I prefer prepaid SIM cards. Prepaid calling cards require you to go out and find a public phone to make the calls. Payphones are increasingly more difficult to find and the level maintenance when you do is pretty bad. I've seen more pay phones with missing handsets than ever before. Twenty years ago, people might have used the handsets for something. Today? I've seen phones so grimy I wouldn't want to hold the handset, let alone put it to my appear. Calling FROM a hotel phone isn't an option. In my experience, most European hotels gouge on local calls. Having someone call you back in your hotel room is a different story. That, however, requires scheduling and planning.

I just got back from a six country trip. Except for Russia, everything was in the EU. I used a roaming SIM in a Nokia E66 with VOIP and bought an $8 subscription to Boingo's global PDA plan. I had VOIP coverage throughout downtown Stockholm, huge pieces of Copenhagen, at Schipol, at a number of spots in Helsinki. in a number of train stations, and coffee shops.

The advice about hotel internet is absolutely correct. The Copenhagen Hilton wanted $30 a night for internet and this is far from rare.

The commentator about VOIP and internet sticks is absolutely correct. I've found that even SIP VOIP (the common kind) works fine on most 3g networks. I had a Vodafone SIM and a 3g phone. On my last day with 15 euros left to blow, I tried a VOIP over 3g call from Stockholm and it worked great. Since it was roaming data, it wasn't the best deal, but Voda has the best roaming data rates in Europe now that 3 Like Home has closed down.

One last point about Skype, the people you want to call need to sign up for free accounts.

Stu

PS: I really wish that Skype was again owned by the Estonians. It was a much better program and service when it was run by Eastern Europeans who were irreverent than a US corporation concerned with pleasing the FCC and China.