How to Get Cell Service Abroad (without spending a fortune!)

Staying connected is a top priority while traveling, especially if you’re going abroad. In this guide, we discuss all the know-how for getting cell service abroad, including the most affordable ways to connect so you don’t wind up paying a fortune in roaming charges.

While exploring unfamiliar places, our cell phones provide an extra sense of security and connection.

Whether you need a quick search for directions, cell service for emergencies, or if you simply want to keep your socials updated, having data abroad is not only convenient, it’s a must in this day and age. 

But if you’re not careful, international roaming charges can sneak up on you—turning that dream trip into a nightmare when you see your phone bill.

After 10+ years of traveling around the world, we know the ins and outs of getting data on the road. We’ve tried lots of different ways to stay connected, from purchasing local SIM cards to international data plans and most recently an eSIM app that has been a total game-changer for us!

In this guide, we’re breaking down the best ways to get cell service abroad, and going over the pros and cons of each. Whether you’re looking for a hassle-free solution or the most cost-effective method, we’ve got you covered!

How to stay connected abroad

• Airalo eSIM
• International SIM card
• Local SIM card
• International data plans (US-based)
• Tips for using your phone abroad

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Airalo eSIM (our top recommendation)

Things have changed a lot since we first started traveling (thankfully!). It’s actually easier (& cheaper!) than you might think to get cell service when you’re traveling outside your home country.

Enter: Airalo!

Airalo is an app and online marketplace that sells international eSIMs.

An eSIM is a digital version of a physical SIM card (the ‘e’ in eSIM stands for embedded), allowing you to activate a new cellular plan without having to take out or insert a physical SIM card into your phone. 

Many newer smartphones have the capability to support multiple SIM cards at once, making it possible to download and use an eSIM along with your home SIM. 

Tip: A simple Google search will tell you if the model of your phone is compatible with an eSIM. 

The eSIMs connect to local networks and Airalo offers local, regional, and global (international) eSIM options. Read more on the local and regional options below.

• Local eSIM: exclusive to a single country
• Regional eSIM: specific region (like Europe or Asia)
• Global eSIM: covers 87 countries around the world

Each tier of eSIM options have a variety of different data amounts and price points. The cost will vary depending on the location. Airalo also makes it very easy to add more data to your plan if you need to top yours off.

*There are a few locations where we’ve found the cost of Airalo data is much higher than the cost of purchasing a local SIM card. Mexico is the country with the greatest discrepancy we’ve found; Airalo data is about 2x the cost of a local SIM for a months worth of data.

Our experience using Airalo

We’ve been using Airalo almost exclusively for international travel since we discovered the app in summer 2022 and we have found it to be extremely convenient and reliable. We typically buy local eSIMs, instead of global, but there have been a few cases we used a regional eSIM (for Europe) and it worked really well.

As full-time travel bloggers, we work while traveling. I am constantly uploading videos to Instagram, staying in touch with our TWS team, and making notes in Google Docs. This means we need good cell coverage on our travels. (And that doesn’t even cover the “normal” travel things like navigating Google Maps.) Even with our “high maintenance” needs, we’ve had really great experiences with eSIMs.

It’s not always quite as cheap as buying a local SIM card in the country. However, the extra cost isn’t usually much more than a few dollars and the convenience of being able to connect immediately when you touch down in a new county is so worth it. 

The alternative would be relying on the internet until you are able to get to a convenience store or cell provider store in-country…. Which is not always easy to navigate if you don’t have data!

International SIM card

An International SIM card is a SIM card you can use worldwide. It connects you to a global network where you can communicate with both domestic and international phone numbers while traveling.

International SIM cards typically cover 100+ countries around the world.

These can save you a ton of money and time, especially if you’re on a trip visiting multiple countries. Do note though, not all international SIM cards are created equal, which we’ll touch on further down in this guide!

Is your phone compatible with an international SIM?

