I read the inside page and know I need to buy a phone card. But I don;t think I%26#39;ll be able to understand the instructions on how to use same on the phone. I will only want to call if there is an emergency, I am running late, etc. )I would call my hotel or the restaurant to leave a message.)
I have never used a phone card. I have not made a phone call outside the USA. (I usually get the hotel to call for reservations, etc. But I feel silly and isolated not knowing how to make a call)
CAn someone please tell me what to do with the card. Do you swipe a mag stripe? Punch in a number? Or...?
Help, please? Thanks.
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Most (if not all?) public phones have a button with a flag on it. If you keep pushing the button, it will offer language options. Just keep going until you come to English, and you%26#39;re set!
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Forgot to say, my recollection (haven%26#39;t used a public phone for some time) is that you insert the card into the phone (much like an ATM). The instructions should tell you, plus that part may be obvious once you%26#39;re there. (Also, the staff at your hotel can give you a hint if you look at one and still have questions.) Good luck, and have fun with your trip.
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The normal %26quot;télécarte%26quot; is creditcard-sized and has a chip on it; it often looks like this: www.telecarte.tm.fr/images/tele1.gif though there are also versions with advertising on it. You just insert it the telephone - the display will show the number of available %26quot;unités%26quot; - and call the number you need. Don%26#39;t forget the card after your call!
By the way, nowadays Télécartes expire after two years, so if you have old ones from previous trips, check the %26quot;date limite de validité%26quot; on the back.
…parisinfo.com/guide-paris/…communications
There are also phone cards (primarily for internatonal calls) that operate on a different principle - by giving the customer a %26quot;secret%26quot; number code, printed on a paper card. I%26#39;ve never used these, but the idea is that you call a free or cheap number, give your code, and then can call the number you need to reach. The call gets deducted from the account associated with the card number (the money you paid to buy the card).
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Télécartes are very easy to use. Instructions on phone usage are written in English in most phone booths.
In general, the 13 digit dialing process for calls to the US is as follows:
001
XXX area code
XXX-XXXX local number
Calls are cheaper at night and on weekends.
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how do you get one of these cards...we are traveling to London, Paris, and few Italian towns this summer with family and would like to have that as an option if we decide to seperate...our cell phones won%26#39;t work (Sprint) and we had decided we didn%26#39;t need phones but having that card for a public phone might be nice (are there actual publicphones in obviuos places? - in US they are almost obsolete)
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Télécartes are sold in magazine and tobacco stores. They are available in 50 and 120 unit denominations.
If you are concerned about your abilities to communicate in French with a vendor, write down what you want on a piece of paper and hand that to a sales clerk because these cards are usually located behind the counter.
Public phones have not yet become as scarce in France as they are in the US so carrying a télécarte is a good and inexpensive way to keep in contact.
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You can also purchase an international calling card at any Post Office for various amounts.
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Many thanks, everyone!
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We couldn%26#39;t find any coin pay phones in Paris. So a phone card is the only way to go. Good luck!
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