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That's not a problem if you use the Authenticator app (or a compatible alternative) instead of getting codes over SMS.

The two step app works even with no connection to the internet. I dont know how but it does. I think you dont need to have the same sim card. only the phone turned on.

I think that the two step code is a hash of a random number shared between Google and the app (when reading the QR code), and the current time.

Google Authenticator uses TOTP (RFC 6238), which means the codes are a function of time plus a secret key. As long as your phone's clock is reasonably accurate, the app will work without any network access.

http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6238

You definitely don't need network access. I use Google Authenticator on my Wifi only tablet. You need an internet connection to sync it to Google's key but not after that. And, yes, when the tablet's clock is off by a few minutes, the code doesn't work.

In that case, use the one-time backup codes and make sure to refresh them every few logins while you're away. I think they give you eight at a time.