Page 40 - Ultimate Australia

• Your Trip Leader will give you details on the optional tours while you’re on the trip.
But if you’d like to look over descriptions of them earlier, you can do so at any time by
referring to your Day-to-Day Itinerary (available online by signing into My Account at
www.oattravel.com/myaccount).

Communications

Cell Phones

If you want to use your cell phone on the trip, check with your phone provider to see if your
phone and service will work outside of the U.S. It may turn out to be cheaper to rent an
international phone or buy a SIM card onsite. If you want to use a local SIM, just make certain
your phone can accept one.

Calling Apps

Another option is to use a smartphone app like Skype or FaceTime. These services are usually
less expensive than making a traditional call, but you’ll need a Wi-Fi connection and the calls
may count towards your phone plan’s data allowance. Many smartphones—and some tablets
or laptops—come with one of these apps pre-installed or you can download them for free
from the appropriate apps store.

Calling Cards and 1-800 Numbers

When calling the U.S. from a foreign country, a prepaid calling card can be useful because it
circumvents unexpected charges from the hotel. Calling cards purchased locally are typically
the best (less expensive, more likely to work with the local phones, etc.).

One reminder: Do not call U.S. 1-800 numbers outside the continental United States. This can
result in costly long distance fees, since 1-800 numbers do not work outside the country.

Internet

Australia and New Zealand aren’t as well set up with wireless hotspots as you might expect,
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Zealand charge daily 24-hour rates for Internet connection, which average approx $20-25 AUD
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30 minutes free, and then charging after that. Keep in mind that many places limit the amount
of usage, even if you pay extra for internet access, so you may not be able to stream videos or
other high-usage content.

Outside of the hotels, free hotspots are starting to catch on; chains such as McDonalds now
have them available throughout both countries, as do some airports. Or you could look for
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equipped with webcams and headsets to make Skype calls, and many also let you download
photos from your digital camera.

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