Inexpensive Internet and mobile communications in Europe - sharing our experience. Choosing a SIM card for traveling around Europe

Hi Geektimes!

In this post, we decided to compare mobile data plans in the EU and UK, just before the holiday season. We decided to touch on this topic for a reason: using special magic ( about which - further), the Mishiko dog tracker works in 170 countries around the world with no roaming surcharge. So who, if not us, understand the pricing policy of European operators (and Russian in roaming!).

We compared the prices for mobile Internet when buying a local SIM card, a special global SIM card and when paying for the services of Russian operators in roaming. Screenshot to attract attention: the cost of 1 MB of mobile Internet in Slovakia when roaming with Yota is ... 790 rubles:

But first things first.

The first thing you need to know about mobile Internet in Europe is that you don't need to use it with Russian operators. Or every megabyte will be expensive.

Very expensive.

Fabulously expensive

See for yourself:

The screenshot from the preview of the post did not appear from scratch. When we tested our tracker Mishiko in Europe, we used a Yota SIM card on our smartphone. And if in Hungary the operator's tariff was really 20 rubles per megabyte, then crossing the Slovakian border, the declared tariff turned into a pumpkin (you need to carefully read all the stars in the tariffs):

Once again: 790 rubles for each used megabyte. We had about 1000 rubles on our account, and at the time of automatic mail checking on the iPhone, FB and Telegram updates, the whole thousand burned out in about 20 seconds (thanks to LTE). As it turned out, Yota also applies such brutal tariffs for Monaco, Andorra and Switzerland.

Conclusion:despite the announced tariffs, be careful when using Russian operators in roaming. And the captain tells the obvious that it is better not to use Russian operators abroad at all.

What you need to know before buying a separate SIM card for travel abroad:

1. The intermediary for the sale of foreign sim cards will have to take their word for it, pay a commission and send a scan of their passport

Alas, a foreign SIM card in Russia can only be bought on eerie-looking intermediary sites (either with home delivery or with self-delivery). When placing an order, you must enter your main information about yourself, as well as upload a scan of your passport to the website ( sIM card activation is impossible without transferring the data of the passport to the operator).

Intermediaries in this matter guarantee the protection and security of personal data, but only in words... If you want a little more guarantees, you can at least check their legal entity in the Register of operators who process personal data from the "beloved" Roskomnadzor. Whether this confirmation is enough for you to send a scan of your passport is a good question, the answer to which is yours.

2. The intermediary will take a commission for his services (which is an average of 10-20 euros). And if you run into a fraudulent site, you will lose the entire value of the SIM card - usually 20-40 euros.

How then does Mishiko work abroad?

Of course, since we decided to publish this article on our blog, we could not help but tell about how the Mishiko tracker for dogs works in Europe (and not only in it).

Image to attract attention: Mishiko shows a GPS location in Vienna at the Karlsplatz metro station. An interesting nuance: the phone itself is connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi, while Mishiko uses a 3G network.

Mishiko's specialty is that the tracker works without any additional roaming charges in 170 countries of the world (including all of Europe, Russia and the USA).

How? Thanks to the special conditions that Mishiko has entered into with the operator T-Mobile. The European operator agreed to meet Mishiko halfway for a reason. The device does not use a removable SIM card that could be used in your smartphone, but a SIM chip. It is soldered directly into the board and looks like this in comparison with the SIM card:

It is clear that hardly anyone will solder the SIM-chip and try to use it somewhere else.

The second limitation is that in the Mishiko tariff, voice calls are basically disabled, and its own platform controls traffic consumption, and "collapses" the entire Internet for Mishiko only by our server. This means that using a SIM card for extraneous resources will not work.

Similarly, the Amazon Kindle uses unlimited and free 3G mobile internet.

Okay, with Mishiko it's clear. Let's go back to tariffs.
If before the trip I decided to buy a local (or global) SIM card. What's next?

TL; DR: Popular European travel fares in one table:

Before examining all the data we found, we would like to warn you that starting from June 15, 2017, the EU plans to cancel roaming. Generally throughout Europe. Also, the European Union announced a consistent decrease in payments for mobile Internet traffic within the EU from 7.7 euros per gigabyte in 2017 to 2.5 euros per gigabyte in 2022. This will greatly simplify the life of tourists who will use local SIM cards in European countries. cards.

