international travel phones

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The Best Smart Phones to Use When You Travel

In this post, Dave Dean from Too Many Adapters shares his best tips and advice on how to pick the best smartphone for when you travel.

As a travel tech writer, I get asked about using smartphones for travel all the time. The minute we head overseas with our phones, we’re hit with a confusing mess of technical jargon, expensive roaming agreements, conflicting advice, and nonworking gear. Trying to discuss the nuances of GSM frequency bands or iPhone unlock codes with a mobile vendor in a dusty Cambodian town isn’t my idea of fun, and I doubt it’s yours either.

Since we all want our smartphones to work when we travel, I’ve put together this guide covering everything you need to know to get your smartphone working overseas — as well as the best smartphones for travel. It’s detailed, but not too complicated, and will save you money, time, and plenty of frustration!

The Best Travel Smartphones

Traveling with a Smartphone: Tips and Advice

This is an inexpensive way to stay connected with phone and data service while you travel. The downside is that you’ll have to change SIM cards every time you change countries, so you may end up carrying a stack of SIM cards around the world with you (though I like being reminded of all the places I’ve been!).

Here are some other tips for using your phone:

1. Only use Wi-Fi when possible – Your smartphone will still connect over Wi-Fi just fine, so replace calling with Skype or Google Voice, SMS with WhatsApp, and download a bunch of offline travel apps to use when you’re away from a signal. You’ll be surprised how well that approach can work, and not getting notifications all the time is quite refreshing.

You can download Google Maps and download the map of the city online then use it without Wi-Fi. Also, you can search for your destination in Google Maps and it still works when you don’t have Wi-Fi if your location is on. You can also take screenshots and save them.

Some cities even have free public Wi-Fi in parks and public spaces like airports and train stations. If you really need it, lots of international chains like McDonald’s and Starbucks have Wi-Fi if you buy something to eat or drink. Remember to be careful with your data on these open networks (a VPN is recommended).

2. Buy a budget smartphone – While there’s a lot of junk at the bottom of the smartphone range, there are a few decent phones for travelers under $200. My current favorite is the Motorola Moto G — you’ll want to buy a microSD card for some extra storage, but other than that it’s a reasonably speedy smartphone, with a battery that lasts all day. Tip: grab the “Global” version for maximum compatibility overseas. You’ll still need to buy local SIM cards to put in it.

3. Rent a phone – You can rent phones at airports and from various companies before you leave home, but I’d only consider it for a short trip to a specific country where my usual phone didn’t work. For anything other than that, it’s cheaper just to buy a new one.

4. Rent or buy a portable hotspot – Portable hotspots are small gadgets that create a wireless network and share a cellular data connection over it — you can typically connect 5 or 10 devices to the network you create. You can rent one for short trips at an inflated daily or weekly rate, or you can buy an unlocked hotspot and stick a local SIM card in it, just as if it were a phone. Your smartphone will treat this like any other Wi-Fi network.

Getting your smartphone to work overseas without coming home to a huge bill isn’t always a straightforward task. But with a bit of time and effort, you’ll know exactly what options you’ve got when you’re on the road and you’ll be able to use your phone overseas.

Do your research, avoid the rip-offs, buy one of the above best smartphones when you travel, and you’ll be able to stay in touch, stay connected, and stay Instagramming when you travel!

Dave runs Too Many Adapters , a site devoted to technology for travelers. A geek as long as he can remember, he worked in IT for 15 years. Now based out of a backpack long term, Dave writes about travel and tech from anywhere with half-decent Internet and a great view. You can also find him talking about the life of a long-term traveler at What’s Dave Doing?  

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Best international phone plans in 2024 — what travelers need to know

Heading overseas? Find out what your cellphone provider charges if you use your phone

• T-Mobile phone plans
• Verizon phone plans
• AT&T phone plans
• Google Fi plans
• Other options
• Device compatibility and eSims
• 5G coverage when traveling

Before your summer travels overseas, you should look into whether you've got one of the best international phone plans for staying connected during your upcoming adventures. In the U.S., all the major wireless carriers offer some kind of travel benefit with their best cell phone plans , but they also have supplementary packages for travelers to augment the data plan you already have in place. The trick is to make sure those options keep you covered around the globe.

1. T-Mobile : Best choice for travelers 2. Verizon : TravelPass options 3. AT&T : Best for travel in Latin and Central America 4. Google Fi : An underrated traveling companion 5. Other options : Other international phone plans to consider

The best international phone plans will let you make calls and browse the web when you're in another country (though there might be a fee on top of your normal monthly rate, depending on which carrier you use). Different plans might cover different countries, and how long you plan on traveling could also impact your choice of plans. Your method of travel — be it by plane or cruise ship — also affects which plan is best for you.

All of these are things for globetrotters to consider when shopping for wireless coverage. You're going to want one of the best unlimited data plans since they tend to offer the most travel-related perks. If you haven't travelled internationally in a while, it's smart to double-check what options are out there since the best phone carriers have overhauled their plans and packages available to travelers.

Here’s a look at the travel policies and perks for the three top U.S carriers along with information on Google Fi, which offers a plan that definitely appeals to frequent travelers.

T-Mobile international phone plans

T-Mobile offers an expanded array of plans, though most of its unlimited data plan options have some benefits for overseas travel. Subscribe to Magenta, Magenta Max, Go5G, Go5G Plus or Go5G Next, and you enjoy unlimited data and texting in more than 215 countries around the world. If you want to place or receive calls, you’ll be subject to the local rate depending on where you want to go. You don’t need to notify T-Mobile of your travel for your overseas benefits to kick in.

T-Mobile Go5G Plus Plan | Unlimited Data | $90/month T-Mobile's Go5G Plus plan has the edge over Magenta Max for world travelers, even if the latter plan is $5 cheaper for a single line. That's because Go5G Plus customers get more data when traveling in Mexico and Canada (15GB vs. 10GB for Magenta Max) and 10GB more hotspot data. Otherwise, the two plans are identical: You can use your data in 215-plus countries at no extra cost. The first 5GB of data you use use will be high-speed data (with 5G speeds supported where available). The cheaper Go5G and Magenta plans ($75/month and $70/month, respectively) also feature travel benefits, including high-speed data in 11 European countries. Otherwise, data speeds are capped at 256 kbps.

Travel perks in current plans: As part of T-Mobile's Beyond Connected program, data speeds now reach 256 kbps when you're overseas. If you subscribe to either the standard Magenta or Go5G plans and you're in one of 11 European countries, you can enjoy 5GB of high-speed data every month, thanks to a partnership with T-Mobile parent Deutsche Telecom.

The perk gets better when you upgrade to either Magenta Max or Go5G Plus, both of which cost $15 more a month than their respective base plans. In that case, you can benefit from 5GB of high-speed data in 215 countries.

Go5G Next, T-Mobile's most expensive plan at $100/month for a single line, has the same travel benefits as Go5G Plus, but adds the ability to upgrade your phone every year. If that's not important to you, stick with Go5G Plus and pay $10 less each month on your wireless bill.

T-Mobile customers can take advantage of free Wi-Fi on American, Delta, Alaska Airlines and United flights. Magenta Max and Go5G Plus subscribers get full texting and Wi-Fi with streaming during flights, where wireless is available. If you go with the standard Magenta or Go5G option, you're covered on four flights per year with full streaming, plus unlimited texting; after those four flights, you can stream one hour of video. Delta SkyMiles members also get free Wi-Fi on domestic U.S. flights courtesy of T-Mobile — even if they get their wireless service from another carrier.

In Mexico and Canada, T-Mobile allows you to use up to 5GB of data whether you've got Magenta or Magenta Max; speeds are slowed to 2G after that. Go5G customers get 10GB of data in those two countries, while Go5G Plus members enjoy 15GB.

T-Mobile includes travel benefits in two of its remaining senior plans, with identical travel perks between the $100 Go5G Plus 55 option and the $120 Go5G Next 55 plan. (Note that those monthly prices cover two lines of data; one line of either Plus or Next cost $70 and $80, respectively.) Travel perks include high-speed data and text when you travel abroad, plus unlimited in-flight connectivity. When you travel to Canada or Mexico, you get 15GB of high-speed data. Both plans also include a year's membership to AAA for road travel in the U.S.

If you opt for T-Mobile's lower cost Essentials unlimited plan, you'll get 2G roaming in Canada and Mexico, but have to pay for data elsewhere.

Trip-specific passes: T-Mobile offers International Pass options for travelers who want high-speed data during lengthier stays overseas. A 5GB International Pass gives you that much high-speed data along with unlimited calling for 10 days. It costs $35. T-Mobile's $50 International Pass increases high-speed data to 15GB and extends the length of the pass to 30 days. The carrier also offers a $5 daily pass that gives you 512MB of high-speed data, and unlimited calling between the 215 or so Simple Global destinations. 

Cruise rates: Pricing on cruises will vary according to which cruise you’re taking. You can check T-Mobile’s site to see what your pricing will be.

Verizon international phone plans

Verizon phones generally work all over the world, especially if you've got a phone built in the last few years. But where you travel significantly influences how much you’ll have to pay. As for which is the best Verizon phone plan for travelers, that all depends on how frequently you go overseas. There's a clear choice for regular globetrotters, but Verizon's less expensive offerings allow you to tack on travel benefits, too.

Verizon Unlimited Ultimate | Unlimited Data | $90/month Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate plan offers the most benefits for world travelers. Verizon promises "full international connectivity," meaning you'll be able to use talk and text for free when overseas; you also get 10GB of high-speed data every month that you can use in other countries. Unlimited Ultimate is Verizon's most expensive plan, so unless you take frequent trips, you may be better served by Unlimited Plus ($80/month for one line) or Unlimited Welcome ($65/month). Those two plans can add on a $10/month Travel Pass options that provides three days of talk, text and data when you're overseas. You can drop the Travel Pass add-on from your plan in months were you don't need it. Verizon lets family plans mix and match lines so one person can get Unlimited Ultimate, while the others subscribe to the cheaper options.

Travel perks in current plans: Of Verizon's three unlimited plans, the best for frequent travelers is the Unlimited Ultimate option, which lets you use talk and text in other countries just like you would in the U.S. You also get 10GB of high-speed data to use overseas every month.

Unfortunately, Unlimited Ultimate is Verizon's most expensive plan, costing $90 a month for one line. (And that's after a discount for enrolling autopay.) There are cheaper options — Unlimited Welcome and Unlimited Plus — that include travel perks. Both plans let you text internationally to 200-plus countries. You can also use LTE data when traveling in Mexico and Canada. You're limited to 0.5GB of data consumption per day in those two countries before your speeds are slowed to 2G, and you can't use more than half of your talk, text and data in those countries over a 60-day period.

In addition to the base Welcome Unlimited and Unlimited Plus packages, you can opt for $10 monthly add-ons for your Verizon plan — some covering streaming services, another providing hotspot data and so on. The relevant package is Verizon's $10/month 3 TravelPass Days add-on, which saves you $20 a month on travel benefits as you pick up three passes during monthly billing cycles. You can accrue up to 36 passes for using talk, text and data when traveling overseas.

Unlimited Welcome starts at $65/month for one line, while Unlimited Plus is $80. If you have a family plan, you can mix and match so that different lines of data subscribe to different plans — helpful if there's one person in the family who travels a lot and would benefit from the Unlimited Ultimate perks.

Trip-specific passes: Let's talk a little bit more about the TravelPass . It's Verizon's daily option for international coverage, and it’ll cost you $5 per day per device for each day you’re out of the country if you travel to Mexico or Canada and don't have an unlimited plan. In 185 other countries — including China, France and Germany — Verizon charges $10 per device per day. TravelPass gets you 2GB of 5G data, and unlimited data at 3G speeds after that; the passes also come with unlimited talk and text.

If you know you’ll be traveling for a bit more time, consider Verizon’s monthly option, which the carrier recommends for trips lasting at least 10 days. International Monthly Plans at Verizon cost $100/month, but in exchange, you get 250 minutes of talk, unlimited texts and 20GB of high-speed data. (Use that, and you get unlimited data at 3G speeds.)

Verizon also offers pay-as-you-go pricing for international travel. You’ll pay 99 cents per minute in Canada and Mexico, Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands. Rates go up to $1.79 in 130-plus countries and $2.99 in 80 other places. Each text message you send will cost you 50 cents, and each received text will set you back 5 cents. Your data will be charged at a rate of $2.05 per megabyte no matter where you are.

Cruise rates: Pay-as-you go rates on cruise ships cost $1.99 for each minute of talk and 50 cents for every sent text message. You’ll pay 5 cents per message received. Verizon has a data plan for cruise passengers, too, with $30/day giving you 500MB of data plus unlimited texting and 50 minutes of talk time. For in-flight connectivity, you can opt for the same pay-as-you-go rates for cruise trips or you can pay $20 per day for unlimited data.

AT&T international phone plans

AT&T also comes with varied international pricing depending on where you want to go. Canada and Mexico travel is covered in many top AT&T plans, and if you pay up for the Unlimited Premium option, you can use your plan in many Central and South American countries. Traveling elsewhere? Then you had best look into AT&T's travel passes.

AT&T Unlimited Premium| Unlimited Data | $85.99/month It's AT&T's most expensive unlimited plan, but Unlimited Premium has the best perk for travelers — you can use your talk, text and data at no extra cost in 20 Latin American countries.  As with other AT&T unlimited options, you also enjoy talk, text and data coverage when traveling in Canada and Mexico.

Travel perks in current plans: If you’re heading to Mexico or Canada, AT&T already covers all of your voice, data and text with its four different unlimited plans — Starter, Extra, Premium and the entry-level Value Plus option. AT&T offers a lone tiered data plan with 4GB of data that you can use in Canada and Mexico (though roaming may be at 2G speeds). Both unlimited and tiered data plans feature unlimited texting to 120-plus countries.

The Unlimited Premium plan is the best option for travelers headed to the Americas, as you'll be able to enjoy unlimited text, talk and data at no additional cost in 20 Central and South American countries. 

If you do a lot of international calling from home, AT&T offers unlimited calling to 85-plus countries from the U.S. for $15 per month for each line. Calls to another 140-plus countries get discounted rates under this plan.

Trip-specific passes: For anyone off to Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America or the Asia Pacific region on a short jaunt, AT&T recommends its $10-a-day International Day Pass, which comes with unlimited talk and text and data governed by your plan. (Note that each device you take overseas will need its own Day Pass.) That service is available in 210-plus countries, and you can add extra phones for just $5 a day.

You'll never have to pay for more than 10 days of day passes on any one bill, even if your trip lasts longer. International Day Passes also kick in automatically when you use your phone abroad — you get a text message letting you know you're covered.

Cruise rates: On cruises , AT&T offers a $60/month Cruise Basic plan that covers 100 minutes of talk and unlimited texting while also offering 100MB of data. Need more of everything? Then try the Cruise Plus plan ($100/month), which includes 1GB of data on top of unlimited talk and text. 

Google Fi international phone plans

If you do a lot of international traveling, don't ignore Google Fi Wireless , the wireless service set up by Google that uses cellular towers of T-Mobile and US Cellular to provide coverage. International travel is built into two of Google Fi's plans — the Unlimited Plus and Flexible options.

Google Unlimited Plus| Unlimited Data | $65/month The Unlimited Plus plan is the way to go with Google Fi, as you can use your data at no extra cost when traveling overseas. Google Fi customers who pay by the gigabyte of data used are also eligible for this perk.

Travel perks in current plans: You've got two options with Google Fi — tiered data through the company's Flexible plan or a pair of unlimited data options. Flexible coverage costs $20 a month for talk and text plus $10 for each GB of data you use. (Data usage is rounded off to the nearest megabyte so you only pay for the data you consume.) Google stops charging you after you use 6GB a month, meaning you'll never pay more than $80. 

If you find unlimited data plans more appealing, Google has you covered there, too — it also offers a $65 Unlimited Plus option that rolls in unlimited talk, text and data. Unlimited Plus subscribers now get a year of YouTube Premium as a perk. 

The real benefit to either Unlimited Plus or Flexible is that those plans cover you when you're traveling in 200-plus countries. When you're overseas, Google Fi charges the same rate for data usage, whether you're on an unlimited data plan or paying by the gigabyte. Voice calls cost 20 cents (though calls placed over Wi-Fi are free) and you get unlimited SMS messaging. 

Alas, Google's $50/month Simply Unlimited plan is not eligible for the free data perk when traveling. That said, all three of Google Fi's plans let you use talk, text and data in Mexico and Canada.

Google Fi is even more appealing now that Google has opened up service to all phones, including iPhones. Note that phones optimized for Google Fi — Google's Pixel phones (currently the Pixel 8 , Pixel 8 Pro , Pixel Fold and Pixel 7a )  along with a selection of Samsung phones and Motorola budget devices — can switch seamlessly between cellular networks and Google's Wi-Fi hotspots, while other phones cannot.

Trip-specific passes: Unlike the other carriers here, Google Fi doesn't offer travel passes for extended trips. Your only option is to get coverage through the Flexible and Unlimited Plus plans.

Cruise rates: Google Fi is not available when you're at sea — only when you're on land in one of the 200-plus countries covered by the carrier.

Other international phone plan options

Discount carriers typically don't provide much in the way of benefits for travelers, but there are some exceptions. The most noteworthy alternative is Visible , which has expanded the travel perks for subscribers to its $45/month Visible Plus plan .

Visible is owned by Verizon and uses its parent company's network for coverage. The Visible Plus plan features unlimited data, including access to Verizon's high-speed 5G network. Travelers will be particularly interested in the unlimited talk, text and 2GB of daily data available through Visible Plus when traveling in Canada and Mexico. Visible Plus customers are also eligible for one free Global Pass day per month, in which they can use talk, text and data at no charge in 140 countries. Globla Passes normally cost $10.

Best international phone plan: Device compatibility and eSims

Traveling overseas used to mean checking to see if your phone would be compatible once you set foot in another country. But those days are drawing to a close now that 3G networks are shutting down, eliminating much of the distinction between phones that work on either GSM and CDMA. If you've got a recent smartphone that connects to LTE, chances are strong it's going to work just fine in other countries. (You still might want to confirm that your phone works on the LTE bands available in the country you're heading to prior to your trip, just to avoid any unpleasant surprises.)

Many phones now support electronic SIM cards or eSIM technology, where you no longer need to swap in a local SIM card to make your smartphone work with an overseas network. (Since the iPhone 14 , Apple devices sold in the U.S. only feature eSIM support — that includes the newer iPhone 15 models.) One of our editors took an international trip using an eSIM for her phone and found it easy to setup and use with a local network — in fact, she plans to use the eSIM approach on all future travel. 

That said, not every country supports eSIM. And depending on your phone carrier in the U.S., you might already have options that cover your phone use in other countries.

International phone plans: What about 5G?

As noted above, many of the plans that offer international travel either have you connect at whatever speed is available locally or at a reduced speed in cases where you're drawing from your own data plan. But what if you've got a 5G phone that can connect to faster networks overseas?

For the most part, we'd expect your phone to operate as before, either at whatever speed the local network offers or a capped speed if that's part of your carrier's travel plans. However, in a few instances, U.S. phone carriers have started making deals with overseas wireless providers that allow their customers to access 5G speeds when roaming. You should check with your carrier for information about the country you're going to travel in.

