Communication
- Using Your Existing Phone Plan (Roaming):
- Check with Your Provider: Some mobile providers offer international roaming packages that work in France. You might want to check with your carrier before you leave to avoid high roaming charges.
- Data Plans: If your carrier offers a decent data plan for France, you can use it for navigation, browsing, and communication apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.
- Buying an e-SIM Card:
- Ensure your phone supports eSIM technology. Most newer models from brands like Apple, Google, and Samsung support eSIM.
- We recommend using Truely eSIM which allows you to easily and cheaply connect to the local cell network wherever you travel - and avoid roaming charges. Truely specifically offers an option that includes all of Europe and the UK, and only costs about $2.50 per day (if you buy for 30 days). Click here to see how it works.
- Messaging
- We require you to use Whatsapp for text messaging, this is what people in the UK use commonly. You can also use it for making calls on wifi.
- Wi-Fi
- Public wifi: Many cafes, restaurants, and hotels offer free wifi. This is a great option for basic tasks such as email and text messaging.
- Apartment wifi: Your apartment will have high speed wifi that you can use for FaceTime and other messaging apps such as Whatsapp, iMessage, Zoom.
- Download Offline Maps and Apps: Having offline maps and apps like Google Translate downloaded can be helpful if you lose signal or wifi access.
- Local calls
- You may need to call local businesses or people in France. We recommend that you use Whatsapp to make local calls, and to avoid incurring international calling charges