sim card vs verizon travel pass

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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Should I get a SIM card or an international roaming plan?

Before Molly Last traveled to Greece to volunteer at a cat sanctuary, she ran the numbers for her phone. Should she get a SIM card or an international roaming plan?

A calling plan for her iPhone would set her back $10 a day through AT&T. “So my 65-day trip would have cost $650,” says Last, a retired elementary school teacher from San Francisco.

But a SIM card with a basic calling plan in Greece cost just $19 a month through Vodafone. It covered text messages, calls within Greece and WiFi.

Not surprisingly, Last went with the SIM card. She used an unlocked Huawei smartphone that she bought as a spare in Spain last year. Total savings: $612.

Like Last, many travelers are doing the math when they plan international trips. They’re weighing the convenience of a calling plan against the savings of a SIM card. So when should you use a SIM and when should you use a calling plan? And are they your only options?

“It’s good planning to figure out your cell plan before you travel,” says Jacqueline Hugo, a frequent international traveler and a smartphone app developer from Danville, Calif. If you don’t decide between a SIM and a calling plan, you could pay an expensive roaming rate. For example, if you use your U.S. phone in Europe without a plan, you’ll pay $2.05 per megabyte of data. (You use data when you check emails or browse the Web.) And that could add up.

“If a 10-year-old uses your phone and downloads or streams 10 movies while in France, that would be a surprise $20,500 bill when you get back from your trip,” Hugo says.

So what does each option entail?

A SIM card has a tiny chip used to identify your mobile phone on the network. It contains your number and other personal information. You can buy a SIM card online or at your destination and use it on another network to save money. When you buy a new SIM card, you can use your device but your phone number will change.

An international roaming plan allows you to use both your phone and your phone number when you travel abroad. American carriers typically charge a fixed rate of about $10 a day, or a monthly rate of about $60, depending on your location. But there are significant restrictions on texting and data with an international roaming plan.

Deciding between the two isn’t always easy. SIM cards can save you money, but there are hidden costs. For starters, you need an unlocked cellphone compatible with the country’s network. So if you’re traveling to Europe, you’ll need a handset that uses GSM technology instead of CDMA technology. Some phones use both systems.

How can you tell which system your phone uses? Just go to the “about” settings. If you see an MEID or ESN category, you’re on CDMA. If you see an IMEI category, you’re on GSM. And if you see both, you’re on CDMA and GSM.

By the way, the easiest way to find out if your phone is unlocked is to ask your carrier. You can also test the phone by switching out cards. If you get a “SIM unlock code” request after replacing the SIM card, your phone is locked. Your carrier may be able to unlock your phone on demand.

Another problem with a SIM card: You’re dealing with a carrier based in that country. If you experience a customer service problem, it may be difficult to find support in English.

You can sum up the argument for using a calling plan in one word: convenience.

At least, that’s what Michael McKay, a retired manager for a nonprofit organization, will tell you. “My wife and I travel to Europe once each year for a couple of weeks,” he says. “We take only my cellphone and add the $10-per-day Verizon international roaming plan. Yes, I know it isn’t cheap — but it’s trouble-free.”

Subscribing to the international roaming plan has additional advantages. Some plans work in many countries. For example, Verizon’s monthly international plan works in more than 185.

“Having the plan provides peace of mind, since the plan can be purchased on a yearly basis,” says Mahmood Khan, a professor at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., who specializes in hospitality research. “Plans can also be started and terminated based on the need.”

Sometimes the answer to the whole “SIM card or calling plan” question is: neither. For short overseas trips, many travelers simply power down their phones. In the evening, they visit the hotel lobby and use the WiFi on their phones to catch up on messages. That’s often the least expensive option.

And sometimes, the answer is: none of the above. Consider Esti Chazanow’s choice — a Pixel phone that uses the Google Fi network. Chazanow, the brand manager for a watch company in Miami, says she switched to Google Fi and stopped swapping out SIM cards on every international trip. Google charges a flat rate of 20 cents a minute for calls made outside the United States.

“SIM cards were extremely annoying, especially with having different numbers,” she says. “Google Fi is very affordable. You don’t have to make any account changes or adjustments, no SIM cards necessary.”

I’ve used Google Fi for the past three years, and I agree with her. It’s less expensive than a calling plan and far more convenient than buying a SIM card. But if I had to move to Europe, I might also consider the SIM card option.

In talking to international cellphone users, I picked up a few more useful tips. First, avoid roaming without a plan. Carriers charge a premium for international roaming. (Like that $20,500 data roaming bill. Yikes!) If you go with the SIM option, use the messaging app WhatsApp, which lets you call and receive calls from other app users at no charge, even if they’re in another country.

