Whether you're headed away for a semester abroad, a family cruise, or a long trek into the Himalayas, it's no longer necessary to cut off all contact with the outside world! There are multiple ways to stay in touch with your friends and family back home, while avoiding costly roaming charges and fees.
The following are five options to
choose from, whether you want to send an instant text or a snail-mail postcard.
1.
WhatsApp
Do you want to send a quick message to
your husband or parents to let them know you've arrived at your destination
safely? Try downloading WhatsApp or similar services. WhatsApp allows you to
send unlimited texts and photos from just about any type of device, and it
allows your friends to get in contact with you for free. To use this service,
you must register your phone number to give your contacts a point of contact,
but you can then use it to send texts anywhere in the world.
2.
Calling Cards
If you decide to leave your mobile phone
at home, you can use a pay phone at your destination. Most hotels and hostels
have phones available for public use, no matter how remote the location.
However, the charges can be steep if you use the local rates. One way to lower
your rates is by purchasing a calling card at your destination or in advance.
These offer competitive per-minute rates and can be used from any pay phone at
your destination.
3.
International SIM Cards
Another option is to purchase a SIM card
and use this in your mobile phone. You can take a look at lebara.co.uk
to get an idea of the rates for different international destinations. To use a
SIM card, you must have your phone unlocked first. You then have the option of
purchasing an international SIM card that will work in several countries, or a
local SIM card that will work at your destination. You can pay as you go
with Lebara and other providers,
allowing you to work the cost of both local and international calls into your
budget.
4.
Skype
If you have access to a computer on your
travels, Skype is a popular option for travellers. You can set up a free
account and log in to speak with friend and family. Provided that your contacts
use Skype as well, video calls and chatting services are free, even overseas.
You can also purchase credit to make regular phone calls as needed, for
relatively low per-minute rates. This can be useful not only for dialling your
personal contacts, but also for booking hotels or making plans abroad.
5.
Postcards
Finally, don't forget the power of a
good, old-fashioned postcard. Even if you don't have very much free time on
your travels, it only takes a minute or two to dash off a message to someone
letting them know you're thinking about them. If you preaddress and stamp the
postcards during some downtime, this is even easier.
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