Already today, there are several mobile operators in Europe that operate on the same tariff plan for many European countries. These include Orange with Go Europe tariff, Vodafone (with Smart Passport and Internet Passport tariffs), and Globalsim... You can buy Orange and Vodafone cards from intermediaries (they deliver the SIM card by mail, so if you need it tomorrow, it's better to buy it “on the spot”). Similarly, Globalsim can be purchased from intermediaries - by mail or at travel agency offices.

If you want to be able to distribute Wi-Fi to other devices, you should study the tariffs in more detail: for example, at Vodafone it is possible only on the more expensive Internet Passport tariff for 6 euros per day (versus 3 euros per day for the Smart Passport tariff).

Let's take a closer look at the conditions for travel sim cards.

Orange SIM card with Go Europe tariff.

This SIM card works in 36 European countries with one tariff plan:

• 1 € for every 100 MB of internet traffic
• 1 € for every 60 minutes of incoming and outgoing calls in the host country
• It is allowed to use the tariff for distributing the Internet via Wi-Fi

And here is a list of countries for which you can safely buy this SIM card:

For selected countries, such as Spain, SIM card Orange works with its own tariff. For the Spaniards, this is Mundo: a package for 500MB (6 €), 1GB (9 €) or 2GB (15 €) of mobile internet for 30 days. The cost of the Internet without connected packages is 0.50 € for 10 Mb of Internet traffic.

Vodafone Smart Passport SIM Card

The Vodafone card offers a package of services starting from € 3 per day:

• 200 MB of traffic per day (if exceeded for every 100 MB - 2 €)
• 30 free incoming and outgoing calls to local numbers + in the Russian Federation and several other European countries

In some European countries there are also cheaper offers: for example, in Hungary there is Magyar Telekom (T-mobile) and Telenor, which offers monthly rates for even lower prices.

Buying a local SIM card will not be difficult: there are mobile operators' offices in large cities in Hungary (Budapest, Heviz, Sarvar, Bükfürd, Hajduszoboszlo). To purchase, you must have a passport with you (to conclude a contract) and money (about 2500 forints - 8 €). On the spot, the operator will help you activate the SIM card, connect the required service package and tell you everything you need to know.

There are 4 mobile operators in the UK today:

• EE (Everything Everywhere);
• Vodafone;
• Three

SIM cards can be bought directly in the UK, on \u200b\u200bofficial websites, as well as in shops, supermarkets, post offices, mobile operator salons, etc. You can top up your SIM card using a credit or debit bank card.

What do you do when traveling in Europe? Are you buying a local SIM card "on the spot"? Ordering in Russia? Or are you using a global sim?

Simtravel operates in 199 countries around the world.

We offer travelers a new format of communication services - tourist sim cards, which have become an excellent alternative to the proposals of domestic operators. SIMTRAVEL is cellular communication is cheap, conveniently and reliably using the resources of the host country networks. Therefore, most of our compatriots who travel abroad today choose SIMTRAVEL - United International sim cards for travel.

SIMTRAVEL advantages:

• No monthly fee. You don't have to worry about recharging your balance when you get home. Forget about your sim card for travel until the next trip - the money on the card will be saved and the card will not be disconnected.
• Very low prices for international communication in roaming are provided thanks to cooperation with leading mobile operators around the world.
• International tourist sim card from SIMTRAVEL - free incoming calls to 135 countries, including the USA, China, Mexico.
• Low cost of Internet roaming is now available to everyone! Traffic cost - from 0.05 USD per megabyte.
• We have reliable partners. Owner tourist sim card SIMTRAVEL they provide additional discounts.

SIMTRAVEL is perfect for everyone. Whether you are going on vacation, on a trip, on a business trip, to study - tourist sim cards SIMTRAVEL will provide communication with the Motherland inexpensively, high quality and reliably.

Excellent communication in 199 countries of the world

The international sim card "SimTravel" can be comfortably used in more than 199 countries.
Incoming calls in most countries are free, and outgoing calls to Russia and other countries are 10 times cheaper than those of Russian mobile operators. Discounts on after the first trip will convince you that Simtravel SIM cards are cheap!

