Not long ago, most travelers were offline outside their home country whenever they weren’t on a hotel or public Wi-Fi network. But having a reliable cellphone connection while traveling outside the U.S. has become increasingly important to many travelers. Here at TPG, we frequently field questions about the best international phone plans.
However, many travelers don’t actually need an international phone plan. So, in this guide, I’ll discuss what you should know about your data options when traveling abroad. The good news is that obtaining data on your next trip may be easier and less expensive than you expect.
What do you need in an international phone plan?
The first question you should ask yourself is: What do I need (or want) in an international phone plan? Specifically, do you need access to your typical phone number for calls and texts? In that case, you may want to have a phone plan at home that allows you to use your plan abroad at a reasonable rate.
Or, do you just need a data service (which would allow you to call and text through apps like WhatsApp)? In this case, getting a SIM card is likely your best option if you have an unlocked phone.
Finally, consider whether you need access to a local phone number for making calls or sending texts. Some apps will let you call and text with local numbers, but for ease, you may want to get a SIM that allows for local calling and texting.
Now that you’ve considered what you need in an international phone plan, let’s look at some of the best options.
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SIM cards
Using a different SIM on your trip is often the simplest and most cost-effective solution.
If your device supports eSIM, you may be able to purchase a data-only plan or a data, calls and texts package for your destination through an app like Airalo. Over the past year, I’ve purchased and used the following Airalo eSIMs:
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- Global (137 countries): 20GB over 365 days for $66
- Europe (42 countries): 5GB over 30 days for $20
- Brazil: 1GB, 10 minutes of calling and 10 texts over seven days for $4.50
- Japan: 5GB over 30 days for $11
- Canada: 3GB over seven days for $9
- United Kingdom: 5GB over 30 days for $13
I usually buy data-only eSIMs, but I purchased an eSIM with calling and texting capabilities through Airalo while in Brazil so I could use local food delivery apps that required a local number for calls and texts. You can get $3 off your first Airalo eSIM if you sign up here.
More recently, I’ve also tried out GigSky since Visa Signature and Infinite cardholders with cards issued in the U.S. can enjoy complimentary and discounted GigSky plans. Specifically, Visa Signature cardholders can enjoy a complimentary 1GB Global Mobile data plan that’s valid for up to 15 days once per calendar year and a 20% discount on all GigSky plans. Plus, Visa Infinite cardholders can enjoy a complimentary 3GB Global Mobile data plan that’s valid for up to 15 days once per calendar year and a 30% discount on all GigSky plans.
If your device doesn’t support eSIM, you could still purchase a local SIM card at your destination. For example, I purchased a monthlong SIM card with unlimited high-speed data in Vietnam for under $10 in 2019. But data is significantly more expensive in some destinations, and it can be difficult to determine exactly what you’re getting when you purchase a physical SIM card. Because of this, I generally prefer to use eSIMs over local SIM cards.
If you plan to use an eSIM or a local SIM card, ensure your phone is unlocked. A locked phone cannot accept any other SIM cards until it is unlocked.
Related: How to prepare for extended trips abroad
Google Fi
I’ve used Google Fi as my primary cellphone plan for most of the last eight years. Google Fi offers two plans that are appealing to frequent international travelers: a flexible plan that costs $20 per billing cycle plus $10 per GB of data used, and an unlimited premium plan that costs $65 per billing cycle. If you have more than one person on your plan, the costs per billing cycle decrease as you add more people.
Both plans offer high-speed data in the U.S. and more than 200 international destinations, with a cap of 15GB per person per billing cycle on the flexible plan and 50GB per person per billing cycle on the unlimited premium plan. If you exceed this amount, you’ll experience slow data speeds of 256Kbps until the end of your billing cycle, unless you opt to pay $10 per GB for high-speed data.
Both plans also offer unlimited domestic talk and text, unlimited international texts and the ability to use your phone as a Wi-Fi hot spot. Calls while abroad usually cost 20 cents per minute, but you can often unlock free or lower rates by enabling airplane mode and making calls over Wi-Fi. You can sign up and get a $60 credit by using this link when you join Google Fi.
I use Google Fi primarily because I usually get high-speed data as soon as I turn airplane mode off, and I can seamlessly receive calls and texts on my U.S. number while traveling internationally. However, while you might be tempted to only use Google Fi when traveling outside the U.S., doing so isn’t a good idea. After all, the Google Fi terms of service state:
In order to use the Services, we require you to first activate your account in the United States and use our service primarily in the United States (territories not included). … The Services are offered only to residents of the United States. The Services must be primarily used in the United States (territories not included) and are not intended for extended international use. Further, the Services are designed for use predominantly within our network. If your usage outside our network is excessive, abnormally high, or cause us to incur too much cost, we may, at our option and sole discretion, suspend your Google Fi account, terminate your service, or limit your use of roaming.
Google Fi has shut down some U.S. residents who used Google Fi primarily outside the U.S. for an extended period of time. You’ll typically receive a notice from Google Fi after 50 days of extended data usage outside the U.S., and then you’ll have 30 days to return to the U.S. and use data for at least a week to avoid suspension. Once you’re suspended, you’ll need to use data within the U.S. for at least 30 days. However, even if Google Fi suspends your international data, you’ll still have access to calling and texting (including while abroad).