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Philip Michaels is a Managing Editor at Tom's Guide. He's been covering personal technology since 1999 and was in the building when Steve Jobs showed off the iPhone for the first time. He's been evaluating smartphones since that first iPhone debuted in 2007, and he's been following phone carriers and smartphone plans since 2015. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics, old movies and proper butchery techniques. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.

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Best Travel Phone of 2024

With the right phone by your side, your trips can be elevated as far as convenience and even capturing memories are concerned. Here are CNET's top picks for the best travel phones of 2024.

Our Experts

• More than a decade of journalism experience

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

The iPhone 15 (left) and Google Pixel 8.

Are you looking for a new phone to accompany you on a trip or your daily adventures? 

From the brand-new iPhone 15 lineup to the foldable Galaxy Z Fold 5 , there's no shortage of options for smartphone shoppers hunting for the perfect travel companion. With so many options, figuring out which one is best for your needs can be less than straightforward. Do you want an all-round travel phone? Or is the camera the most important factor for you? Perhaps you value durability the most? Everyone has their own set of needs and criteria.

To simplify the decision, we've rounded up our top picks for the best travel phone of 2024 across various categories. Each phone on this list has been thoroughly reviewed and tested, and you'll find iPhone and Android options that fit different needs and different budgets. 

Some key criteria for a solid travel phone include long battery life, water and dust protection, multiple SIM card support and versatile cameras for capturing those special moments. We believe these features are important for travelers who need a phone that can withstand different environments and situations while still providing them with the necessary tools to navigate, communicate and document.

What's the best travel phone for most people? 

Apple's iPhone 15 is our pick for the best travel smartphone for most people. For $799 (or less depending on your deals), you get one of the best camera systems money can buy with dust- and water resistance, a decent battery life, a new USB-C port for convenient charging and eSIM support. The iPhone 15 supports eight eSIM cards or more making it convenient for travelers who need to use a temporary local eSIM in addition to their regular one. 

On the Android side, we recommend the Samsung Galaxy S23 , a fundamentally excellent phone. It has a long battery life, water- and dust resistance and four cameras. One of the cameras has a telephoto lens for zooming into faraway subjects (handy if you spot a wild animal and don't want to get up close) or simply for capturing local foods you might be enjoying. The Galaxy S23 can accommodate two physical SIM cards as well as eSIMs. 

Best Travel Phone

With the Dynamic Island, a USB-C port for more convenient charging and an upgraded camera with a higher resolution and a crisper zoom, the iPhone 15 is a significant upgrade for those with older iPhones. It feels like a scaled-back version of the iPhone 14 Pro, making Apple's entry-level iPhone 15 feel like a bigger leap forward than last year's.

The iPhone 15 is available in two sizes. If you're looking for something on the small side there's the 6.1-inch iPhone 15. If you value a big screen there's the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus. They run on the A16 Bionic chip which should bring notable performance upgrades to those who've had an iPhone that's now several years old. These phones also have Apple's second-gen ultrawideband chip, enabling a new feature that makes it easier to find friends or family members in a crowd. This will help when traveling to an unfamiliar locale.

The iPhone 15 is the most exciting upgrade Apple's standard iPhone has seen in years. Read our iPhone 15 and 15 Plus review . 

• USB-C port for more convenient charging
• Colorful matte design
• An improved camera that can automatically take people and pet portraits
• Dynamic Island brings better multitasking
• No always-on display
• Find My Friends feature only works with other iPhone 15 phones
• Discounted iPhone 14 Pro may be a better value

Best Android travel phone

Samsung galaxy s23.

Android fans looking for a petite phone for on-the-go don't have much to choose from. The $700 Galaxy S23 and its 6.1-inch display provide a compelling option for those who want a phone that feels compact but still provides enough screen space.

The Galaxy S23 comes with routine upgrades like a fresh processor (a version of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that's been optimized for Samsung's phones), a slightly refined design and a high-resolution selfie camera. It's the Galaxy S23's larger battery that makes it worth recommending. Read our Samsung Galaxy S23 review .

• Attractive design
• Four generations of Android OS updates
• Longer battery life than the Galaxy S22
• Fast performance
• More storage in the base S23 Plus
• Cameras are basically the same as last year
• No improvements to fast-charging
• Regular Galaxy S23 lacks a base storage upgrade

Best budget-friendly travel phone

Google pixel 7a.

After taking a big leap forward in 2023, the $499 Google Pixel 7A is our top pick for a travel phone that won't blow your budget. Since it runs on the same Tensor G2 chipset as the Pixel 7, it has many of the same photo editing and language translation features which could come in handy during your travels. Apart from that, the Pixel 7A's 64-megapixel takes great photos that rival the Pixel 7's quality. The Pixel 7A is also durable with an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance and dependable battery life that lasts you a full day on just a single charge. Here's our full Google Pixel 7A review in case you want more information.

We chose Google's budget phone over Apple's cheaper iPhone SE since it has more cameras and a larger screen among other features, which should make navigation and watching your shows on the go a more pleasant experience. If you get the 7A on GoogleFi, Google's cellular service, you also get benefits such as no roaming fees when traveling internationally . 

• Great cameras
• Many of the same features as the Pixel 7 at a cheaper price
• IP67 rating for water and dust resistance
• The screen still looks dim outdoors
• Only three generations of Android OS updates less than competitors

Best travel phone for content creation

Google pixel 8.

With its souped-up AI features, we recommend the $699 Pixel 8 if you want to travel and create content for the 'gram. Apart from its slim design, durability rating, and dependable battery life, it can also capture solid nighttime images and has a suite of editing tools to help you take the best possible photos. Best Take, for instance, allows you to take a few consecutive photos of a person or group of people, and then swap out a person's head with a different version from another image from the series to get their best facial expression. On the video side, there's Audio Eraser, among other tools, which is another useful feature for video that helps you remove unwanted noise from the background.

Here's our full  Google Pixel 8 review .

• Fantastic cameras
• Lighter and brighter
• Best Take works well
• Low light imaging capabilities 
• No telephoto camera like the Galaxy S23
• Audio Magic Eraser doesn't have a live preview

Best travel flip phone

Samsung galaxy z flip 5.

Although flip phones aren't necessarily the ideal choice for traveling (due to subpar durability and cameras), if you're dead set on taking one along with you, then bring along Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 5. Flip phones definitely win in the portability category. If that's your main consideration and if you're not fussed about taking the best possible photos for instance, the supremely portable and lightweight Galaxy Z Flip 5 could be a good option. At $1,000 it doesn't come cheap, so make sure to get a case before you venture off into a new locale. 

• Lightweight
• Easily Pocketable
• Expensive compared to travel phone rivals, the iPhone 15 and Galaxy S23
• Cameras and durability are subpar compared to slab phone counterparts

Other travel phones we tested

The iPhone SE 2022 is also a worthy contender for a budget-friendly travel phone. It has a smaller 4.7-inch screen and just one rear camera, but you get Apple's A15 Bionic chip and 5G support, for $429. 

The $700  Galaxy S23 FE is an solid phone that gets you access to  Samsung's  higher-end features without the higher price.

The back of the Galaxy S23 FE.

How to buy a new travel phone

Look for local SIM and eSIM cards: Some countries might not have a roaming agreement with your carrier, in which case opt for buying a local SIM card or eSIM. Check with your carrier before you travel and look into what's offered at your destination.

Consider last year's models: When a new phone gets launched, stores and carriers discount their older phones to sell off existing stock.

Buy a case and screen protector:  Phones sold today are more durable than ones from even a few years ago. It's a good idea to protect your phone with a case when you travel because if you damage it, you might not have any option to get it repaired quickly.

CNET reviewer Lisa Eadicicco testing out the Galaxy Z Flip 5 in Seoul.

How we test phones

We test every phone in real-world scenarios, focusing on its features, design, performance, cameras, battery life and overall value. We document our findings in an initial review that is periodically updated when there are new software updates, or to compare it against new phones from competitors such as Apple, Samsung, Google and OnePlus.

Photography 

Photography is a major focus for most phones these days, so we take pictures and videos of various subjects in a variety of settings and lighting scenarios. We try out any new camera modes, such as Action mode that debuted with the iPhone 14 line, or the Unblur photo tool that launched with the Google Pixel 7 series.

Battery life 

Battery testing is conducted in a variety of ways. We assess how long a phone lasts during a typical day of use and note how it performs during more focused sessions of video calls, media streaming and gaming. We also conduct a video playback test, as a simple, replicable measure of pure battery life, which isn't always included in the initial review but sometimes added later in an update.

Emergency SOS might be one of the most important features to come out on any phone this year.

Performance measuring 

We use benchmarking apps to measure each phone's performance, alongside our own anecdotal experiences using the phone for our review. Of note are how graphics and animations look. Are they smooth? Or do they lag or stutter? We also look at how quickly the phone switches between horizontal and vertical orientations, and how fast the camera app opens and is ready to take a photo.

We perform processor-heavy tasks like editing photos, exporting videos and playing games. We evaluate whether a newer version of a particular phone includes enough features to make it worth upgrading from older models.

Read more: How We Test Phones

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The 10 Best Tips For Using A Cell Phone During International Travel

Traveling abroad? Use these tips to stay connected without going broke

• Western Sydney University
• Switching from Android

iPhones and Android smartphones will work in any country you travel to, but their functionality can be limited depending on your current mobile plan, whether you want to rent a SIM card or portale Wi-Fi devices upon arrival, and how well you prepare your apps before your departure.

Here are 10 things you need to know to save some money and get the most out of your smartphone when traveling internationally.

Confirm International Texting, Calling, And Data Fees

By far the most-important thing you need to do before traveling abroad is to check with your service provider about their current policies relating to international cell phone use and what your current contract already allows.

Global roaming functionality used to be an extra feature that users would have to manually opt into using for an additional fee. This has now changed and many cell phone service providers such as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile now activate international texting, calling, and data features automatically as soon as the handset is used in a foreign country.

This activation usually incurs a pricey fee that's recharged on a daily basis and can get very expensive if you're planning to travel for a long period of time. Metro PCS' World Calling is another popular service many people use for making international phone calls while traveling.

Mobile providers frequently update their international roaming services with new prices, features, and payment options. Verizon , AT&T , and T-Mobile each have dedicated pages on their official websites that detail their current options. However, you may have signed up for a contract that was created before the current model launched so the updated information on their sites may not apply to you. The best advice for cell phone usage when going abroad is to talk to a customer service representative over the phone or in person about your specific mobile phone contract.

Check If Your Smartphone's Unlocked

guvendemir/GettyImagesPlus

If you're planning to use an international cell phone plan with your current provider while traveling overseas, you don't really need to worry about whether your smartphone is unlocked or not. If you're thinking of renting a SIM card once you arrive at your target destination though, this bit of information is incredibly important.

Having a locked phone means that it can only be used on one specific provider's cellular network and this means that you won't be able to use that phone in a country where that network doesn't exist. If your phone is unlocked, you can use it on other cellular networks both in your home country and abroad.

Rent A SIM Card For International Cell Phone Use

Juanma Domínguez/Moment/GettyImages

SIM card rental allows you to use all of your phone's features, such as phone calls, text messages, and cellular data, by swapping out your current SIM card for one that's compatible with the country you're visiting.

While using another SIM card, your phone will be unable to receive texts or calls to your regular phone number as the SIM card will give your phone a new number. Due to this side effect, it's recommended to tell friends and family to contact you via email or a chat app like Facebook Messenger while you're traveling.

SIM card rental is available in most regions and can be done at specialized stores in major airports and at cell phone company branches. Renting a SIM card is generally much cheaper than paying for an international roaming service, especially for those planning to travel abroad for several days or weeks.

Rent A Portable Wi-Fi Device Instead

If you don't need texting or phone calls while traveling overseas and you think you'll be fine using your smartphone's apps for communication and navigation, a popular alternative to rental SIMs is a portable Wi-Fi device .

These Wi-Fi devices are about the size of a deck of cards and can be carried in your pocket or handbag. They broadcast a strong Wi-Fi signal to which you can connect your smartphone and other devices while traveling.

Such devices can usually be rented at airports and in telephone service provider stores. Some tourist information buildings also offer them to travelers.

Invest In A Quality Battery Pack

Odds are when you're traveling overseas, you're going to be using your phone a lot more than usual to navigate and to take photos and video. Your phone will also likely be going longer without chance to recharge and all of this extra usage will use up its battery power a lot faster than normal.

To prevent you from ending up with a dead phone while on the road, some good advice for smartphone owners is to invest in a good quality battery pack that can hold a significant amount of power. These typically feature at least one USB slot which can be used to recharge your smartphone, tablet, or other electronic accessories. A quality battery pack is a solid addition to any travel tech kit.

While most battery packs can be charged by being plugged into a wall, a growing number also boast solar panels which lets them be charged by the sun. These can be useful when traveling anywhere really but they're particularly practical for travelers that go camping.

Buy A Modern USB Power Adapter

A traditional power adapter with old-school power sockets for your chargers and laptop is a necessary purchase if you want to keep your electronics charged while traveling. If you're planning to buy a new adapter though, it's worth investing in a modern model which has at least one built-in USB port .

A USB port in an adapter will save you a lot of space when packing as USB cables generally take up much less room than cables with wall plugs on one end. USB charging cables will also likely work with more than one of your devices so you won't have to bring a separate cable for everything you own.

Pre-Download Media For Long Flights

Caiaimage/AgnieszkaOlek/GettyImages

When using your cell phone for international travel, you're bound to experience significant periods of time when you have access to neither a cellular nor Wi-Fi network and accessing online content will be almost impossible.

Because of this, it's a good idea to download some content before you travel so you have something to keep you entertained during your flight or after you arrive in a foreign country. The Netflix smartphone app lets you download many of its movies and TV shows, while the official YouTube apps have the ability to download your favorite videos if you're a YouTube Premium subscriber .

If you're not a subscriber of YouTube Premium, there's still a way to download YouTube videos to your device for offline viewing.

Other good options for offline media include the first-party digital stores for iOS , Android, and Windows 10 devices, all of which allow for the downloading of movies, songs, podcasts, and TV series. Spotify is another good choice for podcast downloads and music downloads, though you'll need a Spotify Premium membership to download songs for offline listening.

Pre-Download Maps For Offline Access

KlausVedfelt/DigitalVision/GettyImages

Unless you're paying for a global roaming package when going overseas, you'll likely be arriving at your target destination with no online functionality on your phone. This can make looking up travel information on your maps app very difficult or in many cases impossible.

Some airports do offer free Wi-Fi but many don't. The airport's Wi-Fi shouldn't be relied upon either, as once you leave the airport and get in a train, bus, taxi, or Uber , your smartphone will go completely offline again.

Fortunately, many map apps allow for the downloading of maps for offline viewing before you get to your location. Google Maps supports such a feature on both Android and iOS devices while the Maps app on Windows 10 laptops and tablets also contains this functionality.

While a lot of the location data can be downloaded in map apps, most of the public transport information won't function when offline. A good alternative is to download the local public transport app for your target destination before you go. Many of these apps work completely offline and also feature some useful information on the transport services available.

Set Up Cloud Services On Your Mobile Device

Westend61 / Brand X Pictures

Having your smartphone lost, broken, or stolen during international travel is always a possibility. Fortunately, experiencing any one of these bad situations doesn't have to be as devastating as it once was due to a variety of cloud services that can back up all of your photos, videos, and app settings to the cloud for access on another phone, tablet, or computer in the future.

The iPhone and Android smartphone first-party cloud services, iCloud and Google Drive , are usually installed and enabled by default on their respective devices to save your data to their respective servers but there are also some third-party options that you may want to check out as a backup.

Dropbox and Microsoft's OneDrive two popular alternatives to the default smartphone cloud options but there are a number worth checking out. Most cloud services can work alongside each other to back up your data so if you reach your data limit on one, you can rest assured that one of the other services has picked up the slack.

Prepare For App Content Changes In Other Countries

While many apps and services can function abroad, many travelers discover that some licenced content on their cell phone's apps changes slightly despite the same app and account being used as back home.

For example, a variety of music playlists may be available in the Fitbit Coach and other fitness smartphone apps when using them in the United States but you may find your song selection to be more limited when traveling to New Zealand. Once Upon a Time and Frasier may be on your Netflix list back home, but when traveling to Australia you may find that they disappear from the Netflix app completely.

The changing of content within apps isn't necessarily always a bad thing, though. While some of your favorite shows may become unavailable in Netflix when traveling to Japan for example, you'll also gain access to a lot of great Japanese films and anime series that you wouldn't be able to watch with your Netflix account back home.

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5 of the Best International Cell Phone Plans 2024

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You come home from vacation. You’re relaxed. You’re refreshed. Then you check your cell phone bill and find that you owe $800.

International roaming rates are nothing to mess around with, so it’s important to know what you’re on the hook for before you travel abroad. We surveyed the mobile landscape to find carriers and plans that are friendly to out-of-country travelers.

Some choices below are add-ons to an existing plan, paid either daily or monthly when needed, while others are monthly service plans that include good international access in their features.

International roaming plans: postpaid

Plan: International Day Pass.

Price: $10 per day for first line, $5 for additional lines used in the same 24-hour period, on top of your regular phone plan cost. Requires an AT&T unlimited, AT&T 4 GB, or Mobile Share plan.

At a glance: Calls from and between the U.S. and included countries are free.

Things to know: Once you have signed up, it activates automatically when you travel.

Plan: Go5G.

Price: $80 per month, $5 autopay discount available.

At a glance: Talk is at a flat 25 cents per minute in more than 215 countries. Unlimited texting and up to 5GB of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico. Unlimited data at 256Kbps speeds in more than 215 other countries.

Things to know: Price includes taxes and fees, but add-ons such as insurance or device payments are still assessed. You can upgrade to Go5G Plus for $15 per month, per line to get extra features, including 4K video streaming, 50GB of mobile hot spot data, faster data speeds in more than 215 countries and unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi on some flights.

Plan: International Monthly Plan.

Price: $100 per line per month.

At a glance: The plan includes unlimited data plus 250 minutes of talk and unlimited texts. It can be used in more than 210 countries.

Things to know: If you don’t opt in to the international plan, then you will be charged “pay as you go” rates when you travel overseas. Looking for options? Verizon also offers a cruise-specific plan for $20 a month or the Travel Pass for $10 per day, which comes with unlimited calls, texts and data.

» Learn more: What to know about electronics insurance

International roaming: prepaid

Google fi wireless.

Plan: Flexible.

Price: $20 per month, plus $10 per GB of data. Taxes and fees are extra.

At a glance: Unlimited talk and text in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Unlimited texting while abroad. High-speed data is a flat $10 per gigabyte, even when roaming internationally, but speeds are slower after 15GB of use.

Things to know: Texts and data in more than 200 countries for the same price you pay at home. Calls are an additional cost. The Flexible plan includes bill protection, where usage is free after you hit a certain monthly threshold — 6GB for one line, 10GB for two lines, 12GB for three lines, 14GB for four lines and 16GB for five lines. Google Fi uses the T-Mobile network and does not slow down speeds even when the network is busy.

Plan: International Connect and eSIM.

Price: For $10 additional per month on any Boost plan, International Connect adds calling to more than 120 countries and texting to more than 200. It requires using an eSIM card on an unlocked phone; once you have an eSIM you can add data for as low as $5 for 1GB over a seven-day timeframe. Use Boost’s country list to identify specific costs for data packages.

