How To Get an International Phone Plan
Keeping in touch with friends, family, or colleagues is always important when you travel overseas. However, getting international access from your carrier can be expensive, and the last thing you want is to rack up a $400 phone bill.
Thankfully, this does not have to be you. There are many options for travelers that need international calling options and phone plans. Your local carriers have international plans, and there are other options you can choose from to experience good coverage while overseas and save money.
Using Your Local Carriers
If you already have a cellphone in the US, the most convenient thing you can do when traveling overseas is to take your phone along with you. However, carrying the phone along can be a challenge if your carrier doesn't have coverage where you're going. And even if they do, the cost of international internet coverage can be expensive, especially if you post on social media or use Maps.
Another thing to consider is phone security while overseas. Will your carrier offer the same anti-scam protection while in another country? If it doesn't, you might want to consider alternatives for your security.
Also, can you use your phone abroad? Some phone manufacturers only allow customers to use their devices within the United States. You'll need to confirm if your phone will work overseas by contacting your phone carrier. You can also test it by putting another sim card and seeing if it works.
Verizon TravelPass
Who is it for?
Verizon's TravelPass plan is great for people who own 4G-enabled devices but don't travel frequently.
How much does it cost?
Verizon charges TravelPass users a $5 per day fee (when calling in Mexico and Canada) on top of their monthly plan fee. They also offer international coverage in 185+ countries for $10 per day per device.
How Much Talk Time Do You Get?
While using TravelPass, you get the equivalent number of minutes you would have on your domestic plan. So, for instance, if your domestic plan offered you unlimited talk time, you would get the same on TravelPass (within the specified coverage area).
How Many Text Messages Do You Get?
As with talk time, TravelPass users get the same amount of text messages as their domestic plan allows.
How Much Data Do You Get
Verizon TravelPass users get 512 MB of high-speed data and 2 GB at a reduced speed every day.
AT&T International Day Pass
Who Is It For?
The AT&T International Day Pass is an excellent plan for people who travel often but stay for short periods. These travelers need short-term data access. AT&T users can still access their regular plans overseas, even in Canada or Mexico, but it is not dependable anywhere else. Therefore, the International Day Pass plan is an excellent fit for people who travel outside these countries and need internet access for short periods.
How much does it cost?
AT&T charges International Day Pass users $10 per day on top of the monthly plan. The service is available in more than 100 countries.
How Much Talk Time Do You Get?
As an International Day Pass user, you get the same number of minutes as your domestic plan allows. You also get to make unlimited calls to the US.
How Many Text Messages Do You Get?
On International Day Pass, you get unlimited text in all 100+ countries for no extra cost.
How Much Data Do You Get?
International Day Pass users get the same data service as their domestic plan offers. So, if your domestic plan gave you 2 GB of data with 4G coverage, you would receive the same while overseas.
AT&T Passport
Who's It For?
AT&T's Passport is the international phone plan for frequent fliers. It provides cellphone access in more than 200 countries. It is also a cost-efficient plan for people who need consistent communication while overseas.
How much does it cost?
AT&T starts pricing for the Passport plan at $70 per month per device. However, depending on your usage needs, it also has a $140 per month plan.
How Much Talk Time Do You Get?
AT&T does not assign talk limits for its Passport plan subscribers. Instead, it charges 35 cents per minute.
How Many Text Messages Do You Get?
As an AT&T Passport user, you can send unlimited text messages in any of the countries where you have coverage.
How Much Data Do You Get?
Depending on the plan, Passport users get 2GB or 6GB of data.
T-Mobile
Who Is It For?
T-Mobile is excellent for the person who wants to travel and use their phone without paying anything extra. Unlike other carriers, T-Mobile includes unlimited international roaming in all of its domestic plans.
The budget-friendly nature of this plan is not without a downside, however. Besides Mexico and Canada, T-Mobile only offers 2G services with international roaming. Thus, working or streaming online will be much slower when you're abroad.
How much does it cost?
T-Mobile charges $70 per month for a single line on its One plan and $80 per month for its One Plus plan. Both plans feature unlimited roaming, so there's no extra cost to using them internationally.
How Much Talk Time Do You Get?
T-Mobile offers unlimited talk time domestically and with international roaming.
How Many Text Messages Do You Get?
T-Mobile users can send as many text messages as they want - both locally and internationally.
How Much Data Do You Get?
T-Mobile users get unlimited 2G data when roaming internationally.
Sprint Global Roaming
Who's It For?
Sprint does not typically offer international phone plans. However, if you have an LTE/GSM-capable device, they allow you to access the Sprint Global Roaming plan along with your standard plans.
