Week in Prague - SIM card options?

[Scrumhalf]

HI folks,

I will be in Prague for a week in September. What are the best prepaid SIM choices in the Czech Republic and where does one get them? Also, I plan to pop over the border to Poland to visit Krakow and Auschwitz for a day or two. Is roaming reasonable between Czech Republic and Poland?

Thanks!

[RadioRaiders]

You can find more info on their websites in english). Usually you can buy pre-paid SIM cards relatively cheap in Kiosks (ie: newspaper stands)

Vodafone - General

Telefónica O2 Czech Republic, a.s.

English - T-Mobile

PS- I helped build Cesky Mobile, which became OSKAR, which became Vodafone

[Scrumhalf]

Cool.. thanks!

[SteveW]

Originally Posted by Scrumhalf

I will be in Prague for a week in September. ... Also, I plan to pop over the border to Poland to visit Krakow and Auschwitz for a day or two. ...

Nothing to contribute but envy - I haven't been in that part of the world for a few years and it was before I was a SIM-swapper. But Prague is one of the most beautiful cities I've visited. If you haven't been there before, I'm sure you will go to all the must-see tourist spots - Hradčany and the Prague Castle, Old Town Square with the Astronomical Clock. Definitely save some time for just relaxing in some of the restaurants and outdoor cafes, as September should still be pretty warm. We found that even the touristy cafes in Old Town Square had pretty good food. And if you're a beer drinker, you can't miss having a few Pilsner Urquells, made about an hour away in Plzeň - it's the original Pilsner!

Krakow is also very nice, with the Wawel, a hilltop castle and cathedral (not quite as spectacular as Prague's, but then, nothing is) and the largest medieval town square in Europe. Like Prague, it was not too damaged in WWII - lots of great architecture and history, but also a university town, full of young people and clubs that are open late.

If you are going to Auschwitz, you should also try to see Kazimierz, the Jewish district of Krakow, that I'm told has become quite fashionable and lively recently (it was kind of sleepy when I was there). Just a bit of contrast to show that there was a vibrant Jewish community in Poland for over 600 years, and that the Nazis weren't entirely successful.

Let me know if you need any more recommendations.


SW

[Scrumhalf]

Thanks Steve! I'll PM you before I go if you don't mind to get more recommendations!

[SteveW]

Originally Posted by Scrumhalf

Thanks Steve! I'll PM you before I go if you don't mind to get more recommendations!

No problem. Anytime.


SW

[Scrumhalf]

My trip to Prague has been pushed out to mid-October but I am already starting the mental planning..

I am thinking of getting a Go-SIM before I leave. The outgoing rates are a bit high (~55c/min) or something like that, but I can always make a 1 minute call to my wife and have her call me back as incoming calls are free. Plus, I plan to use iCall and Skype whenever I'm in wifi range.

Does anyone have experience with the Go-SIM? It sounds pretty reasonable based on the info on their website.

[RadioRaiders]

Originally Posted by Scrumhalf

I am thinking of getting a Go-SIM before I leave. The outgoing rates are a bit high (~55c/min) or something like that, but I can always make a 1 minute call to my wife and have her call me back as incoming calls are free. Plus, I plan to use iCall and Skype whenever I'm in wifi range.

Does anyone have experience with the Go-SIM? It sounds pretty reasonable based on the info on their website.

I always prefer getting a local pre-paid SIM card when travelling. It's also easier/cheaper if you need to call other people in-country. Also, incoming calls on the SIM cards home network is always free in the EU.

[Scrumhalf]

The problem is that I am going to be in 3 countries..... I will land in the Netherlands, then go to the Czech Republic and I plan to visit Poland as well.

Aren't incoming calls free only if you are in your home network? If I use a Dutch SIM card in the Czech Republic, I would have to pay roaming charges for incoming calls too?

BTW, I found out more details about Go-SIM. It turns out that the number that is issued with the SIM card is an Estonian number and it is considered a mobile number in Estonia. The typical rates to call Estonian mobiles from the US is about 40-50c/min. They have another option where you can call a US toll free number and the SIM card is charged 35c/min. That might actually be cheaper. Regardless, it appears that the Go-SIM is a bit more expensive than I thought. I need to do some more comparisons before deciding what to do.

[dmapr]

Originally Posted by Scrumhalf

The problem is that I am going to be in 3 countries..... I will land in the Netherlands, then go to the Czech Republic and I plan to visit Poland as well.

Aren't incoming calls free only if you are in your home network? If I use a Dutch SIM card in the Czech Republic, I would have to pay roaming charges for incoming calls too?

BTW, I found out more details about Go-SIM. It turns out that the number that is issued with the SIM card is an Estonian number and it is considered a mobile number in Estonia. The typical rates to call Estonian mobiles from the US is about 40-50c/min. They have another option where you can call a US toll free number and the SIM card is charged 35c/min. That might actually be cheaper. Regardless, it appears that the Go-SIM is a bit more expensive than I thought. I need to do some more comparisons before deciding what to do.

Used to be that global roaming SIMs were plentiful and offered free incoming in a lot of European countries. Unfortunately one of the best of them (United Mobile) has gone under, and the offerings are now few and far between. The latest fad seems to be a dual-number SIM from Ekit, which gives a US & a UK number. If you're interested in taking the global roaming SIM route, check out PrepaidGSM forums. Keep an eye out for "fair use" clauses (some of them don't like you using free incoming feature and not spending any money).

Local SIMs can usually be had for very little over the included credit (for instance in Russia a starter kit may cost $7 and include $5). RadioRaiders has mentioned the other benefits of local SIMs.

[RadioRaiders]

I'd get a Vodafone pre-paid SIM, since Vodafone is prescent in most EU countries (Netherlands, Czech for sure, don't know about Poland). You'll still have to pay roaming chargers in countries outside of the one it was issued, but still maybe cheaper.

A quick look shows me Vodafone NL sells pre-paid SIMS for 5 EUR ($8) with some airtime included:

SIM Only Prepaid - Vodafone Z11 - Vodafone.nl