Don’t consider just the price of adding an international plan. Also consider the carrier’s network. I spoke with several frequent travelers who based their choice on network quality as well. They complained that the networks on some cheaper SIM cards have bad call quality and limited coverage.

So should you get a SIM card or an international roaming plan for your next overseas trip? It depends on where you’re going and how urgently you need to stay connected. If you’re on vacation, maybe you’re better off shutting down your phone and enjoying your time off.

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Attention, Travelers: Now Is the Best Time to Switch to eSIM

The digital version of the SIM card, included on many newer phones, is set to become prevalent. It also offers affordable cellular data abroad.

By Brian X. Chen

Brian X. Chen is The Times’s lead consumer technology writer and the author of Tech Fix , a column about the social implications of the tech we use.

As vacation season looms, now is as good a time as ever to bite the bullet and become familiar with a smartphone feature that many of us have ignored for years: the eSIM, the digital version of the SIM card that carries your phone number.

Among many benefits, eSIM technology is a boon for travelers, and pretty soon we will all be using it because the physical SIM card will be no more. Let me explain.

Last year, Apple eliminated the SIM card tray from the iPhone 14 to free up space. That means the SIM card, which acts as a key that connects your phone with cellular networks, is being phased out for Apple phones.

Where Apple leads, others typically follow, so you can expect handset makers like Samsung and Google to also go all-in on eSIM — a digitized SIM card embedded into the phone’s computer chip that you can activate with any cellular network’s service plan.

“Whether we like it or not, it’s coming,” Roger Entner, a telecom expert and founder of the research firm Recon Analytics, said about eSIM technology.

But this move isn’t really all about Apple. The Federal Communications Commission also favors eSIM technology , because it makes it easier for people to switch to a different carrier by using software instead of going to a store for a physical SIM card. And the technology has security benefits: If your phone is stolen, thieves can’t remove an eSIM to hijack your phone number and commit identity theft, as they could with a physical SIM card.

Most important, the experience of using eSIM data plans for travel has greatly improved. About five years ago, eSIM data plans for international roaming were overpriced, and cell service was sometimes unreliable. But in the last year, I’ve tested a few eSIM services when I left the country and found them to be cost-effective and zippy.

As is always the case with new technology, there are downsides. Activating a data plan on a foreign network with an eSIM is not as straightforward as sticking a different SIM card into your phone. The process is especially challenging for those who are less familiar with technology, putting the onus on more tech savvy companions to help them make the switch.

There are also privacy concerns. Many eSIM service providers offer apps that collect your data for tracking purposes.

You can use my experience as a template for navigating the inevitable transition to eSIM. Recently, I tried eSIM data plans when traveling with several members of my family and acted as their tech sherpa through the switch.

Step 1: Pick an eSIM

The main reason to use eSIM services for travel is to save money. The big U.S. carriers, like AT&T and Verizon, offer international roaming options, including $10 day passes for using your phone in foreign countries. The costs quickly add up for a two-week trip with family.

In contrast, an eSIM data package that can be used for the entirety of your trip costs a few dollars. The tricky part is choosing an eSIM service provider because there are many, and most are unfamiliar brands like Airalo, GigSky and Flexiroam. (Apple provides a list of eSIM service providers on its website.)

For a recent weeklong trip to Montreal, I researched travel blogs and picked Nomad , which offered a gigabyte of data that could be used for seven days in Canada for $7. I had the option to activate the plan with Nomad’s app or by following setup instructions on the company’s website. The app had high reviews in the App Store, so I clicked the download button.

Step 2: Activate the eSIM Service

A nice thing about eSIM is that you can buy a plan and set up the service on your phone well in advance of a trip, then activate it when you arrive at your destination. After you buy a plan, the eSIM service provider sends you a list of instructions.

The Nomad app showed a list of steps. In the iPhone’s settings app, I clicked on the cellular menu, clicked “Add eSIM” and typed in an activation code. As I crossed the border into Canada, I went back into the cellular settings, selected the Nomad phone line and toggled on the option for “Turn on this line.”

(If you still use a physical SIM card for your domestic phone line, you need not remove it. In the phone’s cellular settings, you just switch off the service for your primary line to avoid roaming charges.)

After I picked this eSIM plan, I shared the Nomad app with my wife and brother-in-law, who each followed the instructions to set it up by themselves. I didn’t know how to advise my mother-in-law, who never downloads apps, how to set up the plan, so I did it for her.

Herein lies the real problem: Less tech-inclined folks are probably not going to know how to use eSIM services. When my mother-in-law went on a trip to Hong Kong alone and I wasn’t nearby to set up the service for her, I told her to pay for AT&T’s international roaming plan and find a store later to buy a SIM card from a Hong Kong phone carrier.