Do not want to spend huge amounts of money on roaming or be completely disconnected at the most inopportune moment? Then Simtravel tourist sim cards are what you need!

For most domestic telecom operators, the cost of roaming services (for calls abroad) remains unreasonably high. The operators of the host country have lower prices, but also not cheap.

• We spend an unreasonable amount of money to replenish the balance before the trip;
• Abroad we constantly worry and check the account - how much have we already spent? Has the SIM card been blocked yet?
• We cannot comfortably use mobile Internet while roaming.

You will forget about all this if you buy a Sim-travel card for your trip. Feedback from subscribers about roaming in our network is invariably positive.

Simtravel is a travel card specially designed for roaming, communication and calling abroad. This is a low cost of outgoing calls and completely free incoming calls in 135 countries. This is the absence of a subscription fee, a stored Russian number and excellent communication quality in more than 199 countries, including the center of Europe and the USA.

Simtravel is the best solution to the problem of international calls. Tourist SIM card indispensable for employees of companies who regularly go on business trips abroad, for those who travel frequently and even for those who only occasionally travel abroad. As practice shows, a tourist SIM card pays off after one trip - after all, you save on international calls and the Internet while roaming!

Service cost

• The cost redirects incoming from a Russian mobile number - 0.15 USD / min. ( RUB 4.50)
• In those countries where incoming calls are free, the cost of such a call will be 0.15 USD / min.
• Service duration is not limited
• Absent connection fee.
• No subscription fee, service activation - is free!
• The cost of incoming calls to the international Simtravel number (+ 3725XXXXXXX) corresponds to the tariffs of the host country.

We provide best service in Russia

In the world of modern technology, a SIM card for traveling in Europe is an important part for a safe and comfortable trip.

Travelers note the presence of a connection in the host country with excellent help in unforeseen circumstances. Contact the hotel, call a taxi, call relatives.

What are the options

One of the easy ways to connect roaming with your operator. Rates are high compared to, for example, tourist cards.

A method of communication that is gaining popularity among vacationers is through wi fi, distributing the Internet to other telephone carriers. Viber, Skype, WhatsApp and other applications equipped with voice calls and video chat.

Several uses when connected:

• buy a local operator card;
• connect roaming on your SIM card;
• order a tourist card.

Local operators

If you plan to leave for more than 3 days, a card from local manufacturers will be a rational purchase. Choosing a major tour operator, there is a chance to use high-quality communication services.

It is enough to go to the website of your representative and go to the "Roaming" section, where all information about intermediaries in different countries is displayed.

If you don't get ready in advance, don't worry. At airports and train stations along the way, it is imperative to meet several salons with the ability to connect. For this you need a passport.

Your operator

The option of connecting roaming with your operator is simple in that you do not need to change the SIM card, fiddle with activation upon arrival abroad.

The table shows the approximate cost of roaming calls, as intermediary operators reserve the right to change the price based on currency rate fluctuations:

The price rose. rub.	MTS	Beeline	Megaphone	Welcom	Life
The cost of a minute of conversation, in the host country	From 45	200 (package 20 minutes per day)	From 79	From 124.8	From 29
Inbox	2,51	25	79	29,15	22,78
Outbox	2,51	100	129	63,17	22,78
SMS	21,5	20	25	14,58	2,43
Internet, daily package	270 (for 1 MB)	200 (for 40MB)	350 (over 70 MB)	187.8 (for 1 MB)	—

It is unlikely that relatives and friends will often bother you, because both outgoing and incoming calls are paid in roaming. Most mobile network operators offer using the speed dial function to connect to roaming on their own.

However, first you should familiarize yourself with the packages of services offered. On the official website or in the corporate communication store, they will tell you in detail about the tariffs, opportunities and restrictions.

For example, MTS concludes agreements with local operators and thus, from its own number, make calls both within the network and outside it, however, there are several tariff plans for which roaming is not available, a positive balance is required to connect, the company is not responsible for the quality communication.

The Life company offers favorable prices for sending SMS abroad, which can undoubtedly bribe a tourist, but this package of services for technical reasons is impossible in almost all countries of the world.