At a glance: An eSIM is a digital SIM card that allows you to activate roaming services without needing a physical SIM card. A Dual SIM option supports two numbers at the same time, such as separate numbers for personal and business use.

Things to know: ESIM cards only provide access to data; you will not be able to call or text unless you add International Connect or use internet-based apps or services like Skype or FaceTime.

METHODOLOGY

We surveyed major international roaming cell phone plans, checking the price of the international roaming option, data costs, and the price of international calls and texts.

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The Best International Cell Phone Plans For Travelers [Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Google Fi]

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What Phones Can You Use Internationally?

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Your phone is your map, source of information, and a translator. These modern conveniences have made international travel easier and safer. Whether you’re leaving for a year abroad, going off to become an expat, or are just heading for a long weekend in Mexico, you’ll need to sort out what you want to do for an international cell phone plan.

Similar to figuring out how international plugs work, making sure your passport is ready , and deciding on what to pack , your phone requires some preparation before you leave to travel internationally.

If you decide to stick to your current carrier or switch cell phone providers, the company you work with may charge you extra for your travels. Make sure you understand your plan carefully and know what it will cost to use your data, minutes, and texts — and what happens when you go over.

Which plans work the best, what do they offer, and what do they cost? These are some important questions you’ll need to consider when looking at what options will work best for you.

In this post, we’ll take a look at:

• What a world phone is, and how to equip yourself for international travel
• What international plans each of the major cell phone carriers offer
• What the pros and cons of each service are
• Who each cell phone plan service is best for

Once a few technical words get thrown around, many people think they won’t be able to understand how any of this works. Don’t worry, using a phone overseas isn’t as difficult as it can sometimes sound.

The first thing to understand is that different companies and countries all use their own technologies and frequencies. You need a phone that is compatible with these technologies.

Verizon uses a technology called CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). Most other carriers and the world use what’s called GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication). There are phones on Verizon that also support GSM, but those that don’t won’t work as world phones.

Rather than explain the technical differences between GSM and CDMA, which often confuses folks, it’s important to understand that carriers use different technologies, and different parts of the world use different systems — what is relevant for you is which plans and carriers you can use abroad.

Hot Tip: If you bought a phone advertised as “unlocked” or “SIM-free,” it should be designed to be ready to use on global GSM networks.

Every carrier offers a list of popular models of “world phones,” including such options as the iPhone XRS Max and Samsung Galaxy S10.

Many of the phones you get for free or discounted in exchange for signing up for a service contract are locked. This means they are locked to the network the contract is with. Your cell phone provider prevents your phone from using another network, and it may not be able to work internationally.

Hot Tip: If your phone is locked, try asking your cell phone company if they will unlock it for you.

The Best International Cell Phone Plans

Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all option for international cell phone plans. Below, you’ll find information on all the major carriers and their plan options, along with the pros and cons of each. Use this to sort out what will work best for you and go with your gut.

Be aware that your needs will be different if you are traveling short-term versus a month or more. Plans like Verizon’s Above Unlimited have restrictions when you use more than 50% of your talk, text, or data while you’re traveling internationally (meaning, you shouldn’t use a U.S.-based plan when abroad full-time). They sometimes severely limit (or even cancel) your cell phone service when this happens. Keep this in mind when you’re reviewing your options.

Your first option on Verizon is its TravelPass plan , which gives you the option to take your regular talk, text, and data with you on your trip (meaning, you use whatever amount of talk, text and data speeds you regularly use within the United States).

You will be charged $5 a day (on every line) for days you use your service in Mexico and Canada. There is a list of 130 additional countries where you can use your phone at a rate of $10 per day. Most popular countries are included in this list, such as Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, the Netherlands, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and more.

Activating your TravelPass through the Verizon Wireless app is all you need to do to have coverage and it’s a simple add-on to your normal monthly bill.

When you arrive at an international location, your phone will automatically recognize where you are and will connect to the local signal. Once it does, your TravelPass kicks in and it won’t renew or use another pass until 24 hours (not a full calendar day) have elapsed. If you land in a foreign country at 2 p.m. on one day and leave at 11 a.m. the next day, you only use 1 TravelPass.

If you use a lot of data uploading photos and using maps while you’re traveling, then you should be aware that the 4G speeds you rely on with Verizon are only available for your first 512 MB on the TravelPass. Once you’ve passed 512 MB, Verizon will throttle your speed down to 2G.

The Verizon Wireless Above Unlimited plan will offer you unlimited data, no contract, for $95 per month. You can receive a $5 a month discount if you set your payments to auto-pay.

This plan isn’t an add-on, but is one that you can use when you’re on brief trips abroad when you feel like it. Essentially, instead of charging you separate per-use days like the TravelPass add-on, the passes are built-in to the plan itself.

Talk, text, and data are included while you’re in Mexico and Canada (no extra charge) and the plan comes with 5 TravelPasses every month. This means you can use a TravelPass for talk, text, and data in 130 countries for 5 days per month with no extra expense. If you exceed the 5 free days a month, then you’ll continue at the normal rate of $10 per additional day.

Again, once you’ve used 512 MB of 4G speeds, you’ll be throttled down to 2G.

For comparison, if you decide to pay as you go on Verizon while abroad, you’ll be charged top rates. It costs $.99 a minute for calling in Canada and Mexico, $1.79+ in most other countries, $.50 for every text you send, $.05 for every text you receive and $2.05 for every MB of data you use. A simple app download or directions on a map can cost you several hundreds of dollars, so keep this in mind if you decide to pay as you go.

For cruise ships, there’s a fairly basic plan that’s included with your basic service. It will cost $2.99 a minute for calling, $.50 to send a text, and $.05 to receive a text; no data capabilities are available while at sea.

• You don’t have to worry about unlocking a phone because you’re still on the Verizon network.
• It’s easy to add for short trips.
• The Verizon U.S. LTE coverage has been great for a long time.
• The unlimited plan includes the 5 TravelPasses, as well as free talk and text in Mexico and Canada.
• Your personal number stays the same at no extra cost.
• This option can be pricey. The $5-$10 a day TravelPasses add up quickly, especially with multiple lines and on long trips.
• While there are many places covered in its 130 locations, there are also many that still aren’t, so you’ll want to check to be sure you’ll have coverage for your specific trip before signing up.

Bottom Line: This Plan Is Great For: People who already use Verizon and don’t want to have to call to add an international add-on. If you take frequent and short trips abroad in areas where it has service, the Above Unlimited is a great choice.

T-Mobile is a great option for international travel because its plans make things simple.

The T-Mobile One plan for unlimited data lets you keep your unlimited data and texting when you travel to 210 locations. However, it caps your data at a shockingly low 128 kbps. This means that even just browsing web pages (exclusive of video) you’ll be throttled down to 2G speeds. It also charges for international phone calls, so if you talk a lot on your phone this can become expensive quickly.

To combat these downsides, T-Mobile offers International Passes for faster data while you’re abroad. Its 5 GB pass keeps you on the 4G network for 10 days with unlimited calling at a cost of $35. It  also has an option for 15 GB for 30 full days at $50.

Another option is a $5 pass with 512 MB of high-speed data and unlimited calling. This is much more limited, but if you’re traveling for a short period and don’t believe you’ll be making many calls on FaceTime or another data-consuming app, this can be a simple add-on with enough to get online at faster speeds.

Cruise rates vary depending on the ship or destination you’re traveling to (you can check here for rates ), but as an example, if you choose to travel on the Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas which sails in the South Pacific, your at-home T-Mobile plan includes no data on the cruise ship, $.50 for sent texts, and $5.99 a minute for calls.

• The 2G speed data is free with your regular plan.
• Expansive coverage in 210 locations, which basically means almost everywhere.
• While it covers a great many countries, when you get beyond major U.S. cities the coverage can be spotty.
• International phone calls can become very expensive very fast since they are not included.

Bottom Line: This Plan Is Great For:  People who travel frequently and want international service included at no additional expense. This plan is cheapest when you don’t mind super slow 2G speeds when traveling abroad.

On both the Unlimited & More and the Unlimited & More Premium plans on AT&T , you will be able to travel to Mexico and Canada with all of your talk, data, and text already paid for. Its Mobile Share Plus plans allow you to use your talk, text, and data when you are in Mexico.

In 100+ other countries, AT&T offers an International Day Pass for $10 a day, offering the unlimited talk, text, and data already in your regular plan.

This charge can add up quickly when you’re on longer trips, though. The AT&T Passport plan lets you use your normal within-U.S. plan for 30 days while you’re out of the country. AT&T recently redid this plan, since the old AT&T passport option only offered 200 MB of data, which is just not enough for most people.

The Passport plan costs $60 for 30 days and offers 1 GB of data and unlimited texting. You can raise this to 3 GB of data for $120 for the month. At that point, you should never go any further if you value your budget, because it charges you $50 for every GB over the 3 GB. Phone calls are not included and you will be charged $.35 per minute.

If you’re headed onto a cruise , AT&T also has you covered with 2 plans. Its $100-a-month plan includes unlimited talk and text and 200 MB of data, with additional data costing $2 per MB. Its $50-a-month cruise package includes 50 minutes of talk (overages charged at $2 per minute), unlimited texting, and no data.

Data on cruising is expensive no matter which plan you choose, so if you can, subscribe to the onboard Wi-Fi that your cruise ship may offer.

For comparison, if you don’t choose one of these plans, you’re charged at insane rates: $3 per minute for talk, $.50 for each text sent and over $6 for every MB of data you use. Yikes!

• It’s easy to use and add to your account.
• You are staying on the AT&T network so you don’t need to find an unlocked phone.
• There isn’t any data speed throttling, which is common on other networks.
• You can take phone calls on your regular number without paying any extra fees.
• If you’re on a share plan, you’ll need to monitor the data usage.
• While there are many places that are covered (over 100), there are many that still aren’t.
• The $10 fee every day for every line will add up very quickly. If you go on a family trip with 4 lines and are traveling for 5 days you could see an additional $200 on your monthly bill.

Looking for more information? See our detailed piece dedicated to AT&T International Phone Plans including countries, coverage rates, and more.

Bottom Line: This Plan Is Great For:  People who love data and texting, but aren’t big on making phone calls. It’s not the best if you are on a shared plan and going to be buying an International Day Pass for everyone in your group, but the 30-day plans with unlimited data are excellent for users who mostly need its phones for data or texting while on an extended trip.

Google Fi doesn’t come up as an option as a major carrier (yet). While it may not yet be a mainstream option, it is one that is becoming increasingly popular with frequent travelers.

Google Fi treats international data and domestic data the same. It uses the cell towers of T-Mobile and US Cellular and covers over 200 locations.

Internationally, your calls will cost $.20 , unless you are on Wi-Fi, which will be free. You still have unlimited text messages while traveling internationally.

Its plans cost $20 for a month of unlimited talk and text and every 1 GB of data is $10 a month. The data is rounded off to the nearest MB meaning you only pay for the data you actually use. If you are a heavy data user, it stops charging you at 6 GB. This means your bill will never be over $80 a month.

Google Fi offers a few phones, but it is also open to using most phones you’ve purchased elsewhere, including the iPhone. Buying one of its  phones (like the Google Pixel or some of the Moto and LG phones) makes it so that you can switch between cell networks and hotspots easier.

If you’re using Google Fi aboard a cruise ship, make sure to connect to the onboard Wi-Fi for free calls.

• International data and domestic data are treated the same.
• Google Fi covers 170+ destinations.
• There is no contract; you pay monthly.
• To sign up for Google-Fi, it sometimes offer great incentives such as high-dollar gift cards or freebies.
• Even with the combination of T-Mobile and US Cellular cell phone towers, your coverage at home may vary.
• Some users have found Google-Fi difficult to sign up for.

Bottom Line: This Plan Is Great For:  Frequent travelers and those who have an approved phone or who are interested in buying a Google Pixel (or other phone sold by Google). It’s important that the T-Mobile/US Cellular cell towers work well for you in your local area when you’re back at home.

Saving on International Rates

There’s no doubt that using your phone outside of the U.S. can be a bit pricey — most major plans cost more than you pay for your domestic service. To save on these costs while outside of the country, there are a few things you can do:

This may sound obvious, but it’s one of the biggest ways you can save money. Most phone plans can make calls over Wi-Fi for no extra cost , and you are able to download movies, music, or check emails without using cellular data.

Most branded hotels offer some type of complimentary Wi-Fi for a daily nominal rate. When you’re in your hotel, enable your phone to automatically connect to the hotel’s signal so that you won’t have to think about whether or not your phone is using international roaming rates. Outside of the hotel, many museums , restaurants, and even public spaces offer complimentary Wi-Fi.

There are several major hotspots designed for traveling. One of the largest brands is Skyroam . For as little as $9 a day, you can enjoy unlimited data. The hotspots offer a flat daily rate so you don’t have to worry about different charges for different areas or overages.

Since a hotspot usually provides unlimited data, it is more than likely cheaper than your traditional cell phone plan international service. You can connect your phone to this hotspot signal to make calls over Wi-Fi, download any necessary emails, and use your phone as a GPS, all without worrying about eating up precious data.

The only downside to using a hotspot is that it is an extra device you will have to carry with you when you are out. Some travelers clip the hotspot onto their belt, or stuff it in a backpack .

Many cell phone plans charge for every day you use talk, text, and data abroad — and the more days you use it, the higher your charges. There may be some days, however, where you don’t need data as much — for example, you might be inside all day where you can connect to Wi-Fi, or you may be flying between countries where you will be away from a cell signal.

Whatever the case, if you shut off your cellular signal (or turn your phone in Airplane Mode, as many people do), your phone won’t connect to a network and you won’t be charged for that day’s worth of usage.

The best international cell phone plan will be an individual decision.

While Google Fi isn’t one of the major mainstream U.S. carriers, it shouldn’t be overlooked as it is one of the strongest options for international plans, especially those who rely heavily on data.

T-Mobile’s plans are a strong option for those who need great coverage at home and internationally for frequent trips. AT&T’s plan for travel is great for trips to Canada and Mexico since both are included in the most basic version.

Consider what your travel plans are — where you are going and how often, what your needs are at home, and whether voice, data, or texting is most important to you. When you know what your needs are, it’s easier to make a decision on which are the best plans to get you the most coverage for the best price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i use my cell phone in a different country.

Most modern cell phones are equipped to work internationally, however, to be able to actually talk, text or use data, you need to contact your wireless carrier to ensure that your phone can connect to a network abroad. Usually, this requires you to subscribe to your wireless carrier’s international cellular plan, which may cost a few dollars a day.

Does AT&T have an international plan?

AT&T offers 2 international plans – a day pass type plan that charges by the day, and a Passport plan that allows the user to use their phone abroad for a month for a set price.

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About James Larounis

James (Jamie) started The Forward Cabin blog to educate readers about points, miles, and loyalty programs. He’s spoken at Princeton University and The New York Times Travel Show and has been quoted in dozens of travel publications.

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What’s the best international phone plan right now?

On my first trip to Japan, I decided to forgo international data on my cellphone. I figured I could rely on public Wi-Fi, but I regretted not having data on my phone when I became lost. From that experience, I learned to download offline maps and a translation app beforehand if I know I won't have data.

But now, I almost always have data when I travel via my international phone plan, or through a physical SIM I buy at my destination or an eSIM I purchase online.

There are many reasons why you may want to remain connected while abroad. In this guide, I'll compare the best international phone plans. Note that many plans function differently in Canada and Mexico from other international locations. This guide focuses on the best phone plans for U.S. residents who travel outside North America.

First things first: You might not need an international phone plan. If you primarily need data, using a different SIM on your trip may be the simplest and cheapest solution. Some apps even support text and voice communication over data connections.

If your device supports eSIM, you may be able to purchase a data plan for your destination through an app like Airalo . Over the past year, I've purchased and used the following Airalo eSIMs either to gain data in a destination not served by my primary international phone plan (Google Fi) or to get less-expensive data than what Google Fi provides:

• Global (84 countries) : 20 GB over 180 days for $89
• Japan : 20 GB over 30 days for $26
• France : 20 GB over 30 days for $36
• Fiji : Three GB over 30 days for $19.50
• U.S. : One GB over seven days for $4.50

If your device doesn't support eSIM, you could still purchase a local SIM card at your destination. For example, I bought a monthlong SIM card with unlimited high-speed data in Vietnam for less than $10. But data is significantly more expensive in some destinations, and it can be difficult to determine exactly what you're getting when you purchase a physical SIM card. As such, I've mostly stuck with a physical Google Fi SIM card and Airalo eSIMs instead of using local SIM cards.

If you plan to use eSIM or a local SIM card, you should ensure your phone is unlocked. A locked phone won't be able to accept any other SIM cards until it is unlocked.

Related: How TPG's Zach Griff avoids the pesky $10 daily roaming charges when traveling

• Cost for one line : $20 (plus taxes and fees) per month plus data usage costs for the Flexible plan or $65 (plus taxes and fees) per month for the Unlimited Plus plan
• Data abroad : $10 per GB (with free data after six GBs per month but slower speeds after 15 GBs in a month) in more than 200 destinations for the Flexible plan or free (but with slower speeds after 50 GBs in a month) in more than 200 destinations for the Unlimited Plus plan
• Voice abroad : 20 cents per minute from more than 200 destinations (and calls via Wi-Fi to the U.S., Canada and Mexico are free)
• Text abroad : Free from more than 200 destinations

I've used Google Fi as my primary cellphone plan for most of the past six years. I've had a few connectivity issues in the U.S. — where Google Fi currently uses the T-Mobile network — including in Tampa, Austin and New York City. However, I keep Google Fi primarily because I usually get high-speed data as soon as I turn airplane mode off, and I can seamlessly receive calls and texts on my U.S. number while traveling internationally.

You might be tempted to only use Google Fi when traveling outside the U.S., but doing so isn't a good idea. After all, the Google Fi terms of service state:

The services are offered only to residents of the United States. The Services must be primarily used in the United States (territories not included) and are not intended for extended international use. Further, the services are designed for use predominantly within our network. If your usage outside our network is excessive, abnormally high, or causes us to incur too much cost, we may, at our option and sole discretion, suspend your Google Fi account, terminate your service, or limit your use of roaming.

Google Fi has shut down some U.S. residents who used Google Fi primarily outside the U.S. So, I recommend avoiding extended international use and using Google Fi more in the U.S. than abroad if you don't want to get shut down. I buy eSIMs to decrease my Google Fi usage in some destinations, especially when I can purchase a package through Airalo for significantly less than $10 per GB (the amount I pay Google Fi for data on my Flexible plan).

Google Fi is the best international phone plan for U.S.-based travelers who want fast data without hassle while traveling abroad. Plans become slightly cheaper as you add more members. In my travels with Google Fi since 2016, I've only failed to get any service in three locations: parts of Alaska, the all-inclusive resort I lived out of for a month in the Dominican Republic and Liberia .

Related: Can you use your cellphone on a cruise?