Before you commit to using an international SIM card, you need to make sure your phone is unlocked and compatible.

To check if your phone is unlocked, you can call your network provider or visit a store to double check and get help unlocking it. Generally, the employees are happy to get this done and it doesn’t take long to do.

If you are using iOS, you can check in your settings:

• Go to Settings > General > About, then scroll down a bit til you see “Carrier Lock”. If it reads “SIM locked”, you’ll need to call your network to iron that out. Otherwise, if it reads “No SIM restrictions”, you’re good to go!

You can also purchase an international SIM card to use in a personal wifi device or put in your ipad or tablet for internet access aboard.

Where can I buy an international SIM card?

The only way to purchase an international SIM card is online through a third-party. 

A quick search will give you an overwhelming amount of options, so we’ve broken down some of the best ones below to make it easier for your search.

Best international SIM card brands

Orange Holiday World (from $27)

• Covers (literally) every country in the world
• 3-in-1 size: nano, micro and standard
• Only valid for 14 days
• Calls/SMS not supported (data only)
• Data amounts vary

Three UK (from $25)

• Coverage in 71 GoRoam countries
• 3-in-1 size: nano, micro and standard
• Valid for 30 days once activated
• Calls/SMS supported 
• Preloaded with 12 GB

Gigsky (from $20)

• Regional coverage
• 3-in-1 size: nano, micro and standard
• Daily, 15-day, or 30-day plans available
• Calls/SMS not supported (data only)

Data only vs talk & text

International SIM cards come in two different styles, and it’s important to know what you’re buying because it’s a moderate difference depending on your travel style.

• Data only: No local number, calls, or texts. ONLY a connection to a network.
• Talk & text: Provides you with a local number, calling/sending SMS locally is an option.

With data only, you’ll likely rely on apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger to communicate, but the benefit of having talk and text is that you can call ahead to make reservations or contact your hotel concierge. 

Local SIM card (cheapest option)

Purchasing a local SIM card is one of the original, tried-and-true ways to stay connected. They’re very popular and offered in most countries around the world. 

Always do research before you leave to ensure it’s an option in your destination as (in rare cases) some countries don’t allow foreigners to use local SIMs.

They’re usually sold at International airports (more expensive) and convenience stores around the world. Make sure you’re buying from an authentic shop and not a reseller to avoid getting scammed or a faulty SIM. 

Otherwise, you can buy a prepaid local SIM online and activate it once you land in your destination. 

The price of the local SIM varies depending on the country, but it can be extremely cheap (as low as $5/month in some places in SE Asia).

What you need to get a local SIM abroad:

• Passport
• Unlocked phone
• Local address (sometimes – you can use the address of your accommodation)
• Passport photos (rarely)

Tips for getting a local SIM card

• Make sure you have an unlocked phone before you leave the country. You can ask your cell provider at home if the phone is unlocked and able to support a different SIM card temporarily.
• Ensure your SIM works before you leave the shop. You’re generally safe if you bought your SIM from a reputable shop, but it’s always good practice to double check.
• Note your local number. Add it to your notes app or write it down somewhere safe incase you need it later.
• Hold onto your old SIM card until you return home. It’s best if you can keep it in a safe place where it won’t get lost. Oftentimes the shop you purchased the new SIM from will tape your old SIM to the card the new SIM came with so you can store it securely in your wallet. 

International data plan (US-based & most expensive)

If you’re traveling from the U.S., your local network provider likely has an international plan you can activate once you arrive abroad. 

They’re not the most cost effective, but they could be a viable option if you don’t want to go through the SIM card process and don’t mind spending the extra money.

Depending on your provider, you’ll need to look up specific plans and activation instructions. For most, you’ll receive a text once you land and turn off airplane mode, then reply with a simple ‘yes’ to activate the plan automatically.

If you’re traveling to Mexico or Canada, your home phone plan may already include these countries, so double check and you could save a bit of money. 

