Affordable way to call from Ireland to US?

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

06/15/2010 08:40:09 PM · #1

My wife and her mother are going to be traveling in Ireland later this year, and we would like to find a reasonable way for them to call back to the US on a semi-regular basis.

She will not have a computer, and our cell provider (Verizon) is not going to work (would require buying a new phone, and even then the calling plan would cost $1/min for all calls).

She doesn't need a cell phone (but buying a temp/disposable cell phone in Ireland might be a possibility), so any solution (cell or landline) would work.

I've started doing some research, and have quickly become overwhelmed with options, and wading through all the BS-fees makes it difficult to really compare options.

They'll be in Ireland for 11 days. Probably only expect to call home once or twice a day, maybe 10-20 minutes each day, if that much. They'll be traveling across Southern Ireland, stopping in three specific locations across the trip. I'm not sure how area codes (or whatever their equiv. would be) in Ireland work, so I'm not sure if it would all be a single area code, but I expect it would cross at least one area code.

Anyone know any reasonable options I could consider? I don't mind using a digital/VoIP solution on my side, but again she won't have a computer on her side... Would skype + an access # in Ireland or something similar be an affordable possibility?

Message edited by author 2010-06-15 20:40:50.

Ja-9

Nikon D750

06/15/2010 08:57:57 PM · #2

are you sure she can't take the computer??? I just got introduced to Skype...talked today to

Roz in Australia from Florida...NOW that was really cool...it's a pretty simple download and a free call...might be worth dragging the computer along IF you have internet connections

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

06/15/2010 09:03:15 PM · #3

Originally posted by Ja-9:

are you sure she can't take the computer??? I just got introduced to Skype...talked today to Roz in Australia from Florida...NOW that was really cool...it's a pretty simple download and a free call...might be worth dragging the computer along IF you have internet connections

Thanks for the suggestion! -- Yup, understood and I'm very familar with skype-to-skype myself. Very little technology on her side of the trip -- definitely no computer, and almost cetainly very little, if any, Internet access where they will be anyway.

I haven't done anything with local-access-number-to-skype calling, but I've seen some information about it -- that might be a useful option (skype on my side, local access #s on her side), but I need to find out more from someone familiar with using it, and how it compares in cost to other solutions.

CEJ

Canon EOS-40D

06/15/2010 09:08:57 PM · #4

Internet Cafe's are all over in Ireland. I have traveled there many times and for extensive periods of time. Western and Southern Ireland mostly. I communicated to Us via Skype and regular old video chat as well as IRC and others without any problems. Sorry though, I cannot help you on the Cell side of things. Hostels are all over Ireland and most have internet access and can be used for a nominal fee by a non-resident. All cafe's I was in already had all the necessary software installed on the computers. I used what was already there with no problems.

Message edited by author 2010-06-15 21:09:39.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

06/15/2010 09:20:40 PM · #5

Originally posted by CEJ:

All cafe's I was in already had all the necessary software installed on the computers. I used what was already there with no problems.

Thanks, that's an idea worth considering... However, they will be traveling with a specific group to specific locations (and will not have their own transportation) -- we'd rather have something to really "count on," or at least a backup-plan if that type of Internet Cafe access isn't on hand. Plus, to be very frank, and my wife will admit this, she nor her mother are the most tech-savvy of folks, so something a little more low-tech on their side is going to be much easier to deal with. That's a great idea, though -- thanks.

senor_kasper

Nikon D800

06/15/2010 09:43:09 PM · #6

Long distance calling cards exist in most countries, even in the US. The way it works is you purchase a card for a given amount, the card gives you a PIN and a an access local phone number for any number of locations within the country. When you make a long distance or international call using such access number and your PIN you start using the funds in the purchase price of the card, usually at incredibly low 'per minute' rates. So, find out about long distance calling cards in Ireland, you should also be able to find their rates per minute to the US, then purchase a card and you are set to go.

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

06/15/2010 09:46:41 PM · #7

When I was in Moscow at the turn of the century (hahahahah, it was in 2000), I used pre-paid phone cards.

Just watch the international rate and don't let it bankrupt you.

senor_kasper

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

06/15/2010 09:47:24 PM · #8

Here is one vendor that charges $0.019 per minute for calls to the US
//www.callingcards.com/index_ireland.asp?origsel=Ireland

06/15/2010 09:47:59 PM · #9

Originally posted by senor_kasper:

So, find out about long distance calling cards in Ireland, you should also be able to find their rates per minute to the US, then purchase a card and you are set to go.

Yup, that's precisely where this allllll started. ;) I poured over calling card options and details for hours, and the number of choices, fee structures, access numbers and area restrictions, and on and on and on quickly led to me having a mini-stroke. :) Any pointers on a company/provider who has a reasonable calling card with understandable terms and decent rates? You'd think it would be pretty simple...

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

06/15/2010 09:51:58 PM · #10

Originally posted by senor_kasper:

Here is one vendor that charges $0.019 per minute for calls to the US

Yup, "World Calls" -- that one was on my list! Problem is, that 1.9 cents per minute doesn't include the access change, the maintence fee, the billing increment, additional communication fees, phone access surcharge.... You have to dig through all the terms and conditions of the card to find that details...... Augh, I think I just had another mini-stroke. :P

Calling cards are, I have decided, a big freakin' racket.

senor_kasper

Nikon D800

06/15/2010 09:56:59 PM · #11

Originally posted by cdrice:

Originally posted by senor_kasper:
Here is one vendor that charges $0.019 per minute for calls to the US

Yup, "World Calls" -- that one was on my list! Problem is, that 1.9 cents per minute doesn't include the access change, the maintence fee, the billing increment, additional communication fees, phone access surcharge.... You have to dig through all the terms and conditions of the card to find that details...... Augh, I think I just had another mini-stroke. :P

Calling cards are, I have decided, a big freakin' racket.

They are still your best option if you have no internet access. Even if you add the weekly $0.99 and the 15% surcharge per call + the $0.99 for using a pay phone you are still getting a hell of a bargain, tops 2.5 cents per minute, it is impossible to beat that without having an internet connection. We've been using calling cards here in the US to call overseas for years, it works great and it is the only way to go.

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

06/15/2010 10:44:11 PM · #12

I regularly use Skype and the access number to call England and Australia, and for years used it for Ireland as well.

What you want to do is buy the US/Canada unlimited plan for $3/month, and then it might be a bit extra or something for a Skype To Go (Access) local number. You sign up and get an Irish local telephone number (you must attest that you are a resident of Ireland, ahem). Then, while your family is in Ireland, they can use anyone's telephone or mobile to call the local Irish Skype number which actually connects to you here in the USA on your computer, which theoretically could be call forwarded to your cell phone if you had that option set up.

But in Ireland, the person that makes the call pays so borrowing someone's computer (at a B&B) would be easier, and Skype to Skype calls are free.

Will your family have a cell phone that can pick up a wifi signal? For example, the iPhone or the HTC Mogul from Sprint...

JustCaree

Canon EOS-1000D Rebel XS

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

06/15/2010 10:49:04 PM · #13

When I travel. I buy a prepaid when I land where I am traveling to. This eliminates the roaming fee... and you just pay international long distance which on a prepaid varies... but thats what I do.

spiritualspatula

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/15/2010 10:53:49 PM · #14

Google Voice might be an option for you. I used it to PLACE calls to foreign countries. Not sure how/if you could use it to place calls from outside the country to you. If you can figure out a way to make that work, I can send an invite for you.