Tourist

A tourist SIM card is a regular card with favorable tariff plans for people traveling to different countries. Often this is not a mobile operator, but a virtual one. You can buy it in special salons or travel agencies.

It is possible to attach your number to the tourist card. Calls will be received on the phone at the price of a regular call. It is usually inserted into the phone and upon arrival is activated by automatic registration with the local operator.

Typically covers at least 100 countries around the world. Recently, it has become available to order such a card without leaving home, having thrown off passport data and payment.

Popular among them among CIS residents:

• Telecom is an international cellular operator offering its services (calls, Internet, SMS, etc.). If you have any questions, you can contact technical support, which also speaks Russian, for free. It is important to replenish the account through the official website from a bank card. The service package is valid for a year. A call from Europe, for example to Russia, will cost 0.15 euros per minute. However, the tariff is locally valid only on the territory of Spain and Poland;
• Goodline. They call themselves the pioneers of smart roaming. Of the features, a certain bonus will be the tariff for calls to Russia from $ 0.05. The package and the selected tariff have no expiration date. Operators are serviced in 197 countries around the world. The ability to receive incoming calls from more than 100 countries without a monthly fee. Linking your number to international calls in order to be able to communicate at any time. When buying a card, top-up is optional. The cost of the goods depends on the chosen tariff plan and starts from $ 25;
• Another Simtravel tourist card. The premium from the company is as follows: incoming calls are made even with a zero balance, covering more than 180 countries. The cost of the card, depending on the tariff, is $ 17 and more. Received SMS are free for cardholders. Upon arrival in the country of destination, the card automatically sets up the highest quality communication channel and connects. The term of use is unlimited, the variety of tariff offers will not leave tourists without shopping. A single number will be displayed in 100 countries of the world, with the code +372. After use, the card does not have to be replenished (due to the absence of a client fee).

Go Europe map features

More often tourists use this chip to use the Internet. The owners mention the likelihood of distributing wi fi to other mechanisms, while not requiring additional settings.

Spain is the home network for this card, so calls and traffic there will be even cheaper. It is possible to contact a Go Europe holder from anywhere, but outgoing calls are made only to local numbers.

Service in 36 countries of the world. The purchase in the minimum configuration will cost 20 euros + 20 on the account. A lot of tariffs and unlimited Internet use 100 MB for 1 euro, distinguishes the tariff from the rest.

When creating this option, the emphasis was originally planned on telephone conversations, and only then on Internet traffic. Daily wage 200 rubles. rubles includes 30 minutes of both incoming and outgoing calls and 200 MB of traffic, 60 SMS for European countries. The peculiarity is that there is no difference to which country the call is assigned.

Among the shortcomings, users highlight the lack of distribution to other media using wi fi. Usage limit 1 GB / day.

For those traveling to Italy, this package of services will be more profitable. A wide range of tariff plans will help you organize your trip with pleasure.

Globalism

It stands out for the fact that it has no monthly fee and has a wide coverage area. It is an Estonian mobile operator. Incoming calls free of charge, outgoing calls 20 grew. RUB / min, which is beneficial for users within the network.

Internet distribution, does not provide wi fi, options with traffic up to 2 GB are available for implementation. The term of the card is unlimited.

German mobile network operator. The Smart Cross package is a monthly service.

Includes 300 minutes of free outgoing calls throughout the EU in tandem with unlimited incoming calls no matter where in the world, as well as 750 MB of traffic.

Which one is better to choose

Each proposed option is convenient in its own way, you should choose, guided primarily by the purpose of the trip. Do you need a mobile Internet or will it be enough to send SMS to relatives and friends.

Sometimes, crossing the borders of countries and continents, you need to be always in touch, for such cases there are options.

The table contains basic information about the most popular calling cards among travelers:

It is important to know that the above services of operators do not use a monthly fee.

Sim card for traveling in Europe for the Internet

Young people, answering the question which SIM card is better, will confidently point to operators offering good conditions for using Internet traffic:

• Orange Go Europe. The daily limit is 100MB / day. The ability to distribute the Internet to other devices, increase traffic for an additional fee. Suitable for a vacation in Spain, since when connected, 1 GB of free Internet is provided;
• Vodafone Smart Passport. When buying this card, Internet traffic per day is 200 MB, without the possibility of wi fi distribution;
• Ortel Cross. The option does not count on distributing traffic to other devices, but it offers a monthly tariff of 750 MB with a possible renewal (500 MB for € 9). Suitable for those who constantly need to be on the Internet.

