Using a smartphone in Australia/New Zealand

[oleada]

We're traveling to Australia and New Zealand for three weeks starting next week. We've got most everything figured out but we're wondering about cell phone and data. I think it would be helpful to have access to a phone and data when we're out and about. Our US provider (Verizon) charges $10/day, which does add up.

My husband would happily get rid of his smartphone so I'm left trying to figure the most practical, cost effective option. What do other FSUers do when traveling abroad, particularly in Oz? Any advice?

 

[PrincessLeppard]

Verizon also has a more limited international plan, but you only get 100mb of data. So if you are going to be on wifi a lot, it's fine.

 

[Aceon6]

Paging @misskarne

 

[oleada]

Verizon also has a more limited international plan, but you only get 100mb of data. So if you are going to be on wifi a lot, it's fine.

Thanks. I've been looking online and it sounds like getting a SIM card once we get to Sydney will be the most cost effective option. I checked and our phones are unlocked so we should be ok.

 

[mag]

100mbs of data does not last long at all, especially if you are using it for navigation (required in Sydney because the streets are crazy!) One thing I noticed, is that there isn't the same amount of free wifi in AUS and NZ as there is here in Canada. In Vancouver you can pretty much get free wifi in every restaurant and store and most shopping malls also have free wifi. In hotels it is a given. In AUS and NZ I found that there was very little and what there was was bad. Even in hotels you often end up paying for it.

(This was last year. It may have changed now.)

 

[misskarne]

Paging @misskarne

*poofs into the thread*

Hit up any Coles/Woolworths, you can buy heaps of different options. Yeah, 100MB won't cut it.

Most major shopping centres have wifi here, and most hotels too. You also have places like McDonalds that have it. Not a lot in public places.

If you get a Vodafone sim, I think it works in New Zealand too.

 

[dinakt]

I have TMobile plan because it is so good internationally. Texting from Auckland at the moment)) Free texts, free roaming, free (slow) data anywhere. Free Pokemon Go, lol.
If T-mobile is not an option, I would think that getting a cheap phone or SIM is the way to go. Warning though- most hotels limit the free daily data, so if you don't have cellular roaming, it'll cost you. I also just traveled in NZ for a few weeks. If you have questions, PM me, if i don't know, I can ask around.

 

[Aussie Willy]

I probably wouldn't worry about it. I found when I went to the US and Canada I got by on Wifi. The wifi isn't the best in Australia but unless you absolutely need it, then you can get by without it.

 

[NinjaTurtles]

If you decide to go with relying on wifi, maps.me is an amazing app. You can download the maps of the area ahead of time and get walking directions without needing any data or even wifi (uses GPS only, which won't cause any fee issues with Verizon).