Virgin dont offer roaming add-ons for EU

graspandsave

I'm with virgin (SIM only contract)


They tell me they don't offer roaming add-ons for Europe


when we go on our first holiday in years (EU) we may want to make the odd call/ send a text but mostly use GPS for navigation and using apps: mostly mapmybike (needs internet for GPS)




anyone got any helpful suggestions of how to keep costs down , what are our best options?


thanks for all helpful ideas in advance:T

ZhugeEX

Three's feel at home
Vodafone's Euro Traveller

Google for more details.

grumbler

You did read MSE article, didn't you?

• Mobile Roaming

Also it's worth saying what countries you are going to visit.


And are you sure that your app really "needs internet for GPS"?

Nodding_Donkey

Turn mobile data off and use Navfree

Can't help with the phone calls but that will cut your roaming bill considerably.

NFH

I don't see the need for "add-ons" or bundles. All they do is force you do buy more consumption than you will actually use. It's far simpler to charge a reasonable price (e.g. 1p to 5p per MB) for the customer's actual consumption.

in_the_Cotswolds

I will be cheaper for you to by a sat nav. Data charges can be horrendous. You only have to read on this and other forums about the huge bills people get.

Roger1

in_the_Cotswolds wrote: »

I will be cheaper for you to by a sat nav.

Unlikely.

Data charges can be horrendous. You only have to read on this and other forums about the huge bills people get.

Yes, but downloading maps in advance, as mentioned above, gets round this. IME there's no charge for using downloaded maps with data roaming switched off.

graspandsave: Is your phone unlocked? If not, can you get it unlocked?

Depending on which EU countries you're visiting, check Three's 3-2-1 - buying a £10/£15 add-on gives you calls to the UK for 3p/minute and data for 1p/mb - and Toggle - calls between 12 Toggle countries for 3p/minute to landlines, 3p-9p/minute to mobiles using local numbers, 15p/mb for data. See the websites for details.

graspandsave

thanks for all your responses MSEers, I need to do some further research. : on here, NAVfree, threeSIM


we like to run and cycle and plan to do the same on when on holiday, using apps like mapmyrun, mapmybike, a bit nerdy, but I like to know where in the world I've marked my territory!
We will look into other download maps for general navigation.


Sat navs will be great for getting around but not for recording bike rides and running routes - I don't think. Maybe I'm wrong, but never had one so don't know if it'll do ALL that we want it to do.


We've got free wifi at camp club house so I can upload bike rides and running routes, but for recording those routes at home, we use our phones, stick the GPS signal on, linked to internet and off we go. done. return home , upload bike/run route = one happy nerd




YEs my phone is unlocked,
France is the planned destination, maybe other western Europe - if we feel our legs will carry us that far- not sure yet.


will look into three's 3-2-1.


will also read article as listed


All further helpful suggestions welcomed and appreciated

ZhugeEX

If going to france then get a three pay as you go sim and top it up with the £15 deal which gives you unlimited data and minutes/texts.

Bargain and does what you need.

whitesatin

I have to admit I know very little about how things work, as long as they do for me. I am with Virgin, on a contract which runs out in October. In this country I rarely have to pay more than the agreed sum except if I send photos by text.

I am about to go abroad to two countries and they say on their site that I can pay for £20 for 250mbs or less for less mbs. I have no idea how much that is in terms of usage but will go for it anyway.

I have no idea about roaming charges or add-ons. I am presuming that even though texts, calls and data are included within my contract don't count when it is used abroad.

I find it all a bit confusing to be honest.

grumbler

whitesatin wrote: »

I am about to go abroad to two countries and they say on their site that I can pay for £20 for 250mbs or less for less mbs.
I have no idea how much that is in terms of usage but will go for it anyway.

I hope the countries you are going to are in EU.

I have no idea about roaming charges or add-ons. I am presuming that even though texts, calls and data are included within my contract don't count when it is used abroad.

Yes, your normal allowances don't cover usage abroad.

I find it all a bit confusing to be honest.

Start with reading MSE guide then that was linked in the second post.