It is possible to avoid unnecessary communication costs by knowing what opportunities certain mobile operators provide, then carefully studying the service packages to make the right choice.

Video: Travel to Europe / Expenses / Hotels / Roads / Navigation / Communication

When choosing a suitable tariff for traveling abroad, a tourist faces a number of difficulties, but they can be avoided if you answer all important questions and clearly define what you need. Before placing an order, you should decide:

• How many countries are planned to travel in the near future.
• Are you going to explore European countries or do not exclude visiting the USA, Asian countries, Israel and other more distant destinations.
• What services do you plan to use (voice to make calls, the Internet, or it is important for you to have both).
• What is the purpose of the trip: business visit, training or tourism.
• How long will the stay in the country.
• Is it important for you on a trip to have the Internet distribution.

Today, a number of interesting and profitable offers from Orange, Vodafone, as well as GlobalSim, Ortel Mobile, THREE have appeared on the cellular services market, which we will discuss in more detail in our review. After all, each of the offers has its own advantages, and most importantly - it will help to save on expensive roaming abroad.

Orange - renewed Mundo tariff for European countries, instead of Go Europe tariff

Orange SIM card with the new Mundo tariff offer for Europe is a good option for those tourists who need stable, high-speed Internet during their trip. The quality of the traffic provided allows you to immediately find the necessary data on the Internet, communicate on social networks, use modern messengers for communication, send work letters by mail, etc. In addition, after changes in tariff plans, Orange's offer has become even more profitable. Now the subscriber can purchase more traffic at the best price:

• Mundo Esencial - 3 GB for 7 €
• Mundo Plus - 7 GB for 10 €
• Mundo Total - 10 GB for 15 €

In this case, the term of use of any of the packages is 4 weeks. At the moment, there is a profitable promotion - by connecting before 03/30/2019, the subscriber will receive an increased package. That is, by ordering Mundo Plus and paying 10 euros, the user will receive 7 GB for 28 days for the same money. All packages are reconnected. It is possible to distribute the Internet, therefore, by purchasing one SIM card, the subscriber will be able to open access to the Network for an unlimited number of devices.

With the Mundo tariff, you can travel around all European countries, the coverage area is 41 countries. Choosing Orange, a tourist will not have to worry about running out of Internet or calls in the host country will be too expensive. The operator offers:

• Incoming calls to EU countries and Spain are free. Calls from RF numbers are also accepted without payment.
• Outgoing calls in Spain are 7 cents per minute to a landline phone and 29 cents to a mobile phone.
• Outgoing calls in Europe - 8 cents per minute.
• SMS to Russian numbers - 73 cents.

Also, the cost of connection for outgoing calls is removed - 30 cents.

If you frequently use the Internet while traveling abroad, Mundo is a good choice.

There is also the Everywhere option - Mobile Internet at a price of 7 euros for every 100 MB of traffic. Coverage: Switzerland, USA, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Chile, Morocco, China and Japan.

Favorable rates from the mobile operator Vodafone

The SIM card from the operator Vodafone is one of the most popular among travelers, because with it you can freely communicate, use the inexpensive Internet. This is the best option for business trips in which you need to negotiate in the host country and often call home. By activating one of the tariffs, the subscriber will be able not only to use the Internet in Europe and other countries included in the coverage area, but also to make calls to different countries, including Russia, without spending much of his budget. Let's tell a little more about all the operator's offers.

• The "Vodafone 19" tariff is connected by default, the subscriber can switch to another plan if he wishes. Under the terms of Vodafone, 19 people will be able to receive EU members free of charge. A minute of an outgoing call is 20 cents and 20 cents is the cost of the connection. This offer will also help to solve all business issues, even if the tourist is abroad. You can use 1 GB of Internet per day, the cost is 6 euros. It is also worth noting that a monthly subscription fee of 49 cents is charged for using the tariff plan.
• The “Vodafone 25” tariff plan, like the “Vodafone 19”, works in the EU countries. By connecting this offer, the subscriber will be able to call Russia and other countries for 25 cents / minute or receive incoming calls for free. There is no monthly fee in this tariff, the cost of 1 GB is 6 euros.

