International roaming allows you to use your mobile device for calls, texts, and data while traveling outside your home country. Instead of your phone communicating directly with your home carrier, it connects to a local foreign network through a partnership agreement. Your carrier essentially borrows the local infrastructure in order to keep you connected.
However, using your cellular data abroad isn’t free. Without an international plan perk or travel add-on, you’ll have to pay per MB of data you use abroad—which can add up quickly. So before your trip, it helps to understand the main (and more budget-friendly) ways to stay connected and avoid roaming charges while abroad:
- Your phone plan includes international roaming: Some major carriers and smaller providers (MVNOs) offer premium phone plans that include international data. As long as you travel to the covered countries, you shouldn’t have to pay extra. For example, Google Fi’s Unlimited Premium plan includes unlimited international data and texts.
- Roam with a travel pass: Daily or multi-day passes are great for travelers on basic plans or if you need a temporary data boost. But travel passes can be expensive. Both Verizon and AT&T charge a whopping $12 per day for their international travel passes.
- Get a travel SIM: Travel SIMs (and digital eSIMs) are cheap and directly connect you to local networks, bypassing your home carrier's roaming fees entirely. You can choose how much data you need and how long you want to use it. One of our favorite eSIM providers of unlimited travel data is Airalo.
What is international roaming and how does it work?
International roaming means you are using another cellular network in a different country. Your device automatically searches for compatible networks when you arrive, and once connected, you can use your phone just like you would at home. Since your home carrier is limited to the infrastructure where you live, you’ll need to connect to foreign networks wherever you travel.
But not just any network—your phone will connect to the local cellular networks from foreign providers your carrier partners with. That way you can still get cell service even though you’re outside your home country.
It’s important to note that you need to pay for international data. If your current phone plan doesn’t include international data, you’ll be charged for every minute, text, and MB of data you use.
How much does international roaming cost?
The cost of international roaming varies by carrier. How much you pay for international roaming also depends on whether you use:
- A phone plan with included international data.
- A travel pass you pay extra for.
- Your carrier's pay-as-you-go rates.
Understanding roaming charges overseas before you travel can help you avoid unexpected bills. Here’s how the Big Three compare when it comes to international data:
Major carrier travel passes compared
| Carrier | Travel pass cost | Pass includes | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | $5 (1-day), $35 (10-day), $50 (30-day) | 512MB, 5GB, or 15GB high-speed data; Unlimited calling | View pass |
| Verizon | $12/day | 2GB high-speed data per day; Unlimited calling and texting | View pass |
| AT&T | $12/day | Same as your home plan | View pass |
Compare major carrier pay-as-you-go roaming rates
| Carrier | Pay-per-use rates | Shop |
|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | $0.25/min calls; Unavailable for data | View rates |
| Verizon | $2.99/min calls; $2.05/MB data | View rates |
| AT&T | $1–$3/min calls; $2.05/MB data; $0.50/text | View rates |
T-Mobile international roaming rates and plans
T-Mobile offers free international data with Experience Beyond and Experience More, along with three travel pass options with up to 15GB of data.
|
T-Mobile
Experience Beyond
$100.00/mo
with Auto-Pay + Taxes and fees
|
T-Mobile’s Experience Beyond postpaid plan already includes international perks you can use while traveling, along with:
- 15GB of high-speed data in 215+ countries, unlimited at 3G speeds thereafter.
- Unlimited talk and text, with 30GB of 4G LTE data in Mexico and Canada.
- Unlimited texting in 215+ countries.
- Gogo in-flight texting & Wi-Fi.
As T-Mobile’s top-tier plan costing $100/month, Experience Beyond is pricey. But for travelers, 15GB of global data is very convenient. That’s plenty to get you through a two-week holiday with regular GPS usage.
|
T-Mobile
Experience More
$85.00/mo
with Auto-Pay + Taxes and fees
|
A step down is the Experience More plan, which costs $85/month. Since it’s less expensive, you only get 5GB of high-speed data included in the price. Experience More also comes with:
- 5GB of high-speed data in 215+ countries, unlimited data at 3G speeds thereafter.
- Unlimited talk and text with 15GB of 4G LTE data in Mexico and Canada.
- Unlimited texting in 215+ countries.
- Gogo in-flight texting & Wi-Fi.
If you aren't on an Experience plan, you can't access international data without a T-Mobile International Data Pass:
- $5 1-Day International Pass:
- 512MB of high-speed data
- Hotspot
- Unlimited calling to over 210 locations
- $35 10-Day International Pass:
- 5GB of high-speed data
- Hotspot
- Unlimited calling for up to 10 days
- $50 30-Day International Pass:
- 15GB of high-speed data
- Hotspot
- Unlimited calling for up to 30 days
All passes work in 215+ countries and the data can be used as a mobile hotspot.
Verizon international roaming rates and plans
Verizon’s premium Unlimited Ultimate plan includes international data, otherwise you can snag global data with a daily TravelPass or Monthly Plan.
|
Verizon
Unlimited Ultimate
$85.00/mo
+ Taxes & Fees. Price includes AutoPay & Paperless discount.
+ $40 Upfront
|
Verizon’s Unlimited Ultimate plan costs $80/month and includes:
- 15GB of high-speed data you can use in 210 different locations.
- 300 minutes of international calling from the U.S. to your country of choice.
- Unlimited calling and texting in 210 countries.
However, you don’t have to pay for a pricey monthly phone plan to get international data. Verizon offers international passes (or TravelPasses) for $12/day in over 210 countries. Frequent travelers can also opt for a $100 Monthly Plan for unlimited data (20GB of high-speed data), 250 minutes, and unlimited texts.