Terry Guo, a chief product officer of LotusFlare, the company that developed Nomad, agreed that the main demographic of travelers using eSIM service plans comprised younger, more tech-savvy people.

“We are doing a lot of work in the app to make this simpler,” he said.

Optional (but Important) Step: Protect Your Privacy

Another downside to eSIM services is privacy-related. All the eSIM service providers I researched in Apple’s App Store said in their app descriptions that they did some tracking of users across different apps and websites.

Toni Toikka, the chief executive of Alekstra, a company that helps businesses reduce their wireless bills, underlined the importance of safeguarding personal information from eSIM providers. He said many of these companies, known as mobile virtual network operators, had struggled to generate profit.

“One way they think they’ll make money is selling your information,” Mr. Toikka said. “That’s why you should always opt out of any tracking. You shouldn’t sell yourself for pennies on a dollar.”

Mr. Guo said that the Nomad app contained Google’s analytics technology to see how people were using the app, and that people who logged into the app with their Facebook accounts could also be tracked by Facebook.

A simple workaround to data collection is to avoid logging into an app with third-party sites like Facebook and Google. Apple users can also click “Ask app not to track” when opening an eSIM app for the first time.

Android users don’t have the option to ask apps not to track them, so their best option is to buy the eSIM plan from the company’s website and set up the service without downloading the app.

Bottom Line

Overall, the pros of eSIM outweigh the cons. Traveling with a smartphone with SIM cards wasn’t relaxing because you needed to carry a pin to eject the card tray; plus you had to make sure not to lose the tiny SIM card.

When returning from a trip using eSIM services, all you have to do is go back into the phone’s settings app and switch your domestic phone line back on. That simplicity and peace of mind make eSIM worth the hassle.

Brian X. Chen is the lead consumer technology writer for The Times. He reviews products and writes Tech Fix , a column about the social implications of the tech we use. Before joining The Times in 2011, he reported on Apple and the wireless industry for Wired. More about Brian X. Chen

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How I avoid the pesky $10 daily roaming charges when traveling

I fly a lot.

Last year, I logged 152,033 miles in the air, and I'm already well on my way to surpassing those statstics this year.

My travels bring me all across the globe. When I'm on the road, staying connected is a must, especially when it's during the work week. Whether it's keeping up with Slack or posting on Instagram , I am always using my devices.

Relying on Wi-Fi access abroad isn't the most convenient or reliable. So, to stay connected, I make sure that my iPhone connects to a local cellular network and use that internet access whenever I'm away from home.

Other than Wi-Fi, there are three ways to connect your smartphone when traveling abroad. You can roam with your primary home carrier, purchase a local SIM card or subscribe to a package from a worldwide service provider.

In recent years, the major U.S. wireless carriers have made it easier than ever to roam with your domestic plan. Both AT&T and Verizon offer a $10-a-day pass that allows you to use international networks without charging exorbitant pay-per-use fees. (It's worth noting that international access is included in some T-Mobile plans at no additional charge.)

These passes are definitely a great option if you're an occasional traveler and looking for the most convenient and seamless option. But, $10 a day is still quite steep, especially if you're spending lots of time outside of the U.S.

In my recent iPhone 14 Pro review , I mentioned that "when I'm on the road, I usually buy a local SIM card or connect to Google Fi for cheaper international data. At the same time, I can also stay connected to my primary U.S. carrier, Verizon, without incurring the daily $10 TravelPass charge."

I've since received a bunch of reader questions about this, so I'll now explain how that's done.

Have an upcoming vacation in mind? See how close you are to paying for it with points with the free TPG App !

Dual SIM is a must

In order to stay connected to your primary U.S. carrier and take advantage of cheaper international data, you'll need to make sure that your phone supports dual SIM functionality.

SIM cards, which stand for subscriber identity modules, are small chips that associate your phone number with your cellular provider's network. With dual SIM functionality, you'll be able to use two phone numbers at the same time.

Dual SIM first came to Apple's flagship smartphones with the iPhone XS and XR family, and the models since then support this feature. Many Android phones also offer this functionality — be sure to check the technical specifications for your specific device.

The first step is to make sure that your primary domestic network is activated on your phone. For most people, that'll occur during or shortly after purchasing your phone.

Personally, I've been using Apple's top-of-the-line iPhone , the 14 Pro Max, since it launched in mid-September. While the iPhone 14 lineup ditches the physical SIM card slot, it supports easy activation with a new-ish standard, called eSIM, or embedded SIM. (The iPhone 14 supports dual SIM with two active eSIMs at one time.)

