att wireless travel to japan

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology .

AT&T International Phone Plans – Countries, Coverage, Rates, and More

Andrew Kunesh

Former Content Contributor

69 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 28 U.S. States Visited: 22

Editor & Content Contributor

149 Published Articles 729 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 35 U.S. States Visited: 25

Free International Roaming in Canada And Mexico

Which at&t data package is right for you, how to sign up for an international data package, at&t’s supported countries, pros of at&t’s international data plans:, cons of at&t’s international data plans:, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

At Upgraded Points, we’re a team of travelers . Some of us travel abroad multiple times per year, and some of us travel full-time. However, all of us have 1 thing in common: we need an international data plan to stay connected to our work when we’re globetrotting.

With this in mind, we’ve spent a lot of time looking at the best U.S. mobile data plans for international roaming . The right plan will let us stay connected to our work when traveling, breaking us free from the hold of constantly searching for free Wi-Fi.

In past articles, we’ve looked at T-Mobile and Google Fi’s assortment of international data plans. And while these were some of our favorites, it’s time for us to turn our focus to mobile giant AT&T’s international roaming options. And at first glance, you may be in for a bit of a disappointment.

AT&T doesn’t offer free international roaming outside of North America, and it’s international roaming options can get pricey quickly. So in this article, we’ll dive deep and take a look at all of AT&T’s different roaming options. We’ll start by looking at what options are available to you, and then end with a list of pros and cons.

Use the information presented in this article to see if AT&T is the right cell phone provider for you as an international traveler. And if you’re already an AT&T subscriber, you can use this information to avoid any billing surprises on your next trip abroad.

Let’s get started!

Breaking Down AT&T’s International Data Plans

As discussed in the intro, there’s no free international roaming outside of North America included with any of AT&T’s post-paid cell phone plans.

Thankfully, though, there are 3 different ways you can use your AT&T mobile plan when you’re traveling abroad. One is paying per megabyte for data, and the other 2 options are roaming plans. We’ve outlined each and their respective pricing in the paragraphs below:

Pay Per Use International Data

The first option available to you is also the riskiest: paying per megabyte for international mobile data.

AT&T will let you use international mobile data at a rate of $2.05 per megabyte in most countries. Your exact usage is actually billed per kilobyte, so if you use 100.2 MB of data during your trip, you won’t be rounded up to 101 MB for billing purposes.

This is a very risky (and expensive) way to use international mobile data. For example, sending a 3 MB photo on WhatsApp would cost a whopping $6.15! Further, modern smartphones use a lot of data in the background — think automatic updates and fetching new email — so you could end up paying hundreds of dollars in extra charges just for keeping your cell phone turned on!

We highly recommend staying away from this option. It’s too risky to be deemed practical — especially when you consider how data-intensive even the most basic smartphone tasks are.

AT&T International Day Pass

Plan on using a lot of data during your trip? You may want to consider the International Day Plan .

This plan lets you continue using your AT&T plan abroad. If you have an unlimited plan at home, you can continue using this plan and your data allocation when traveling in 200+ countries. Plus, you also get unlimited texting, calling to the U.S., and calling to 100+ Day Pass countries.

This plan is charged at a rate of $10 per day on top of your existing AT&T plan. If you’d like to add multiple devices to this plan, you’ll be charged $5 each for additional devices. Thankfully, AT&T will only charge you for days you actually use, and there’s no minimum number of days you need to purchase. Plus, the maximum you’ll be charged is $100 per billing cycle. After the first 10 days charged at $10 each, you’ll be able to access the international plan free of charge for the remainder of the billing cycle.

These daily plans are charged per 24-hour period and don’t start until you’ve used data, sent or received a text, or made a call. So if your flight lands at 3:30 p.m. in London and you make a call at 4:00 p.m., your 24-hour period will expire at 4:00 pm the next day. This plan works in any of AT&T’s International Day Pass-supported countries, and you can use your plan in multiple countries without having to buy an additional pass.

Once you add International Day Pass to your AT&T account, you will be automatically charged you for a full day whenever you use your phone in a supported country. This means that you don’t need to enroll in the plan more than once — just set it and forget it.

One quick thing to note: most AT&T post-paid plans include complimentary roaming in Canada and Mexico.

When roaming to these countries, you’ll simply use your voice, text, and data plan from home. According to AT&T’s website, your phone will work at full-speed when roaming in these countries (or until 22 GB on unlimited plans, then throttled speeds), so there’s no need to worry about being throttled just for traveling. You can even use mobile hotspot — something super helpful for those that want to work remotely when traveling within North America.

