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Verizon International Phone Plans — Countries, Coverage, Rates, and More

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Being at the forefront of the move to 5G connectivity, Verizon is often referred to as one of the best carriers in the U.S. But how does the carrier compare to competitors like AT&T , T-Mobile , and newcomer Google Fi when traveling abroad?

That’s a good question, and it’s an important one to ask if you find yourself out of the country often. So in this article, we’re going to dive deep and take a look at how Verizon’s U.S. phone plans work abroad. We’ll start out by looking at the company’s international plans and their respective pricing. Then, we’ll look at the supported countries and compare the pros and cons of using Verizon abroad.

Spoiler alert: like AT&T, the international options are pretty limited on Verizon. You’ll want to study this article if you’re a current Verizon customer who’s about to travel abroad, or if you’re a traveler that’s considering a switch to Verizon.

Breaking Down Verizon’s International Data Plans

As teased in the intro, Verizon has a limited (and expensive) set of international plans. There are 3 different plans available, ranging from a monthly international data allowance to a plan that lets you use your U.S. data plan while traveling abroad.

Here’s a look at all of the available options:

All Verizon customers are automatically enrolled in pay as you go international data, texting, and calling. If you don’t enroll in another plan on this list and take your phone out of airplane mode when abroad, you’ll automatically be charged at the following rates:

• Talk: $0.99-$2.99 per minute, depending on the country
• Text: $0.50 to send, $0.05 to receive
• MMS: $0.25 to send or receive
• Data: $2.05 per megabyte

There’s no doubt that these prices are absolutely astronomical, hence why we don’t recommend relying on pay as you go international data — it can get very expensive very quickly.

For example, sending a 3 MB picture message on Facebook Messenger would cost a whopping $6.15! And since modern smartphones use data in the background to fetch email, notifications, and more, you may end up being charged just for taking your phone out of airplane mode.

Hot Tip: Thankfully, you can call Verizon to have pay as you go international data disabled on your account. We highly recommend doing this so that you can protect yourself from an astronomical bill on your next trip.

Verizon’s TravelPass plan is nearly identical to AT&T’s International Day Pass plan. This plan lets you use your U.S. data, talk, and text plan abroad for a daily fee.

This plan costs $10 per day per line, and — once enrolled — you’ll only be charged for the days you actually use your phone abroad. This means you can set the plan and forget it. Then, instead of worrying about pay as you go data, you’ll be charged a flat-rate fee for your international phone usage.

Note that you’re billed in 24-hour increments, so if you fly to Brazil and connect to data at 5 p.m. on a Monday, your single $10 fee will be valid until 5 p.m. on Tuesday. You’ll be billed for another 24-hour increment if you continue using your phone after this initial period.

Further, this plan still pulls from your U.S. data, text, and calling allowance, so make sure to keep an eye on how much you use your phone. Otherwise, you might come back home with overage fees.

You can use this plan in any of Verizon’s 185+ supported countries and if needed, you can roam in multiple countries on the same day without paying extra. Don’t worry — we’ll discuss supported countries later in the article.

Finally, you can enroll in a Verizon Monthly Travel Plan. This gives you a set amount of data, calls, and texts to use when you travel abroad. However, the amount of data, calls, and texts included with each plan is limited at best.

Here’s a look at what’s included with Verizon’s 2 Monthly Travel Plans:

If you exceed your data, talk, or text allowance, you’ll be charged at the following rates:

• $0.35 per minute of talk
• $0.05 per text message sent
• $25 per 0.5 GB of data used

Like the TravelPass, this plan works in 185+ countries and can be used across multiple countries if needed. Note that — also like TravelPass — this plan is billed per line, so multiple lines can’t share the same Monthly Travel Plan.

A handful of Verizon plans come with free data, call, and text roaming within North America. This means that when traveling within Canada or Mexico you can continue to use your phone as you would as if you were in the U.S. The plans that include this type of roaming are:

• All Unlimited plans

If you’re subscribed to one of Verizon’s other plans, you can add North American roaming for $5 per day. This works the same as the TravelPass plan we mentioned earlier — you’re charged per day, but only when you actually use your phone in Canada or Mexico.

So, there are 3 different options for international mobile data on Verizon, but which is the best for you? Here’s why you might pick 1 plan over another.

Stick With Pay as You Go Data If You

• Don’t plan on using your smartphone or will purchase a local SIM card upon arrival. In our opinion, this option is just too risky to be justified.