• Cost for one line : $60 per month for the Essentials plan, $70 per month for the Magenta plan, $75 per month for the Go5G plan, $85 per month for the Magenta Max plan and $90 per month for the Go 5G Plus plan
• Data abroad : Free for up to five GB of high-speed data (in 11 European countries for the Magenta and Go5G plans, and in more than 215 countries and destinations for the Magenta Max and Go5G Plus plans) and then free for up to 256 kilobits per second in more than 215 countries and destinations for Magenta, Go5G, Magenta Max and Go5G Plus plans (no data outside North America is included in the Essentials plan)
• Voice abroad : 25 cents per minute from more than 215 countries and destinations for the Essentials, Magenta, Go5G, Magenta Max and Go5G Plus plans
• Text abroad : Free from more than 215 countries and destinations for the Essentials, Magenta, Go5G, Magenta Max and Go5G Plus plans

Before using Google Fi in 2016, I relied on T-Mobile when traveling internationally until I grew tired of slow data speeds. However, the plans have improved, and many travelers swear by T-Mobile as their international phone and data plan . T-Mobile customers can avoid slow data by purchasing international passes to add to their existing plan as follows:

• International 1-day pass : 512 MB of high-speed data and unlimited calling for 24 hours for $5
• Five-GB international pass : Five GB of high-speed data and unlimited calling for 10 days for $35
• 15-GB international pass : 15 GB of high-speed data and unlimited calling for 30 days for $50

Long-term and frequent international travelers should note that T-Mobile says the following about its plans:

Not for extended international use; you must reside in the US and primary usage must occur on our network. Device must register on our network before international use. Service may be terminated or restricted for excessive roaming.

Additionally, T-Mobile's terms and conditions state you are not permitted to use T-Mobile services if it "results in more than 50% of your voice and/or data usage being Off-Net (i.e., connected to another provider's network) for any 2 billing cycles within any 12-month period." There have been instances of T-Mobile shutting down travelers for roaming excessively . So, don't go with T-Mobile if your primary usage won't be domestically on T-Mobile's network.

Related: 6 reasons why Apple's entry-level iPhone 14s are great for travelers

Other international phone plans to consider

Finally, you may want to check your current provider's options if you only occasionally travel internationally. Here are some options that are available as optional add-ons for many AT&T and Verizon plans:

• AT&T international day pass : Pay an extra $10 per 24 hours for unlimited high-speed data, talk and text in more than 210 destinations. You'll only be charged for days (as determined by your local U.S. time zone) you use data, make or receive a call or send a text message while in a destination covered by the international day pass.
• Verizon TravelPass : Pay an extra $10 per day per line for unlimited calls, texts and data (data speeds decrease after two GBs in a day) in more than 210 countries. You'll only be charged for days you send or receive a call, send texts or use data while abroad.
• Verizon international monthly plan : Pay an extra $100 per month for 250 minutes of talk, unlimited texts and unlimited data (data speeds decrease after 20 GBs in a month) in more than 210 countries.

You could also check out U.S. Mobile's plans. U.S. Mobile plans don't include calling or texting from outside the U.S. Still, the Unlimited Premium plan offers up to 10 GB of international data, and most plans let you buy eSIMs for more than 100 countries from within the U.S. Mobile app.

Mint Mobile could also be a viable solution if you're on a budget and don't travel abroad frequently. Although Mint Mobile doesn't offer any international data, text or voice on its plans, you can purchase international roaming credits and then use them to text, talk and use data in more than 210 countries and destinations. Rates for talk, text and data vary based on the country you're visiting; they usually cost about 25 cents per minute for talk, 5 cents per text and 20 cents per MB of data. If you don't plan to use much data — after all, you'd be paying a massive $205 per GB in many countries — Mint Mobile could be a feasible option.

Most cellphone plans allow you to pay as you go for international use, but these rates are almost always excessive. As such, frequent international travelers should find a different solution because pay-as-you-go costs will add up quickly.

Related: Credit cards that cover cellphone loss and damage

Bottom line

Having a functioning international phone plan when traveling abroad is important for travelers who want to stay connected. Traveling as a digital nomad , I've found Google Fi is by far my best option for fast data, modestly priced calling and free texting in most destinations. However, I supplement my Google Fi plan with eSIMs in some destinations to gain access to less-expensive data.

If you already have T-Mobile or a plan that offers international add-ons, you may want to stick with your plan. Otherwise, it's worth considering an eSIM or a local SIM card. You can buy eSIMs ahead of your trip, and it's usually possible to pick up local SIM cards at the airport when you land in a new country.

Home » Mobile

Best International Cell Phone Plans

Whether you have loved ones living abroad or prepping for an international cruise and know you’ll need in-flight Wi-Fi , we’ve picked our top choices for international cell phone plans and covered the pros and cons of each. 

• Mint Mobile calls from US to other countries start at 1 cent per minute, and you can get a cheap unlimited plan on top of everything else.
• AT&T makes the most sense for international travel. For just $10 a day, you can use your talk, text, and data even while traveling abroad. 
• Google Fi can hop on different wireless networks to ensure you get the best coverage and data speeds, even while traveling.
• Along with unlimited data and texting in 210+ countries, T-Mobile gives you in-flight perks like free Wi-Fi and unlimited texting while in the air.
• Mint Mobile : Best budget option
• AT&T : Best option for day pass
• Google Fi : Best for prepaid plan
• T-Mobile : Best for frequent travelers

Methodology

How do international cell phone plans work.

You usually have three types of international plans you can choose from:

• Bolt-on packs that include international calls built into your current plan.
• Pay-as-you-go options charge you as you make international calls and texts.
• International day passes give you a set amount of data, and you pay by the day.

So, the right international cell phone plan for you depends on your situation. Do you have family in Mexico, like my father-in-law (he’s on T-Mobile ), that you enjoying chatting with every month? A bolt-on international plan makes more sense if you know you’ll frequently make international calls.

On the other hand, if you only make international calls sporadically, like when you need to stay in touch during a family vacation, the pay-as-you-go option would work better for you.

Here's my pro tip: international day passes = peace of mind on vacations. Yelp, Google Maps, and Uber all use data, and we need these apps while we’re traveling. With an international day pass, you can use a ton of data during your vacation and not stress about roaming costs.

Mint Mobile: Best budget option

Low minute-to-minute rates.

• Decent international coverage (for the price)

Slower data speeds

What we like.

Mint Mobile offers some of the best pricing you can find for minute-to-minute international phone calls. You also get a pretty awesome deal for local calls as well.

Mint Mobile’s approach to international calls caught our eye when we saw the low minute-by-minute rates—and that calls to Mexico and Canada are included in your basic Mint plan.

Here’s what else Mint Mobile has going on:

• Calls to Canada and Mexico are included in your base plan.
• Calls from the US to other countries start at 1 cent per minute.
• Calls from outside the US start at 6 cents per minute.
• Mint Mobile offers low rates to 160+ locations.

If you have a Mint Mobile base plan, you can add to your international roaming balance through Mint’s UpRoam service.

This gets you talk, text, and data in over 160 countries at pretty cheap rates compared to other international plans. Here’s what it’ll cost you to call your mom and let her know you arrived or to text your old roommate to meet up while you’re in the country.

*Price includes autopay, paperless billing, and multi-line discounts where applicable. Taxes and fees not included.

Decent national coverage (for the price)

Mint boasts a pretty long list of destinations you can call—over 160, to be exact. Of course, the countries you can call depends on where you’re calling from.

If you’re calling from the US, Mexico, or Canada, you should check which countries are included. And if you’re calling from another location, check Mint’s international roaming plan for which countries it includes.

What we don’t like

What about Mint’s coverage in the states? Well, Mint runs on the T-Mobile network, so you can expect decent coverage in populated areas. But out in the country, not so much.

Though Mint Mobile runs on T-Mobile’s network , that doesn’t mean it always has the same speeds T-Mobile users enjoy. As with many smaller networks that use Big Five infrastructure, Mint Mobile customers will get deprioritized over T-Mobile customers, which means your data speed will be much less predictable.

AT&T: Best day pass

Affordable price, strong coverage, unpredictable data speeds.

If you’re on one of AT&T’s plans , you can add the International Day Pass for an extra $10 per day. The Day Pass is a good alternative to minute-by-minute calling rates if you plan to make a lot of calls while you’re traveling—especially since you’re charged only for the days you place calls, send texts, or use data.

Here’s a quick look at some AT&T International Day Pass features:

• $10 each day you use the plan
• Unlimited talk and text in 210+ locations
• Data restrictions are the same as back home

With the Day Pass, you can use your phone in more than 200 locations. While this includes many popular destinations, you’ll find several countries are missing from the list. 

Your data speeds in other countries may range from 2G all the way to 4G—and that could be the difference between downloading a web page in a few seconds (4G) or three minutes (2G), depending on how much data you use or how much congestion there is.

Fluctuating speeds are pretty common during international travel since speeds rely on the technology available in the country you’re in. So if you’re planning to put your toes in the water and your butt in the sand at Anse Lazio in Seychelles, you’ll have access to only 2G and 3G networks. (But really, who cares? You’re on the beach, baby!)

Google Fi: Best prepaid international plan

Flexible coverage.

• Fast data speeds
• Only compatible with certain devices

Instead of relying on just one network, Google Fi hops on networks owned by T-Mobile and US Cellular—and it uses Wi-Fi networks too. That way, you’ll get the best international data speeds.

Basically, if you have more than one cellular network available to you, Google Fi will use the network that’s the fastest. This happens in real time, so you can rest assured that if you’re experiencing coverage issues, Google Fi is on the case and hunting down a better network for you.

That network and Wi-Fi hopping gets you coverage in 200+ locations . And those locations include some popular destinations that might just be on your bucket list.

Google Fi speed

Because Google Fi hops onto three different cellular networks and also alternates between a cell signal and Wi-Fi, chances are good you’ll have the fastest speed possible most of the time.

Although most Android phones and iPhones work on Google Fi, only “ Fi-friendly phones ” can take advantage of Google Fi’s unique network switching capabilities. These, unsurprisingly, include the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3XL, as well as Android devices like the Moto G7 and LG V35 ThinQ.

If you don’t have one of these devices, your Google Fi service won’t feel quite as reliable.

T-Mobile: Most travel-friendly features

Unlimited data and text in 210+ countries.

• Free hour of Wi-Fi and unlimited texting on Gogo-enabled flights
• Charges for international phone calls

T-Mobile makes texting and data usage easier than any other provider. You can literally hop off the plane almost anywhere and start using your data.

Imagine this—you’ve just landed in London’s Heathrow airport, and you’re in a hurry to get to a dinner reservation. But wait, you can’t request a Lyft to pick you up because you forgot to set up international data! Then you remember you have T-Mobile, and you already have unlimited data and texting.

T-Mobile offers unlimited texting and data in over 210 countries across the globe, so you can count on your Google Maps, Lyft, and Airbnb apps basically anywhere you go. Nope, it doesn’t even cost extra—it’s baked into your plan.

Unlimited calling to Mexico and Canada

And for US residents who have friends or family in Mexico or Canada, (or for those trying to work while on vacay), T-Mobile's international calling service allows unlimited calling to Mexico and Canada. Unfortunately, this perk isn't included in T-Mobile's Essentials and Unlimited Talk and Text Only plans.

So if you have any loved ones living in the Great White North, calling Canada from the US (or the US from Canada) is completely free. And the same goes for your Mexican contacts, so if you're cruising to Cancún for a week, you'll get free unlimited calling from Mexico to the US. 

If you're unsure about a country's eligibility for this service, enter the country here, and T-Mobile will give you more details.

In-flight perks

If your flight says anything about being Gogo-enabled, you can count on an hour of free Wi-Fi and unlimited texting while in the air. Listen, if you’re flying internationally, you can use all the distractions you can get. Being able to text friends and family and refresh your Twitter feed can make a flight feel a lot quicker.

In-flight data means you can check Twitter and post dreamy landscapes from your window on Instagram.

Charges for international calls

Where T-Mobile drops the ball is in its international calling. The Magenta plans seem geared toward technologically-savvy travelers that can get by with just data and text. But for those of you who want to make international phone calls to family and friends outside the United States, Canada, or Mexico, you’ll pay 25 cents a minute.

International calling alternatives

If all this international phone plan business feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. That’s why call and text apps were created.

Not only can an app be easier to use (you’ll just need to worry about a Wi-Fi connection or data), it can be cheaper too. And chances are you’ve heard about and maybe even used some of these apps before.

• WhatsApp lets you send texts, audio recordings, and videos. It’s free and works on pretty much any phone—no need to worry about that SIM card.
• Skype has been around the block a few times, and it shows. You can easily use this app to make a voice call to your sister in Paris or do a group video call and chat with friends from all around the world.
• Viber lets you call, text, or send photos to your mom while you’re enjoying the good life on a beach, ice cold drinks in hand. You know, the kind with little colored umbrellas.
• FaceTime is available only on Apple devices, but it’s a great way to make a video call to your family in the UK over the holidays if they also have an iPhone or iPad.

OK, while we did say these apps could be cheaper than buying an international plan, you’ll need to be careful. Unless you’re connected to Wi-Fi, using any app on your phone means you’ll be paying for data.

The SIM card swap

If you’re lucky enough to have a phone that runs on a GSM network, you might be able to swap your SIM card out for one that works overseas. (And some CDMA phones allow you to do this too.)

If you’re not sure if your phone uses a GSM network, you can check which network it uses with this guide . (If you’re on an AT&T or T-Mobile plan, chances are your phone uses GSM.)

Once you’ve confirmed your phone uses GSM, you’ll then need to unlock it , which can take several hours and requires you to make a few calls.

It’s usually cheaper to buy a prepaid SIM card once you’ve reached your destination, though you can buy them in the states if you really want to. Be aware, though, that once you pop in your new international SIM card, you won’t be able to check messages sent to your US phone number.

Burner phones

You don’t need to be Jason Bourne to take advantage of burner phones overseas.

Grabbing a cheap prepaid phone once you reach your destination may be less expensive than paying for an international plan, especially if you plan on staying abroad for a while. But check the fine print first.

For instance, when we moved to Japan for a few years, we ditched our stateside cell phone plan (sorry, Verizon!) for an NTT plan and phone. One thing we didn’t know at the time is that our contract was re-upped without our knowledge. So by the time we were leaving—three years later—we had to pay an early termination fee to close out our contract.

Long story short: if you’re buying a phone and plan overseas, research all the fine print beforehand.

So which international cell phone plan deserves to be your plus one on your next world adventure? Here’s a quick summary of what we discovered.

Which international cell phone plan should I choose?

• Mint Mobile is a prepaid option and boasts the lowest per-minute rates currently available. And you don’t have to pay extra for calls to Canada or Mexico.
• T-Mobile Magenta comes with unlimited international texting and data—but it has pay-as-you-go rates for international calls. However, you can add international calling and double your data speed if you pay a bit extra per day.
• AT&T International Day Pass can easily be added onto your current AT&T plan for a short trip—and you’re only charged on the days you use your phone while overseas.
• Google Fi offers prepaid international service that uses three cell networks plus Wi-Fi to ensure you always have the best coverage available. Most phones work with the service, but only Google Pixel devices and some Android phones can take advantage of Google Fi's unique network switching capabilities.

So which international data plan are you leaning towards? What’s your experience been like traveling with your cell phone plan? 

Here's how we came to our conclusion about the best international cell phone plans:

Research and Identify International Data Plan Providers

• Conducted a comprehensive review of major TELCOM companies and service providers offering international data plans. Considered customer reviews, ratings, and popularity to identify the most prominent options in the market.
• Selected Mint Mobile, AT&T, Google Fi, and T-Mobile based on their reputation, global coverage, and competitive offerings.

Price Value Analysis

• Evaluated the cost-effectiveness of each international data plan by comparing pricing structures, including monthly fees, data allowances, and additional charges.
• Assessed the value for money based on the balance between price and the included features, such as data speed, roaming capabilities, and extra perks like free in-flight Wi-Fi.
• Conducted a comparative analysis of the plans offered by Mint Mobile, AT&T, Google Fi, and T-Mobile to determine their competitiveness in terms of price value.

International Coverage Assessment

• Examined the global coverage of each provider by analyzing their network reach in different countries and regions.
• Reviewed the availability and quality of network connections, including 3G, 4G, and 5G networks, to ensure a seamless user experience abroad.
• Considered the partnerships and agreements that each provider has established with international network operators to extend their coverage.

International Texting, Calling, and Data Usage

• Assessed the included features and limitations of international texting, calling, and data usage in each plan.
• Analyzed the cost and accessibility of sending text messages, making phone calls, and using data while traveling internationally.
• Considered factors such as unlimited or limited texting and calling, affordable rates for international calls, and high-speed data allowances.

Best International Plans FAQ

A lot of the major carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon usually include international travel to Mexico and Canada in most unlimited plans. You'll want to check with your specific carrier beforehand to ensure you're covered at no extra cost. 

If you are planning to travel to Canada, you'll want to check with your specific service provider and see what kind of coverage is offered in Canada. You can check this easily online, as well as add on an international plan if needed through the duration of your trip. 

Not all standard international plans apply to Costa Rica. You will have to pay international roaming fees from your current cell carrier if you plan to use your data while traveling to Costa Rica. You can call your cell phone carrier and purchase a specific international plan.

Related articles

• Best Unlimited Data Cell Phone Plans
• How Much Cell Phone Data Do I Need?
• Xfinity Mobile Review
• WhistleOut, “ Guide to Finding the Best Cell Phone Coverage .”

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The 6 best phone plans for international travel in 2024

If you’re traveling abroad, you’ll want to keep your wireless service active for many reasons, the most important being to still contact friends and family. It’s highly likely you’ll also need to use GPS, Google, and other smartphone features during your trip. Unfortunately, even with the best cell phone plan deals , most wireless plans don’t include international travel or coverage overseas. That means you’ll either have to sign up explicitly for a foreign wireless account, or you can grab a burner phone to use while you’re there. Regardless, there are a few options, and we’ve taken the liberty of hunting down the best ones and sharing them all for you right here.

The best phone plans for international travel in 2024

• Go with if you want reliable yet flexible international plans.
• Go with Google Fi for temporary coverage with existing plans.
• Go with if you’re an existing customer and want to use the daily TravelPass.
• Go with for another solid and reliable wireless option.
• Go with for the best eSIM opportunities.
• Go with for specific and affordable coverage in select countries and regions.

Best flexible option

• Price: $60 to $90 per month
• Data: Free up to 5GB depending on plan and country
• Options: Talk, text, and data

T-Mobile is one of the best international travel providers because of its extreme flexibility. In addition to its voice and text plans, you can add an international pass for up to 15GB for 30 days to secure data coverage. However, T-Mobile expressly states that its services are “not for extended international use,” meaning your primary usage must include coverage at home in the United States.

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Best for temporary coverage

• Price: $20 to $65 per month
• Data: $10 per GB

If you’re a U.S. resident traveling abroad, Google Fi is an excellent option, especially if you already use the service. The cost for a single phone line is between $20 and $65  — plus taxes and fees — depending on which plan you opt for, and data abroad is about $10 per GB, with free data after 6GB per month. Talk costs about 20 cents per minute abroad in eligible countries. If you subscribe to the Unlimited Plus plan, you’ll get unlimited talk, text, and data in over 200 destinations worldwide. In some areas, Google Fi will rely on other carrier networks, like T-Mobile’s, to ensure you have widespread coverage. Basically, the most important thing to know here is that Google expressly forbids the use of Google Fi internationally if that’s your only activity. In other words, if you’re traveling abroad temporarily, it’s okay, but if you’re a permanent resident elsewhere, it’s a no-no.