The following plans include North American roaming:

• Unlimited &More
• Unlimited &More premium
• Unlimited Choice
• Unlimited Choice Enhanced
• Unlimited Plus
• Unlimited Plus Enhanced

Further, a handful of plans include roaming in Mexico but not Canada:

• Mobile Share Advantage (10 GB or higher)
• Mobile Share Flex (10 GB or higher)
• Mobile Share Plus
• Mobile Share Value (15 GB or higher)

Other AT&T plans can add a special Roam North America plan to their account. The price of this plan is not published publicly, so you’ll have to call AT&T to receive a quote and have it added to your AT&T account.

Now that you know what international plans AT&T offers, let’s help you pick which is best for you. Here’s a look at why you might pick 1 plan over another:

Stick with pay-per-megabyte roaming if you…

• Plan on keeping your phone in airplane mode or buying a local SIM card — it’s not worth risking a huge bill when you get home!

Sign up for the International Day Pass if you…

• Are on a short trip — $10 per day can add up quickly.
• Only plan on using data on certain days of your trip.
• Have a large U.S. data plan; remember, the data you use will be pulled from your standard data allowance.
• Need a plan to hold you over until you purchase a local SIM card.

Signing up for an AT&T international data plan is easy. You’ll be automatically enrolled in pay per megabyte — so the minute you land, you’ll start being charged for roaming.

On the other hand, an International Day Pass can be added from the myAT&T portal. Just head over to AT&T’s website , sign in, and head to this link.  You can remove an international plan from this page as well.

Hot Tip: You can call AT&T to have them disable the international data plan feature if you’d like. We actually recommend doing this so that you don’t end up with a massive bill for accidentally taking your phone out of airplane mode.

AT&T has a wide range of supported countries for its International Day Pass, but unfortunately, it’s not quite as extensive as T-Mobile or even Google Fi.

Some notable examples of countries not supported by International Day Pass include:

• French Polynesia
• Philippines
• United Arab Emirates
• A handful of others

You can view the entire list of supported countries for both plans on AT&T’s website . We recommend studying this list before you make a choice on what plan is right for you. After all, there’s nothing worse than landing in a new country and not having phone service to call an Uber!

Pros and Cons of AT&T’s International Data Plans

Obviously, there are ups and downs to picking an AT&T international data plan over a competitor — unfortunately, though, we believe there are more downsides. To prove it, here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of AT&T’s international data plans.

Don’t worry: we’ll bring these together in the Final Thoughts section, giving you a well-rounded look as to whether AT&T’s international data plans are right for you.

• 2 different options for international roaming, giving you flexibility in how you choose to roam
• Complimentary roaming in North America for most AT&T plans
• International Day Pass provides flexibility and peace of mind as it automatically re-enrolls when you use your phone abroad
• No complimentary international data like T-Mobile or Google Fi
• Limited roaming countries, especially on the International Day Pass plan
• Expensive pay-per-megabyte roaming
• International Day Pass can add up on long trips
• Not all plans include North American roaming

All in all, AT&T’s international data plans are not the best option for most travelers. For example, Google Fi’s Unlimited plan costs just $70 per month per line and includes unlimited high-speed international data. With AT&T, you’d pay a similar price for U.S. data and still have to buy an additional international plan.

Further, AT&T doesn’t have the global coverage that other carriers offer. And while AT&T does cover most of Asia and Europe, those traveling off the beaten path will eventually stumble upon a country where an AT&T plan won’t connect.

If you live in an area where AT&T is your only option for getting solid coverage, we recommend picking up one of AT&T’s two different international data plans when you do travel abroad. These will keep your international data bill manageable and ensure that you can stay connected no matter where you are in the world.

Long story short: we recommend strongly considering the competition before you settle on AT&T. You’ll likely find a better deal with more international coverage options.

Safe travels!

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my phone work when traveling abroad.

Thankfully, most modern smartphones are properly configured to work internationally. If you’re unsure, refer to your phone’s owner’s manual or call AT&T to check if your cell phone works outside of the U.S.

Can I call international numbers when in the U.S.?

Yes, you can call international numbers from the U.S. with your AT&T phone service. You can see international calling rates on AT&T’s website .

What is the best credit card for paying my AT&T bill?

There are a number of credit cards that offer bonus points and other benefits for paying your phone bill. To see these options, check out our full guide to the best credit cards for paying your cell phone bill.

What countries does AT&T support?

AT&T’s international data plans work in over 100 countries — but remember, certain countries are not supported. Check the full list of supported countries on AT&T’s website .