Internet distribution in both the first tariff and the second is allowed.

In addition, Vodafone recently updated and launched additional very attractive options:

• Vodafone Start - the cost is 10 euros, the term of work is 4 weeks, it is relevant in the EU countries. The subscriber is provided with 100 megabytes of 4G Internet. You can also send 100 SMS per month and talk for 400 minutes (outgoing), you do not need to pay for incoming.
• Vodafone Digital - package price for a month - 15 euros. By paying this amount, the subscriber will receive 2 GB of high-speed 4G Internet, as well as 400 minutes for calls in the EU countries and free incoming calls.
• By adding only three euros per month, you can get even more traffic with the option Vodafone Super... The cost of this package is 18 euros. After payment, the owner of the SIM card will receive 3 GB at maximum speed, as well as 400 minutes for making calls and unlimited incoming calls.
• The changes also affected another operator's tariff. Now Smart Passport relevant for travelers who plan to visit San Marino, Switzerland, Monaco, Turkey, Albania. The service package (includes both calls and mobile traffic) is provided for a day, the price is 3 euros. You cannot distribute the Internet. The daily service package includes: 30 minutes for calls (both incoming and outgoing to EU numbers) and 200 MB of mobile internet, as well as 60 messages to send.

With a Vodafone SIM card, you can easily make tourist and business trips to Europe, Albania, Switzerland, San Marino, Monaco or Turkey, without worrying about the cost of roaming services.

Ortel Mobile with new tariffs for Europe

The new tariffs from the Ortel Mobile operator are beneficial for those who often travel abroad for business trips, and they need to not only make calls, but also go online every day. The German company offers several inexpensive and, in our opinion, really profitable options for Europe:

• INTERNET FLAT 2 GB - for 9.90 €, as well as the ability to re-order the same amount of traffic for 6 €.
• INTERNET FLAT 3,5 GB - for 14.90 € is one of the most popular packages among subscribers. Additional traffic order - 9 euros.
• INTERNET FLAT 5,5 GB - for 19.90 €, if 5 GB of high-speed Internet is not enough for a month, the client can buy the same volume for 15 €.
• INTERNET FLAT 11 GB - for 29.99 €, at the end of the Internet, additional traffic can be ordered for 25 €.

All offered packages provide an opportunity to receive free incoming calls and call Russia at the price of 99 cents per minute of outgoing call. Each offer is valid for 4 weeks.

To make profitable calls from Germany to 50 other countries, as well as to use inexpensive traffic abroad, we advise you to connect the tariff from Ortel - Internet + WORLD calls. This tariff is suitable for frequent tourist trips and business trips abroad. On all WORLD tariffs, the On-Net Flat function is available, which provides unlimited calls in the Telephony network, but it is relevant only for Germany.

International operator THREE - available Internet in Australia, Israel, Hong Kong and other countries

The offer from the THREE operator will be very relevant for those who travel a lot around the world not only for tourist visits, but also for work. Moreover, the geography of travel is not limited only to European countries. The SIM card is designed for an active Internet user, for whom the availability of voice services is not so important, but the amount of traffic worries.

If you need an Internet package with practically no restrictions (the volume is quite enough for conducting correspondence at work, watching short videos, communicating on social networks and through popular instant messengers and for many other user purposes), then choose the THREE SIM card. The cost of 12 GB of high-speed Internet per month is 48 euros. The SIM card is completely ready to work and functions not only in Europe, but also in Australia, Indonesia, the States, Hong Kong, Israel.

How to choose the best fare for a trip abroad: recommendations

Many travelers who travel abroad several times a year have a logical question - which SIM card will be the most profitable and optimal for travel? In this case, you need to focus more on which services are more important, which ones will be used more often and how many of them you need. For example, for very active web users who are not particularly interested in voice services, we would recommend a SIM card from the THREE mobile operator. Still, 12 GB of Internet per month is enough for daily surfing the Net.

