Best way to use phone in Israel for a week

leshaste

I am going to Israel for a week in a couple of months. I have been looking into the best/cheapest options to use my phone while there but am a little confused.  It seems I could buy a Three SIM and swap it for my normal SIM while I am there. This would mean I have a different phone number and seems quite fiddly. Is it the best option nonetheless?

On-the-coast

Define “best”
also define what your current network is and whether you pay monthly…

if “easy” is important then it’s always a good idea to ask your current service  provider what their charge would be to simply use your existing phone / number.
e.g Vodafone would charge £6/day. Others could be cheaper.  

Sim swapping (I’ve done it) is sometimes a great solution, but sometimes doesn’t work without calls to support lines. And you can be stuck without a Sim if you arrive at wrong time. 

Esims are also a good modern option if your phone supports. 

If you want to save most money… just turn off your data, use voice/text for emergencies & pick up public or hotel Wi-Fi. That’s what most budget travelers do. 

leshaste

I guess I mean cheapest to let me use my phone how I would normally use it.  I currently have a monthly SMARTY contract.

flaneurs_lobster

Smarty will charge you 50p/minute for calls. Live with that or get a second SIM (a dual SIM phone would be ideal) and buy a PAYG when you get there. 

leshaste

flaneurs_lobster said:

Smarty will charge you 50p/minute for calls. Live with that or get a second SIM (a dual SIM phone would be ideal) and buy a PAYG when you get there. 

I want to use data too so I don't think I am use SMARTY roaming. Wouldn't it be easier to swap in a Three PAYG SIM for the week?