Can I bring my current smartphone if I switch to AT&T?

Yes, your phone may be eligible. Use this tool on AT&T’s website to see if your existing smartphone is AT&T-compatible.

Was this page helpful?

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.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE ™

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.

Related Posts

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

Guide to AT&T International Plans in Japan

Published on 2023-12-13 by Sakura Mobile

There are two international plans offered by AT&T that can be used in Japan.

• International Day Pass (IDP)
• Pay-per-use rates (Pay as you go)

Unfortunately, many of these options are quite expensive and difficult to recommend.

In this article, we will be breaking down each of AT&T’s international plans as well as introducing a more cost-effective option: prepaid SIM cards for Japan. Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

• AT&T International Plans for Japan
• Who should use AT&T International Plans?
• If you need unlimited data at a low price, we recommend …
• Things to check
• Enjoy your trip to Japan!

1. AT&T International Plans in Japan

Scroll right for more →→

（Excluding Tax）

What do you think? After reviewing the above, you may have some questions about how the fees are calculated.

Using the International Day Pass, you can use your current AT&T plan overseas for $10 per day. Even after 10 days, the maximum monthly usage fee for the IDP plan is $100.*

Refer to the following table for examples of how the International Day Pass plan is charged.

Please note that the prices will change depending on whether you use your plan within a month or over a span of several months while overseas.

Using the IDP plan within the monthly billing cycle (e.g., October 1 – 31)

Using the IDP plan over a month（e.g., October – November)

Let us review some of the above information to get a better idea of the plans AT&T provides and if either suits you.

Do you really need to make phone calls?

Recently, smartphone applications such as Whatsapp, Instagram, FaceTime, etc., have become the means to chat with and call friends and family instead of making traditional phone calls.

Since these applications use data, they can be used overseas as long as you have access to the internet.

Data-only services may be all you need unless you need a local Japanese phone number for work, etc.

Are these good prices?

As you can see, the AT&T international plans may not be considered affordable and are quite confusing. The cost will be even higher if you go overseas for over a month.

There are numerous providers that sell prepaid SIM cards for usage in Japan that are about half the price of AT&T’s plans, with some even offering options for unlimited data.

AT&T’s International Plans are convenient because you can use your phone without taking out and switching the SIM card. However, it should be noted that this convenience also comes at a steep price.

↑ Go back to the table of contents

2. Who should use AT&T International Plans?

To summarize, we can recommend AT&T’s International Plans to individuals who fit the following criteria:

• Individuals who would like to keep their phone number/line available while traveling. (For work, family, etc.)
• Individuals who want to go to Japan and use their phone without having to deal with the hassle of switching out the SIM card.
• Individuals who do not mind the extra higher costs added to their plan.

On the other hand, these are the people to whom we cannot recommend AT&T International Plans:

• Individuals who want to reduce costs as much as possible.
• Individuals who do not need a telephone number. (They are planning on using applications such as WhatsApp, etc.)
• Individuals who do not want to use the data they have on their monthly plan while overseas.

If you want to save money or are fine with just using data, then buying a prepaid SIM card for the country you visit may be the best option.

If you order online before your trip, you can even pick up your SIM card at the airport. This convenient option will get you online as soon as you arrive in Japan.

Out of all the carriers that sell SIM cards to travelers, we recommend Sakura Mobile.

3. Sakura Mobile is recommended if you need unlimited data at a reasonable price

Key features

• Unlimited data plan starting from 4,500 JPY
• Stable, fast docomo 4G network
• 99% of populated area is covered
• Reliable, year-round English customer support
• Pickup at any international airport in Japan
• Order online, pick up as early as the next day
• Delivery to the hotels across Japan is also available for free

Sakura Mobile is the provider we recommend for your SIM card needs. Over the years, Sakura Mobile has served thousands of visitors to Japan. With over 3,000 customer reviews and an average rating of 4.7/5, Sakura Mobile has gained a reputation among travelers for having reliable service and great support.

Aside from airport pickup, Sakura Mobile can also deliver the order to your hotel and residence in Japan, or you can pick up your product directly from the Tokyo office.

Currently, Sakura Mobile offers a campaign on travel SIM cards that will get you free shipping. Be sure to take advantage of it while it is still available!

4. Things to check

Is your phone compatible with japanese frequency bands.

Before leaving for Japan, you need to make sure your phone is compatible with Japan’s cellular frequency bands. This is something that you need to check regardless of whether you are using AT&T or Sakura Mobile.

Devices that will work with Sakura Mobile SIM cards can be found here .