For those tourists who need the Internet in Europe, as well as calls to the EU countries and Spain are important, we recommend the Mundo tariff from the Orange operator.

If you need calls to Russia, inexpensive Internet in different countries of the world and a large coverage area (including exotic countries, as well as the USA), then GlobalSim is the best option.

Ortel Mobile offers are also great for communicating with family members from the EU or Russia. The operator offers inexpensive internet packages and affordable calling rates.

Vodafone also pleases with affordable offers for Europe (1 GB of Internet with the possibility of distribution to other devices for 6 euros). Also, the prices for calls are loyal - from 20 to 25 cents per minute (only incoming calls are paid). The only exception is the Smart Passport tariff (traffic distribution is prohibited). However, by connecting this option, the tourist will be able to be in touch in Monaco, Turkey, Switzerland, San Marino and Albania.

But, of course, only you should make the choice, so study the tariffs in detail and buy a profitable SIM card, thanks to which you will always have the opportunity to find out useful information and call.

The most frequent need for international roaming is short-term. An “ordinary” call or message to relatives about a successful landing or check-in at a hotel is unlikely to ruin, but on vacation and on vacation, many are faced with the high cost of calls, messages and mobile Internet. High-profile "roaming" cases immediately come to mind, like the one about the series "Interns" downloaded in roaming, for which the operator asked for more than 1 million rubles.

With your samovar

According to a survey by Tripsta, an online travel agency, more than half of Russians use the services of Russian mobile operators when traveling abroad, and only 12% of respondents, while abroad, prefer not to use their phone at all. What to do for those who need communication while traveling? Of course, there is no point in changing the tariff for a short period. Of course, local Wi-Fi, instant messengers and pre-downloaded city maps save part of the cost of communication. And yet, what solutions do our mobile operators offer in international roaming?

Operator / tariff / option	Subscription fee, rubles / day	Cost of incoming calls, rub / min.	Cost of outgoing calls, RUB / min.	SMS cost, rub.
Option "Zero without borders"	95	0 first 10 minutes, then 25	25 from the 2nd to the 5th minutes, the rest - at the roaming tariff	19
Free travel option	250	0 first 60 minutes, then 10	0 first 60 minutes, then 10	19
Outgoing calls from 11.9 rubles / min. via code * 137 *	0 RUB	at roaming tariff	11,9-79	19
Planet Zero service	60 (upon receipt of incoming)	0 first 20 minutes, then 10	20	7
Service "My planet"	0	25	25	9
Tariff "Around the World"	0	13	13	11
Worldwide option	39	0 for the first 30 minutes, then according to the roaming tariff	at roaming tariff	at roaming tariff
"Conversations without borders" service	5	5	15	6

Fares, options and services are valid in many, but not all, countries. Check the list of countries on the operator's website.

It is worth noting that Tele2, which recently entered the market of the Moscow region, even without additional services, is ready to compete with the “big three” operators, offering at basic tariffs to pay 15 rubles per minute for incoming / outgoing calls in roaming (in Europe and the CIS) and 6 rubles for SMS and MMS in the absence of any additional services.

The same basic incoming / outgoing for European countries and some other countries will cost 49 rubles from Megafon, 69 rubles from Beeline, and from 25 to 115 rubles from MTS. respectively. The basic cost of SMS for all three operators is the same - 19 rubles. Separate packages to reduce the cost of sending short messages in roaming are available from MTS and Megafon (195-700 rubles / month), but we dare to assume that the majority of visitors to Compare.ru are successfully replaced SMS and MMS functions of online messengers (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, Skype, Facebook, etc.).

The cost of a minute of conversation for an outgoing call is the most advantageous for MTS with the "Free travel" option - 4.17 rubles, but taking into account calls for 60 minutes a day. After all, for 60 minutes you will have to pay 250 rubles a day, whether you pronounce them or not. And indeed "Free travel" for a limited number of European countries, plus Australia, Armenia, Israel and the UAE.

World sim card

For frequently traveling people, roaming of Russian operators, even with connected options, is not a cheap pleasure. Therefore, many of them buy international SIM cards that are valid in a large number of countries. Some tourists can be offered such a SIM card by travel agencies (Globalsim group of companies), and those flying through Moscow airports do not even have to think about purchasing it in advance - Simtravel Mobile SIM cards are sold in Hellobox machines, Euroset and Svyaznoy salons »At Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and Vnukovo, respectively. Also in "Euroset", "Svyaznoy" and some travel agencies, you can purchase an international SIM card of the Goodline company.