Try Google Fi

Best for existing customers

• Price: Adds $10 per day to $100 per month
• Data: Unlimited

Verizon offers several options for international wireless coverage, including Verizon TravelPass and its international monthly plans. With TravelPass, you pay $10 per day, per line, for unlimited talk, text, and data, and it’s accessible in over 210 countries. TravelPass only charges you for the days you use data or send or receive calls. Alternatively, Verizon’s international monthly plan is $100 per month for 250 minutes of talk, but you get unlimited texts and data in eligible countries. The TravelPass option is excellent if Verizon is already your main wireless carrier.

Another great option

• Price: Adds $10 per day

Like the other major carriers, AT&T offers a variety of international options for existing customers. Mexico and Canada are already covered, for example, with calls up to 85-plus countries from the U.S. for $15 per month, per line, and discounted rates in an additional 140 countries. You can also take on specific international access for Europe, Asia Pacific, and other countries through a $10 per day International Day Pass. With that, you get unlimited talk, text, and data, and you can add on extra phones for just $5 per day per phone.

Best eSIM option

• Price: Adds $10 per month
• Data: $5 per 1GB for 7 days
• Options: Data (talk and text over data)

Maybe it’s surprising to see Boost Mobile on this list, or maybe not, but it offers some great international support via the International Connect plans, and eSIM compatibility. With any existing Boost plan, $10 per month gets you International Connect for voice in over 120 countries and texting in over 200. You will need an eSIM on an unlocked phone to utilize it, however, so if your phone doesn’t support the protocol you’ll need another option. You can also add data, starting at $5 for 1GB over 7 days.

Best modular option

• Price: $36 to $89 per month
• Data: 20GB over 30 to 180 days (depending on location)

If your device supports eSIM, you can also use something like Airalo to find coverage wherever you’re traveling. Be aware that standard SMS is not available through something like this as it’s data-based only, but you can still send text and make voice calls over data connections where available. Prices vary, but they do tend to be cheaper than other options, with callouts being 20GB over 180 days for $89 in over 84 countries globally or 20GB over 30 days for $36 in France. You can buy piecemeal based on where you’ll be visiting and for how long you’ll be there.

How we chose these phone plans for international travel

The core elements of a good international wireless plan will differ greatly from local options. Speeds, for example, will be limited by what’s available in the current country or region. The same is true for wireless coverage, which can directly affect signal strength and connection experiences. That said, there are some common factors that you should look for when choosing a plan for yourself or your family.

You’re traveling, maybe even to multiple countries or locations, so you need the plan to be reliable but flexible, and the same goes for the price. The last thing you want to see is unexpected roaming or international charges because the plan didn’t offer coverage in an obscure situation or remote location.

All the plans that we have chosen are feasible in this regard, offering flexible yet accessible pricing that’s clear and easily modifiable when needed to match coverage requirements. Ultimately, these plans reduce the headaches and complexities of managing international wireless services.

Maintenance

With some plans, like a WiFi-only plan, you need to do something to activate the plan and make sure you’re getting coverage — in that case, you would need to disable your mobile activity and swap to a nearby WiFi network. Moreover, some might require you to use a specific physical SIM card, eSIM, or digital SIM card, which might require you to swap out your current one or activate the digital variant. These small maintenance tasks are important to keep in mind because it’s easy to forget the upkeep when you’re busy exploring or sightseeing. We were mindful to select wireless options that make this process as simple or virtually seamless as possible.

Plan Features

As with a local plan, international plans also have varying features. Some allow you to text, access a limited quantity of data, and make calls to supported countries. However, not all plans are created equal, which means some will restrict some of these options or charge extra for using them. It’s important to pay close attention to what you’re getting with your plan so you don’t encounter any unforeseen charges. We’ve made sure everything on our list offers a suitable arrangement of features, from text and talk to beyond.

Unlimited Data

By now, you’re probably well aware this is a thing in the wireless industry: They promise “unlimited data,” but what you’re really getting is not that. The same is true with international phone plans and coverage. When available, you might see data speeds throttled after certain thresholds, connectivity issues in various locations, or even some hidden charges associated when there shouldn’t be. There’s not much you can do about this, disingenuous on the part of wireless providers or not. But you should definitely be mindful of these concerns and keep an eye on your phone bill, just in case.

Q&A about international phone plans

If you still have some questions after reading through the guide, this is where you’ll find the answers.

Do I need to buy a new phone?

It depends on your current phone’s capabilities and what wireless provider you decide to go with abroad. Some devices are not compatible across the different carrier networks. Moreover, you might need to swap out your current SIM for another to gain access, and depending on where you purchase or acquire the card, they may not be compatible with specific carriers.

What are hidden fees?

Typically, when you sign a contract or subscribe to a plan with your wireless provider, you agree to some combination of talk, text, and data for a specific monthly rate — say, $75 per month. However, when you receive your bill, you’ll notice almost immediately that the true cost is higher than what was promised. All that extra, the additional money you’re being charged, makes up hidden fees.

Some fees come from the carriers themselves, like smartphone line access, device payments or subsidies, or usage and additional purchase charges for various services like roaming or international coverage. Other fees include the Fed Universal service charge, regulatory fees, administrative charges, local business license surcharges, taxes, and governmental surcharges, including state fees and beyond. In some cases, you can try to negotiate these charges, but you’ll still see them on your bill, regardless.

There are hidden fees associated with international wireless plans, too.

Can you use WiFi abroad?

Yes, you can use WiFi abroad and while traveling internationally. Whether or not you can access the network(s) for free depends on the provider. Just like here in the States, local coffee shops and small venues may provide free access to service. Others may charge a small fee to use their network. While we would not recommend maintaining contact with friends and family through WiFi alone and cutting off mobile service entirely, it is an alternative in areas where coverage may be spotty or unavailable.

This article is managed and created separately from the Digital Trends Editorial team.

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Briley has been writing about consumer electronics and technology for over a decade. When he's not writing about deals for Digital Trends, he's writing how-to content, and guides for Lifewire , Ideaing , and several other online publications. He's also a ghostwriter for more than one confidential SEO marketing agency. In his downtime, he's either spending time with his family, playing games, or enjoying a good ol' stogie.

The Apple iPhone is likely the most popular smartphone of all time, and even older models are still seeing impressive sales. This popularity can make it difficult to find iPhone deals, but there are quite a few hanging around out there right now and some of them could be considered among the best phone deals currently taking place. And while you can always shop refurbished iPhone deals to ensure some savings, we think we’ve found some iPhone deals worth taking a look at right now. They include the newest model iPhone 15, so whether you’re looking for the latest and greatest or an iPhone that simply gets the job done, read onward and start shopping the best iPhone deals going on right now. iPhone 15 128GB (AT&T) — $730, was $830 (plus up to $700 off w/ trade-in)

The Apple iPhone 15 finally brings with it Dynamic Island which we’ve only previously seen on the Pro range. It’s a real game changer at times and is very convenient. Alongside that, the Apple iPhone 15 has the Ceramic Shield front to keep it more protected while its 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display promises to be up to two times brighter than the iPhone 14 in the sun. There’s also a 48MP main camera with 2x telephoto lens to help you take great shots. The A16 Bionic chip has plenty of processing power to aid with software adjustments.

Head straight to the source for one of the best phone deals right now with Motorola selling its Moto G 5G phone for $150 instead of $250. A considerable saving of $100, this might not be the most high-end of phones but it’s ideal if you simply need something cheap but effective. With this 2023 model seeing such a substantial price drop, we’re taking a quick look at what it has to offer and why it might appeal.

Why you should buy the Moto G 5G You won’t see the Moto G 5G near our look at the best phones. At just $150, that’s hardly surprising. However, it does have the core essentials going for it. It’s powered by a Snapdragon 480+ 5G processor and 4GB RAM which is fine for basic tasks and web browsing. It can handle gaming too if you don’t mind somewhat sluggish load times. Crucially, the phone is 5G compatible so depending on the area you live in, you can enjoy the fastest speeds when browsing online away from Wi-Fi.

If you’ve been shopping the best phone deals or are otherwise looking to save on a new phone, we’d like to turn your attention to Motorola. At Motorola right now you can get the Moto G Android phone for just $100. This is essentially an entry-level phone as smartphones go these days, but this savings of $70 from its regular price of $170 makes it a good consideration and one of the best Motorola phone deals you'll find. It’s not everyday you can grab a new phone for just $100, and you can save even more if you have an eligible device to trade-in.

Why you should buy the Motorola Moto G smartphone You aren’t going to find the Motorola Moto G ranked among the best phones or among the best Android phones, but that doesn’t mean it’s a phone to avoid. And while we aren’t particularly high on the device in our review of the Motorola Moto G, the price point it comes in at with this deal makes it something worth considering if you’re in the market for a new phone. It comes in navy blue with 32GB of internal storage, which isn’t very much as modern smartphones go, but the Moto G does make up for it with some of its other specs and features.

Advice, staff picks, mythbusting, and more. Let us help you.

Dear Wirecutter: What’s a Good Burner Phone for International Travel?

Published May 4, 2017

Q: My mother-in-law is heading to Europe for six weeks and wants to get a burner phone. She currently uses AT&T. Is there a cheap phone you can recommend? Also, would it better to get a SIM card in the US or once she’s in Germany? Will calls be forwarded from her original number?

A: If your mother is in Germany for six weeks, she should definitely get a local SIM once she’s there rather than use AT&T’s international roaming, which costs $10 a day. ( Local SIMs are also a better deal than buying a world or travel SIM in the US.) If she were on T-Mobile or Google Fi, which have much better international roaming, she’d be fine just using her regular SIM. However, if she swaps SIM cards, calls to her US number (tied to her original SIM card) won’t be forwarded to her new international number (tied to her new SIM card) unless she sets up call forwarding through AT&T, which could be expensive.

To get around this, she could sign up for Google Voice while in the States and forward her US number to Google Voice . Then, when she’s on Wi-Fi or cellular data in Europe, she could at least get the voicemails and missed calls from her US number sent to her phone, and call people back using a VOIP app like Skype, Google Voice, or Viber that has a low cost per minute for international calls. (Unfortunately, Google Voice can’t forward calls from a US to an international number.)

Cheap, dual-SIM Android phone

An inexpensive Android phone with two SIM slots, so you can use both your original SIM and a local SIM from wherever you’re traveling to.

Buying Options

Because your mother-in-law is on AT&T, her phone will work in Germany if it’s unlocked or if she can get it unlocked . However, if she wants a smartphone she doesn’t have to worry about losing or breaking while she’s overseas, the Blu R1 HD , which you can get for $60 with Amazon ads if you’re an Amazon Prime member (and is now free of preinstalled spyware ), is the cheapest acceptable option. It actually has two SIM slots, which sounds convenient, because she could use a German SIM and still get calls on her AT&T number. But she’d have to pay international roaming fees if she actually picks up those calls, so it’s better to just use only the German SIM and use Google Voice for call forwarding.

The other option, if she can avoid using data or calling while in Germany, would be to bring her current phone and disable cellular features, relying solely on Wi-Fi and using Skype or similar for calls. However, given the security risks of public Wi-Fi, we recommend signing up for a good VPN if she goes this route.

If she doesn’t use a smartphone and doesn’t want to learn, PCMag’s lead mobile analyst Sascha Segan is one of the few people who still review feature phones and he gave the Blu Tank II an editor’s choice award back in 2015 . That’s probably what we’d get if we wanted a $20 feature phone. Going this route would eliminate the Google Voice option (without an additional computer or tablet), but unless she needs to be reachable from the US at any moment, she can just set her US voicemail greeting to let people know she’s out of the country.

The Wirecutter’s editors answer reader questions all the time (much more than once a week). Send an email to [email protected] , or talk to us on Twitter and Facebook . Published questions are edited for space and clarity.

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The Best International Phone Plans for Travelers

Ed Hewitt started traveling with his family at the age of 10 and has since visited dozens of countries on six continents. He wrote for IndependentTraveler.com for more than 20 years, producing hundreds of columns on travel and offering his expertise on radio and television. He is now a regular contributor to SmarterTravel.

An avid surfer and rower, Ed has written about and photographed rowing competitions around the world, including the last five Olympic Games.

He's passing his love of travel on to the next generation; his 10-year-old son has flown some 200,000 miles already.

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Comb the web for a bit, and it’s not hard to find horror stories of overseas cell phone usage gone wrong, with people paying more for data than they did for their airfare or accidentally spending a month’s rent on background app refreshes. Data download fee disasters seem almost to be a rite of passage for many modern travelers. And with public Wi-Fi networks becoming riskier and riskier, you want to make sure you are also safely connected abroad now too.

Mobile hotspots are a way to beat these fees outright—but if renting still another piece of metal is going too far, or if you think a basic roaming plan will cover you, I’ve gathered details and pricing information about the best international phone plans from five major providers.

International Phone Plans: What You Need to Know

When you travel abroad, you will usually be connecting to the cell towers of third-party providers other than your own cell phone company. This means that your cellular provider must pay an access or connection fee to that third-party network, a cost it will pass on to you, usually at a markup. These fees typically show up on your phone bill as “international roaming data” fees.

These costs apply to everything you do with your phone—phone calls, text messages, and, importantly, data usage of all kinds. On this last item of data usage, it is crucial to understand that, unless you are connected to Wi-Fi, every use of your phone incurs a data toll.

That means that viewing and downloading email, browsing the web, viewing social media, and mapping all incur data charges, as do applications that we sometimes assume to be “free,” such as Skype and WhatsApp.

A simple example: While traveling without an international phone plan, you know that making calls while overseas costs extra, so instead you use your WhatsApp number to make calls. Unless you are connected to Wi-Fi, however, WhatsApp is using cellular data, so you are getting charged at your provider’s international roaming data rate. How much does that cost?

On AT&T, international usage costs with no plan in Europe are as follows:

• Phone calls: $2.00/minute (no charge for incoming calls)
• Texts: $0.50 per text and $2.05/MB (no charge for incoming texts)
• Data: $2.05/MB

WhatsApp’s data use depends on whether you are on a 2G, 3G, or 4G network, but on 4G this study by AndroidAuthority puts WhatsApp calling data use at about 750 kilobytes per minute, so a one-minute call using WhatsApp will cost you about $1.50.

Meanwhile, Google Maps uses about six megabytes every 10 minutes , a cost of $12 to go a few miles in your car.

Clearly, data usage can get very costly very fast. To get around that, here are your options for the best international phone plans as of early 2020.

International Phone Plans with AT&T

Of its several international phone plans, AT&T’s simplest offering is the International Day Pass , which is available in more than 100 countries and costs $10/day for unlimited calling and texting as well as whatever data plan you have at home. One nice feature of AT&T’s plan is that you are charged only for days on which you use the package, so if you are on Wi-Fi all day or never turn on your phone, you save the $10.

Note that Mexico and Canada are included in some AT&T plans, so you don’t need an international package in those countries.

For longer trips, AT&T has two Passport plans . One offers 2GB of data for $70/month and the other offers 6GB for $140/month, including unlimited texting and phone calls for 35 cents a minute.

International Phone Plans with Google Fi

Google Fi is a newcomer to the wireless market, and isn’t for everyone; you won’t get the full benefits of the plan unless you have one of six compatible phone models, including Pixels and select Moto and LG phones. Currently, Google Fi is in beta testing for iPhones and works in part with many Android models.

Google Fi’s international phone plan, the main draw for many customers, is extremely straightforward: “Data abroad costs the same as at home.”

Google Fi offers both an unlimited plan, starting at $70 for one line, and a flexible plan, which costs $20/month for unlimited domestic calls and texts, $10/GB per month for data, and $15/month for an extra person to share your data plan. Internationally, the only substantive difference is that voice calls cost 20 cents per minute; otherwise, your international plan is the same as your domestic plan.

An important caveat is that if you are outside the 200 destinations where Google Fi is available, you will have to get a local SIM card; otherwise, you will not be able to use your device unless you’re on Wi-Fi.

International Phone Plans with  Sprint

Sprint is among the companies that include international connectivity in their standard plans. All Sprint plans that have Sprint Global Roaming enabled include free basic data and unlimited texting in 200 destinations; calls cost 25 cents per minute.

Note that while there is no extra charge for Sprint Global Roaming, you must take the step of adding it to your plan to qualify for the benefits.

The free data comes at up to 2G speeds, which may seem slow compared to what you are used to at home. For faster data speeds, Sprint’s Global Roaming package offers 4G LTE data for $5/day or $25/week in most destinations (it’s $2/day or $10/week in Mexico and Canada, and $10/day or $50/week in China).

International Phone Plans with T-Mobile

T-Mobile has carved out a niche for itself by offering only unlimited plans at fixed prices depending on how many phone numbers you have, starting at $30/line for four lines. T-Mobile also piles on some unexpected benefits with the Magenta plan, including unlimited streaming, in-flight texting, and one hour of data on Gogo-enabled flights.

For travelers, the most interesting element is that texting and data in more than 210 countries are wholly included in the Magenta or Magenta Plus plan.

Even the Essentials plan includes texting abroad as well as 2GB of data outside of coverage areas in Mexico and Canada. The downside, though, is that the standard overseas speed on the Essentials plan is much, much slower than normal connectivity at home. For faster speeds, T-Mobile has two options. The Magenta plan gives you data and texting abroad and an hour of in-flight Wi-Fi, for $5 more per month. Magenta Plus costs $13 extra per month and gives you double the data speed and unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi, as well as 5GB of 4G data in Mexico and Canada, HD streaming, and some other features such as voicemail to text. See T-Mobile’s website for more details on its phone plans.

International Phone Plans with Verizon

Verizon’s Unlimited Together – North America plan includes unlimited calls, texts, and data in Mexico and Canada—one catch being that after you download 512 MB of data, speeds will be reduced to 2G levels. Otherwise, Verizon’s TravelPass plan is very similar to AT&T’s, with a $10 charge per day, per device to get the same plan you have at home. If you are not on one of the unlimited plans at home, Verizon charges $5/day for coverage in Mexico and Canada.

Verizon also offers monthly international travel plans ranging from $70/month for 100 minutes, 100 sent texts, and 0.5GB of data to $130/month for 250 minutes, 1,000 sent texts, and 2GB of data in more than 185 countries. Pay-as-you-go rates vary for texting and calling, but the standard data charge is $2.05/MB. See this page for all options.

Alternatives to International Phone Plans

If you are going abroad for an extended period of time, you may want to consider some other options to an international phone plan.

Using Your Own Phone with an International SIM Card

If you would still like to use your personal phone abroad, then consider purchasing a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM card) to use in your own cell phone while you’re traveling internationally. A SIM card is the part of a cell phone that holds the identity information and other personal data; if you switch your own SIM card for one that you purchase in another country, you can have all the benefits of a local phone (such as low in-country calling rates and a local phone number) without having to buy a whole new phone.

You can also purchase an international SIM card that can be used in many different countries. This is a good bet for multi-country trips or for travelers who travel regularly to many different regions around the world. However, the option of replacing the SIM card is only available on unlocked phones. Ask your phone company if your phone’s SIM card can be unlocked.

You can purchase prepaid international and country-specific SIM cards from websites such as Cellular Abroad , Telestial , or OneSimCard . As always, you’ll want to do some comparison shopping before you purchase to find the best rates for the country or countries you’ll be visiting.