All the major U.S. carriers, along with over 400 global wireless providers, support eSIM — you can find the full list on Apple's dedicated webpage .

Once your primary domestic network is activated on your phone, your first SIM card will be provisioned on your device. This will allow you to make and receive calls, send texts and use data with your primary U.S. number.

At this stage, if you were to roam with your device, you'd be charged the $10-a-day fee with AT&T or Verizon (assuming that you've signed up for the respective packages with your carrier).

While that may be the most convenient option, you can save some more money by installing a local SIM card or subscribing to a package from a worldwide service provider.

Finding cheaper international data

To avoid the daily $10 charge from AT&T or Verizon, the next step is to find a cheaper SIM card option that works in your destination.

For me, that has historically been Google Fi , which is an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) that operates in the U.S. using T-Mobile's network. Google Fi offers a variety of plans, some of which include international access. (Otherwise, data access abroad costs $10 per gigabyte and calling costs 20 cents per minute.)

For $20 in Google Fi credit, sign up using this personalized link .

The nice thing about Google Fi is that it works in over 200 countries and requires very little work after the initial setup. You can even pause and resume your plan as needed depending on your travel schedule, though some travelers have reportedly been cut off from Google Fi for roaming too much.

Google Fi supports iPhone activations using both a physical SIM and eSIM, which is a great option for those with the latest iPhone models .

Another alternative is to take a look at worldwide service providers that offer data-only SIMs for international travel. Many of these providers offer mobile apps on the Apple App and Google Play stores, and the activation process is usually as simple as tapping through a few screens and installing an eSIM on your device.

Apple compiles a list of these providers that support the eSIM standard, and I've personally had success with Airalo , Truphone and GigSky . A quick internet search for your destination and SIM card should list the rates and packages available with these worldwide service providers.

Just to give you a sense of the savings, I paid $12.99 for 3 gigabytes of high-speed data in Israel this week through GigSky. With Verizon, that would've cost $60 and with Google Fi, that would've been $30.

Finally, your last option is to find a local cellular provider in your destination that offers prepaid SIM cards during your travels. This can be a bit more complicated depending on where you're going and if there's a language barrier, but it's often the cheapest option.

Once you pick an international data provider that's cheaper than your primary network, it's time to enable dual SIM and start saving.

The secret lies in the settings

Once you're abroad, the first step is to make sure both of your SIM cards are activated and connected. On iPhones, you'll see two rows of network status bars in the top right-hand corner of the display, which indicates that you are connected to two networks.

Going into settings and clicking through to the cellular tab will give you the details of your individual SIM cards. You'll want to make sure your primary AT&T or Verizon number and your international provider are listed as "on."

From there, you'll want to change the primary cellular data line to your international provider and turn off cellular data switching.

By doing this, you're telling your iPhone to exclusively use data with your international provider, which will avoid any charges for internet access with your primary U.S. carrier.

(If you want to be extra sure you're not charged for data from your U.S. provider, you can also turn off data roaming on your primary line by tapping on your phone number on the previous screen.)

You can then change your default voice line to your international network, too.

Now, you'll still be connected to both your international and your domestic phone numbers — but your outbound calls, texts and data will be routed through your international provider.

However, the beauty of dual SIM is that you'll still be connected to your domestic phone number in the background. You'll still receive phone calls and texts, but you won't be charged for a $10-a-day pass unless you answer them.

Receiving calls and texts is free with AT&T and Verizon regardless of where you are, as confirmed to TPG by spokespersons for both carriers. Answering calls or texts will trigger a $10 pass, but if you leave them unanswered, you won't be charged any fees with your U.S. carrier.

Now, sometimes you really need to answer an urgent call or text. To ensure you don't initiate a $10 international package, be sure to ignore the call and then return it using data, perhaps via FaceTime Audio or Whatsapp, which will use the internet access provided by your (cheaper) international provider.

If you can't place the call using one of the internet calling options, then you can connect to Wi-Fi and use Wi-Fi calling to make your phone call. Look for the "AT&T Wi-Fi" or "VZW Wi-Fi" status in the network bar to confirm that you're connected to Wi-Fi before placing your call.

(Wi-Fi calling to U.S. numbers is usually included with most domestic unlimited plans. Be sure to check the specifics of your package though.)

The same story is true with Android phones and other smartphones that support dual SIM. I don't have as much experience roaming with these devices, but the general steps outlined above should suffice.

Bottom line

If you're looking to save on international roaming charges — and stay connected to your domestic provider — you'll definitely want to purchase a dual SIM-capable smartphone.

This way, you'll be able to access two phone numbers at the same time. The first should be your primary U.S. provider and the second should be one that offers cheaper service than the $10-a-day pass with AT&T or Verizon.

