Can anyone suggest the best way/plan to be able to use my cell phone while in Greece without coming home to exorbitant cell phone charges? Will not use it as a phone but would like to be able to send text messages and e-mails if I don't have WIFI service somewhere. If I do have WIFI can I still send text messages free of charge or is there a cost in Europe? My provider is Telus. New at this sort of thing. Any and all help will be appreciated.

Text messages will cost you, Imessage is the only thing that goes off wifi. Download whatsapp (and whoever you want to text too), that works off wifi so it won't cost you if you're connected. You email will work off wifi too.The cheapest way (if you want to use the phone) I would say is buy a pay as you go throw away phone when you get there then you won't have to worry about insane charges. I think whatsapp and sticking to wifi only would be the best thing you could do. That's what I do when we travel.

http://www.telus.com/en/bc/mobility/travel/
New legislation prevents them from charging you beyond a certain amount (escapes me what that amount is at the moment). Should find lots of info in this link.
TELUS.COM
Select your region | Telus.com

Mobile WiFi hotspots (MiFi) work well for situations like this. I used one when I was traveling in Tokyo last year. I don't have any experience with MiFi in Greece, but an internet search brought up these two examples. http://www.cellularabroad.com/mifi-rentals-greece http://www.cellomobile.com/mifiCountries/greece.aspx
CELLULARABROAD.COM
Cellular Abroad - Mifi Rental for Greece

When I go home to Europe I have a cheap android that I got unlocked for $50. Then I buy cards for whatever country I'm in at stores or gas stations. Lastly, I put my own cell on airplane mode and then face time by WiFi or apple message etc. Quite straight forward and no nasty surprises!

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I always just put my phone on airplane mode. Can send and receive texts and emails wherever connected to wifi.

You can get a cheap plan for calls/ texts in Europe too! I think you can get like 150 for 30 bucks or something with Telus. Then you can use those when you don't have wifi!

when we went to england I just called telus and they fixed me up we used phone data ect... and I think it oost me an extra 40-50

Don't buy anything (unless you are one of those people that couldn't possibly put their phone done for 5 whole minutes), just make sure your phone is unlocked.
I haven't had a Canadian cell phone since the end of April (I bought it out right from Rogers before I left & unlocked it)
Turn off your mobile data (or go airplane mode but make sure WiFi on), get the 'MagicJack' app - can call from anywhere in the world via WiFi. It has texting but I haven't tried it since I have whatsapp
Get 'whatsapp' as well - buy the 0.99$ portion of the app and you can call people who also have whatsapp (very much worth the 99cents!)
Then simply source out WiFi (hotels, cafes, bars and restaurants all give you their WiFi codes for free) where you can. Have your phone remember those locations and your golden.
If you absolutely need to buy a €10 SIM card (or a pay as you go) there but otherwise don't bother
And save yourself hundreds of $$$
Trust me, I'm still travelling and I am obligated to call my Mom once a week to chat so she knows I'm still alive!

I beleive Rogers also has a pan for Europe. The trick is not to use to call or text from one European country to another. Keep the communications within one country.

I'm saving on international roaming with knowroaming - I tested it in Mexico recently and it worked like a charm. Use this code and get 30% off plus $5.00 signup credit: MONYA13 at
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KNOWROAMING.COM
Reduce Roaming Fees With knowroaming

we bought a very cheap phone in the Uk and use it for Europe, we top it up on visits to there......we do the same with a phone for Mexico.

Thank you everyone very much. What a great site this is!

whatsapp download the app - iPhone or any phone. All texts are free to anywhere in the world and from anywhere in the world. Uses wifi. I use it almost daily to England and used it to Canada from the UK and Western Europe last summer. Nothing beats free! I go into settings on my phone and turn off cellular data so it operates only on wifi and I can still use all features on my phone - airplane mode is too restrictive. No phones charges for a month away and no costs to have anything done to my phone. Cheapest solution ever!

You can go to the local provider. The will give you a chip for your phone and you can purchase data for the time you will be there. We always do that when in Europe. It is usually really affordable. This is if you want to be connected at all times.

Download Viber my dear...it work on wifi and u can txt free also make calls free anywhere in the world... Also whatsapp is free and also calling on whatsapp is free

Telus has not met Rogers unlimited plan. 150$ for 150 minutes and some data and texts. Onesim also allows calling but you buy minutes and have an Estonian number but can call anywhere. Viber works well with wifi.

Get your phone unlocked. Buy a SIM card at the train station or airport. We do that each time I go to Europe. Much cheaper. Greece, Italy, UK, Iceland. So worth it.

Yep I did that too very well worth it...

Valerie - have a great time! You'll love Greece, it's beautiful there
Best time to go is in Sept (so I've been told by the locals). I was there this July for 26 days.

Yes, definitely get the SIM card, that's what I did when I was there in July

I am there right now. Go to Germanos (cell store, lots of them) buy the cosmote 15 euro SIM card (data only) which gives you 10 euro credit. That's good for 5 days and/or 2 Gb (promo now is 4 gb). There are 15 and 30 day options also. Make sure you have an unlocked phone (not same as jailbroken, different thing). I used it for e-mail, Facebook messenger, FaceTime, etc, but never tried to MMS/text with it.