Subscribe to TravelPass If You

• Are only traveling for a few days at a time — $10 per day can add up quickly!
• Need access to your full data plan and U.S. phone number when traveling abroad.
• Have a data plan with a high (or unlimited) data limit.

Buy a Monthly Travel Plan If You

• Plan to travel for an extended period of time.
• Don’t need to use your phone constantly — unfortunately, the data, text, and call limits are low.

Bottom Line:  Think about how much you need to use your phone when traveling and pick a plan based on that info. Note that you may be better off buying a local SIM card if you need to use your phone extensively for multiple days — this will save you money in the long-run.

Thankfully, enrolling in both the TravelPass and Monthly Travel Plan is simple.

You can enroll in TravelPass by texting “Travel” to 4004 from the phone whose line you’d like to enroll in TravelPass. Then, a new TravelPass will be added every time you use your phone abroad. We recommend doing this before your trip to avoid possible pay as you go charges. Alternatively, you can enroll using this page on the Verizon website.

Further, you can enroll in a Monthly Data Plan by going here . After you log in, you’ll be prompted to choose between the 0.5 GB or 2 GB plan. You can cancel this plan at any time by navigating to the same web page.

Like many carriers, Verizon has international coverage in most parts of Europe, Asia, and South America. However, it’s always wise to check that the country you’re visiting is covered by your carrier before you depart — otherwise, you could have a hard time finding a ride out of the airport once you land.

Verizon posts its full list of supported countries on its website. The carrier boasts that it supports “185+ countries” and while this is less than T-Mobile’s “210+ countries,” we’re unable to find any notable exclusions on the Verizon website. Every tourist destination we could think of was listed on the Verizon website, so you likely won’t have any issue connecting during your travels.

However, this could cause pose problems for those who partake in adventure travel by visiting off-the-beaten-path locations.

Pros and Cons of Verizon’s International Data Plans

There’s no doubting that Verizon isn’t the best plan for most travelers. For the most part, it offers a very limited set of expensive international plans, and none of its plans offer free international roaming like T-Mobile or Google Fi.

However, it’s still important that we run through the carrier’s international data pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision on if Verizon is right for your travel needs.

• Free international roaming within North America on most plans
• Monthly international plans include calling
• TravelPass is automatically enabled once you enroll
• Expensive monthly international plans with small data allowances
• TravelPass can get expensive on long trips
• Likewise, TravelPass pulls data from your domestic data, call, and text allowance
• Less supported countries than T-Mobile, Google Fi, and others

Being frank, we recommend that people who travel often steer clear of Verizon.

Its international data plans are too expensive to be deemed practical, so if you have the choice, we recommend checking out T-Mobile or Google Fi instead. Both of these plans offer free international roaming and more supported countries, giving you a smaller bill and more places to bring your connection.

However, we do understand why one would pick Verizon when traveling within the U.S. The carrier has industry-leading coverage at home and has been shown to offer some of the best speeds. It’s unfortunate that these perks don’t carry over to the carrier’s international coverage.

But now we want to hear from you. Do you use Verizon when traveling abroad? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my smartphone work abroad.

Most modern smartphones are properly equipped to work internationally. However, you should refer to your smartphone’s manual or call Verizon to check if your smartphone is properly configured.

Do any Verizon plans come with free international data roaming?

The Start, Play, Do, and all Unlimited plans come with complimentary international roaming within North America. However, none of Verizon’s international plans come with free data roaming outside of this region.

Where can I see the full list of Verizon's supported countries?

You can view a full list of supported countries on Verizon’s website .

Can I bring my phone if I switch to Verizon?

You may be able to bring your device to Verizon — use this tool on Verizon’s website to check if your phone, tablet, or smartwatch is compatible with the Verizon network.

Where can I find more info on buying a local SIM card?

You can use the Prepaid SIM Card Wiki to find more info on buying a local SIM card in most countries. Buying local SIM cards is often cheaper than roaming on U.S. carriers like Verizon.

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About Andrew Kunesh

Andrew was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and now splits his time between Chicago and New York City.

He’s a lifelong traveler and took his first solo trip to San Francisco at the age of 16. Fast forward a few years, and Andrew now travels just over 100,000 miles a year, with over 25 countries, 10 business class products, and 2 airline statuses (United and Alaska) under his belt. Andrew formerly worked for The Points Guy and is now Senior Money Editor at CNN Underscored.