Pros: Rather than buying a whole new phone, you can simply buy a SIM card for your existing phone — which is cheaper and takes up less space in your luggage. You’ll enjoy low local rates for calls, texts, and data within whichever country you’re visiting.

Purchasing an International Cell Phone

Depending on your destination country, you may be able to purchase a local phone with a domestic calling plan. Local plans are often similar to the one you have on your current cell phone; domestic rates are cheap, and the most basic cell phone models are quite affordable.

Research cell phone companies in the country you will visit or look for a local cell phone store. Just make sure that the carrier you choose is popular and well known. Do not buy a cell phone from someone on the street just because you think you’re getting a “deal.”

Frequent travelers who spend a lot of time in one international location will be best served by purchasing a phone in their destination. Students studying abroad and travelers with international vacation homes or family in another country should also consider purchasing an international cell phone.

Pros: You’ll enjoy low rates for calling within a foreign country.

Cons: Fees may be quite high for calling the United States.

You may run into a language barrier when trying to buy a phone. If you don’t fully understand the contract you are signing, do not sign your name.

Renting a Cell Phone

If your phone doesn’t work abroad or you don’t want the hassle of adding and removing a pricey international plan, you may want to look into renting a cell phone through a service such as Cellular Abroad , TravelCell , or TripTel . The company mails you a phone, and your rental includes a return shipping label so you can return the phone after your trip.

The phone you’ll receive will be a local phone, good for making calls in the country in which you are traveling. However, if you are spending more than a week or two in one destination overseas, you may save money by purchasing a local phone and subscribing to a local phone plan, as rates for renting a phone can quickly surpass the cost of a cheap cell phone in a few weeks. Also, domestic calling rates for rental phones may be higher than rates offered by local cell phone service providers.

Rates for rental phones are typically twofold; renters pay a daily, weekly or monthly fee for the cell phone rental and an additional fee for calling minutes. This means that even if you’re not using your phone, you can still be charged the minimum fee for the rental unit. Some rental phone plans have higher rates for calls outside the country, and some don’t—compare plans to see which is best for you. Incoming calls and texts on rental phones are your cheapest option, as they are often less expensive than outgoing calls (or even free). If you are using your rental phone to call home, have your friends and family call you at a designated time and you will save some cash.

Renting a cell phone is best if you’re making a lot of calls but not going on a lot of trips. On a single trip where you make just one or two calls, you may end up paying more for the actual cell phone rental than for the calling minutes.

Pros: If your usual cell phone won’t work overseas and you’re an infrequent traveler, you save money by renting a phone instead of buying one.

Cons: Beware of hidden charges. Minimum minute stipulations, charges for incoming calls, or steep roaming rates may apply to your rental. Always make sure you read and understand the fine print.

To avoid charges if you lose a rental phone, you may want to purchase rental insurance at an additional cost.

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Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.  Ashley Rossi contributed to this article.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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Here's how to add TravelPass or a Monthly International Plan to your account:

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• In Additional Services, scroll to International Plans and then add new plan .
• Text: Add TravelPass anytime, anywhere by texting Travel to 4004 .

Note: We offer data plans for select flights and cruises. Where available, when you board, we'll send you a text to let you know you can add In-flight Daily Pass or Cruise Daily Pass .

How do I get my device ready to use outside the US?

Before you travel internationally, make sure your device's roaming is turned on. Roaming must be on so your device can connect to cellular networks in your destination country. For instructions to turn roaming on and off:

• Visit Let's Troubleshoot Your Devices .
• Enter your device in the search field under Filter (e.g., “Samsung” or “S23”, etc.) and choose your device.
• Select Troubleshoot under the device’s name on the device tile.
• In the Search Another Issue field, type “Turn data roaming on or off.” Follow the instructions for your device.

How will I be charged for using my device when I travel abroad?

How you're charged depends on whether or not you add an international plan to your account for your trip. Our international plans let you use your phone in more than 210 countries and destinations outside the US:

• TravelPass: For $5/day in Canada and Mexico* and $10/day in other countries, you can use your domestic plan's talk, text and data allowances just like you do at home. And you're only charged for days that you use your phone. Learn more by visiting our TravelPass FAQs .
• $100 International Monthly Plan : Ideal for trips of 10 days or more. Get unlimited data* and texts and 250 minutes for international use; *20 GB of high speed data and unlimited data at 3G speeds thereafter. You can choose to have the allowance expire after 1 month or have the plan renew every month until you remove it from your account.
• In-flight Daily Pass and Cruise Daily Pass : Keep your phone connected to cellular data on an international flight and on board a cruise ship. In-flight Daily Pass is $20/day per line. Cruise Daily Pass costs $30/day per line.

For coverage and pricing details, visit our International Travel page. Important:

• If you don't choose an international plan you'll pay per minute, per text and per MB of data used (called Pay as You Go) when you're abroad. Learn more on our International Travel page.
• Many of our domestic mobile phone plans already include talk, text and data while in Canada and Mexico.* (Calls from the US to Canada and Mexico are also included for no extra cost).
• Our Unlimited Ultimate mobile phone plan includes high-speed international data, talk & text. TT
• TravelPass and our Monthly International Plan can't be used in non-covered countries, on cruise ships or airplanes.

*If more than 50% of your talk, text or data usage in a 60-day period is in Canada or Mexico, use of those services in those countries may be removed or limited.

Can I use my device while traveling outside the US?

Most smartphones and some tablets can be used when you travel abroad. Use our Trip Planner to find out if your device will work for your trip.

See more FAQs

More about International travel

Service and pricing.

Check available services and pricing by country.

See our worldwide service coverage map for data, voice and messaging services.

International Travel Terms & Conditions

Calling a country outside the us, international services support.

While in the US: (800) 711-8300

Travelling outside the US: 1 (908) 559-4899

If your device is lost, stolen or broken, or you experience a device issue while you are traveling outside the US, please use the below instructions to reach the International Support Team from a landline phone:

• 1. Dial your country’s toll-free number
• 2. Enter your 10-digit mobile number when prompted by the International Hotline

See toll-free numbers

If a toll-free number is not available for the country you are in, please dial (908) 559-4899 (toll charges will apply).

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The Best International Phone and Data Plans: Everything You Need to Know to Use Your Cell Phone Abroad

Compare plans from AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint.

Having a working cell phone while traveling internationally can make a world of difference. Think of how often you use your GPS (Which way to the metro station?) , internet browser (What time does the museum close?) , messaging apps (Hey, are we still meeting at the restaurant later?) , and mobile apps (I'll grab an Uber to meet you!) — just in a single afternoon. You'll probably want data on your next trip abroad, and perhaps a lot of it.

Alas, roaming rates can be extremely expensive. Even if you don't call or text while abroad, background updates to apps can run up unexpected roaming fees. Here's how to avoid those hidden charges, plus everything else you need to know about international plans offered by major phone carriers.

Overview of International Phone Plans

Perhaps the easiest option for continuing to use your phone while abroad is to purchase an international plan through your current carrier. This can work out to be the most cost-effective choice, but it isn't always. International roaming plans are typically best if you use your phone sparingly while abroad. The longer you travel, the higher the bill in many cases.

Before we delve into the specifics of each plan, here are some important things to note:

• With most plans — at least the ones mentioned here — you will be charged only once you begin using your phone internationally. However, if you have cellular data turned on (i.e., you're not in airplane mode), these international plans may be activated by background data from apps refreshing, email syncing, and device or software updates.
• Add these international plans to each device you'll use them on before your trip.
• Once you start using your phone in your destination, you should receive a text that the international plan is active.
• Billing varies by carrier and plan; you could be billed immediately after you begin using data abroad or after an entire billing cycle passes. However, you wouldn't normally be charged more often than once per 24 hours, even if you travel to multiple countries in a day.

AT&T International Plan

AT&T is the third largest mobile phone service provider in the U.S. If you have AT&T, here are your options:

Pay per day: Add the International Day Pass to your current plan for $10 per day, per device, to call, text, and use data as you would at home in more than 200 destinations. Your data allowance and talk minutes will be the same as your current plan, but you'll get unlimited texts to any numbers in the world. Calls must be made to the U.S. or another country on the IDP list. You can only use the day pass for 10 days per monthly billing cycle.

For longer trips: Although AT&T used to offer Passport plans that would allow account holders to pay monthly for data, talk, and texting abroad, the plans were discontinued (for individual consumers only, not for businesses) in 2021. Now, the International Day Pass is your only AT&T option outside of North America.

Traveling to Canada or Mexico: All unlimited and some limited plans will get you unlimited talk and text plus access to your data plan at no extra charge within the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Customers on other plans can add the Roam North America feature to their existing plans to receive these benefits, too.

Verizon International Plan

Verizon has more subscribers than any other American mobile phone service provider. If you're one of them, here are your options:

Pay per day: For $10 per day, per line, Verizon's TravelPass lets you use your domestic talk, text, and data plan in more than 200 destinations outside of the U.S. Calls within the country you're visiting and calls back to the U.S. are included, but calls to another country will incur additional international long-distance rates, which vary depending on the country.

For longer trips: Verizon's International Monthly Plan costs $100 per line, per month, and gets you 250 minutes of talk, unlimited texting, and unlimited data including 20GB of high speed, then 3G speeds after that. Be mindful of your minutes on this plan — overages will cost you an additional $0.25 per minute.

Traveling to Canada or Mexico: All Verizon unlimited mobile plans allow you to use your usual talk, text, and data allowances in Canada and Mexico without additional charges. Those with other Verizon plans can buy the TravelPass for $5 per day to use in Canada or Mexico.

T-Mobile International Plan

T-Mobile offers a range of perks to international travelers, including:

Pay per day: T-Mobile's International Day Pass gives you 512MB of high-speed data and unlimited calling for $5 a day. The plan works in more than 200 countries and destinations, which T-Mobile calls "Simple Global" countries.

For longer trips: T-Mobile's Magenta and Magenta MAX plans give you unlimited texting and data in Simple Global destinations at no additional cost. With the standard Magenta plan, you get 5GB of high speed in just 11 European countries, then speeds of 128kbps after that and in other Simple Global regions. With Magenta MAX, you get high speed across T-Mobile's global range. With both, international calls cost $0.25 per minute.

Note that the Essentials plan, T-Mobile's most basic, includes unlimited international texting but no data, and prepaid plans do not include global coverage. Data speeds are slow with T-Mobile's included coverage, however, and if you want to use your phone for media streaming or just have faster data, you may want to purchase an International Pass.

The great benefit of T-Mobile international plans is that even after you've used up all your allotted data, you can still use unlimited data and texting at Simple Global speeds, unlike other carriers, which charge you for data overages.

Another perk for travelers: T-Mobile offers in-flight Wi-Fi through a partnership with Intelsat. Get one hour free with Magenta or unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi with Magenta Plus.

Traveling to Canada or Mexico: Unlimited texts and data are included at no extra cost. However, only Magenta and Magenta MAX plans will get you high-speed data in Canada and Mexico.

Sprint International Plan

Sprint merged with T-Mobile in 2020 but still offers its own mobile plans. Here are your options in terms of international coverage:

Pay per day: Sprint's day pass allows you to use high-speed data in more than 200 destinations. Depending on where you are, it costs $5 or $10 per day. You could also pay weekly — $25 or $50, respectively.

For longer trips: Global Roaming is included with all Sprint plans, providing free international texting and basic data of up to 2G speeds at no extra cost. International calls cost $0.25 per minute. If you have a need for faster data, you should purchase the high-speed data day pass.

T-Mobile and Sprint are doubly convenient as they require no activation prior to travel. Simply start using your phone while abroad and your included global coverage will kick in.

Traveling to Canada or Mexico: Texting and data at basic speeds are free on all plans. Additionally, those with unlimited data plans get a high-speed allowance while in Canada or Mexico — 5GB for Unlimited Basic subscribers, 10GB for Unlimited Plus subscribers, and unlimited high speed for Unlimited Premium subscribers. On other plans, you can buy high-speed data for $2 per day or $10 per week.

Purchasing a SIM Card Abroad

If you plan to be abroad for a longer period of time — say for a year to teach English, a two-month sabbatical, or even a month-long backpacking trip — it may make sense (and be more cost effective) to purchase a SIM card abroad. In order to use a local or international SIM card, your phone must be unlocked.

Having an "unlocked" phone typically means you own your phone outright — either you've paid all your installments or you bought the phone at full price to begin with — and have gone through the process of unlocking your phone with your carrier, often as simple as following a set of instructions online. If you bought your phone from Verizon, you might be able to avoid this process as the carrier automatically unlocks its phones after 60 days.

Local vs. International SIM Cards

Local SIM cards work only in the country where you buy them. This is often the cheapest option because you're effectively paying as a local. Local SIMs will also provide you with fast data as you'll be using local networks. You can purchase a local SIM card from a vendor when you arrive in your destination country — even at the airport, if you want.

If you plan to travel across borders, an international SIM card might be a better option as it will allow you to use one SIM in multiple countries. You can purchase and set up an international SIM before you travel, saving you the trouble of purchasing one abroad. Do your research, though, because international SIM rates can be even more expensive than your carrier's international plans. Companies such as WorldSIM , OneSimCard , Telestial , and Mobal offer international SIM cards that provide different coverage options and price points.

If you're traveling to Europe, you can purchase a SIM card that works throughout the EU. This is likely to be cheaper than purchasing an international SIM card.

How Does Using a SIM Card Work?

You can buy a local SIM card at most wireless stores and even at some airports or convenience stores. Some places may require certain documentation such as your passport. If you're nervous about putting the new SIM card into your phone, purchase it from an expert (as opposed to, say, a supermarket) so you can ask for help. Just make sure not to lose your original SIM so you can put it back into your phone when you go back home.

If you run out of minutes or data on the card, you can always go back to the store to top up or purchase more data and minutes online. Do some quick research to figure out which carriers offer the most bang for your buck in your destination.

Buying or Renting a Phone Abroad

If your current phone is still under contract, you can buy or rent a local phone in your destination (often for cheap) from a company like Mobal or Cellular Abroad , then purchase a SIM locally. Or, if you've still got an old phone tucked away somewhere, unlock that phone and use it instead for traveling.

Using a Third-party Data Provider

While a local SIM is certainly a great, cost-efficient option, most travelers aren't concerned with making calls and texting with a local phone number. If you just want to be able to have Internet access and use the apps on your phone, a third-party data-only provider is a great alternative.

GigSky , for example, is an international eSIM (no physical card required) that gives you mobile data in more than 190 destinations. It's super easy to purchase and activate — just download the app, pick a plan, download the eSIM, and you're good to go. GigSky offers four plans: seven days and 1GB of data for $8.99, 15 days and 3GB of data for $22.99, 30 days and 5GB of data for $34.99, and 30 days of 10GB of data for $68.99. If you run out, you can top up through the app.

Another option, Google Fi provides data through T-Mobile's network, and it uses Wi-Fi for calling and texting wherever available across more than 200 destinations. There are no contracts or activation fees, and rates range from $20 to $65 per line depending on how many lines you want to include. The most basic plan will get you unlimited international texting from the U.S. to other countries, unlimited data, calling, and texting in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and 5GB of high-speed hotspot tethering; the Plus plan will get you all that plus international calling to more than 50 destinations, data in more than 200 destinations, and unlimited high-speed hotspot tethering. If your phone is compatible, you can use an eSIM instead of a physical SIM card.

Using a Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot

If you plan to do a lot of work while you're abroad and would like constant access to Wi-Fi on your laptop instead of just on your phone, you might want to look into getting a portable Wi-Fi device . These provide Wi-Fi access wherever you bring them, plus they can be accessed by multiple people and devices at the same time. One good option for international travel is the SIMO Solis Lite , available on Amazon. It's small enough to fit in your pocket, works in more than 135 countries, can connect to 10 devices at once, and provides the option of a VPN for extra security.

Traveling Without Data

Of course, if you don't want to spend any money at all to use your phone abroad, you can simply be on the lookout for a free Wi-Fi signal. In a perfect world, free, reliable Wi-Fi would be everywhere. But in reality, open Wi-Fi networks may be few and far between while you travel, and even when available, they often provide slow, spotty connection (or none at all). If you choose to wing it with open Wi-Fi networks, just make sure to leave your phone on airplane mode. You will still be able to connect to Wi-Fi, but this ensures that you won't be charged international roaming fees because of background data running. To be extra cautious, turn off cellular data in the settings of your phone.

Charging Your Phone Abroad

After investing time and money to be able to use your phone abroad, the last thing you want is to wind up in your destination with a phone charger that doesn't work with the local outlets. Make sure that you've got the proper travel adapter before you go.

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Planning a trip? Here are the best eSIMs for international travel

Published on April 24, 2024

Traveling is exciting, but dealing with SIM cards can be a hassle. Thankfully, eSIMs (embedded SIMs) are changing the game. You don’t have to put up with long queues for a new SIM or fumble with tiny plastic cards. You can get a local plan while in your country of origin and enjoy seamless connectivity before getting off the plane.

eSIMs are great, but with so many providers, how do you choose the right one? We’ve researched to find the best eSIM for international travel in 2024, whether you’re heading to Europe, Asia, Africa, or Australia.

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM is a digital SIM card that works with a chip built into your device. With a supported phone, you can get started from anywhere. Switching operators is as simple as getting a new carrier, scanning a code, and installing and activating the eSIM. This is in sharp contrast to the plastic physical SIM you have to get from the carrier and insert in your phone to get connectivity.

While eSIMs have been around for a while, they caught everyone’s attention when Apple made the bold move to go all-in on them, ditching the traditional SIM card slot altogether.

eSIMs aren’t just about convenience; they’re also eco-friendly. By eliminating physical cards, eSIMs reduce the amount of plastic waste the mobile industry generates. Plus, they free up space inside your device that manufacturers can use to fit in larger batteries or make it more sleek.

The real game-changer is how eSIMs enable 5G connectivity in devices that struggle to fit a SIM card, like smart glasses and fitness trackers . Their compact size makes them perfect for the next generation of connected gadgets.

Best eSIMs for international travel

We’ve covered some of the best eSIMs for international travel, whether you’re taking the trip alone or with loved ones.

• Local, regional, and global plans
• Customizable plans
• 150+ countries, seven regions
• Some plans support data sharing
• Unlimited data, SMS, and call options
• Covers all regions
• Expensive in Africa and America

Airhub is a global marketplace with eSIMs available in over 150 countries. Thanks to strategic partnerships with local companies, it offers several plans per destination that you can use to browse and, in some cases, send texts and make calls.

Local eSIMs cover over 150 countries. Regional eSIMs cover Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and South America. The Europe regional eSIM, for example, covers 48 countries, while the South American eSIM covers 18 countries. There are multiple global plans covering countries on all continents.

Airhub shows the network you’ll use at your destination. Plus, you can get unlimited data with SMS and voice minutes in certain countries and regions like Europe, North America, and South America. The Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Eurasian eSIMs only offer capped data volumes without voice credits. Meanwhile, the global plans include data-only options and options with SMS and voice minutes.

Prices vary across regions. European and Eurasian plans are generally cheaper, while North and South American plans are more expensive. African plans are not available at the time of writing.

You can get started with Airhub using the company’s website or mobile application. Choose your destination country and prepaid eSIM data plan, and make payment using your credit card, debit card, or PayPal. You’ll receive a QR code to activate your eSIM.