It’s also worth mentioning that although you’ll have coverage in your destination, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be the best coverage. Oftentimes you’ll have a limited amount of data at at normal with a high-speed connection and they will bump your connection speed way down once what limit is exceeded.

While you’re looking into plans with your provider, be sure to check the data speeds so you don’t arrive with any surprises.

Below we’ve broken down some of the most popular international phone plans with U.S. network providers:

T-Mobile

• Magenta Plan: This plan includes unlimited texting and data (at up to 256 Kbps) in over 210 countries and destinations. Calls from these countries are billed at $0.25 per minute.
• International Pass:
  • 1-Day Pass: For $5 per day, you receive unlimited calling and 512 MB of high-speed data in over 210 countries.
  • 5 GB International Pass: For $35, you get unlimited calling and 5 GB of high-speed data valid for up to 10 days.
  • 15 GB International Pass: For $50, you receive unlimited calling and 15 GB of high-speed data valid for up to 30 days.

Google Fi

• Flexible Plan: At $20 per month, this plan offers unlimited texting and calls at $0.20 per minute in over 200 destinations. Data is billed at $10 per GB until you reach 6 GB; after that, data is free (“Bill Protection”) up to 15 GB, beyond which speeds may be reduced.

Verizon

• TravelPass: For $10 per day, you can use your domestic talk, text, and data allowances in over 210 countries. There’s also a $12 per day option for other TravelPass countries.
• Unlimited Ultimate Plan: This plan includes international talk, text, and data in over 210 countries without the need for a daily pass, offering 10 GB of high-speed data per month abroad.

AT&T

• International Day Pass: For $10 per day, you get unlimited high-speed data, talk, and text in over 210 destinations.

*Please note that plan details and pricing are subject to change. It’s advisable to verify the most current information directly with the service providers before making any decisions.

Helpful tips for using your phone internationally

Use these tips to make a seamless transition when staying connected internationally.

• Pack a quality battery pack. You’ll be using your phone a ton to pull up maps and different information. We’ve found a portable battery especially useful on long day trips when we don’t have access to outlets. This is one of our travel essentials we never leave home without!
• Download apps and maps before you go. Especially apps like Whatsapp, Uber and Uber Eats as these apps will require you to verify your account by sending an SMS text message when you set it up. If you don’t have your home SIM card installed and working (abroad), you will have a much harder time setting up an account.
  • Plus, you don’t want to get stuck in spotty service or wifi waiting for something important to download. 
• Screenshot bookings, tours, and confirmations. If there is something you’ll need to access while offline (maybe from your email or an app), take a screen capture so you can pull up the information offline later.
• Manage data usage. Each SIM has a limit to how much data you can use, and you’ll be surprised how fast it can add up. Keep a close eye on your data usage so you don’t run out!
• Turn off cellular data/roaming and use airplane mode to prevent unwanted data usage. You can also shut off background app refresh for that extra oomph.
• Backup your data to a cloud server. It’s possible your phone could get lost, stolen, or broken while you’re away. To avoid losing years of memories, make sure everything is backed up to a cloud server, like iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox. 
• Download WhatsApp. This is a very popular messaging app for communicating all over the world. It uses extremely minimal data and works as long as you’re connected to wifi or data.

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Let us help you travel better…

Be sure to check out our Travel Planning Homepage for resources on everything you need to know about how to plan a trip, from packing to budgeting and more! Or you can read some of our favorite articles about planning your next trip below. 

• How to Plan a Trip in 10 Simple Steps
• Expert Tips for Finding Cheap Flights
• Carry-On Packing List: What You Actually Need on a Flight
• Our Favorite Travel Essentials
• This is the one thing we NEVER travel without!
• Tips to Fight Jet Lag (that actually work!)

→ Traveling as a family? Don’t miss our family travel articles!

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We want to hear from you!

If you still have more questions about connecting to data and using your phone abroad? Comment below and we’ll do our best to get back to you!