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Prepaid International TravelPass® Services (While traveling outside the US) Terms & Conditions

TravelPass : If you are on an eligible Prepaid monthly Smartphone plan, TravelPass lets you use your talk, text and data allowances for a daily fee. A 5G or 4G World device with HD voice is required. International data will be reduced to 3G speeds after 2 GB/day. Calls while traveling are permitted within the destination of travel and back to the USA. If more than 50% of your talk, text or data usage in a 60-day period is within the destination of travel, we may disable or limit the use of those services in those destinations. When you connect to a foreign carrier's network, we may send you text messages to explain how to dial for the destination you're in and the rates you will pay to use services there. When traveling, some services such as domestic data applications, voicemail or call waiting, may not be available or work as expected. Please be sure to disable TravelPass in the My Verizon app if you do not want to incur daily TravelPass fees while traveling internationally. CDMA-only devices will not work outside the U.S. LTE-only devices will not work off the Verizon network. Setting up Your Account for International Travel : To use International Services while traveling outside of the U.S., you must have a world capable device with HD voice and be on an eligible prepaid smartphone plan. If you meet these conditions, TravelPass will be automatically added to your Prepaid line when you sign up for service. If you convert to an incompatible price plan, TravelPass will be disabled. You will be notified by SMS of daily fees, and can accept terms and enable or disable TravelPass on demand by using the My Verizon App or calling the Prepaid automated voice response system (888-294-6804) before you travel or from an eligible destination. TravelPass will automatically be disabled after 30 days of inactivity, but can be re-enabled at any time. SIM Cards : You are responsible for any use of your SIM Card and must safeguard the security codes associated with it. Upon termination of your Verizon Wireless service, please destroy your SIM Card. Charges When You Are Traveling : If you enable TravelPass on your Prepaid monthly plan, the TravelPass daily fee will give you access to your domestic plan allowances for voice, text, and data. We may send you text alerts to inform you of international rates that may apply, or when your service may be impacted by high usage or a low account balance. These are free courtesy alerts and we can't guarantee you will receive them or that we will limit what you are charged for these services. If you travel to multiple TravelPass destinations with different fees within a 24 hour TravelPass session, you will be charged both fees. Updated 11/15/22

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How To Use Verizon Travel Pass On iPhone

Are you a frequent traveler looking to stay connected while abroad without worrying about expensive roaming charges?

Verizon offers a convenient solution called TravelPass that allows you to use your phone internationally without breaking the bank.

In this article, we will guide you through the simple steps to activate and use Verizon TravelPass on your iPhone.

How To Use Verizon Travel Pass on iPhone?

To Use a Verizon travel pass on iPhone: Enable Roaming > Making Calls > TravelPass Activation > Data Roaming > TravelPass Charges

Down below, we have discussed these in step-by-step detail.

Step 1: Enable Roaming

Before embarking on your international adventure, ensure that roaming is enabled on your iPhone. Here’s how:

• Go to Settings on your iPhone.
• Select Cellular.
• Tap on Roaming.
• Make sure both Data Roaming and Voice Roaming are turned on.

Enabling roaming ensures that you can use your phone’s features while abroad.

Step 2: Making Calls

Making calls outside the US requires a slightly different approach. Follow these steps to make international calls:

• Hold down zero until you see the plus sign (+).
• Enter the country code.
• Dial the number you wish to call.

Using the international access code followed by the country code and the number ensures that your calls connect seamlessly.

Step 3: TravelPass Activation

To activate TravelPass on your iPhone, follow these simple steps:

• Text TRAVEL to 4004 or use the My Verizon app.
• Upon arrival at your destination, you’ll receive a text message outlining the daily fees associated with TravelPass.
• The daily fee begins the first time you use your phone for calls, texts, or data.

Activating TravelPass ensures that you can use your domestic talk, text, and data allowances while traveling abroad.

Step 4: Data Roaming

To access data while abroad, ensure that data roaming is turned on in your iPhone settings:

• Open Settings on your iPhone.
• Navigate to Cellular.
• Ensure Data Roaming is turned on.

Enabling data roaming allows you to browse the web, check emails, and use apps while traveling internationally.

Step 5: TravelPass Charges

It’s essential to understand the charges associated with using TravelPass:

• The fee for TravelPass is $10 per day in eligible countries.
• You’ll enjoy high-speed data for the first 2 GB per day, with speeds reduced to 3G thereafter.
• Keep in mind that TravelPass is not available in non-covered countries or on cruise ships.

