Advice Needed From USA Members

[AlanHo]

A friend and I are taking a 6 week holiday in the USA comencing early August.

We will be visiting Florida, New Jersey, New York, Las Vegas, California and Washington State - with flights in between of course.

We both have UK cell phones that will work in the USA - but the cost of using them there is high.

Is it possible to purchase "pay as you go" SIM gards in the USA so that we pay local US costs. If so - where from and approximate costs.

Any help appreciated. :flowers: :uhm:

[andsome]

Can't answer your question, BUT. Whatever you do in California do NOT miss Yosemite National park. Spend a couple of nights there in a log cabin, it's quite cheap. You will see the night sky as you remember it during the war, when there was no light pollution. Visit San Francisco and go on the boat to Alcatraz. Hire one of their tape machines which will give you a guided tour. Also drive north from San Francisco up through the Avenue of the Giants. Don't forget also to drive across the Mohave desert

[dadyassa]

Have a look here Alan, virgin do one, but dont know if it will be cheaper in the USAclick here

[hftmrock]

Cingular

you can find pay as you go plans in lots of places. if you go to a cingular store. (there are many) you can get a phone and pay as you go plan with no worries

[Scarecrow Man]

You could always use your current phone, and buy a $10 or more "no connection fee" card. You dial a 1 800 number (toll free) and it conencts you to a local station which makes your calls free. I am not sure how well this works for cell phones, as you will probably still pay airtime.

[deuces wild]

http://www.telestial.com/

http://www.wirelessguide.org/plan/prepaid.htm

http://www.tmiwireless.com/phones/prepaidphones.asp

http://www.1800mobiles.com/libertywireless.html

[AlanHo]

Can't answer your question, BUT.  Whatever you do in California do NOT miss Yosemite National park.  Spend a couple of nights there in a log cabin, it's quite cheap.  You will see the night sky as you remember it during the war, when there was no light pollution.  Visit San Francisco and go on the boat to Alcatraz.  Hire one of their tape machines which will give you a guided tour.  Also drive north from San Francisco up through the  Avenue of the Giants.  Don't forget also to drive across the Mohave desert

Thanks for the thoughts andsome - but I've done all that - twice in fact. This time I shall be filling in the gaps and visiting places and friends missed on the last tours. I don't share your enthusiasm for the Alcatraz tour however - I thought it over-rated and over-priced. I would rather spend the money dawdling through Nappa valley sampling the goodies or enjoying a fine meal at Fishermans Wharf. I'm sure you did that too.

I used to travel to the USA a lot in those dark days when I was required to WORK and managed to visit most states over the years. I have a particular fondness for New Jersey, Boston and most places in California with the notable exception of Los Angeles which I consider awful. Our tour this time gives LA a wide berth.

Regarding phones - I do not need a new phone - just a USA SIM card.

[andsome]

The Pacific crab is unbelievable on Fisherman's Wharf. Fond memories. Hope you get fixed up with your phone card.

[Scarecrow Man]

Alan: http://www.telestial.com/ offers worldwide sim cards. Perhaps this is what you are looking for?