work in all EU countries.

[MFNATIK]

TMobile is the way to go in Europe. AT&T has exorbitant charges as well on their international plans. Normally for TMobile you get unlimited 2G data and texts but for July and August they turned it up to 4G LTE. Voice calling is 0.20 a minute.

['Cane]

My international plan from AT&T gave me voice minutes at $.15/min. but I just used FaceTime audio whenever I had wifi. I maybe made three actual phone call. The data is what kills you.

[backagain]

Originally Posted by 'Cane

My international plan from AT&T gave me voice minutes at $.15/min. but I just used FaceTime audio whenever I had wifi. I maybe made three actual phone call. The data is what kills you.

I just signed up for AT&T's Passport, which gives me 200M for data and unlimited text for $40, but the voice is $1/minute additional. This is just a backup to the SIM Vodafone SIM that I've bought online from China, 3G data for only $35. I don't know how it could be cheaper than buying it in Germany. Maybe a promotion to get more people from China to use their service.

['Cane]

Originally Posted by backagain

I just signed up for AT&T's Passport, which gives me 200M for data and unlimited text for $40, but the voice is $1/minute additional. This is just a backup to the SIM Vodafone SIM that I've bought online from China, 3G data for only $35. I don't know how it could be cheaper than buying it in Germany. Maybe a promotion to get more people from China to use their service.

I've only used 150mbs and I leave for home early Saturday morning. Been relying on wifi the whole time.

[backagain]

Originally Posted by 'Cane

I've only used 150mbs and I leave for home early Saturday morning. Been relying on wifi the whole time.

Do German hotels usually provide free Wifi, or you have to pay for it? Where else do you get Wifi? Starbucks?

I have my family with me, so the SIM will serve as a hotspot for total of 6 devices on the road for 2 weeks. But I'm sure 3G is probably more than enough.

['Cane]

Originally Posted by backagain

Do German hotels usually provide free Wifi, or you have to pay for it? Where else do you get Wifi? Starbucks?

I have my family with me, so the SIM will serve as a hotspot for total of 6 devices on the road for 2 weeks. But I'm sure 3G is probably more than enough.

Every hotel I've stayed in (Munich, Zurich, Monte Carlo, Nice, and Barcelona) has had free wifi. The worst was Zurich (couldn't connect) and the best is here in Barcelona. Plenty of free hot spots all over the cities too. And many restaurants/cafes have their wifi passwords right on the menu.