Once you've activated both lines on your phone, be sure to set the international number as your primary one for data and calls. You'll still receive incoming calls and texts on your domestic line, but as long as you don't answer them, you won't be charged the $10-a-day fee.

When you are ready to return your calls and texts, do it over the internet — either via Wi-Fi calling or through FaceTime Audio or WhatsApp — and the savings will start racking up quickly.

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SIM card or Pocket Wifi or Verizon TravelPass? - Paris Forum

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SIM card or Pocket Wifi or Verizon TravelPass?

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1. Pocket Wifi (Skyroam, Hip Pocket Wifi, Travel Wifi, etc)

2. Local SIM card (Orange Holiday, Lebara) - will use 1 or 2 phones as mobile hotspots for other devices

3. Verizon TravelPass ($10 a day per device)

Recommendations? Experience with specific vendors? Advice would be much appreciated!

$10 a day each for 2 phones for 9 days adds up to a lot of money; only benefit is convenience of using your regular US phone numbers.

My husband and I each use the Orange Holiday SIM, which give 10GB of data (plus international calls & texts) each for 2 weeks for an initial cost of €39.99 each; additional 2-week top-ups for longer and/or subsequent trips are €20 each with 5GB of data.

I’ve been very happy with the Orange Holiday service, but all depends on your own personal preferences and budget....

Would this work as an option?

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187768-i20-k9343215-Verizon_Travel_Pass_in_Italy_my_review-Italy.html

Might. I'll give 'em a call and find out more.

I used travel wifi. Loved it, have recommended it a few times.

Pick up and drop off was silly easy. You get it at the airport when you arrive and drop it off in a mailbox when you leave. Anyone can use it, so you dont have to worry if say one persons phone dies and then you have to move sim cards etc. Multiple people can connect at one time

The package we got was unlimited ans I think we had it 7 days total for 8 euro a day. We thought that an excellent deal divided between the 2 of us.

And customer service was phenomenal. Quick to reply and never irritated by my constant questions

Here's another option for you: Insidr They rent you a phone for about 7€ a day (I think it depends on your length of stay) and up to 10 devices can toggle off it. They deliver it to you wherever you want when you arrive, and pick it up when you leave. Reviews have been very good. The phone is loaded with helpful apps, including one that connects you with a local "angel" if you need to ask any questions, restaurant recs, etc.

Two local French SIM cards is the best option as it allows two different groups of people to go to two different locations and still communicate.

Free WiFi is available in many shopping malls and Starbucks and McDonald's and other places if you need emergency Wi-Fi.

Lebara gets a lot of negative reviews. Go with is something French.

If you can survive with only having social media and email when at WiFi, you may survive without. You don't need connectivity for navigation, just use an offline app - no data connection needed.

Another vote for Travel WiFi, especially for your needs and use.

A few things:

- If you have more than one phone be sure everyone knows how to activate the Verizon day pass in case you get separated.

- Bring a portable battery pack and cables. Charge it every night.

And yes, you can skip it completely and count on free Wi-Fi spots and data free maps but, for the expense of a trip to Paris, I’d go for the extra cash for good data and maps etc. (While we’re on the subject, the CityMapper app is awesome for getting around by foot or metro/bus)

For the people who have used travel wi-fi, what have you used to make either local phone calls or calls back home? I know wi-fi calling is an option but I’m not familiar with whether it would work for local French numbers or people at home that are not already connected to the same service like WhatsApp, Skype, etc.

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• SIM card or $10 a...

SIM card or $10 a day to Verizon?

With an iPhone and 16 days in Italy, also driving for 5 of those days in Tuscany, I am going to want my Google Maps - I am also told that Google Maps on the phone is essential for finding your way around cities when on foot. Looks like I have two options - $10 per day ($160 to Verizon and burning my data) and it is simple (just pay the bill) -- or buy a SIM card which I think is more economical, but, I have no idea how complex that is for someone who never has done it before. I have read on this site that people are buying the cards -- but, I feel like a tech dunce - I also feel anxious to hand over my phone to someone (am I really getting the right plan / will using the phone end up costing me more / will my phone be the same when I get back home) to get the SIM, as well as how much data would would you want to purchase figuring you are using it for maps and data for searches (like Rick web site!). Anyone a first timer to the SIM card vs home plan use - with advice and experience you can share to help me make a good decision?

There are two popular local carriers that pop up consistently here when discussing Italian SIM cards. Vodafone Italy and its holiday plan and TIM with its visitor plan. Both plans are about €30 and include data, texts and phone calls. I think the TIM plan includes more data. Please check details to confirm. Oh and you may need to check if tethering is allowed (using phone as WiFi connection)

Getting a SIM card and plan is relatively easy. Walk into one of the stores. Bring your passport as thy need to register you. In my case I was done in 30 minutes and service was active within an hour.

