How to keep costs low while travelling with your mobile phone

Nowadays most people are so addicted to their mobile phones that travelling without these handy gadgets is unthinkable - not to mention that travelling with your own means of communication is much more convenient and makes many people feel safer and more connected.

While travelling with your mobile phone is cheaper and easier than it used to be, there are still increased costs and other factors that you must consider before using your phone abroad. To help you avoid painfully high roaming costs (and other phone-related surprises) while travelling, we've put together this guide to using your phone abroad.

Happy travels, and don't forget to phone home!

(Image via whiteafrican on Flickr)

Step 1: Check your mobile phone's capabilities

Before you leave home, check that your mobile phone can actually be used abroad. Most handsets sold nowadays are dual-band, which means they can be used throughout Britain and Europe, but if you're travelling to North America, you will need a tri-band handset, and places like Japan and Korea require a 3G-enabled handset.

Similarly, check with your mobile service provider that international roaming is enabled on your phone (this is the service that lets you use your mobile outside your home country). Most contract phones can be enabled for international roaming quite easily, if it's not set up automatically. On the other hand, some pay-as-you mobiles don't allow for international roaming, so it's always a good idea to check before you leave.

Also make sure you have a travel adaptor/charger that is suitable both for the voltage and outlet requirements at your destination, to prevent your mobile running out of charge and becoming a useless addition to your luggage.

(Image via al-hayat on Flickr)

Comments

[jessyratfink]

Lots of good tips!