How reliable is turning off data roaming?

[ClemTiger0408]

I'm heading to London next month (I'm from the US) and I'm afraid of the ridiculous roaming charges. I basically only want to use the iPhone as a GPS while I am there. Is this even possible? I obviously don't want any data coming in or out or calls because of the ridiculous rates.

Should I just say forget it and not use the iPhone at all?

 

[samiwas]

I'm heading to London next month (I'm from the US) and I'm afraid of the ridiculous roaming charges. I basically only want to use the iPhone as a GPS while I am there. Is this even possible? I obviously don't want any data coming in or out or calls because of the ridiculous rates.

Should I just say forget it and not use the iPhone at all?

How would you use the GPS without the maps, which must load via wifi/edge/3G?? I'm not sure this is possible, unless there is some third-party thing I'm not aware of.

As for turning off data roaming. I did that when I went to London (total of 6-7 weeks), and wasn't charged a cent for data. If you don't want any incoming calls or texts or anything, but still want your phone turned on, I think you would have to go to Airplane Mode, which probably shuts off the GPS as well.

I'm thinking you may be SOL.