• Sakura Mobile SIM card device compatibility

If you cannot find your device on the above page, please feel free to contact us with any questions. Our customer support team will get back to you by the next day.

5. Enjoy your trip to Japan!

Eating traditional Japanese foods, staying at Japanese-style inns, and visiting shrines and temples might just be a few of the exciting things you plan to do while traveling to Japan.

However, if you cannot use your phone for even a little bit, there is a significant chance that things might go wrong.

The people in Japan are kind and will help you if you need assistance, but a good percentage of the population does not speak English well. If you cannot navigate using your phone, it might be difficult just to find your hotel.

To be as safe as possible and enjoy your trip to the fullest, we recommend getting Sakura Mobile’s unlimited data SIM card.

Thank you for reading, and best of luck!

Share this:

• Share on Tumblr

• Japan Tourism
• Japan Hotels
• Japan Bed and Breakfast
• Japan Vacation Rentals
• Flights to Japan
• Japan Restaurants
• Things to Do in Japan
• Japan Travel Forum
• Japan Photos
• All Japan Hotels
• Japan Hotel Deals
• Last Minute Hotels in Japan
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Pocket Wifi vs. buying an international plan from AT&T - Japan Forum

• Asia    
• Japan    

Pocket Wifi vs. buying an international plan from AT&T

• United States Forums
• Europe Forums
• Canada Forums
• Asia Forums
• Central America Forums
• Africa Forums
• Caribbean Forums
• Mexico Forums
• South Pacific Forums
• South America Forums
• Middle East Forums
• Honeymoons and Romance
• Business Travel
• Train Travel
• Traveling With Disabilities
• Tripadvisor Support
• Solo Travel
• Bargain Travel
• Timeshares / Vacation Rentals
• Asia forums
• Japan forum

6 replies to this topic

You'll most likely get faster speeds using pocket wifi as well and possibly a higher data cap (I don't know if AT&T has updated their data cap for their international plan). Last I used AT&T's international plan, I was restricted to 3g speeds. Don't know if it's gotten any better since then. But at least with pocket wifi, you're typically guaranteed 4g speeds if not 5g.

Besides cost, the primary reason for pocket wi fi seems to be the ease of connecting multiple devices (phones, iPads, etc) without separate SIM cards for each, and also being able to connect devices with only Wi-Fi and no sim slots (ie most laptops, etc)

For families, esp, it would definitely be the cheapest way to go. However, its major failing is that it would stop serving that purpose if/when family members ever split up on the trip.

Thank you, very helpful!

For speeds, it's best to ask AT&T to see what their Japanese network roaming partner is. I find it hard to believe that you can still be stuck on 3G these days but I could be wrong.

The benefit of pocket WiFi is one device can be tethered to many. The disadvantage is everyone would then need to stay in the vicinity to receive the signal. These days, if you have an unlocked phone that supports dual SIM, it can be convenient for each person buy his/her own card (though it will cost more).

My normal strategy when the two of us are traveling is to buy a local SIM and insert it into my very light-weight tablet. I then use it as a hotspot (similar to a pocket WiFi). If we need to be apart for a while, we just make plans to meet at a certain spot at a certain time. This strategy might not work for everyone though if any of you are not great with remembering places though.

Thank you! I found this article that seems to say 5G is available through AT&T...I would not have googled that without your advice, so thank you!

https://about.att.com/story/2020/5g_roaming.html

• Art prints/postcards and Le Crueset ramen spoon 1:12 am
• Getting from airport into Tokyo and other questions!! 12:44 am
• Sanja Matsuri - details 12:34 am
• Money exchange 12:29 am
• Best option - Narita to Shinjuku Kabuchiku Tower 11:46 pm
• Daisetsuzan National Park 11:39 pm
• Kyoto Itinerary Need help 11:28 pm
• Fax to Toyoko Inn Tokyo-eki Yaesu Kita-guchi 11:21 pm
• Need Advice on Sequence of Visits 11:19 pm
• Japan Trip Report and Tips 10:47 pm
• help with hotel choice 10:39 pm
• Where do we eat the department store food? 10:36 pm
• Tokyo disney, foreign credit card 10:13 pm
• japan itinerary 9:38 pm
• 'semi double' rooms 5 replies
• Pocket WiFi Rental Experience? 315 replies
• kyoto-takayama JR or Lmtd express??? 6 replies
• Best Japan travel guide book? 29 replies
• Best/cheapest time of year to visit?? 3 replies
• Radiation danger in Tokyo? 37 replies
• Best Skiing in Japan? And When? 3 replies
• Japan in 10 days 3 replies
• How far is Nara from Kyoto 8 replies
• how to get to Hokkaido from Tokyo? confused..pls HELP. 5 replies
• 2024 public holiday chart in East Asian countries
• Where can I find more onsen in Japan?
• Driving Information
• Catholic mass in English and other languages
• How can we access tourist attraction from cruise port?
• Pocket WiFi Rental Experience?
• Halal Information
• Tokyo trip report here

Apple Alerts iPhone Users of 'Mercenary Attack,' What You Should Know

iPhone owners across 92 countries received urgent security alerts on Wednesday.