Related: This credit card helped me get a new phone for free when mine was damaged
T-Mobile
T-Mobile is another favorite among frequent international travelers, as many plans include data and texting while abroad. Here’s what specific currently available plans include:
- Experience Beyond ($105 per billing cycle for one line): Up to 15GB per billing cycle of high-speed data, unlimited texting and calling at $0.25 per minute in more than 215 destinations, and up to 30GB of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico
- Experience More ($90 per billing cycle for one line): Up to 5GB per billing cycle of high-speed data, unlimited texting and calling at $0.25 per minute in more than 215 destinations, and up to 15GB per billing cycle of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico
- Essentials ($65 per billing cycle for one line): Unlimited texting and calling at $0.25 per minute in more than 215 destinations
Plans become more affordable as you add more lines, and all Wi-Fi calls to U.S. numbers are free regardless of your plan.
Once you’ve used up your high-speed data, T-Mobile will still provide you with unlimited roaming data at a speed of 256Kbps if you have the Experience Beyond or Experience More plan. But, you can buy an International Pass if you are on the T-Mobile Essentials plan (or if you run out of high-speed data on any of the other plans), which will give you more high-speed data and free voice calls at the following rates:
- One-day International Pass: 512MB of high-speed data and unlimited calling for 24 hours for $5
- 10-day International Pass: 5GB of high-speed data and unlimited calling for 10 days for $35
- 30-day International Pass: 15GB of high-speed data and unlimited calling for 30 days for $50
Long-term and frequent international travelers should note that T-Mobile says the following about its plans: “Not for extended international use; you must reside in the US and primary usage must occur on our network. Device must register on our network before international use. Service may be terminated or restricted for excessive roaming.”
Additionally, T-Mobile’s terms and conditions state you are not permitted to use T-Mobile services if it “results in more than 50% of your voice or data usage being Off-Net for any 2 billing cycles within any 12-month period.” There have been instances of T-Mobile shutting down travelers for roaming excessively. So, don’t go with T-Mobile if your primary usage won’t be domestically on T-Mobile’s network.
Related: Yes, you still have to put your phone in airplane mode on an airplane
Other international phone plans to consider
Finally, you may want to check your current provider’s options. Here are some options that are available as optional add-ons for AT&T and Verizon plans:
- AT&T International Day Pass: Pay an extra $12 per 24 hours for unlimited high-speed data, talk and text in more than 210 destinations, or an extra $20 per 24 hours for unlimited talk, unlimited text and 500 MB of the best available speed data per day on over 400 cruise ships. You’ll only be charged for each 24-hour period you use data, make or receive a call, or send a text message while in a destination covered by the International Day Pass.
- Verizon TravelPass: Pay an extra $12 per day per line ($6 per day per line in Canada and Mexico) plus taxes and fees for unlimited calls, texts and data (data speeds decrease after 5GB in a day) in more than 210 countries. You’ll only be charged for days when you send or receive calls, send texts, or use data while abroad. Verizon also offers cruise and inflight day passes.
- Verizon International Monthly Plan: Pay an extra $100 per month for 250 minutes of talk, unlimited texts and unlimited data (data speeds decrease after 20GB in a month) in more than 210 countries.
You can also explore US Mobile’s international roaming options. Most US Mobile plans don’t include calling, texting or data outside the U.S. However, the Annual Unlimited Starter plan ($25 per month) includes some calling, texting and data outside the U.S., the Unlimited Premium plan ($44 per month) includes more international data, and you can buy roaming add-ons for other plans. This being said, the number of covered international destinations depends on your network brand (Light Speed, which uses the T-Mobile network, supports the most destinations).
Mint Mobile could also be a viable solution if you’re on a budget and don’t travel abroad frequently. Mint Mobile offers four Minternational Pass add-on options you can use in over 180 countries:
- One day for $5: 1GB of high-speed data, 60 minutes of talk and 60 text messages to use during one day
- Three days for $10: Unlimited data with 3GB of high-speed data, 200 minutes of talk and 200 text messages to use over three days
- 10 days for $20: Unlimited data with 10GB of high-speed data, 500 minutes of talk and 500 text messages to use over 10 days
- 30 days with no data for $5: 100 minutes of talk and 100 text messages to use over 30 days
Visible by Verizon is another budget-friendly option. Most Visible plans offer access to 24 hours of unlimited calls and texts and up to 2GB of high-speed roaming data per day in more than 140 countries and territories via Global Pass. Some plans include a limited number of Global Pass days, and some include this while in Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, most Visible plans can unlock Global Pass for $10 per day per country or territory.
Related: Use this phone hack to make free international calls on your next trip abroad
Bottom line
Having a functioning international phone plan when traveling abroad is important for many travelers. In my frequent international travels, I use Google Fi for high-speed data, modestly priced calling and free texting in most destinations. However, I obtain data through eSIM providers like Airalo and GigSky, rather than Google Fi, in most destinations, as these eSIM providers almost always offer more affordable data.
If you already have T-Mobile or a plan that offers affordable international add-ons, you may want to stick with your plan. Otherwise, it’s worth considering an eSIM or a local SIM card. You can purchase eSIMs ahead of your trip, and it’s usually possible to pick up local SIM cards at the airport upon arrival in a new country.
