| As world travel becomes ever more accessible and | | | | make an important call. If privacy is not a concern, |
| affordable, more and more people are taking time | | | | however, internet cafes are increasingly offering |
| away from the daily grind to travel and explore the | | | | cheap international calls from a number of providers |
| world. Email and the ever-increasing availability of | | | | including voice over internet protocol (VOiP) calls. |
| internet access has made keeping in touch with loved | | | | For those who cannot imagine being without their |
| ones at home easier than ever, but sometimes there | | | | mobile phone, be warned: making calls while roaming |
| is just no substitute for hearing a friendly voice. Even | | | | internationally can be costly! A much better bet to |
| if you find the time to email every day, you are likely | | | | avoid being charged high rates is to either get a local |
| to use a telephone at least a few times on your | | | | SIM card or mobile phone once you are in the |
| journey, and there are many choices available to | | | | country. Some countries sell phones with prepaid SIM |
| those needing to phone home, with each offering a | | | | cards relatively cheaply and you can usually add extra |
| varying degree of advantages and costs. | | | | minutes on when you need them. Services such as |
| Reverse-charge calls, or collect calls are one of the | | | | SkypeToGo which allow you to call international |
| most expensive ways to phone long distance. | | | | numbers from mobiles at local rates, are especially |
| Although free for the caller, the receiver foots the bill | | | | useful for travellers. These options are not available in |
| and may not be altogether happy once the bill | | | | all countries however, and remember, people calling |
| arrives. Calls from abroad can be extortionate and | | | | you from home will still need to pay international |
| let's face it; if you are not calling from a foreign jail, | | | | rates as well, unless they use a service such as |
| you can find a better way to reach your loved ones. | | | | SkypeIn - a number that other people from abroad |
| Credit-card calls may seem like an easy and simple | | | | can use to call you cheaply. |
| way to call home, but these can be riddled with | | | | Phone-cards are still the cheapest option when |
| hidden charges, especially if calling from a hotel. | | | | travelling to most countries, but might not the most |
| However, if swayed by the ease of use of | | | | convenient. Instructions for using phone-cards are |
| credit-card calls, make sure that you check the rates | | | | often confusing so if you purchase a phone-card, |
| including any additional charges before making a call. If | | | | make sure it comes with a helpline if you encounter |
| you set out on your trip anticipating making | | | | difficulties. Another issue with these cards is that you |
| credit-card calls when calling home, be warned that | | | | will need to find a phone to use them and in a world |
| most pay phones abroad will only have instructions in | | | | where mobile phones are the standard, pay phones |
| one or two languages, and sometimes not at all on | | | | are disappearing. |
| the phone itself, which might prove difficult when you | | | | However, before you travel, be sure to explore all |
| need to make a call! | | | | the options available for the respective countries you |
| Phone centres are not as popular as they once were | | | | visit and see what is available. But once there, if you |
| so don't count on finding one if you are travelling | | | | get stuck, ask the locals how they phone home - its |
| somewhere you have not been before. They can | | | | bound to be a good bet. |
| also be quite noisy, so might not be the ideal place to | | | | |