It’s a prepaid plan so no surprise charges, but I pay in cash so that there’s no credit card on file for them to attempt to charge. The plans are good for 30 days but if you use up the data you can add additional data. Probably entails going back into a shop.

The only odd thing I’ve noticed was last year. When using a Vodafone UK SIM my stored contact’s phone numbers looked weird. I think some were converted ie xx xxxx xxx type format instead of the usual US style xxx xxx xxxx. After reinserting my ATT SIM most reverted to the normal format but a few were still messed up. I needed to reenter them but I did so in the +1 format so hopefully that won’t happen again.

Just make sure your phone is unlocked in order for a foreign SIM card to work.

Last September I bought a Vodafone SIM card in Italy and it worked great! It included 500 minutes of call time to Italian phone numbers and 300 minutes to U.S. numbers, plus 4GB of data for 30 days.

Three weeks ago, I walked into a Vodafone shop and asked if I could reload the SIM card I’d purchased last September. I ended up buying a new SIM card with the international plan which includes 500 minutes to Italian #s, 300 to U.S. #s, and 8GB of data for €30 for 30 days.

The staff in the Vodafone shops know the best plan to sell you and they are friendly and helpful. You can also download the Vodafone app and you can keep track of your usage.

I didn’t rent a car but have used my Google Maps app almost daily. It shows me where I am and the direction I’m walking. I love Google Maps!

The only thing is that you’ll get an Italian phone number. Your contacts and all your apps will not change.

You can still use Wi-Fi wherever it’s available.

Enjoy your trip!🌼

As long as you have an unlocked phone, an Italian SIM is the way to go. Should not cost you more than 40 Euro. .

Disclaimer - I work for Verizon..... We have been to Italy twice this year. Both times we did the $10 per day for each phone (I do not get a discounted rate). I stayed in airplane mode some days which saves the $10 charge for that day, but it still adds up quickly. It worked pretty well but I did need to call tech support last September (from the center of Piazza Navona) as there was some setting that needed to be changed and I didn't know that until we got there. My wife's phone did not have the same issue. We also found that we could not always connect to WIFI, so we just stopped trying after a while. Google Maps worked great. Also used Google Translate a few times. Remember to register your number on the Verizon site, search for "Travel Pass" and choose Italy...

While it may be easy, cheaper and safe, I was not comfortable swapping out my SIM card in a different country. It just wasn't the right thing for us...

Also, we rented a car in Tuscany, and the GPS in the car was awesome, so we turned off Google Maps while driving.

We bought an $80 plan from Verizon for our four week trip, which gave us 250 minutes, 250 texts, and data. We ended up going through the data in less than 10 days and acquired $75 in data charges. Needless to say, we should have bought the $10 daily travel pass and just put the phone in airplane mode when not on wifi. If you can score a car with navigation, it will save you multiple days of needing to use google maps and data while on the road. We burned up our data using Waze before we even realized that the car had free gps.

After researching, we decided just to do the Verizon plan. We had no issues on either our trip to Tuscany, our trip to Germany or our trip to London and Paris.

Wi-Fi was plentiful everywhere and there were several days we didn’t use Verizon. Also we took our Garmin with the Italy and Greece map card and used it while driving, but by the end of our stay we drove to many places with just a paper map and road signs. We also had street maps of Florence, Rome and Siena and had no trouble finding our way around. Smaller hill towns like San Gimignano don’t need maps.

Based on our usage in Tuscany, it was pretty much a wash on cost. My teenage job was a delivery boy for a drugstore and I was a Boy Scout so my navigational skills are above average.

“As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I realize you can’t always rely on Google Maps.”

While it may be easy, cheaper and safe, I was not comfortable swapping out my SIM card in a different country.

I use an Italian SIM card when in Italy; a Belgian SIM while in Belgium; and AT&T in the USA. I don't physically swap out the SIM cards. I go to the shop (TIM in Italy/Orange in Belgium) and let them do the swapping. I make sure that the phone works before leaving the shop.

And, don't forget your home SIM card.

If you’re landing at FCO, there’s a TIM store in the arrivals area of Terminal 3. Here’s a link to the TIM for Visitors card. Last two years I purchased the card on line, presented my voucher and they installed and activated the new SIM in my phone in about 15 minutes. TIM service throughout Italy was great. I’m returning in September and will do this again.

I use the app Maps.me for free offline navigation. You have to download the maps where you want to go ahead of time but then using it offline is easy and it tracks you.

