How to Avoid Roaming Charges: 10 Best Methods While Abroad

If you're traveling abroad, you might be worried about encountering these three types of roaming charges:

• Voice Call Charges: These occur whenever you make or receive a call while abroad. Typically, they include a base connection fee plus per-minute rates. For example, you might be charged $2 as a connection fee and $0.50 per minute. A 10-minute call would cost $7.00.
• SMS (Text) Charges: These apply when you send or receive text messages through a foreign network. The price varies depending on the country and network operator. For example, a US resident might be charged $0.50 to send a message through a UK network and $0.25 to receive a message.
• Data Charges: These are incurred when accessing online services like video streaming, social media, gaming, and email. Some customers may be billed up $20 per megabyte (MB) of data used. That would be $20,000 per GB of data used!

To help you avoid these potentially high costs, we've provided a list of the ten best methods to stay connected abroad, including Holafly, Airalo, and Rebtel. We start with the most effective solutions, such as getting an eSIM with a phone number plan, and end with the least convenient but free option: keeping your phone on airplane mode.

1. Get an eSIM Plan with Talk and Text

If you want to use data, make phone calls, and send texts while overseas without the high fees from your home phone company, getting an eSIM plan that includes talk and text is your best bet.

Airalo's Discover+ plan covers 124 countries and has a starting price at $15 for 7 days, 1GB of data, 10 minutes, and 10 SMS. Yesim also offers virtual numbers (USA, Canada, Netherlands, Israel) starting at $3 per month.

• How it works: An eSIM is a tiny electronic chip inside some modern phones that lets you connect to a local phone network in the country you’re visiting. You can buy and download an eSIM online before you travel or when you arrive. This way, you can use your phone without extra charges from your home phone company. First make sure that you have an eSIM compatible phone.
• Average cost: For example, Airalo's Discover+ plan, which comes with at +43 phone number for global usage, starts at $15 for 7 days up to $89 for 365 days.

2. Get a Data-Only eSIM

If you only need internet access and not local calls or texts, getting a data-only eSIM is a great option. There are several quality online providers that you can buy and eSIM from and set up before you leave.

Read our comprehensive list of eSIM providers to compare your options before your trip.

• How it works: A data-only eSIM lets you use the internet but does not support phone calls or text messaging through the local phone network. This is perfect for browsing, using apps, and staying connected online.
• Average cost: Costs will vary by country, but 1 GB of data can cost $4 to $8. For example, Holafly’s Europe-wide data plan offers 5 GB of data for 7 days at $27.

3. Make Calls Internationally With Rebtel

Rebtel is an incredible app that lets you make calls internationally with some of the most affordable rates available. In addition to calling mobile phone numbers, you can call landlines from abroad.

If you are registered with a US phone number, you will be able to make unlimited calls to other American phone numbers even while abroad. For calls to other country codes, rates will vary but prices are transparently shown within the app.

• How it works: Rebtel uses a combination of local phone networks, Wi-Fi, and internet connections to provide low-cost international calls. When you make a call using Rebtel, the app connects your smartphone to a local number in your country, then routes the call to the international destination over the internet. This approach avoids the high fees typically associated with international calling.
• Average cost: For many countries, you can call for just $0.01 to $0.02 per minute. Additionally, Rebtel has unlimited calling plans to specific destinations. Rebtel's Global Unlimited plan lets you make unlimited calls to 50 countries for $12 for 30 days. The monthly UK plan, for example, costs $5 for 30 days of unlimited calls.

4. Buy a Prepaid Travel SIM Card

If you want a SIM card shipped to your house before you leave, buying a travel SIM card that works in multiple countries is a convenient option. Look for travel SIM cards online on websites like Amazon. As an Amazon Affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

• How it works: You can buy a prepaid SIM card that works in many different countries. This way, you don’t have to keep changing cards every time you visit a new place. You also won't get overcharged since you prepay for a set number of gigabytes.
• Average cost: A good benchmark is the Orange Holiday Europe SIM card, which offers 30 GB of data for 14 days at $43.99. There is also a worldwide option priced at $41.99 for 10 GB that covers 250 countries.

5. Buy a Local SIM Card at Your Destination

Countries like the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, and many others have relatively cheap local rates. You may want to buy a local plastic SIM card if you prefer to pay local rates for calls, texts, and data.

Local SIM cards are good options if you want to make calls and send texts within your destination country. However, it can be a bit of a hassle after arrival to search for a telecom store that sells reliable SIM cards.

Read our prepaid SIM card guides (by country) to find the most reliable SIM card options.

• How it works: When you arrive at your destination, you can buy a small card (SIM card) from a local phone shop or even at the airport. This card goes into your phone and gives you a local phone number with local rates. Make sure your phone is unlocked, which means it can work with SIM cards from different phone companies.
• Average cost: Prices vary by country, but in the EU, you can get around 2 GB of data for about €10.

6. Bring a Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot Device

If you need internet for multiple devices for your family or travel group, using a mobile hotspot device is very effective — especially because you can split the costs to save money. You can find mobile hotspots online and get them delivered before your trip.

