Let’s skip to the end on this one: Yes! You can use your phone overseas without being hit with expensive roaming fees.
“Roaming” is what happens when a phone automatically connects to a foreign mobile network. Unfortunately for budgets of travellers from around the world, roaming can lead to steep charges for calls, texts, and data.
Fortunately, there are actually a few easy ways to avoid roaming costs when travelling overseas—but not all of these options are going to save big money.
Using a carrier travel plan
Nearly all mobile carriers offer some form of international travel plan, which theoretically allows you to use your phone overseas, generally at a fixed daily rate.
This option might seem convenient for anyone who wants to keep using your phone as usual—completely as usual—without changing any settings or switching to wifi.
Depending on the specific carrier or destination, these plans might cost somewhere in the range of $10 to $25 per day. While your carrier’s international travel plan will allow you to continue using your existing phone number and data while abroad, the fees on longer trips can add up quickly.
Pros:
- No setup required, just keep using your phone as usual
- Keep access to your regular number, apps, and data
Cons:
- Expensive daily fees
- Limited data with certain usage caps
Using an eSIM
If you’re asking “can I use my phone overseas without roaming?” an eSIM is a digital SIM that lets you use local data (bye bye physical SIM cards). With apps like aloSIM, you simply buy an eSIM with a prepaid data package for whatever country or region you plan on visiting.
You can install it at home and activate it as soon as you arrive at your destination. This way you can stay connected without a second thought to roaming fees since you’ll know exactly how much data you’re using and spending as you go with a quick glance at the app.
With an aloSIM eSIM, you can even take advantage of messaging apps like WhatsApp to call and text over wifi en route or when you land.
Pros:
- No surprises! Just pay upfront for the data you need
- Seamless mobile data access anywhere in your destination
- Easy to set up through the aloSIM app
Cons:
- Your phone needs to support eSIM technology (here’s a handy list to help)
Using wi-fi only
If any traveller is wondering “can I use my phone overseas without roaming?” and wants to avoid phone charges altogether, the only surefire solution (after leaving your phone at home) is to completely switch off your mobile data and rely solely on wifi.
Choosing this option means you won’t have mobile data on the go. Instead, you’ll have to depend on the wifi you find in public places, like airports, hotels, or cafés, anytime you need to send a message, check your email, or browse the web.
It’s possible, but you should be mindful of the fact that public wifi comes with the risk of being slow or not secure.
Pros:
- Free
- Great if you might only need occasional access to the internet
Cons:
- Can only connect when wifi is available
- Public Wi-Fi can sometimes be unreliable or unsecure