• More than a decade of journalism experience

Apple sent out iPhone security alerts to people across 92 countries on Wednesday, warning that their iPhones had been remotely targeted in a mercenary spyware attack. 

"Apple detected that you are being targeted by a mercenary spyware attack," the company said in a threat notification email seen by CNET. "This attack is likely targeting you specifically because of who you are or what you do."

Read More: Apple's Lockdown Mode: Why There's a New Level of Security for your iPhone

Mercenary attacks, compared to cybercrimes or consumer malware, stand out due to their rarity and complexity. These meticulously orchestrated attacks cost millions of dollars and focus on a small number of people. The targeting is ongoing and global, the company said in the email.

"If your device is compromised by a targeted mercenary spyware attack, the attacker may be able to remotely access your sensitive data, communications, or even the camera and microphone," the threat notification email said.

Read more:  Best iPhone for 2024

The news was first reported by Indian business publication  The Economic Times , which said that India is one of the affected countries. It's unclear whether iPhone owners in the US were targeted; an Apple spokesperson had no comment beyond what was shared in the notification email.

In a help page published Wednesday , the company offered advice on what to do if you receive a threat notification.

"We strongly suggest you enlist expert help, such as the rapid-response emergency security assistance provided by the Digital Security Helpline at the nonprofit Access Now," Apple said. "Apple threat notification recipients can contact the Digital Security Helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week  through their website ."

The company also referenced Pegasus, sophisticated spyware developed by Israel's NSO group, when notifying people of the latest mercenary attack. 

Read more:  iOS Lockdown Mode Can Protect You From Cyberattacks. How to Use It

In November 2021, Apple filed a lawsuit against the NSO Group to hold it accountable for surveillance and targeting of Apple users using Pegasus. This spyware had previously infected victims' devices, including iPhones, without tipping the user off. Since 2016, cyberwatchdogs have uncovered several instances of Pegasus being used by various entities to monitor journalists, lawyers, political dissidents and human rights activists.

Read more :  How to Check if Your iPhone Has NSO Group Software

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

Mobile Guides

• Best iPhone
• Best Galaxy S24 Deals
• Best iPhone Deals
• Samsung Galaxy S24 Review
• Best Android Phones
• Best Samsung Galaxy Phone
• Pixel 8 Pro Review
• iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max Review
• Best iPhone 15 Deals
• Best Foldable Phones
• Galaxy Z Fold 5 Review
• OnePlus Open Review
• Best Galaxy Z Flip Deals
• Best Wireless Earbuds
• Best Noise Canceling Headphones
• Best Headphones
• Best Over Ear Headphones
• Best Wireless Earbuds and Headphones for Making Calls
• Best Headphones for Work at Home
• Best Noise Canceling Wireless Earbuds
• Best Sounding Wireless Earbuds
• Best Cheap Wireless Earbuds
• Best Wireless Headphones
• Best iPhone 15 Cases
• Best iPhone 14 Cases
• Best Power Bank for iPhone
• Best Airpods Pro Accessories
• Best Magsafe iPhone Accessories
• Best Speakerphone
• Best Wireless Car Charger and Mount
• Best iPhone Fast Charger
• Best Portable Chargers and Power Banks for Android
• Apple Watch Series 8 vs Series 7
• Best Apple Watch Bands
• Best Android Smartwatch
• Apple Watch Ultra Review
• Best Smartwatch
• Best Prepaid Phone Plans
• Best Cheap Phone Plans
• Best Unlimited Data Plans
• Best Phone Plans
• Best Phone Plan Deals
• Best Senior Phone Plans
• Best Family Phone Plans
• Best Travel Phone Plans
• Best Verizon Plans
• Samsung Promo Codes
• Consumer Cellular Coupons
• Verizon Promo Codes
• AT&T Wireless Promo Codes
• Best Buy Coupons
• Motorola Coupon Codes
• OnePlus Promo Codes
• Sony Coupon Codes
• Apple Store Promo Codes