How much does it cost?
The only way to access Sprint Global Roaming is by purchasing a standard Unlimited Freedom plan on an LTE/GSM-capable device for $60 per month.
How Much Talk Time Do You Get?
Sprint's call fee depends on where you are overseas. Nonetheless, the average cost for roaming calls is 20 cents per minute.
How Many Text Messages Do You Get?
Customers using Sprint's Global Roaming plan get unlimited text messages.
How Much Data Do You Get?
Customers using Global Roaming get unlimited 2G data. However, if you want to get up to 4G speeds while roaming, there are data packages available.
- Canada & Mexico: $2/day or $10/week
- Most Countries: $5/day or $25/week
- Other Countries: $10/day or $50/week
You Don't Need Local Carriers Abroad
Staying connected while you're abroad is necessary, but you do not necessarily have to use your local carrier's international plan. You have at least four excellent options besides your local carrier.
Use Google Fi
Who's It For?
Once referred to as Project Fi, Google's wireless cellphone service is excellent for regular world travelers who use their Google phones regularly.
Google Fi is available in 200+ countries and offers a "pay as you use" model and an unlimited pricing model. Travelers with regular access to WiFi can subscribe to Google Fi's "pay as you use" model to save high costs. However, for those who use their phones regularly without WiFi, the unlimited plan may serve better.
How much does it cost?
Google Fi bases its prices on the type and number of users on a plan. For instance, a single person using the "pay as you use" model will pay $20/month. However, one person pays $70/month for Google Fi unlimited. Google allows you to have up to six users on one plan. It charges $16/month per person for the "pay as you use" model and $270 for all lines on the unlimited plan.
How Much Talk Time Do You Get?
Google Fi offers unlimited calls.
How Many Text Messages Do You Get?
Google Fi offers unlimited text messaging.
How Much Data Do You Get?
On Google Fi, your data allowance depends on your plan. People using the "pay as you use" model get 10GB of data per month. Unlimited users have no data limit.
Use An International or Country-Specific Carrier
Who's It For?
Another option is to use an international carrier for those who don't want to pay roaming fees. These carriers give you full service wherever you are and are typically more affordable than American carriers' international plans.
Alternatively, you can buy a SIM card from one of the local carriers in the country you visit. Doing this will help you save money on calls within the country. For best results, also pick a carrier that offers affordable international call rates so that you can call the US for cheap.
Remember that you must have an unlocked cellphone to use a SIM card from another country. You will have to buy your phone outright to get an unlocked phone in the US.
If you bought your phone from a US carrier and are paying it off, it is most likely locked. That means you will not be able to use another SIM card on that phone unless you unlock it. If you decide to go this route, ensure that you've opened your phone before traveling to avoid problems.
How much does it cost?
Country-specific carriers have varying prices. However, there are international carriers that have more accessible price options.
For instance, OneSimCard charges $29.95 for two of its International prepaid SIM Cards. OneSimCard operates in Europe, the US, Canada, and Australia and includes $10 for talk, text, and data.
Buy An International WiFi Router
Who's It For?
WiFi routers are best for people who travel often and need consistent internet access. You can buy a portable WiFi device from an international provider and keep your phone connected to the internet. The upsides are constant and fast access to the internet, and you can share the connection with multiple devices.
One downside is that the cost of an international router is prohibitively expensive for regular users. This service is best when you travel with multiple people or have a job requiring various devices to be connected. Another downside is that the portable router is locked and will only function with one carrier.
How much does it cost?
Different international service providers have varying prices. For example, Keepgo offers a 4G LTE mobile WiFi with 1 GB of data for $99. Its device can connect up to ten devices.
Connect To Free WiFi hotspot
Who's It For?
This last option is great if you travel on a budget and are willing to set a ratio on phone usage. Although most people prefer to have an independent connection, using free WiFi hotspots is a cheap way to stay abroad.
Many travelers use this option when traveling through Europe and Asia as these countries have many spots with free WiFi.
Note, however, that using free WiFi hotspots is a security risk. If you choose to connect to free hotspots, never share sensitive information while connected, as hackers set up fake WiFi networks to steal financial and private data from tourists.
How much does it cost?
Connecting to a hotspot is usually free of charge. If you're in another country and wondering where to find free WiFi, you can try a hotel, hostel, or coffee shop. Still, remember that connecting to free WiFi can compromise your device and internet security.
Conclusion
You can have an even better experience abroad if you can stay connected to your loved ones or work on the go. But you don’t want exorbitant roaming fees to balloon your expenses while you are at it. At the same time, you should not settle for options that compromise your security because you need to use the internet abroad.
