Going travelling for a month, best sim to use aboard?

malachi · 15 Apr 2013 at 18:08

I’m going to Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand and Dubai for a month in May. I won’t be taking my contract sim so I can avoid high roaming charges. I am looking for a sim to take with me for light use of data, incase I want to use google maps while out and about with no wifi access. Also for minutes incase I need to make an emergency call back to the UK.

I have looked at Lycamobile but they don’t support data aboard, can anyone suggests another provider useful for travelling? Thanks.

Ironic Namesake · 16 Apr 2013 at 14:10

It'll probably be cheaper to pick up a separate PAYG SIM card in each country depending how long you're staying there for.

In HK you can get a SIM + credit for less than 100 HKD and it'll probably last you a week+

In Japan you can rent a SIM card (can't remember how much this cost me) but for Dubai I have no idea ,only ever transited in the airport

malachi · 17 Apr 2013 at 17:48

Thanks, I might just do that while moving between countries.

RedMogg · 17 Apr 2013 at 18:17

+1 for buying a simple in each country you're in. Most public places in. S.E Asia have wifi, either free or code given with a purchase (for me, usually ice tea). Setup your usual contacts with Skype if they're not already using it, plus What'sApp for texting or even FB chat. You probably won't need the simple for calls unless you need local calls. I found £10 (in Bkk) lasted nearly 2 weeks with the odd 2min call to the UK.
The copyright laws are pretty relaxed out their too, I handed my iPhone over (in the tech mall in Bangkok) for 30 mins and when I picked it up I had an unlocked phone, new sim and pretty much the entire selection of the app store on my phone. It was also cleaned with antibacterial wipes and polished! Cost, B250 (about £4 in 2009)...

Convenient as it might be to use the stands within the airports, if you wait a little while until you get into town, you'll pay far less!

I've been back and forth to S. E. Asia for years (2nd home in Thailand), so if you need any more advice, just shout

And have a safe trip!

malachi · 21 Apr 2013 at 10:39

RedMogg said:
+1 for buying a simple in each country you're in. Most public places in. S.E Asia have wifi, either free or code given with a purchase (for me, usually ice tea). Setup your usual contacts with Skype if they're not already using it, plus What'sApp for texting or even FB chat. You probably won't need the simple for calls unless you need local calls. I found £10 (in Bkk) lasted nearly 2 weeks with the odd 2min call to the UK.
The copyright laws are pretty relaxed out their too, I handed my iPhone over (in the tech mall in Bangkok) for 30 mins and when I picked it up I had an unlocked phone, new sim and pretty much the entire selection of the app store on my phone. It was also cleaned with antibacterial wipes and polished! Cost, B250 (about £4 in 2009)...

Convenient as it might be to use the stands within the airports, if you wait a little while until you get into town, you'll pay far less!

I've been back and forth to S. E. Asia for years (2nd home in Thailand), so if you need any more advice, just shout

And have a safe trip!

Thanks for the info. I have an iPad, iPod and iPhone, i wont be taking such expensive item away with me for obvious reasons. But I also have an Nexus 7 and HTC Wildfire S which is unlocked so I be taking them and using the iPod for iMessage and Facetime to contact friends and family while away