I had a $10 a day plan when I went to England last year and it was wonderful. Calls to and from America were all free, plus nearly unlimited browsing. I plan to do the same thing this time and am on Verizon now. my phone is not unlocked (not paid off yet). wonder if Verizon will still allow me to do this?

We are flying into Ciampino Airport in Rome next month. Does anyone know if there is a TIM store there? I can't seem to find a store locator on their website.

You can download Google maps and use the maps in the Airplane Mode. You can also mark up the Map and put in specific places so you can find them later! You download each city or area that you will be in!!

Excellent idea I have not done that.

For our prior 4-5-6 week trips, we have suspended AT&T service on our phones and used hotel/ apartment wi-fi for research/ email/ WhatsApp texting and Mobal phones for occasional local calls. Suspended service means we don't pay $$$ for home service we can't use. This trip we also bought one SIM card (Vodafone Netherlands -- thank you Andrew H -- which I got online before we left so we could test out changing the cards and leave my AT&T SIM card safe at home) and used that for local calls and text and data on the road as backup to the Garmin with European maps which was used in conjunction with the GPS that was unexpectedly provided with the rental car (talk about belt and suspenders!) Vodafone service was €20 for 3GB of data plus 20(?) minutes of European calls and 20(?) texts during a 30-day period. Ample for what we used. Calls and texts after the 30 days were €0.20 and €0.15, respectively. Assuming my phone works when I put the AT&T SIM back in, we will use this method again.

This trip we also bought one SIM card (Vodafone Netherlands -- thank you Andrew H -- which I got online before we left so we could test out changing the cards and leave my AT&T SIM card safe at home) and used that for local calls and text and data on the road as backup to the Garmin with European maps which was used in conjunction with the GPS that was unexpectedly provided with the rental car (talk about belt and suspenders!) Vodafone service was €20 for 3GB of data plus 20(?) minutes of European calls and 20(?) texts during a 30-day period. Ample for what we used. Calls and texts after the 30 days were €0.20 and €0.15, respectively.

Glad it worked out for you, Laura. FYI, Vodafone is now offering 2X the data at the same prices (maybe temporary, maybe permanent) - so you really get 6GB for 20 euros - or 4GB for 15 euros, 2GB for 10 euros. And after 30 days (or maybe after you use up your old bundle if you do so before 30 days), you can buy another bundle.

The 30 min for calls and texts on the Dutch SIM are good only to call or text numbers in the Netherlands, but incoming calls and texts are free as is true with most (all?) prepaid European SIMs. I am in Portugal now with this SIM and had to make a local call; instead of using the SIM, I used Skype (3 cents/minute to a landline here - price varies depending whether you call a mobile or landline and also by country) because I already had some Skype credit anyway. I am on a ten day trip and will never get close to using up the 2GB of data I paid 10 euros for.

I have used Verizon's TravelPass ($10/day) for several years during trips to Italy, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Scotland. All of the trips were for 7-10 days, so even using TravelPass daily, it only added a maximum of $100 to the cost of the trip. And remember, if you don't use cell service/data on a particular day (and only use wifi), there is no charge. I stay with Verizon because I can keep my US phone number and don't need to unlock the phone or buy SIM cards and, when I do use cell/data in Europe, it is my US data plan. Admittedly, if I was going to Europe for a longer time period, I would consider a SIM card or other option. But for 2 weeks, when you consider that you spend several thousand $$ for a European trip, another $100 is small in comparison. And you cannot beat the convenience of the TravelPass plan.

sure you have by now lots of advice. I am also a novice at this technical stuff and we're also traveling to Italy soon. I found "Phillips" advice the very best with getting a sim card from the TIM store at airport terminal 3 and even his convenient website TIM for visitors" site. I think this is the most efficient, simple, and cheapest (much better than Verizon) way to have a cell phone in Italy. I will definitely follow Phillip's advice. have a great trip!

Hey Monika, thanks for the thanks! It’s really an easy and convenient way to do it.

Hey Robert from Happy Valley, I’d rather have the $60-65 to spend on a great meal! I go to Europe once or twice a year since 2001 and am able to do it because I try to get a good bang for my buck. I don’t do cheap or extravagant, and by being careful, I’ve been able to go on these many wonderful trips.

There's nothing wrong with using Verizon's or AT&T's $10/day passes when you travel, if you simply don't want to mess with a SIM or find the technology intimidating. I find it fairly easy, so swapping SIM cards is routine for me. (I get to keep my US number while overseas with any SIM card I use, because I use Google Voice and use Google Hangouts to make/receive calls.) I'm also pretty frugal. in fact, I'm much too frugal to spend money on AT&T's or Verizon's monthly plans throughout the year in the US, either. I just switched to Sprint but only because I got a free year unlimited everything out of it. Sprint has free 2G data in Europe but it's been too slow for me on the trip I'm currently on, and using the Vodafone SIM has cost very little.

