This was published 7 years ago
Wi-Fi or local SIM for international holidays? Tips for families
On the hunt for Wi-Fi. Credit: Getty Images
He explores the urban jungle – a 21st century warrior – seeking signs and signals.
Taj Thompson thinks he's Bear Grylls in Man v. Wild (without drinking his own urine. Yet).
Instead of a scrotum full of maggots for sustenance, our son searches for something even more elusive: connectivity.
On each Odyssey, the 11-year-old wanders – iPod in palm, as a compass – until he sees the symbol. "Mum, this cafe has Wi-Fi. Let's have lunch here!"
Families are accustomed to the dark arts of scavenging Wi-Fi, because it takes up so much of our travelling budget.
Technology is an essential part of our lives: We want to stay in touch back home, remain entertained during the journey, and keep a record of our experiences.
It's easy to grab a travel pack from your local telco, but they're extortionately expensive.
"The best, and the one I use, is Vodafone, which allows customers to make and receive calls, and use the data their plan entitles them to, for just $5 a day in more than 55 countries," Stephen Fenech, the editor of TechGuide.com.au, says.
But this isn't the best option. Overseas, you're better off buying a pre-paid SIM at your destination: More data for your money. (Of course, get your smartphone or tablet unlocked by your telco before hopping on the plane or ship.)
"The advantage of having a SIM, especially if you're travelling as a family, is the ability to make the smartphone with the foreign SIM a hotspot, so the kids can use it to connect to the Internet," Fenech says. "Instead of buying a SIM card for everyone, you buy one with a lot of data and share that connection."
Most places have free public Wi-Fi these days. But the strength of signal varies wildly.
In one episode of Boy v. Wild, Taj crams into the corner of a corridor in a shopping centre, screaming, "I've got a signal!" He proceeds to – loudly – FaceTime his best friend.
When travelling overseas for work, Stephen Fenech FaceTimes his family from Apple Stores, because "they have especially fast Wi-Fi".
"I just remember to carry a pair of earphones so I can hear them easily and they can hear me without me having to shout in the middle of the store/restaurant/cafe/airport lounge." You can check your emails on the computers in Apple Stores, too.
Remember this rule is for each family device: Turn off data roaming or you'll be slugged with $3 a MB. That's a costly Facebook post. Also, switch off location services and push notifications.
We always carry a powerboard with four points. Then, you only need one international adaptor to connect to the wall. A portable battery is handy, if you're on the move.
You don't have to send the children to scrounge for connectivity, like Bear Grylls seeking beetles on the rainforest floor.
Search the urban jungle for a tech store instead: It's infinitely more civilised.
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