• Flexible, customizable plans
• 200+ countries, seven regions
• Supports data sharing
• Data validity up to 180 days
• Data-only local and regional plans
• Expensive in Africa
• No unlimited plans

Airalo is regarded as the first-ever eSIM store globally and is a top choice for eSIMs thanks to its budget-friendly options and worldwide availability. It offers local, regional, and global eSIMs, with prices varying by destination and local data rates.

Local eSIMs cover over 200 countries. Local USA plans, for example, range from 1–20GB and are valid for 7–30 days. However, there are no unlimited plans.

Regional eSIMs cover Africa, Asia, the Caribbean Islands, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North Africa, and North America. The Eurolink regional eSIM covers 39 European countries and offers as much as 100GB of data for 180 days, while the Island Hopper is good for 24 Caribbean islands.

Prices vary across regions. 1GB of data costs $5 for European and American regional plans, $15 for Caribbean, Latin America, and Middle Eastern regional plans, and $27 for an African regional plan.

The global eSIM plans cover 124 countries simultaneously and are perfect for interregional adventures. Local and regional plans only cover data, while global plans may be data-only or include data, calls, and texts.

To get started with an Airalo eSIM, download the app, create an account, select your destination and package, and install the eSIM. Payment methods include credit and debit cards, Paypal, Apple Pay (in some countries), Google Pay, Alipay (via the app), and Airmoney (Airalo’s reward currency).

• Local and regional plans
• Flexible plans with top-up options
• 175+ countries, 11 regions
• Nifty data calculator
• Free SMS and voice minutes via third-party
• Referral-only loyal points
• No global plans
• No African or Middle Eastern regional plans

aloSIM is a Canadian tech company founded in 2022 that offers low-cost prepaid data eSIMs and a nifty data calculator that estimates data usage based on daily activities. This ensures you only pay for what you need.

aloSIM has local plans covering over 175 countries across all continents. Regional plans cover Europe, America, and some parts of Asia, with unique options for Scandinavia and the Mediterranean. However, regional offers are limited in Africa and the Middle East.

The European regional plan spans 34 countries and lets you buy 1–10GB of data for seven to 30 days, with the option to add more if needed. You can get 5GB of data for around $20. If your journey only takes you to the UK, a cheaper UK-Ireland plan that costs $20 for 10GB of data is available. Prices are more expensive in North and South America, with the same 10GB going for $50 or more.

Like Airalo, aloSIM shows you which networks you’ll be connected to and the speed availability before purchasing a plan. You also can’t get unlimited data. While the eSIMs do not include phone numbers for calling and texting, aloSIM offers free numbers with voice minutes and SMS from its sister app, Hushed.

You can get started with aloSIM on the web or mobile app. There are three installation methods: Automatic, QR code, and manual.

• 170+ countries, 11 regions
• Small regional price disparity
• Prepaid SMS plans
• Some eSIMs support data sharing
• Data-only plans

Nomad was founded in 2020 and has headquarters in Silicon Valley. It has local, regional, and global plans.

Local eSIMs cover 170+ countries across all continents. Regional plans include Asia–Pacific, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and smaller three-country combinations. The global plan covers 109 countries.

You can see which network you’ll be connected to within your destination country and the speed. You can also top up your data when necessary. Note that there are no unlimited plans or options with voice minutes, but you can get separate SMS plans in the US and Canada at $4 for 100 texts lasting 30 days.

Prices vary by region. The European plan costs $5 for 1GB of data for seven days. Prices are similar for American and Asian plans. The African plans are slightly more expensive, starting at $11 for 1GB of data. But this is still significantly cheaper than Airalo’s $27 for 1GB.

• 170+ countries, seven regions
• Two global coverage plans
• Unlimited global and European plans
• Offers eSIMs and physical SIMs
• Pay-as-you-go option
• Pricier in the Middle East and Africa
• No info on destination networks
• Auto-renewal feature
• No data sharing

BNESIM was founded in 2017 in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Island. It provides eSIMs and SIM cards in several countries and regions, but we’ll focus on eSIMs.

BNESIM offers local eSIM plans in over 170 countries. Its seven regional plans cover Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America, Oceania, and South America. It has a global plan for 102 countries and a mini global plan for 56 countries, mainly consisting of North America, Europe, and some parts of Asia.

Aside from its base plans that renew automatically, BNE offers one-time plans with relatively shorter expiration dates and pay-as-you-go plans that never expire. It also provides unlimited European and global data plans with voice minutes — other plans are data-only.

You can top up your plan anytime using the app. However, you can’t see the network you’ll connect to within your destination country.

Local US plans start at €4.36 for 3GB of data lasting a month. It’s cheaper in European countries, costing about €3.96 for the same 3GB in the UK. Prices are higher in Africa and South America, with a rate of around €18.72/3GB and €15.34/3GB, respectively. Regional plans follow a similar pricing pattern.

• 190+ countries and some regions
• Unlimited data plans in several locations
• Small price disparity across regions

Holafly was founded in 2017 and has offices in Ireland, Columbia, Peru, and Thailand. It offers local and regional eSIMs with unlimited data in several locations.

Holafly eSIMs are available in over 190 destinations worldwide. Coverage includes countries, cities like Barcelona, and regions like Asia and Europe. Plans vary widely, with some places only offering fixed data bundles while others have unlimited volumes.

You can get unlimited data at a rate of €6/day and €19/5 days in Australia, Canada, Japan, the US, the UK, and several other places. Prices are slightly more expensive in countries like Nigeria and South Africa, with five days of unlimited data costing €29. The data volume is capped in several other countries.

Finding regional plans on the website is tricky. However, a quick search on the website brought up plans for Asia, Europe, Latin and North America, and the Caribbean.

The Holafly website highlights several details about your purchase, including the available networks in your destination and places that are likely to have high-speed internet. However, the plans are data-only, so you can’t make phone calls or send text messages, except with the Europe eSIM, which gives you 60 minutes of normal voice calls.

Holiday eSIM

• Regional and global plans
• Great European coverage
• Plans include calls, SMS, and data
• Poor coverage of other regions
• Poor website design

Holiday eSIM is a top choice for travelers heading to Europe. Thanks to robust connections in nearly every European country, you can enjoy high-speed data wherever you are.

Holiday eSIM includes a French number in your plan, a rare find among eSIM providers. Its most popular plan costs £17.50 for 12GB of data in Europe, unlimited calls and texts in Europe, and 30 minutes and 200 SMS from Europe to anywhere in the world. There are other plans as well.

While its major offerings cover Europe, Holiday eSIM has Asia-only plans covering several countries. Aside from these two regions, every other location is part of a global plan that covers parts of Europe and other continents.

Thanks to the user-friendly Orange Holiday app, installing the eSIM is simple. Download the app, install the eSIM, and you’ll automatically connect to the strongest local European mobile network. However, the Holiday eSIM website interface leaves a lot to be desired. Navigating through plans is challenging, especially if it’s your first time.

Should you get an eSIM?

One of the most incredible things about eSIMs is their flexibility — you can store multiple eSIMs on your phone (up to eight or more in some cases) and activate them as needed without worrying about extra roaming charges.

If your current network offers free roaming, you might not need a travel-specific or local SIM. But if not, the hassle of finding a new operator and dealing with language barriers can be a real headache.

Security-wise, eSIMs have a leg up on physical SIMs. Since they’re not removable, they’re practically impossible to lose. And if your phone goes missing, tracking it through the eSIM is much easier than with a physical SIM that the perpetrator can remove.

While international roaming works the same way with physical and eSIMs, the real advantage of eSIMs is their flexibility. You can have multiple eSIMs from different countries saved on your device, making it a breeze to switch between them when you’re hopping from one country to another.

The best part? Switching between eSIMs is as easy as buying and activating a plan online. There is no need to juggle physical SIM cards or worry about losing your old number.

Which phones support eSIMs?

To use an eSIM, your phone must support the technology and be unlocked (not tied to any carrier). We’ll cover a list of phones with built-in eSIM support and how you can check if they’re unlocked.

To see if your iOS device supports eSIMs and is carrier unlocked:

• Go to Settings > General > About .
• Scroll down to Carrier Lock . If the device is unlocked, it will show No SIM restrictions .
• For iOS 15 or higher, scroll down to Available SIM . For earlier versions, look for Digital SIM . If your phone supports eSIMs, it will display a 15-digit IMEI number.

Here are the iPhone models that support eSIMs:

• iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max
• iPhone 11 series
• iPhone 12 series
• iPhone 13 series
• iPhone SE 2 and 3
• iPhone 14 series
• iPhone 15 series

Here are the iPad models that support eSIMs:

• iPad Pro 1st generation and newer
• iPad Air 3rd generation and newer
• iPad 7th generation and newer
• iPad Mini 5th generation and newer

To check if your Android phone supports eSIMs:

• Go to Settings > Network & Internet .
• Tap on eSIM cards .
• Your device is compatible if you see the “Download a SIM instead?” option.

You can also check for an EID (Embedded Identity Document) number by dialing *#06#.

Some popular high-end Android phones that support eSIMs include:

• Samsung Galaxy S20 series and newer
• Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series
• Samsung Galaxy Fold series
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip series
• Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
• Google Pixel 4 series and newer (and older Google Fi Pixel phones)
• Google Pixel Fold
• Xiaomi 12T Pro and 13 series
• Oppo Find X5 series
• Huawei P40 series

This list is not exhaustive, and compatibility can vary based on where the device was manufactured. Check with your manufacturer to confirm.

Types of eSIMs

There are two main types of eSIMs: data-only and data with SMS and voice credits. Which one should you choose?

• Data-only eSIM: As the name implies, a data-only eSIM only works for browsing. It connects you to major networks in your destination country so you can surf the web and use your favorite apps. While you can’t make phone calls with it, you can leverage apps like WhatsApp to speak with others over the web.
• Voice, SMS, and data eSIM: This option is perfect for those seeking the whole package — calling, texting, and browsing. It usually comes with a separate phone number for this purpose. While most providers give you a fixed number of SMS messages or call minutes, some add this for free. Meanwhile, most unlimited data plans come with unlimited calls and texts.

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Easily Keep in Touch When Overseas by Using the Mobal International Cell Phone

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Our International Cell Phones Are Recommended in...

Mobal International Cell Phones

The Mobal International Cell Phone had been developed to make your service more dependable than ever before... We only use the best call routing possible so your calls will always be direct-dialed and crystal-clear. Significantly improved call handling means dropouts and failed calls are kept to the absolute minimum. Faster registrations mean you won’t have to wait around while your phone registers on the network. If you’re traveling to Europe and you need data, the Mobal World SIM is perfect for that too! You can now add a data bundle that gives you superfast data in any unlocked 3G/4G/5G handset in Europe, for the duration of your trip. With our new, ultra-dependable service, there’s no need to worry about your cell phone service - simply concentrate on enjoying your trip!

Optional: Europe Data Bundle

If you’re traveling to Europe, you can buy a Europe Data Bundle for your trip. You’ll get 20GB of Superfast Data to use anywhere in our Europe zone . Each data bundle lasts for 30 days and costs $39. If you’re staying for longer, you can add another bundle! You can add a Europe Data Bundle any time in your online Mobal MyAccount.

Our Europe zone includes: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus (South), Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guiana, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guadeloupe, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Eire), Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Martinique, Mayotte, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Reunion, Romania, Saint Martin, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Saint Barthelemy, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

Choose Your International Cell Phone:

Basic world phone.

BLU Zoey 2.4 3G

World SIM Included

SIM comes pre-installed

190+ Countries (Excluding the US)

More Info on Basic Phone

What you get:.

Mobal World SIM Card

Multi voltage travel charger

Worldwide travel adapter set worth $18

Plus The Following Standard Accessories:

- 1 rechargeable battery - User guide

Phone Specification

Bands 2G/GSM : Band2(1900), Band3(1800), Band5(850), Band8(900) 3G/UMTS : Band1(2100), Band5(850) Phone Body Dimensions: 4.78 x 2.00 x 0.553 in Weight: 2.56 oz Phone Display TFT, 240 x 320 Size: 2.4 inch screen Sound Alert types: Vibration, MP3 ringtones Loudspeaker: Yes 3.5mm headphone jack: Yes Memory Internal: 128MB MicroSD: Up to 32GB (not included) Camera Primary: 2MP Video: Yes Battery 1000 mAh Features Messaging: SMS GPS: No Flashlight

Classic World Phone

BLU Advance L5

Data available via our optional Europe Data Bundle

More Info on Classic Phone

BLU Advance L5 Phone

Comes with:

- Protective rubber case - User guide

Bands 2G/GSM : B2(1900), B3(1800), B5(850), B8(900) 3G/UMTS : B1(2100), B2(1900), B5(850) Phone Body Dimensions: 124.8 x 65.2 x 10.4 mm Weight: 104g Phone Display TFT capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors 4.0 inches (~56.0% screen-to-body ratio) 480 x 800 pixels (~233 ppi pixel density) Sound Alert types: Vibration, MP3 ringtones Loudspeaker: Yes 3.5mm headphone jack: Yes Memory Internal: 16 GB, 512 MB RAM MicroSD: Up to 64GB (not included) Processor CPU: 1.3GHz quad core GPU: Mali-400 Operating System Android 8.1 (Go edition) Camera Primary: 5.0 MP, LED flash Secondary: 2.0 MP Video: 720@30fps Battery Li-Ion 1300 mAh battery Stand-by: Up to 400 h (2G) / Up to 450 h (3G) Talk time: Up to 18 h (2G) / Up to 13 h (3G) Features Wifi Sensors: Accelerometer GPS Browser: HTML5 Games: Yes + downloadable MP3/WMA/eAAC+ player MP4/H.263 player Document viewer Predictive text input

World SIM Only

Calls & Texts

Call & Text message rates below!

190+ Countries (Including the US!*)

Europe Data

*Please note that you'll need a 4G/5G enabled phone to use the service in the US

If you wish to use your Mobal World SIM at home in the USA, your phone needs to work on 4G or 5G bands, most other countries only need 3G. View our call rates for:

All charges are billed in US dollars per minute. The rates shown above apply to calls made to both cell phones and landlines. Calls to the Voicemail Retrieval number will be billed at the 'Calls to Mobal World Phones' rate.

Why Mobal is The Smart Choice

Mobal's GSM World Phone can be used in 190 foreign countries. Calls are charged per minute, there are no monthly fees or usage minimums Angus Fraser

Our international cell phones and SIMs have perhaps the best coverage of any international phone service. Not only in the number of countries covered, but also the number of carriers it connects to in each country - in fact, you'll get better coverage than many of the locals get, as they will be stuck using just one carrier .

I have traveled extensively throughout the world for over 25 years and have flown over 3 million air miles. I must say that the purchase of your Mobal International Cell Phone has been the biggest improvement in my travels, ever. Also, Mobal is one of the few companies that I call where a live person answers the call and answers my questions every time! I have told all of my traveling friends about it. Ray Schwartz

English Speaking Customer Support

We provide the best possible products and services with clear, simple instructions so that your service should work out of the box, but if you do have a question or a problem, we're here for you! Our online support pages give you quick, simple instructions and downloadable user guides for quick access. You get access to your own online secure account where you can check your charges, view your itemized usage and update your personal details. Plus, we've also got real, live humans available by email, social media and live chat, so we're here for you if you need a helping hand! Our staff are native English speakers, so we guarantee you'll get easy, friendly English-language support whenever you need it!

My Mobal World Phone was a great peace of mind for our trip to Italy. I was able to call my parents on their 60th anniversary as well as my father on Father's Day. Additionally we were traveling with four other couples and the phones made it very easy for us to reconnect while in larger cities. Thank you for your assistance. Mike Rowson

Money-Back Guarantee

If you are not totally delighted with your Mobal Product for any reason, you can take advantage of our Money-Back Guarantee and return it for a full, prompt, no-hassle refund.

I got my Mobal International Cell Phone for a business trip to Australia. It's easy to use as there is no frustration as with trying to use a calling card from a hotel room, so the connection to "home" is always available. The peace of mind it provides is priceless. Thank you for a great product A. Summers

Profits Go To Charity

It all started with one man's desire to make calls while traveling... Mobal was the brainchild of Chairman Tony Smith. As a lifelong international traveler, he was constantly frustrated when trying to keep in touch with family, friends & business contacts on his many trips overseas. On the back of the success of the international cell phone service he has established a number of charities with a desire to change the world. In February 2016, Tony set up Seibo, a registered Japanese non-profit organisation with a simple aim: to feed every hungry child in the world a hot meal in school! . School feeding carries many benefits - education, nutrition and health, gender equality, food security, poverty alleviation - in one single meal. The world would be changed if every hungry child in it were to receive a meal at school. Mobal guarantees that the majority of profits go to its charities, so with your Mobal SIM, you don't just travel the world, you make it a better place!

Shipping Options

Shipping to the USA & UK: $10 (2-5 business days) Shipping to rest of world: Not Available

Shipping to the USA & UK: FREE (2-5 business days) Shipping to rest of world: $10 (8-15 business days)

I just want to say that I purchased my Mobal World Phone in the beginning of December and used it for the first time on a trip to Grenoble, France the week of December 11th. It worked flawlessly and I was very pleased. It certainly saved a lot of time searching out pay phones and having to pay for phone cards. B Sorrentino

General FAQs

Who Is Mobal? If you've never heard of Mobal before, here are some of the facts about us: a) Mobal is one of the world's longest running cell phone providers and was founded in 1989 (consider that AT&T was only founded in 2001, Verizon in 2000 and T-Mobile in 1995 and that puts our long history into perspective!) b) You're in good company — the Mobal World SIM is the best selling international sim card in America today As you can see, we're a well-established company with a proven reputation.

What phone number comes with my service? Your Mobal World SIM comes with a UK number. Your phone number works in over 190 countries* around the world so your friends, family, and colleagues always dial the same number to reach you. UK numbers are relatively cheap to call compared with many other international numbers, so it means your contacts can call you without it costing them too much. *To use our service in the US you would need a 4G or 5G enabled handset.

Can I test my SIM Card before I leave? If you wish to use your Mobal World SIM at home in the USA, your phone needs to work on 4G or 5G frequencies.

Ordering and Shipping FAQs

Which size SIM do I need? Our SIMs are all multi-size (Standard, Micro and Nano size) to fit any device. When you receive your SIM, simply snap out the correct section to fit your device – no need to worry about which size SIM you need.

Can I cancel and return my Mobal SIM Card service? Yes. You are free to cancel your World SIM Card service anytime. If you decide to cancel and return within our Money-Back Guarantee period, you’ll also be refunded your purchase price.

Is this website secure to order from? Yes. This website is both SSL secure and is independently checked daily by McAfee’s Hacker Safe service.

Charges and Billing FAQs

Are there any extra or hidden charges? No. The charges quoted on this website are the exact rates you will see on your invoice.

Are there any activation, deactivation or set up fees? No. The only charges you’ll pay with Mobal are your purchase costs, and then any usage at the rate quoted on this page.

How am I billed for my usage? You will be billed for the cost of the SIM and shipping (if any) immediately when you order. When you're using your Mobal World SIM Card, your charges for the calls are taken from your credit card as and when we receive the call data from the networks. (These charges will be applied to the same credit card that you use to purchase your SIM Card. You can change the card later using your online "my account" service). Charges from Mobal will always appear on your card with the reference; "Mobal.com".

