Going Traveling With Your iPad? Budget for Data

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.tuaw.com/2010/05/04/atandts-international-ipad-3g-data-plans-will-make-you-yearn-for/' target='_blank'>http://www.tuaw.com/2010/05/04/atan...-you-yearn-for/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"You've just picked up that nice iPad 3G and now you're heading off on vacation in Europe in a month. You'd like to keep up with news about Icelandic volcanoes, so you're taking your iPad with you. How much is it going to cost you to do data roaming as you wander the streets of Venice? Unfortunately, a lot."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1273434975.usr105634.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>This is of course if you use the 3G service, and if I was traveling to any of the <a href="http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/international/dataconnect-global.jsp" target="_blank">countries on the AT&amp;T</a> list then I don't think I would use their plan. I haven't done much international traveling but can't you just get a sim card from the country you are in and use that instead of using your AT&amp;T sim? Wouldn't that be cheaper than what AT&amp;T is going to provide? I mean, it's not like it is your iPhone and you need to keep the same number so people can reach you. Wi-Fi seems the place to go when you travel with one of these.&nbsp;</p>

[kerrins]

Can't you just take the SIM card out, and only have access via WiFi?

[ctmagnus]

Also, if the iPad is not carrier-locked and does not require a contract, why not just contact the iPad carrier in your destination to arrange to pick up a sim from a given retail outlet?

[Jeff Campbell]

Those were my thoughts too, just get a sim card from your destination country and you should be better off, that is if you can't use wi-fi for some reason.