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• What Is Verizon Travel Pass & How Does Verizon Travel Pass Work

Achu Kottor

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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• Royal Caribbean International

Verizon TravelPass $10/day for cruise?

By jasminesmom1 , April 20, 2022 in Royal Caribbean International

Recommended Posts

jasminesmom1

I have the VZW TravelPass plan (a fairly new option) enabled on my mobile and understand that as soon as it connects to the ship board cellular (not wifi) that the $10/day charge to VZW kicks in since I am now "roaming". Two questions:

1. Does Royal Caribbean somehow add any surcharge to that, or is the $10/day all I pay? Anyone tried this and had success,

2. If I connect on say Day 2 of the cruise, and I then i turn cellular off for the remaining days, does VZW charge the $10/day until I connect to a US tower again, or am I just charged for only the days I actually connect to the ships cell network? Does RC have the ability to block my access to cellular svc from my provider?

Thx in advance! We sail in 3 days!

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Are you sure the cruise ship you are on is part of the plan? All I can find is "select cruise ships" but no actual list. Did you find a list somewhere of which ships have this?

I have used the international plan in the past for work as I traveled a bunch and typically once you connect to a tower it texts you about having service there and then starts the timer. If you turn off the cell service then the next day it should not charge you.

Cutigerlady

On our recent cruise, my husband took his phone out of airplane mode while we were in Jamaica to connect to the "free Wifi" where we were and fortunately this new Verizion travel pass kicked in for him automatically.  I got a text message saying that they were using one of our passes for his phone number. He didn't understand that even on a free Wifi he was pinging towers in Jamaica.  

Once I realized what the heck he had done, we put his phone back in airplane mode and I was only billed $10.  So you are only charged while the phone is out of airplane mode.  I would be careful because when you are at sea, you pick up satellite coverage which I don't know if that is covered under the travel pass.  It may be worth it to you to use the travel pass and only use it while you are in port somewhere as a cheaper alternative to RCL's internet service.  

smokeybandit

This would be used in foreign ports, not on board ship.

Okay reading further I think you might be mistaken.

In port in foreign countries you will have access to cell service. On cruiseships you only get a 50mb allowance. Otherwise charged out at a higher rate.

https://www.verizon.com/plans/international/international-travel/cruise-and-inflight/

It also states non-recurring at this link.

https://www.verizon.com/articles/4-ways-to-stay-connected-on-a-cruise-ship/

We have done it - but as stated above, it doesn't work for cruise ship coverage, only for ports.  So, on the ship, connect to the ship wifi and leave in airplane mode.  OFF the ship - you can use the Travelpass and you'll be charged $10/day.  Travelpass will text you when it kicks in at each port, once you come out of airplane mode.

I have ATL&T and used it several times on March cruise to Western Caribbean. Worked great and easy. Made several phone calls and only charged $10 each day that I made the calls. Big difference from individual phone call charges!

Don't use the cellular on the ship, stay on WiFi.

36 minutes ago, Cutigerlady said: So you are only charged while the phone is out of airplane mode

If he was connecting to WiFi, there was no need to turn off airplane mode.  WiFi can be turned on once airplane mode is turned on.

We’ve had this for about 10 years, I don’t think it works on cruise ships, just on land.

My experience is that it doesn't work on board the cruise ship.  I always call Verizon prior to my trips to enable the Travelpass on our iPhones.  I only use it for emergencies ashore.  I mostly use wifi when off the ship, and pay out of pocket for in/outgoing texts, which is cheaper than enabling the Travelpass.

neverlaysup

3 hours ago, jasminesmom1 said: I have the VZW TravelPass plan (a fairly new option) enabled on my mobile and understand that as soon as it connects to the ship board cellular (not wifi) that the $10/day charge to VZW kicks in since I am now "roaming". Two questions: 1. Does Royal Caribbean somehow add any surcharge to that, or is the $10/day all I pay? Anyone tried this and had success,   2. If I connect on say Day 2 of the cruise, and I then i turn cellular off for the remaining days, does VZW charge the $10/day until I connect to a US tower again, or am I just charged for only the days I actually connect to the ships cell network? Does RC have the ability to block my access to cellular svc from my provider?   Thx in advance! We sail in 3 days!

