Traveling out side the US w/ iPhone 4s help!

[makai4325]

I am going to Germany in may and I want to take my Verizon iPhone 4s with me. I was looking into plans but they are super expensive from what I have seen. I was looking into getting it unlocked and then once I arrive in Europe getting a sim card but I am confused how this works and what about data plans and texting and will texting be expensive for the people I am texting back in the US and Canada? If you can help that would be great! Thanks!