Travel eSIMs with cheap data
If you don't want to switch carriers, you can use a data-only international eSIM to avoid roaming charges entirely. Apps like Airalo and Holafly let you purchase digital SIM cards for specific destinations for a limited time. That way you don’t have to worry about pricey roaming fees at all.
For a comprehensive comparison of your options, see our guide to the best eSIM for international travel.
AT&T international roaming rates and plans
AT&T’s Unlimited Premium 2.0 plan includes some international data, but you can only use it in Latin America. If you travel elsewhere, you’ll need a travel pass.
|
AT&T
Premium 2.0℠
$90.00/mo
+ $35 Upfront
|
The AT&T International Day Pass costs $12/day, and lets you use your regular plan abroad. It may seem expensive, but you get unlimited data and texting. For cruise ships, AT&T even offers a specialized Cruise Daily Pass for $20/day, covering talk, text, and 500MB of data on over 400 supported ships.
For more information, check out our complete guide to AT&T's international calling and data plans for more details.
Affordable alternatives to major carrier roaming
You don’t have to pay premium pricing to get top-tier perks. Smaller carriers, or mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), offer cheaper plans and passes with impressive international benefits.
MVNOs with international benefits
| Carrier | Plan/pass | Cost | Data allowance | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Fi | Unlimited Premium plan | $65/month | 50GB high-speed data in 200+ destinations | View at Google Fi |
| US Mobile | Unlimited Premium plan | $44/month | 20GB high-speed data in 180+ countries | View at US Mobile |
| Mint Mobile | Minternational Pass | $5–$20 | 1GB (1-day) to 10GB (10-day) high-speed passes | View at Mint Mobile |
| Cricket | Travel Pass | $10–$25 | $10 for 1-day (unlimited) or $25 for 5-days (5GB) | View at Cricket |
| Lyca Mobile | Unlimited International plan | $29/month | Unlimited calling and texting to 100 countries | View at Lyca Mobile |
Google Fi's Unlimited Premium plan includes the most international data among competitors: 50GB you can use in over 200 destinations. At $65/month for a single line, it offers the most generous international data allowance, making it ideal for digital nomads and frequent international travelers who need substantial data abroad.
US Mobile's international perks are perfect for frequent travelers. The Unlimited Premium plan includes 20GB of international data for only $44/month.
Check out the details on US Mobile's Warp international expansion to see if this budget-friendly option works for your needs.
For travelers who want to save on their monthly domestic bill while keeping international options flexible, Mint Mobile is worth considering. As a T-Mobile MVNO, you'll still enjoy top-notch service when in the States with Mint—at a fraction of what T-Mobile charges.
You can add a Minternational Pass when you need it, starting at just $5 so you're not paying for international data during months you aren't traveling. With phone plans starting at $15/month, you'll still pay half what T-Mobile charges even including international data passes.
Cricket Wireless offers straightforward international travel passes without requiring a plan change. Its add-on passes range from $10 for a single day of unlimited data, to $25 for five days with 5GB of high-speed data.
Learn more about Cricket's international plans and calling options to see if it fits your travel style.
Lyca Mobile takes a different approach by building international features directly into their monthly plans starting at $19/month. Plans include international roaming credit that rolls over month-to-month, plus free talk and text in Mexico and Canada.
Higher-tier plans also include unlimited international calling to 85+ countries and 60GB of data, which are ideal for frequent travelers who also need affordable international calling from the United States.
Read our Lyca Mobile review to learn more about what we liked.
How to turn on international roaming
Turning on international roaming is easy—you can activate international roaming in just a few steps through your smartphone's settings. The process is slightly different for iPhones and Android phones, like the Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel.
How to activate international roaming on iPhone
- Click Settings then Cellular.
- Click Cellular Data Options.
- Toggle on Data Roaming.
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
Once you turn on data roaming, your phone will automatically connect to data when it's available in another country. Keep in mind, however, that without a plan or add-on that includes international roaming, you will be subject to pay-per-use rates, which tend to be very expensive.
How to activate international roaming on Android phones
- Tap Settings and then Connections.
- Select Mobile networks.
- Switch on Data roaming.
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
Once you turn on data roaming, your phone will automatically connect to data when it's available in another country. Keep in mind, however, that without a plan or add-on that includes international roaming, you will be subject to pay-per-use rates, which tend to be very expensive.
SIM cards for international travel
Travel SIM cards offer another way to stay connected abroad without relying on your home carrier's roaming services. In a nutshell, they are physical or digital SIM cards you can purchase before or during your trip, designed specifically for international use. You swap them into your unlocked phone when you arrive at your destination, giving you access to local rates for data, calls, and texts.
Travel SIMs are much cheaper than pay-per-use roaming charges. Some travel SIMs work across multiple countries in a region, while others are country-specific.
Learn all about our top-rated international travel SIMs in our complete guide.
International roaming: FAQs
What are the benefits of international roaming?
International roaming lets you call, text, and use data abroad.
How do I use international roaming?
To use international roaming, you'll need a phone that supports bands in the country you're traveling in, and either a plan that supports international roaming or a travel pass.
Is international roaming free?
International roaming can be free, but it depends on your phone plan. Some carriers provide free international roaming minutes, messages, or data with premium plans.
What is the difference between international roaming and domestic roaming?
International roaming means you connect to a foreign network while outside the country you live in. Domestic roaming means you connect to a different network (from your carrier's) within your home country.
Jessica Santero
Staff Writer
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