Title: Using a European SIM Card by Rick Steves
Headings: Using a European SIM Card
Using a European SIM Card
By Rick Steves

Content: 2. Shop around for a SIM card. SIM cards are sold in Europe at mobile-phone shops, department-store electronics counters, some newsstands, and even at vending machines. Costing about $5–10, they usually include about that much prepaid calling credit, with no contract and no commitment. Certain brands — including Lebara — are reliable and provide cheap international calls, including to the US. If you have a smartphone, look for a SIM card that also includes data. Expect to pay about $15-30 for a SIM that includes one month of data within the country you bought it. Be aware that many smartphones (especially iPhones) use smaller micro-SIM or nano-SIM cards. Make sure you get the right size card for your phone. Before buying a SIM card, ask the clerk about rates for calls within the country;