Read our guide to compare the 8 best portable wifi hotspots for travel.

These come with a limited amount of free data, so remember to top up more data if you run out.

• How it works: You can rent or buy a small gadget called a mobile hotspot. This device connects to the internet and then shares that connection with your phone and other devices via Wi-Fi.
• Average cost: The Skyroam Solis Lite is the best portable W-Fi device for travel in our opinion. It costs $159.99, gives you 1 GB per month for free, and has additional monthly plans starting at $99 for 20 GB.

7. Rely On Messaging Apps

Use apps like WhatsApp, Skype, Facetime, or Facebook Messenger when you are connected to Wi-Fi to send messages and make calls.

• How it works: These apps work over the internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data) and don’t use traditional phone networks. If you make a call or send a text with these apps while you are connected to Wi-Fi, then you won't get charged by your home carrier.
• Average cost: Free if you use Wi-Fi. Note that these apps will use up data if you are not connected to Wi-Fi.

8. Buy an International Roaming Plan

If you want to stick with your home phone number while overseas, you'll need to make sure to warn your home phone carrier ahead of time. Consider buying your carrier’s international roaming plan. Instead of charging you unexpected international roaming fees, you'll get a fixed rate.

We still think eSIMs are a better alternative.

• How it works: Before you travel, check with your phone company if they offer a special plan for using your phone in other countries. This plan can give you a set amount of calls, texts, and data that you can use while abroad for a fixed price.
• Average cost: AT&T and Verizon offer unlimited data for $10 to $12 per day.

9. Disable Data Roaming

If you want to avoid data charges but still make calls and texts, disabling data roaming is a simple method. For access to data, you'll need to look for free Wi-Fi at places like hotels, cafes, restaurants, and libraries. Many cities also have public Wi-Fi hotspots.

If you need to make calls and texts, the Rebtel app is the best option. With Rebtel, you can use your smartphone to call any other phone or landline anywhere in the world at rates as low as $0.01 per minute.

• How it works: Go into your phone’s mobile data settings and turn off data roaming. This stops your phone from using the internet through your home phone company’s network, which can be expensive. You can still make calls and send texts, but you'll be charged international fees for those calls and SMS.
• Average cost: No data costs, but you may be subject to talk and text charges, often $0.50-$1 per text and $1-$3 per minute for calls. Use Rebtel to avoid these charges from your home carrier.

10. Keep Your Phone On Airplane Mode

If you want to avoid all potential fees and rely solely on local Wi-Fi, turning on airplane mode will be the simplest way to go. Not to mention, it's a good way to save battery life.

One tip, download media while you have access to Wi-Fi. For example, apps like Google Maps let you use maps offline, so you won’t need internet to get around. Download your music, movies, and podcasts ahead of time as well.

• How it works: Simply put your phone in airplane mode to completely turn off its connection to any phone networks. This means you can’t make calls, send texts, or use mobile data. However, you can still use Wi-Fi to connect to the internet.
• Average cost: Free.

Choose the Best Option for Your International Needs

When it comes to making international calls and staying connected while traveling, there are several excellent options available. Here are our top recommendations, each tailored to specific use cases:

Holafly: Best eSIM for unlimited data abroad

Holafly offers eSIM plans that provide unlimited data with up to 5G speeds, making it perfect for travelers who need constant internet access without worrying about data limits.

Airalo: Best eSIM app for easy installation and activation

Airalo's eSIM app is user-friendly, making it simple to purchase and activate low-cost eSIM plans. Plus, their Discover+ eSIM plan has incredible coverage for 250 countries and comes with a +43 phone number for global usage.

Rebtel: Best app for low to no cost international calls

Rebtel uses its technology to bypass traditional international fees. Call mobile phones and landlines abroad at affordable rates (some countries for free). For a few cents per minute, Rebtel is a no-brainer for anyone needing to make frequent international calls without high costs.

Skyroam Solis Lite: Best overall portable hotspot

The Skyroam Solis Lite hotspot device's selling point is its free 1 GB per month for the lifetime of your device. It's great for families or groups traveling together who all need internet access.

Yesim: Best eSIM with US, Netherlands, Canada & Israel numbers

Yesim offers specific plans that include local numbers from these countries, making it ideal for travelers who need a local presence in these regions. Yesim also has among the best $ per GB prices in the industry.

Orange Holiday Europe SIM: Best prepaid travel SIM card

The Orange Holiday Europe SIM card provides extensive data, call, and text allowances across multiple European countries, perfect for travelers exploring Europe. Orange also has a great worldwide SIM card option for other globetrotters.

GigSky: Best eSIM for inflight data and data on cruises

GigSky is the only eSIM provider we know of that has inflight data plans, allowing you to stay connected even while flying. This is perfect for frequent flyers who need to work or stay connected during flights. They also have plans for data in the North Sea, in the Gulf of Mexico, and on 28 partnering cruise lines.