If you want to know how to make cheap international phone calls, read on for our top tips.

Get your friends to call you – for a penny

Calling home from a landline or a mobile phone can be expensive, but there’s a hack that you can take advantage of if you want to enjoy international phone calls. With companies such as Planet Numbers, you can type in a simple access code before dialling a number, and then make calls for just a penny or two per minute. It’s much more cost-effective than buying an international calling card and allows you to talk for as long as you’d like, without worrying about an expensive phone bill.

There is a catch to this service, though, and it’s that you need to call the unique access code from the UK. Therefore, ask your friends to call you from the UK, and you’ll be able to take advantage of this international calling method without racking up an expensive bill.

Buy a local SIM card

If you have an unlocked mobile phone (that is, a phone that can be used on any carrier or mobile phone network), then this tip is for you. It’s possible to buy a local SIM card from the country you’re visiting on a ‘rental’ or pay as you go basis. It’s typically cheaper than using your phone contract and allows you to make local calls cheaply.

One caveat to bear in mind, however, is that many mobile phones are locked to a particular carrier, so you should check before your travels to ensure yours isn’t. Money Saving Expert has a comprehensive guide to unlocking your smartphone, but take note that you may need to pay an unlocking fee or wait up to seven days before you can insert another SIM card.

One drawback of buying a local SIM card, however, is that you will need to tell your friends and family about your new, temporary number. It may also mean that they will be subject to international phone call charges if they’re calling from the United Kingdom – and you could be subject to the same charges if you’re calling home. Read the fees, terms and conditions of your international carrier before buying a local SIM card to ensure it’s worth your money.

Use the internet

Another way to call home is to use the internet. Internet-based services such as Skype, WhatsApp and Google Hangouts allow you to make international calls from anywhere in the world, and they’re free to use provided you have internet access. Before travelling, send your friends and family an email with your Skype username, and let them know the times you’ll be available for a chat – time-zones can make overseas communication difficult!

While voice over IP (VoIP) systems are free to use, they do require internet access. Typically, 3G and 4G internet abroad is expensive, so only use these services if you’re connected to a Wi-Fi signal. Tech Advisor offers information on using a 3G signal abroad if there’s no Wi-Fi access available, but bear in mind that this method will be more expensive than the options we have mentioned previously.

There you have it – three of the best ways to make an international call while you’re away from home. By planning in advance, you’ll be able to take advantage of our top tips and avoid paying too much for a quick catch-up with your loved ones.

When you think of a holiday in Australia, there are probably some very stereotypical sights that come to mind like the Great Barrier Reef, the outback, and Sydney’s signature skyline. What you may not know is that you can holiday in Sydney, see all of the cityscape and highlights but also do some amazing snorkeling and get to experience the marine life. Today we will be highlighting Sydney and covering five of Sydney’s top spots for snorkeling.

Sydney is a great city to visit. There is so much to see and do. Of course, the city has some of the most iconic sights in the world including Sydney Harbour, the Sydney Opera House, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.; however, there is much more than just that. You can visit some of New South Wales’ national parks – all within a short drive from Sydney, you can even see the mountains, they are just about a 30 minute drive west of Sydney’s CBD. Then, there are Sydney’s beaches and snorkeling spots, which are great, some are even perfect for children and beginners. So, hire a car from Budget Car Rental Sydney and you will be able to take yourself around to see all these amazing Sydney attractions.

1. Shelly Beach

Shelly Beach is located in Manly in the Cabbage Tree Bay protected marine reserve. That means that there is an abundance of unique fish to see there thanks to the protected status. The maximum depth is just about 12 metres, so it is shallow and the waters are calm. Swim with schools of mullet, trevally, hawksbill turtles, and smaller shark species like wobbegongs and dusky whalers. There are other things to do at Shelly Beach too like surfing or exploring the nearby walking tracks.

2. Clovelly Pool

Clovelly Beach has a lot going for it that makes it a top spot for snorkeling. It is a small beach at the end of a narrow bay so the water is very calm. There is even a ramp for handicap access. The beach is home to one of Australia’s first lifesaving clubs in the world. The Clovelly Surf Life Saving Club was founded in 1906. When the waters are calm, you can even venture out over the pool’s edge where you can find some of the “locals”, fish that are always found hanging around the pool edge including Bluey, the 1.2 metre blue grouper, giant cuttlefish, and sponges.

3. Fairlight Beach

Fairlight Beach is where the locals go for snorkeling. This little “insider’s secret” is literally located inside Sydney on the harbour side of Manly. That means a shallow reef and calm waters for easy swimming and great visibility. Look for marine life like kelp fish, John Dory, sea slugs, and many other varieties. In addition to the snorkeling, there are a host of other things to do and see here and also in nearby Manly Wharf including:

• Tidal Rock Pool
• Toilets: including disabled toilet and access
• Ocean lap pool
• Kayaking
• Safe swimming for kids
• Parking
• Lighting
• Bench Seating
• Water
• Fairlight Walk
• Paddle Boarding
• Nearby accommodations

4. The Basin Campground at Ku-Ring-gai Chase National Park

This is your chance to really get in touch with nature so close to Sydney. The Basin Campground is in Ku-Ring-gai Chase National Park which is less than an hour’s drive from Sydney. The Campground is close to the beach where you will find a host of smaller sea creatures to explore. The estuary upstream has a shark net in place, so there are not any larger fish to worry about. The campsite facilities are open to swimmers, so even if you aren’t camping there, you will have access to the picnic tables, barbecue facilities, drinking water, public phones, showers, and toilets. One of the highlights of Ku-Ring-gai Chase National Park are the walking trails, so don’t miss out on an opportunity for some Australian bushwalking in the beautiful nature this park has to offer.

5. Kurnell

Located in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell is one of the best loved snorkeling spots in Sydney. It has earned this popularity because it is where the largest population of weedy sea dragons in Australia live. They look like magical creatures right out of a fairy tail and swim around so gracefully, they are fascinating and fun to watch! Of course, they aren’t the only sea creatures you’ll find in Kurnell, you might also spot moray eels, Port Jackson sharks, Antarctic fur seals, and plenty of other colourful fish. In addition to all that, there is a good bit of history here, as this is the spot where Captain Cook landed in 1770.