If you have ever traveled internationally, like to another continent...

One day I would like to travel to France.
Of course I am in America.

Anyways, for cell phone service, how does that work? I searched a bit on the web, a bunch of confusing stuff.

It seems to me that one would have to buy a local SIM card and of course service (hopefully they have pre-pay in France.)

OR, have to buy a whole different phone and service in the destination country.

Would just using one's phone over wifi, and using an app like whatsapp for calls and messages be the most practical option?

What would the best option(s) be?

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

samueltyler2 · 80-89, M

I believe all cell service these days use tye same system. You probably can use your current vendor and equipment. I stayed with the same company since 1985, now called TMobile. I am on a plan that includes essentially unlimited texts, and costly, but available voice. The problem is that a call to someone, for example a relative travelling with me, would involve the call travelling to the US then back to where we are. A local SIM card would be much less costly. You also can use wifi calling in some locations which offer wifi. Be careful on cruise ships, those costs can be really high.