Cruise ship cellular is NOT on Travel Pass, do not use this on sea days. I have Travel Pass as well and I use it on shore only, Cellular at Sea is totally different. Keep in mind, Travel Pass has very limited data amounts so make sure to turn off all updates over cellular and limit your video/photo uploads otherwise you will burn through the 50MB in an hour. On my last cruise with Windstar, I had no internet package and turning my phone on every day was far cheaper than the ships WIFI plan.

Thank you everyone! Great advice. Always appreciated.

KruznKimmie

And the cost is $10/24 hour period based on when you activate the service versus $10/day.  So if you activate at 10AM the service continues until 10AM the next day until you are charged another $10.

You people need to switch to T-Mobile. 😄

Unlimited 2G data and texting in over 210 countries (and ones that are not covered are not normally cruise destinationss) and 25 cents per minute calling, unless you do wifi calling which is free.

I travel internationally for work and switched from AT&T, and pay less per month with better service.

5 minutes ago, SRF said: Unlimited 2G data

It better be unlimited for as long as it'd take to download data on 2G

It is $5 if in Canada and Mexico.  Also the pass has fixed amount of "fast" data and then goes down significantly. You are allowed to call to your home country and the country of your pass for free. I think it is a great deal but doesn't help on the ship unless at port.  Never seen a charge from any cruise ship while using Travel Pass.

7 hours ago, smokeybandit said: It better be unlimited for as long as it'd take to download data on 2G

I have traveled a lot using it.  And it works fine for Google Maps for directions, looking up restaurants in Trip Advisor and such.

No, it will not stream movies.

And if I need faster data, buying high speed data is cheaper than your Verizon $10 per day setup.

20 hours ago, KruznKimmie said: And the cost is $10/24 hour period based on when you activate the service versus $10/day.  So if you activate at 10AM the service continues until 10AM the next day until you are charged another $10.

Also you can use it across multiple islands. So if you activate it at 10 AM on one island and the next day you use it until 10 AM on another island it is still one $10 charge. 

On 4/21/2022 at 12:24 PM, pghflyer said: It is $5 if in Canada and Mexico.  Also the pass has fixed amount of "fast" data and then goes down significantly. You are allowed to call to your home country and the country of your pass for free. I think it is a great deal but doesn't help on the ship unless at port.  Never seen a charge from any cruise ship while using Travel Pass.

My Verizon plan includes Mexico & Canada free with no additional charges.

• 1 year later...

On 4/20/2022 at 1:26 PM, neverlaysup said: Cruise ship cellular is NOT on Travel Pass, do not use this on sea days. I have Travel Pass as well and I use it on shore only, Cellular at Sea is totally different. Keep in mind, Travel Pass has very limited data amounts so make sure to turn off all updates over cellular and limit your video/photo uploads otherwise you will burn through the 50MB in an hour. On my last cruise with Windstar, I had no internet package and turning my phone on every day was far cheaper than the ships WIFI plan.  

Travel pass enables you to use what you would use on your plan at home. My data is unlimited.

1 hour ago, dancewithe said: Travel pass enables you to use what you would use on your plan at home. My data is unlimited.

TravelPass from Verizon is 2GB a day, it doesn’t matter what plan you have at home. After 2GB, you revert to 3G service only. 

Crazy4Cruisin225

I have TravelPass through Verizon and an unlimited data plan. My plan (an older unlimited plan) adds one freeTravelPass day each month to my “bank” that are each good for a year. I don’t ever use them on the ship but do in port. Also when I go on land based vacations. I’ve never been charged the $10 daily fee because I know how many free days I have in that bank…currently 11. Like others have said it slows down after you use the 2GB, but still fast enough to use Maps, stream music, check email, etc. Just don’t expect to be able to watch movies on Netflix or Hulu with it. 

Morecruisesplz

On 4/20/2022 at 8:40 AM, J0Y0US said: I have used the international plan in the past for work as I traveled a bunch and typically once you connect to a tower it texts you about having service there and then starts the timer. If you turn off the cell service then the next day it should not charge you.

Mine is 24 hours at a time

On 4/21/2022 at 7:00 PM, SRF said:   I have traveled a lot using it.  And it works fine for Google Maps for directions, looking up restaurants in Trip Advisor and such.   No, it will not stream movies.   And if I need faster data, buying high speed data is cheaper than your Verizon $10 per day setup.

Will it work in Barcelona? Doing a transatlantic but will be in Barcelona 4 days pre cruise.

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