Tariffs for international SIM cards do not differ much from each other, in contrast to the proposals of national operators. So, all the tariffs analyzed by Sravn.ru do not imply a monthly fee, in almost all cases you will not have to pay for incoming calls, and only 10 cents are charged for SMS. True, messages will have to be sent not in the usual way, but through the SIM menu and in Latin letters. The cheapest outgoing calls to landline numbers in the two capitals - Moscow and St. Petersburg - are offered by Goodline and Simtravel mobile. A minute will cost the subscriber 0.05 USD. Calls to Russian mobile numbers at the rates of the same companies will cost as early as 29 cents (22.13 rubles at the rate of the Central Bank on February 2, 2016). For calls to mobile numbers, WellTell tariffs are more favorable - 20 cents per minute ("Contact" package) or 16.67-13.89 cents ("Worldwide" packages).

Company / tariff / option	SIM card cost	Cost of incoming calls, USD	Outgoing calls cost	SMS cost, USD
Planet-Good tariff	RUB 350	0 in 146 countries	0.05-0.49 USD / min.	-
Contact package	10 USD	0*	0.20 USD / min.	0.10 (in Europe)
Worldwide packages	10 USD	0*	25 USD / 14 days / 150 min. 45 USD / 30 days / 300 min. 125 USD / 90 days / 900 min. 175 USD / 30 days / unlimited	0.10 (in Europe)
SIM card "GlobalSim"	RUB 800 (account amount 10 USD)	0	0.39 USD / min. (for European countries)	0.10 (via sim menu)
Tariffs "Europe", "Worldwide" and "Worldwide Plus"	RUB 350	0	0.05-0.15 USD / min. to landline numbers of the Russian Federation; 0.29 USD / min. to mobile numbers of the Russian Federation	0.10 (via sim menu)

* - when attaching a Russian number - incoming are counted as outgoing due to the call back function.

All specified tariffs do not include a monthly fee and are valid in many countries of the world, but in some conditions, conditions may differ from those indicated. Exceptions and tariff surcharges for different countries can be found on the operator's website.

Considering the current floating ruble exchange rate, the cost of calls and SMS for Russians at the rates of international SIM cards has risen significantly, since they are denominated in US dollars. But even at the current exchange rate, such an option is more profitable for travelers than roaming tariffs of the Big Three. The same applies to mobile Internet - packages of operators of international SIM cards are usually more profitable, however, a full-fledged mobile Internet in roaming will definitely cost less when buying a local SIM card.

I'm going to live in London

But what if you plan to move to another country for a long time, while the "home" number of a Russian operator is needed to receive calls from work partners, relatives, acquaintances, or colleagues, in whose address books it has been recorded for many years? Or you want to keep the number and continue using it after returning from a long-term "business trip". In this case, the subscriber is unlikely to use the mobile Internet, make frequent calls or send messages - for this he probably has a local SIM card. But since leaving the number in working order, it should be possible to receive incoming calls and messages.

A special tariff for such subscribers is offered only by Megafon (Around the World tariff with calls from 13 rubles per minute, without mandatory monthly or daily expenses, but only with a prepaid advance payment of 300 rubles). Other operators are limited to special services and options more suitable for short-term travel. But the international SIM cards mentioned above have the ability to bind a Russian number. That is, the Russian number remains active, people can continue to call it, but calls will go to an international SIM card. True, in this case they will be regarded as outgoing (not for a Russian, but for an international card), which means they will not be free. To put it simply: both the forwarding and the auto-callback function work at the same time.

These are the main options for saving on cellular communications abroad. Taking into account the possibility of switching with your number to another operator, the functions of binding the Russian "SIM" to the international one, everyone can choose convenient offers for their own purposes. The main thing in the pursuit of savings is not to forget about the tariffs of your operator and to replenish your phone balance in a timely manner. While abroad, this can be done using a bank card in the personal account of a telecom operator or through an Internet bank.