Travel sims and money recommendations

[Jude Starr]

I am travelling in June and will be spending time in Singapore, Sweden and Holland. It's been a few years since I have been overseas and would like to know what the best thing to do for travel sim cards for my phone (calls and data) and my ipad (data only) would be.

Similarly, what is the best thing for monrey these days? Last time I travelled I had one of those travel card what you loaded up and took the money out at atms; are these still the way to go or are there better options?

 

[quokka77]

Vodafone roaming is quite good, either with an Australian SIM or one bought overseas. Be careful with data limits and use wi-fi where possible. Cash withdrawals from Citi plus or ING direct saver are good ways to access reasonable exchange rates. Get a card with minimal fx fees for card purchases overseas (such as bank west world or the new ANZ travel passport card, whatever it's called). Loading up a prepaid visa or MasterCard will generally cost you about 3% for the privilege.

 

[quokka77]

Otherwise just buy a cheap local prepaid SIM when you hit the ground.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I am travelling in June and will be spending time in Singapore, Sweden and Holland. It's been a few years since I have been overseas and would like to know what the best thing to do for travel sim cards for my phone (calls and data) and my ipad (data only) would be.

Similarly, what is the best thing for monrey these days? Last time I travelled I had one of those travel card what you loaded up and took the money out at atms; are these still the way to go or are there better options?

Agree with quokka77 - get local sims on arrival if available (you can google 'tourist sim [country]' to get ideas). And apply now for a Citi bank debit card. Save yourself 5% on the load fee compared to travel cards such as the Qantas card, and save yourself $1.95 every time you use an ATM to withdraw money. The savings for Citi (and others like it with no transaction fees and no foreign currency fees) can make a hefty difference.

 

[williamsf1]

another YES for the Citi bank debit card ... have used this in many countries and sometimes the rates were better than what you see on the FX exchange apps.

Also can recomend Vodafone $5 roaming if you are with them... depending how long you are in each country a local sim can be a pain sometimes setting up and recharging

 

[jeng]

I am interested in travel sims as well. Has anyone used FlexiroamX? It would be nice not to have to change sims in each country.

 

[Jacques Vert]

...depending how long you are in each country a local sim can be a pain sometimes setting up...

Especially in a country where English is not widely spoken.

 

[moa999]

I am interested in travel sims as well. Has anyone used FlexiroamX? It would be nice not to have to change sims in each country.

Yes. Used it in about six countries now mostly on short visits. Works well. Best if you can limit your data usage to moderate levels (given its US$30/1Gb).
Signup code in the referrals section

If using 100+MB a day, I'd be looking more at the local solutions.

 

[hottykrh]

We have used local sim cards; but also used TravelSim (from Aust Post) in Europe, Nth America and Singapore.
TravelSim proved the most practical and will still use it. But check out the costs first.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Anyone have any latest thoughts on the best sim solution?

I have used GoSim/ekit on previous trips but they have introduced a rule such that you have to make a phone call or send a text once every three months to keep the simcard active. After 6 months, they take your remaining credit.

If you forget, as I did, all your outstanding $ are taken and there is no way they will give them back. Worse still, they promise to reinstate your outstanding funds if you recharge the phone with additional $; it's only after you do that they advise you it's too late to do so.

I have recommended this mob in the past, but not anymore. Time to move on.

 

[Jacques Vert]

After pushing this issue again, I receiver an email from a manager to the effect that my expired credit would be reinstated.

What a pity it took a few emails back and forth to get a sympathetic hearing. I am still looking for a better solution but will stick with Gosim for now.

 

[daft009]

J.V, what countries are you looking at?

 

[Jacques Vert]

J.V, what countries are you looking at?

I've used it in various countries in the past, but for 2018. Chile, Peru, Bolivia, New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka & Indonesia.

 

[daft009]

I can help with India, go with Airtel.
Can be bought at the airport upon arrival.

$30 got me around 10gb data and unlimited local calls and SMS.

Also with S.L go with dialog, $27 gets you 30gb data

If you get a Sim here it will be expensive I feel for those countries

 

[Jacques Vert]

I can help with India, go with Airtel.
Can be bought at the airport upon arrival.

$30 got me around 10gb data and unlimited local calls and SMS.

Also with S.L go with dialog, $27 gets you 30gb data

If you get a Sim here it will be expensive I feel for those countries

Thanks for that; presumably it expires after x days?