What's the best travel phone for calling NY from Paris?

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

I'll be leaving for Paris in a couple of weeks, and thought about picking up a travel phone to keep in touch with my DD. Does anyone know th best phone for calling NY from Paris, and visa versa?

I'm not really sure how these phones work, or what would be a good deal. I'd like something that's easy to operate, and has good reception. Any ideas, or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Hoc Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Hoc]

I signed up for Vonage, which costs $240 a year, prepaid, for unlimited calling within the U.S. and about a penny a minute for the U.K., France, Spain, Germany and others. I got a USB phone that I plug into my laptop wherever I am, and I can make and receive calls anywhere over the internet as if I were sitting at home.

That is the best for me. YMMV.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

I signed up for Vonage, which costs $240 a year, prepaid, for unlimited calling within the U.S. and about a penny a minute for the U.K., France, Spain, Germany and others. I got a USB phone that I plug into my laptop wherever I am, and I can make and receive calls anywhere over the internet as if I were sitting at home.

That is the best for me. YMMV.

Hoc,

That sounds great, but I'm looking for something to use for just 1 week. BTW, I'm not planning on taking my computer with me, either. DH wants me to leave it home.

[dbwill Member Find all posts View Profile Close dbwill]

I have a Sams club phone card and it is as cheap as anything we have found. Plus it can be reloaded online.

[bigrick Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bigrick]

Get a MagicJack. It costs $40 the device and the first year of service. ALL your phone calls within the US and Canada are FREE the first YEAR! (Additional years are from $12 to $20.)

When you get to Europe or anywhere else, connect the device to your laptop and then your laptop to the internet (via wifi or ...) and call back to the US and Canada for FREE!

You can buy the MagicJack at office supply stores. Simple setup, very easy to use.

I got one for my businesses to eliminate landline phone and fax costs.

[ttt Member Find all posts View Profile Close ttt]

International Cell Phones, World Phones, SIM Cards, Satellite Phones
I bought a cheap unlocked cell phone on ebay and a sim card from telestial.com

[trooval Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close trooval]

Get a MagicJack. It costs $40 the device and the first year of service. ALL your phone calls within the US and Canada are FREE the first YEAR! (Additional years are from $12 to $20.)

When you get to Europe or anywhere else, connect the device to your laptop and then your laptop to the internet (via wifi or ...) and call back to the US and Canada for FREE!

You can buy the MagicJack at office supply stores. Simple setup, very easy to use.

I got one for my businesses to eliminate landline phone and fax costs.

+1 on MagicJack. I have a friend who uses that to talk to his family in India for free all the time.

A couple of other good options for cheap international calling are Skype and Google Voice (though you currently have to get on a waitlist for Google Voice).