How do I see my bills? Once you’ve purchased, you’ll be sent login details for your online account. This means you can check your account 24/7 from anywhere in the world.

What currency am I billed in? You will be billed in USD.

While You Travel The World, You Can Change The World

How your money is feeding children in malawi, which phone is best for your needs, something has gone wrong..

Five Ways to Save Big On Your Phone Bill When Traveling Abroad

Traveling internationally and want to save cash? Here are five smart ways to save big on your phone bill.

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Not long ago, a man from the U.S. returned home from a trip to Europe to a $143,000 T-Mobile bill, apparently because the phone had not been set up for international roaming, according to an article in The Guardian . Considering that 1.3 billion people traveled globally in 2023, there’s a real chance you, too, may come home to a high cell phone bill, especially if you don't determine your needs (or wants) beforehand.

Although using your smartphone has become a necessary part of international travel , roaming fees alone can be exorbitant, and depending on your carrier, using data outside the U.S. is also at a premium. 

What is the right way to set up your phone when traveling internationally? Here are five tips. 

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1. Before you travel, talk to your provider

The first thing to do before traveling overseas is to check out your service provider’s policy regarding international cell phone use. Although you may want to reach out a few months before traveling, check back often, as policies can change. You may also want to see what your current contract does and doesn’t allow.

In the past, global roaming was an extra feature you could opt into for an additional fee. However, many service providers now activate international texting, calling, and data features automatically as soon as you use your phone in a foreign country. Just understand that this feature can be pricey, so if you plan on traveling for a long time, find out ahead of time if it’s worth the price.

2. Use temporary data passes

When traveling abroad , you may find you need extra data because you want a higher data speed, the ability to stream HD video, or you’ve reached your data allotment. Providers like T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T all provide temporary data passes, although they have different names — Sprint’s $5 to $10 International High-Speed Data Roaming Pass , T-Mobile’s $5 International Pass , Verizon’s $10 TravelPass , and AT&T’s $10 International Day Pass . 

They each provide a set amount of roaming data that you can use for a certain amount of time for one price. Unfortunately, these temporary data passes are expensive. But If you can’t unlock your phone, they might be your only good option. 

3. Swap your SIM card

Renting a SIM card allows you to make calls or text and use data by swapping out your current SIM card for one compatible with the country you're visiting. When you rent a new SIM card, you’ll get a new number, so you won’t be able to receive calls or texts on your regular phone number. Before you go, make sure to notify family and friends so they can contact you via Facebook Messenger or a chat app instead. Even so, renting a card is generally a much cheaper option than paying for an international roaming service. 

Specialized stores in major airports and cell phone companies often offer SIM card rental. In fact, Amazon sells SIM cards for Europe ranging from around $20-$50, typically for 30 days of use.

Another option is an eSIM card . Unlike the regular SIM cards you remove from a phone, an eSIM is a microchip embedded in the phone’s hardware and is especially useful when you’re traveling internationally. According to AARP , you can purchase data through eSIM providers such as GigSky, Airalo, Nomad and Flexiroam, or you can add an eSIM from a local provider in the country you’re visiting. 

4. Get an international phone

f you think you will make many calls or use your phone extensively while visiting another country, consider purchasing an international phone. These international mobile phones often come with reduced international roaming rates and data. 

5. Other options when traveling internationally

Besides getting a temporary data pass or swapping your SIM card, you can also mix and match other options, such as: 

• Turning off data roaming in your phone’s settings when you don’t need it. 
• Downloading maps when you have Wi-Fi or using apps like Apple or Google Maps in offline mode.
• Shutting off all non-vital apps. When apps automatically update, you are charged if they are still active.
• Deactivating texting. This stops texts from being billed as data when you're traveling aboard. 

Best phone plans for international travel

When traveling abroad, choose an unlimited data plan , which often offers the most travel-related perks. Then, depending on your needs, check out these phone plans. 

• T-Mobile : Best choice for travelers
• Verizon : TravelPass options
• AT&T : Best for travel in Latin and Central America
• Google Fi : An underrated traveling companion
• Other options : Other international phone plans to consider

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Buying a Sim Card for Russia at Moscow Airport in 2024

Flying to Moscow Airport Sheremetyevo soon? Avoid on high roaming costs and buy a sim card for Russia on arrival at Moscow Airport or get yourself an e-sim card for Russia. Prepaid sim cards in Russia come with a lot of data and are cheap, but language barriers are real! E-sim cards are easier, but a couple dollar more expensive.

In this guide you can read everything you need to know before buying a sim card for Russia at Moscow Airport, where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per January 2024, my recommendation and even info about international and e-sim cards for Russia.

Staying connected is the first thing I do when I get to a new country. These days I mostly order an e-sim card online because it is so easy, but buying a local prepaid sim card is sometimes a better option.

I love to document all my travel tips for other travelers and since  I am also aiming to travel to every country in the world you can already find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom from all around the world: Europe ,  Dubai , Saudi Arabia , Pakistan , Nairobi , Johannesburg , London , Paris ,  New York , Toronto , Dominican Republic , Bogota , Panama City , Mexico City , Singapore , Hong Kong , Vietnam , Uzbekistan , Philippines , Turkey  and many more.

So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and e-sim card advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me!

Buying a prepaid sim card for Russia is actually really affordable! Great value for money. When I discovered this it definitely made me smile. Who does not love cheap data?

My recommendation

Traveltomtom recommends buying a Megfon prepaid sim card at Moscow Airport for traveling in Russia. Megafon has a great prepaid sim card deal for tourists: 30 GB data + free social media for just $6 USD.

Be prepared that pretty much no one speaks English at Moscow International Airport so buying a prepaid sim card can be a hassle.

Therefore Traveltomtom definitely recommends e-sim cards for traveling to Russia. As soon as the plane lands you are online. However, there are not many e-sim cards for Russia available on the internet. SimOptions is the only e-sim provider that sells e-sim cards for Russia .

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You can also look into buying an international sim card for traveling in 2024 . Again here, SimOptions is the only provider that still offers physical prepaid sim cards for traveling to Russia.

Need some travel inspiration for Russia? Check out my  trip to Altai Mountains ! Absolutely amazing.

Best e-sim cards for Russia

The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Russia in 2024 is an e-sim card.

You order an e-sim card for your trip to Moscow on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Russia e-sim card installed on your phone.

Upon arrival in Moscow it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.

Airalo has recently stopped supplying e-sim cards for Russia until further notice! As of January 2024 Airalo e-sim cards for Russia are still not available.

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $5 USD
• 2 GB data for 15 days = $9 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $11.5 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $17 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $29 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $48 USD

Click here to directly order any of the above e-sim cards for Russia online or get more info.

SimOptions is currently the only e-sim provider that sells e-sim cards for Russia. Traveltomtom has used SimOptions in more than 50 countries around the world without any problems.

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $7.90 USD
• 3 GB data for 15 days = $14.90 USD
• 5 GB data for 15 days = $19.90 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $34.90 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $64.90 USD

Click here for more info or to order an e-sim card for Russia via SimOptions .

Make sure your phone is e-sim compatible before ordering an e-sim card for Russia.

You can also order a physical prepaid sim card for traveling in Russia online and get it shipped to your home address before your trip. Click on the link to get an international data sim card for Russia with 10 GB data for $49.90 USD and get more info and see all the sim card deals.

Arriving at Moscow Airport SVO

First off this airport is spread out with 6 terminals and traveling in and between the terminals takes time. There are trains that connect the terminals so if you are in transit don’t worry the transportation system is pretty well organized. But hey we are in Russia, be prepared to struggle with languages barriers.

You may think at an international airport with this status there would be a ton of people speaking English, but forget about it. Welcome to Russia!

The ladies at the information desk all spoke good English and were very helpful. A tip for when you visit Moscow, download a translate app this will make traveling in Russia much easier.

To use most translate apps that use the dictation function you need a working internet connection. Sheremetyevo Airport has very easy access to good and free WiFi but as soon as you leave the airport you would wish you had a prepaid sim card for Russia with data. So no need to explain you anymore why you should buy a Russia sim card on arrival.

Aeroexpress SVO Airport

In and between Terminal D and E there is the Aeroexpress train station, the most convenient way to get from Sheremetyevo Airport to Moscow city. Just before you enter the train station there are many mobile phone shops where they sell prepaid Russian sim card for tourists.

Mobile internet operators in Russia

The main mobile internet operators in Russia are: Tele2, Beeline, MegaFon, MTS and Yota. Apart from Yota and MTS you can buy a Russia sim card from any of the operators at Moscow Airport.

Yota is a fairly small operator with a weak 4G network in Russia and is not recommended for tourists. But especially for an MTS prepaid sim card it is a pity they don't sell them at Moscow Airport. MTS has the strongest 4G network in Russia and is the only provider that offers 5G in Russia.

Where to buy a sim card at Moscow Airport

As I said the airport is pretty big and it more or less comes down to which terminal you arrive. Most travelers from Europe will arrive at Terminal B or D so let’s have a look at buying a Russian sim card there first.

If you are about to visit Moscow then I recommend you to go to the city by Aeroexpress, a convenient train that connects Sheremetyevo Airport to Moscow city. It is located between Terminal B and D. Just before you enter the train station there are many shops lined up where you can buy Russia sim cards for tourists as well.

At Terminal F there are also shops in the arrival hall where you can buy a prepaid Russia sim card.

Buying a sim card at SVO Terminal B

Arriving at Terminal B at SVO airport makes things easy for you as there is no choice. The only available sim card for Russia is Beeline. It is impossible to miss the Beeline shop as it is straight in front of you when you walk out of arrivals.

Prepaid sim card Beeline

The picture is hard to read when you don’t speak Russian. Neither do I so I had the guy selling the Beeline sim Russia sim card explain me in his best English what everything means.

600 Rubles = $9

• 15 GB - 4G internet
• 500 minutes calling in and to Russia
• Valid for 30 days

Total costs for this package is only around $9, that is only $0,60 per GB data. I told you Russian sim cards are cheap! When arriving at Terminal B buying a Beeline sim card for Russia is worth it.

Buying a sim card at SVO Terminal D

At Moscow SVO Airport Terminal D there are two options for you. In the arrivals hall on level 1 there is TELE2 and at the departures hall level 3 you can buy a Megafon sim card.

Prices and info below are updated in January 2024. Prices are in Russian Ruble: $1 USD  = 88.5 RUB and 100 RUB = $1.13 USD.

Megafon Russia prepaid sim card

Let me tell you if it is worth going up two levels to the Megafon kiosk to buy your Russia sim here.

I went there twice as a week later I wanted to double check the information what I wrote down and both ladies spoke very little English. Service level for English speaking tourists is zero at Moscow Airport so be prepared. I used a translate app to get the following info.

There are two Megafon sim cards for tourists available:

• 20 GB + 750 minutes + unlimited texting - valid for 1 month =  750 Rubles - $8.5 USD
• 30 GB + 1,500 minutes + unlimited texting - valid for 1 month =  1,000 Rubles - $11 USD

Both packages are really great value for money!

TELE2 Russia prepaid sim card

Depending on which exit you take from the luggage belts you will either walk up to the TELE2 shop or it is on your left in the arrivals hall. At the small shop two young employees were very helpful and explained the available TELE2 sim cards fro tourists in Russia.

TELE2 Russia offers the following sim cards for tourists:

600 Rubles (400 + 200 activation costs) = $7 USD

• Unlimited calls to TELE2  numbers in Russia
• Free Facebook, VKontakte, Viber, Whatsapp
• 1 month valid

900 Rubles (700 + 200 activation costs) = $10 USD

• 30 GB - 4G internet
• 800 minutes calling in and to Russia

Looking at these Russian prepaid sim card packages I am impressed by the value for money of TELE2. Since I never really call and text anyway, a TELE2 sim card for Russia was a perfect match.

Beeline Russia prepaid sim card

There is a Beeline shop that sells the following package:

500 Rubles = $6

• Unlimited internet - 4G network
• No hotspot available
• 14 days valid
• 30 Rubles per day extra, top up credit can be bought everywhere

There is also a shop called EBPOCETb where they sell Megafon sim cards and Beeline sim cards. The guy in the shop recommended me to buy a Megafon sim card instead of Beeline. Scroll down to see 4G network coverage maps for Russia.

Buying a sim card at SVO Terminal F

In the end I headed to Terminal E and F to find the perfect Russia sim card for tourists. At Terminal E there is NO shop that sells prepaid sim cards for Russia, but in Terminal F there was a Megafon kiosk again.

Megafon sim card Russia at SVO Terminal F

Of course here they sold the same sim cards for tourists as they did at the Terminal D, but to my surprise they also sold a specific tourist package.

Megafon tourist sim card Russia

• 30 GB data + 1500 minutes + unlimited social media - valid for 15 days =  500 Ruble - $6 USD

WOW! Looking at the above I am sure you are stunned too! Free social media and on top of that 30 GB data just for $6 USD. I asked if there would be any activation costs, but nope you pay just the 500 Rubles.

For tourists traveling to Russia for less than 2 weeks this for sure is the best Russia prepaid sim card you can find at Sheremetyevo Airport. The Megafon shop is open from 09.00 to 21.00 daily and is next to the meeting point at Terminal F.

Best 4G/5G mobile network in Russia in 2024

Let’s quickly have a look at the mobile providers in Russia selling sim cards at Moscow Airport to determine who has the best 4G/5G network in Russia. For more detailed maps of the 4G/5G network coverage  in Russia have a look at the link and you can zoom in to the region in Russia you will be traveling.

Is there 5G in Russia?

No, there is still no proper 5G network in Russia in 2024. Only in the city center of Moscow there is a small 5G network available when you are having an MTS sim card. Unfortunately they don't sell MTS sim cards at Moscow Airport. If you want an MTS 5G sim card you have to go to an MTS store in Moscow city center.

Beeline  4G/5G network coverage map

TELE2 4G/5G network coverage map

Megafon 4G/5G network coverage map

Looking at the mobile internet coverage maps for Russia you can see that as of 2024 the 4G/LTE network coverage is pretty similar for each provider. However, Megafon is slightly more extensive than Beeline and Tele2 and therefore is rated as the best 4G/LTE network in Russia in 2024. 

I expect Russia to start rolling out 5G soon, but unfortunately it is hard to go through the Russian news on the internet as I do NOT speak a word Russian! ;)

Order a prepaid sim card for Russia online

With such cheap prepaid sim cards on arrival at Moscow Airport I would not directly recommend buying an international sim card for Russia. However, it makes you forget about all the hassle buying a sim card on arrival since barely anyone even speaks English.

If your phone is not e-sim compatible then look into the following if you want to order a prepaid sim card for Russia on the internet.

Arrive prepared in Russia with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Russia, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.

SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Russia:

• 10 GB data for 14 days = $49.90 USD

Click here for more info or to order an international sim card for Russia via SimOptions .

Also a last reminder that if your phone is e-sim compatible you can order an e-sim card for Russia online .

My experience buying a Russia Sim Card at Moscow Airport

I decided to buy a TELE2 sim card for traveling in Russia and spent $9 USD on the smallest prepaid sim package. I went on a trip to the Altai Mountains in Siberia and to my surprise I could not only use the network of TELE2, but also the Megafon network. No clue why but it worked smooth.

Another reason why I would recommend you to buy a Megafon or TELE2 prepaid sim card for Russia at Moscow Airport.

A working network connection in Russia is as you can imagine a challenge in the worlds biggest country. But overall if I had a signal the 4G speed was good, especially in cities. On the road in Siberia I mostly just had a 3G signal, which worked fine.

More about my road trip in Altai, Siberia , check out my blog about this undiscovered region in Russia!

I hope this blog about prepaid sim cards in Russia on arrival at Moscow Airport was helpful for you if you have a question please leave me a comment.

Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world ? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of January 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.

      View this post on Instagram       A post shared by Adventure Traveler & Blogger (@traveltomtom)

Enjoy your trip to Russia!

Some links in this article about buying a sim card at Moscow Airport are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. This is at absolutely no extra cost to you!

• altai mountains

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US man returns from Europe to $143,000 T-Mobile bill for using phone overseas

Gigantic bill apparently reflected using 9.5 gigabytes of data on a phone that had not been set up for international roaming

A Florida man was stunned to come back from a European trip and – upon checking his phone bill – realize that he had been charged a staggering $143,000 by his phone company for using his device while overseas.

ABC Action News reported that Rene Remund and his wife had toured Switzerland last September and had even gone to a T-Mobile store to share his travel plan with his phone provider before leaving.

But the gigantic bill apparently reflected using some 9.5 gigabytes of data while overseas on a phone that had not been set up for international roaming.

Remund told ABC that he called T-Mobile and waited on hold while the charges were examined and the person he spoke with informed him that the bill was not a mistake and that he was liable for it.

Remund replied: “You’re kidding me?”

He then hired a lawyer, who contacted ABC for help. Shortly after T-Mobile were contacted by ABC, the company offered to credit Remund’s account.

T-Mobile told ABC : “We recommend our customers check the travel features of their plan, such as international data roaming, before departing … if a customer is on an older plan that doesn’t include international roaming for data and calling, they’ll need to make sure they’re using airplane mode and wifi when using data to be certain the device doesn’t connect to an international network.”

• Mobile phones (Technology)
• Mobile phones (Money)
• Switzerland

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An American came back from Europe with a $143,000 phone bill after failing to set up international roaming

• A Florida man received a $143,000 phone bill from T-Mobile after an overseas trip to Switzerland.
• The charges were due to his phone not being set for international roaming, according to ABC Action News.
• After legal intervention and media coverage, T-Mobile agreed to credit the entire amount.

A Florida man returned from a trip to Switzerland with his wife last September to discover he was facing an unexpectedly massive phone bill, Tampa's ABC Action News reported.

Rene Remund said that after returning home he received his bill from T-Mobile. He initially thought he was being charged $143 for sending photos and texts to family and friends from the Alps, according to the local news outlet.

But the actual charge was much higher — around $143,000 for 9.5 gigabytes of data used overseas.

According to Forbes, the average annual salary in Florida is $55,980, making the bill more than twice what an average worker makes each year in the state.

Remund had incurred thousands of dollars in daily roaming charges because his phone was not set up for international roaming, the report said.

Most US customers' domestic plans do not cover usage abroad, according to the Federal Communications Commission.

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Remund said he contacted T-Mobile, which confirmed the bill was indeed what he owed, per ABC Action News.

Remund did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

Remund enlisted an attorney, who wrote letters to T-Mobile's president hoping for a response, the local outlet reported. The attorney also contacted ABC Action News, which subsequently contacted T-Mobiles's corporate office.

In a statement provided to BI by email, a T-Mobile spokesperson confirmed that the carrier agreed to credit Remund's account for the entire month.

"This shouldn't have happened and we fully credited the customer," the spokesperson said. "We are taking steps to avoid it from happening again. "

In a statement to ABC Action News, T-Mobile advised customers who may be on older plans to check to see if international roaming and data are included.

Remund reportedly said he always notifies T-Mobile before leaving the US for vacations, and this time visited a T-Mobile store to tell them of his travels.

He also told the news outlet that it was a huge relief to no longer be on the hook for the six-figure bill.

The amount of data Remund used isn't considered excessive. According to telecommunication company Ericsson, the North American monthly average data usage per smartphone was an estimated 25.9 gigabytes in 2023.

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