Page 24 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

22  VISITING EUROPE

Communications and Money (smart phone, tablet, or laptop)
should not have any trouble
In the 21st century, communications are developing quickly accessing email accounts or
and evolving constantly. Cell phones and other mobile connecting to the web. Check
devices, social-media platforms, and the availability of Wi-Fi in advance if there is a charge
hotspots mean that communicating is now easier than ever, for using Wi-Fi. Although not
as popular as they once were,
as well as being relatively cheap. Many hotels and restaurants Internet cafés can still be found
readily accept most credit cards, so cash is normally only in many towns and resorts.
needed for smaller transactions or in remote spots. Having In Internet cafés, you normally
a common currency (the euro) in some countries has also pay a fee for a fixed amount of
made life much easier for travelers touring Europe. time, which varies accor ding
to local use and rates.
VoIP (Voice over Internet
Telephones networks, email, or Skype. Protocol) is a way of
These days, when most people Alternatively, buy a SIM card communicating telephonically
have a cell or mobile phone, the in the country you are visiting via your computer. In order to
need for a public telephone is and use it in your own phone. use it, you will need a Skype
less urgent. Most US cell phones Most European countries are account (free to set up), a set of
work in Europe and vice versa – in the process of phasing out headphones and a microphone
but using them can be public telephones. (these are often, but not always,
expensive. US companies will provided by the café). Calls are
also rent cell phones for use free between Skype users, but
while in Europe. If your network Mail Services there is a charge to land lines
provider is either T-Mobile or Mail services are generally fast and cell phones.
AT&T, you will have a GSM and efficient, with letters and
phone that is compatible in cards typically taking five days
Europe. In order to use it, simply to reach North America, or a Changing Money
ensure that it is unlocked, dual week to get to Australasia. The Now that 19 countries take
band (so that it uses European mail service does vary across the euro, there is no need to
frequencies), and that it has the continent, however, and in change money so frequently.
been set up for roaming. If your some areas, such as Eastern Check within each area chapter
home operator does not offer Europe and in remote parts of of this guide to see which
coverage in another country, Greece, the service may be countries participate.
your phone will usually roam much slower. Currency exchanges (bureaux
into a host operator’s network de change) can be found in
automatically. Be aware that most towns – particularly
roaming can be costly. A Internet Access within banks or post offices.
cheaper solution to stay in Wi-Fi hotspots are widely Banks usually tend to offer
touch with family and friends available in every major city the best rates. Most airports,
back home is to turn off across Europe. Often hotels central train stations, large
roaming and instead use and restaurants offer wireless hotels, and border posts also
Wi-Fi, which is usually free, Internet access, too, so visitors have currency exchanges.
to communicate via social with their own mobile device Many visitors use traveler’s
checks when abroad because,
unlike cash, they can be
International Dialing Codes
replaced by the bank if they are
The list below gives the international dialing codes for the countries lost or stolen. However, if you
covered in this guide. When calling from the US and Canada prefix all have a plastic card with a pin
numbers by “011;” from Australia by “0011;’’ from New Zealand by “00.’’ number for your bank account
When calling from within Europe, use the “00’’ prefix. If you are unsure, or credit card, and as long as
call international directory inquiries. you belong to a global network
such as Plus/Visa, or Cirrus/
• Austria 43 • Luxembourg 352 Mastercard, ATM machines can
• Belgium 32 • Netherlands 31 provide instant access to your
• Czech Republic 420 • Norway 47 funds. Be aware that credit
• Denmark 45 • Poland 48 cards charge interest if you take
• Finland 358 • Portugal 351 out cash. You can find ATM
• France 33 • Spain 34 machines in banks, shopping
• Germany 49 • Switzerland 41 malls, and stations. When
• Greece 30 • Sweden 46 paying by card, note that many
• Hungary 36 • United Kingdom 44
• Ireland (Republic) 353 (Great Britain and European countries use “chip
• Italy 39 Northern Ireland) and pin” so swipe debit/credit
cards may be refused.

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