I recently used TIM which as a previous poster mentioned has a little shop in the arrivals area at FCO. They set it up very fast & swapped out the SIM card no problem. (Don't lose your US SIM card!) The plan was for 4 GB of data & 100 minutes of calling (to Italy, the US, etc.) within a 30 day period. Texting did not seem to work though so you'd have to send texts via an app like WhatsApp. The total cost was 35 euros ($42.29 at the exchange rate that day). The new service started working on my phone on the train ride into Rome. It all worked very smoothly & easily and was well worth it. Your phone does need to be unlocked; putting the old SIM card back in once you're airborne on the way back to the US or wherever is very easy also - just follow the online instructions for your phone if you don't know how.

Texting probably did not work for me by the way because you have to send the text to the number in the US using the Italian dial system, i.e. 001 + area code + number or 01 + area code + number, I can't remember which. Same thing with making phone calls to the US. If you just hit the name of the person you're calling or texting in your contacts, then it won't work.

I just returned from 16 days in Italy - Rick's South of Italy tour. I did exactly what Philip / Hobe Sound, FL / 05/20/18 11:03 AM described. Total cost 30€.

Verizon has a $40 per month international plan that I always use...it has limited talk, text, and data but with all the wi-fi everywhere now I find that it's PLENTY for my needs. I use maps offline and usually only get my phone out to text or get online when I have wi-fi. I only occasionally need to call anyone (like when booking tickets or last minute hotels) and only get online out of wi-fi range here and there. It's a far better deal than the $10 per day unlimited plan - SIM cards are a hassle and then you get lots of ads for the country you're visiting too!

I can't remember either. Instead of remembering, on a cell phone I simply use the + sign a the international access code. (Hold down the 0 on the keypad to get a + .) The country code for the US is 1. So to call the US from Italy I would dial +1-212-555-1212. To call another number in the EU, put + and then the country code and then the number.

Verizon has a $40 per month international plan that I always use...it has limited talk, text, and data but with all the wi-fi everywhere now I find that it's PLENTY for my needs. I use maps offline and usually only get my phone out to text or get online when I have wi-fi.

It would not be plenty for me - I would use it up in two days, tops. (You get all of 100mb with Verizon's international monthly plan.) That's because I use my phone for walking/public transit navigation, something that requires mobile data. So "free WiFi almost everywhere" does not help me much. Google maps "offline" works only for driving directions. Because SIM cards are so cheap, it would be silly for me not to get one instead of crippling my phone. About $13 USD for this current trip to Portugal to top up my Vodafone SIM - for 2GB of data.

"Texting probably did not work for me by the way because you have to send the text to the number in the US using the Italian dial system, i.e. 001 + area code + number or 01 + area code + number, I can't remember which. Same thing with making phone calls to the US. If you just hit the name of the person you're calling or texting in your contacts, then it won't work. "

To amplify Andrew's answer on this:

To call or text a US number on a cell phone, enter +1 and area code and number. This will work wherever you are - US, Italy, or any other country. And it will work whether you are using a SIM from the US, Italy, or anywhere else. So, when I put numbers into my phone, unless it's a number I know I will never call from abroad (like a local restaurant), I just put it in as, for example, +1-212-555-1234. Then, wherever I am, all I have to do is press Send and the call or text goes through.

Similarly, for Italy, if you save the number as +33 +39 and then the full local number, it will go through wherever you are, and whether you are using an Italian SIM or a US one.

It's a bit of work to change your saved contacts from, for instance, (212) 555-1234 to +1-212-555-1234. But you only have to do this once; then they will work both when you're home and when you're traveling, and whether you keep your US plan or get a local SIM.

When I first did this, I worried that local calls would be charged as international ones. They aren't; the system "knows" where you are and charges correctly.

Edited to reflect Philip's accurate correction of my mistake!

Harold, country code for Italy is 39, not 33.

Yes, Philip is absolutely right - sorry! France is 33; Italy is 39.

@Phillip: It is worth the $60 to me to only just have to turn my phone on when I arrive in Europe and then use it like I was at home with my US number. I don’t consider it to be wasteful. Each traveler has their own preferences and we respond to provide ours for the OP, who can decide what they wish to do.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.

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Stay connected wherever you are.

Verizon keeps you connected with coverage in more than 220 countries and destinations.

Trip Planner

Find the best plan for your international trip.

Have questions? We’ve got answers.

How do i add an international travel plan for my device.

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

• My Verizon website: On your International Plan page, go to Use our Trip Planner .
• Choose a line.
• 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.

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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:

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• 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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