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Are you thinking about exploring a new country but worried about staying connected? 

High roaming charges and limited data allowances on your domestic phone plan can quickly turn that dream into a nightmare. That's why choosing the right international phone plan is crucial for a smooth and connected travel experience.

Even for occasional travelers like myself (who travel abroad 1 - 3 times a year), having a reliable phone plan abroad is a lifesaver. 

It's more than just capturing memories on your phone—it's your go-to source for navigating with Google Maps, translating languages, and staying in touch with loved ones back home. More importantly, in case of an emergency, a good phone plan helps you stay connected and access help when needed.

But with so many options available, how do you choose the right international plan?

This blog post will focus solely on international phone plans in the United States. We'll dive into key factors to consider when selecting a plan and explore the benefits of the top US cell phone carrier options.

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factors to consider

When you’re traveling there are some factors to consider that might suit your needs when you’re traveling internationally.

Here are a few things to consider:

• 📍 DESTINATION
  Where are you heading to?
  Data roaming charges can vary depending on the country you're visiting.
  Research the rates for your specific destinations with each carrier.

• 🧳 TRAVEL STYLE

  What type of traveler are you? 
  Do you travel abroad once a year for a few days, weeks, or months? 
  Or do you frequently travel internationally each week or month because you're always on the go? 
  Identify your travel style and explore international phone plans that suit your needs with your current cell phone provider. 
  Then, compare those plans to offerings from other companies.

• 📱 PHONE USAGE
  Think about how much data you typically use (browsing, streaming, social media) and factor that into your plan selection.
  Be mindful of data-heavy activities like video calls and streaming videos when you’re traveling abroad.

• 💸 BUDGET
  International phone plans can range from budget-friendly options to premium plans with unlimited data.
  Figure out your spending limit upfront so you can avoid overspending!

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find your perfect stay

Find your perfect stay abroad and stay connected while you’re there!

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top phone plan options
by carrier

AT&T

• INTERNATIONAL DAY PASS
  For just $12 per day, you can enjoy unlimited high-speed data, talk, and text in over 210 countries.
  After 10 days of international travel, there are no additional charges for each line on your bill, meaning the maximum extra charge for one line will be $120 per bill.
  Sign up before your trip, and you'll receive a text upon arrival at your destination confirming that you’re using the International Day Pass.
  From that point on, whenever you travel internationally, you'll automatically connect.
  Additional lines are available for $6 each.

• CALL INTERNATIONALLY FROM HOME
  $15 monthly add-on for placing calls to 85+ countries. Discounted rates for calls to over 140 countries.

• CRUISE PACKAGES
  You receive up to 1 GB of data, talk, and unlimited text on 175+ cruise ships. It costs $60 for Cruise Basic and $100 for Cruise Plus.

KEY BENEFITS OF AT&T

• Simple pay-per-day option for short trips.

• Discounted rates for frequent international callers.

• Cruise packages for convenient connectivity onboard.

T-Mobile

• INTERNATIONAL COVERAGE
  Don’t need to notify T-Mobile when you’re traveling internationally, they’ll automatically bill you

• FREE WI-FI ON SELECT AIRLINES
  Enjoy free Wi-Fi on flights with American, Delta, Alaska Airlines, and United Airlines.

• GO5G NEXT PLAN
  Offers 5 GB of high-speed data in 215+ countries along with unlimited basic data and texting for $105 per month. This plan also includes the option to upgrade your phone every year, as well as access to Hulu with ads, Apple TV+, and Netflix with ads.

• GO5G PLUS PLAN
  Also provides 5GB of high-speed data in 215+ countries, along with unlimited basic data and texting for $95 per month. This plan includes Apple TV+, Netflix with ads, and a 50 GB mobile hotspot.

• GO5G PLAN
  Offers 5GB of high-speed data for $80 per month only in 11 European countries. This plan also includes 100 GB of premium data and access to Apple TV for 6 months.

• INTERNATIONAL PASS
  Available for making calls while abroad. For $5, you get unlimited calling and 512 MB of data for 1 day. For $35, you get unlimited calling and 5GB of data for 10 days. For $50, you get unlimited calling and 15GB of data for 30 days. The International Pass can be added through an app in the App Store or online.

• CRUISE
  Check out which cruise line you’ll be taking online.

KEY BENEFITS OF T-MOBILE

• Convenient automatic coverage with no pre-registration needed.

• Free Wi-Fi on select airlines to stay connected during flights.

• Flexible data passes for occasional travelers.

Verizon

• UNLIMITED ULTIMATE
  Includes 5G Ultra Wideband, 60GB mobile hotspot, high-speed international data, talk, and text. Home internet is available for as low as $25 per month, depending on your location.

• TRAVELPASS
  It costs $10 per day for international travel and $5 for Canada and Mexico. Provides unlimited talk, text, and data in 210+ countries and destinations. Charges apply only on the days you are abroad.

• INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY PLAN
  Ideal for longer trips. Get unlimited talk, text, and data for a flat monthly fee of $100 in over 210 countries.

• PAY AS YOU GO
  If you choose not to add the International Monthly Plan, you will be charged Pay as You Go rates for phone usage. Rates range from 0.99 to $1.99 per minute for calls, and from $0.05 to $2.05 for texting and data usage.

• IN-FLIGHT DAILY PASS
  Available for $20 per day, providing unlimited data, 50 cents to send texts, 5 cents to receive texts, and $1.99 per minute for phone calls when available.

• CRUISE DAILY PASS
  Priced at $30 per day, it includes 0.5 GB data, 50 minutes for incoming and outgoing calls, and unlimited texts.

KEY BENEFITS OF VERIZON

• High-speed data with Unlimited Ultimate plan.

• Affordable daily pass option for short trips.

• Unlimited everything for extended stays with the monthly plan.

Google Fi

• FLEXIBLE PLAN
  You pay $20 per line and for the data usage. Hotspot is available. In 200+ destinations, you have to pay an additional $10 per GB. Data can be shared with tablets. Calls to Canada and Mexico are free, and international calls cost 20 cents per minute.

• UNLIMITED PLUS PLAN
  You pay $65 per line. You get unlimited hotspots. Access to unlimited data in 200+ destinations. Free calls from the US to over 50 destinations. Data can be shared with tablets. You also get 6 months of YouTube Premium, 100 GB storage with Google One, and international calls cost 20 cents per minute.

KEY BENEFITS OF GOOGLE FI

• International coverage with affordable data rates.

• Plan options to suit different data usage needs.

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Airalo

Get easy, local connectivity with Airalo eSIMs —
this is perfect for budget travelers and digital nomads.

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FAQ

Q: What are the cheapest international phone plans?

A: Google Fi: From $20 per month, free data in 200+ countries. Great for flexible, budget-friendly use.

T-Mobile: $75 per month, unlimited data in 210+ countries (2G speeds abroad). Affordable for consistent data.

Airalo (eSIM): From $5 – $50 for country or regional data packs. Ideal for data-only needs.

AT&T International Day Pass: $12 per day, capped at $120 per month after 10 days. Good for longer trips but pricier for the shorter term.

Google Fi and Airalo are the best bets for budget travelers needing solid coverage.

Q: How can I avoid data roaming charges while traveling?

A: Enable Airplane Mode on your phone. This disables cellular data usage but still allows you to connect to Wi-Fi if available.

Q: Do I need a special phone plan for international travel?

A: It depends on your carrier. Some carriers, like AT&T in my example, automatically charge you for international data usage unless you have a specific international plan. Always check with your carrier about their international roaming options and rates before your trip.

If you have any questions, feel free to comment below or email me!

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Last Updated: 11.07.2024