Buy your own phone in the U.K. ★☆☆

Almost as cheap as renting—and probably a better idea if you plan to travel abroad more than once in the next few years—is simply to buy your own world phone with an international plan.

Buy your own phone in the U.K. - Almost as cheap as renting—and probably a better idea if you plan to travel abroad more than once in the next few years—is simply to buy your own world phone with an international plan.

You can buy an international phone and plan from the merchants listed under "rentals." Or stop into any British cell phone merchant and buy the cheapest phone available along with a pay-as-you-go plan.

Finding a mobile phone store is not hard. Airports and major train stations usually have them, and these offices in particular are extremely accustomed to setting up an account for foreigners.

Otherwise, just wander any downtown for more than five minutes and you'll pass half a dozen competing mobile phone retailers. Within 15 minutes, you'll be back on the street with a brand new phone—and your own, personal British phone number.