How to avoid roaming fees abroad
Turn off data roaming on your home line, and use a travel eSIM for data. Your number keeps working, and your data costs a fixed price you see before you pay. See what you would save on your trip:
Roaming vs eSIM calculator
Your carrier's roaming pass
$12.00 a day
eSIM sized for typical use: about 560 MB a day (maps, chat, browsing, some music).
You save $79.51 (95%)
See Japan eSIMsRoaming passes include calls and texts; the eSIM is data, and your home line keeps your number.
What roaming actually costs
Roaming means your home carrier charges you for using a network abroad. Most carriers now sell daily passes. Here is what the big US ones charge:
| Roaming pass | Per day | 1 week |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon TravelPass$6 a day in Mexico and Canada | $12 | $84 |
| AT&T International Day PassAt most 10 daily fees per bill; $20 a day at sea | $12 | $84 |
Roaming without a pass can cost far more. And UK carriers, which lost free EU roaming after Brexit, mostly charge a daily fee of roughly £2 to £3 for Europe.
On an EU or EEA phone plan? Roaming inside the EU is already free for you under Roam Like at Home, and the rules run until 2032. You only need an eSIM for trips outside the EU, like the UK, Switzerland, Turkey, or further away.
7 ways to avoid roaming fees
From the biggest saving to the smallest.
- 1 Use a travel eSIM for dataBuy local data before you fly, at a fixed price. Your home SIM stays in the phone for your number.Browse eSIMs
- 2 Turn off data roaming on your home lineiPhone: Settings, Cellular, your home line, Data Roaming off. Android: SIMs or Mobile networks, your home SIM, Roaming off.
- 3 Use Wi-Fi CallingWhere your carrier supports it, calls and texts to your number come over Wi-Fi instead of roaming.
- 4 Buy a day pass only for short, call-heavy tripsA carrier pass makes sense for a day or two when you need lots of calls on your own number.
- 5 Or buy a local SIM on arrivalCheap data, but you need a shop, often your passport, and you swap out your home SIM.
- 6 Download before you goOffline maps, playlists, and shows on Wi-Fi mean less data needed abroad at all.
- 7 Use airplane mode in the air and at seaPlanes and ships use special networks that are not covered by normal roaming deals, and they are expensive.
Compare your options
| Travel eSIM | Roaming pass | Local SIM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online the moment you land | |||
| Price known before you go | |||
| Cheap for a week or more | |||
| No shop or passport | |||
| Keep your number in the phone | |||
| Calls on your own number included |
The travel eSIM wins almost everywhere. The one thing a roaming pass does better is calls on your own number, which is why the best setup combines both ideas: home line for your number, eSIM for data.
Set it up in two minutes
- Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi.
- Home line: data roaming off. Keep it on for calls and texts, or switch it off entirely.
- Travel eSIM: data roaming on, and chosen for mobile data.
- Turn off automatic data switching, so data never falls back to your home line.
‹ Cellular
Travel
Roaming on for the travel line only
Keep it off on your Home line
Data roaming on for the travel eSIM only. Keep it off on your home line.
Going on a cruise? At-sea networks are among the most expensive anywhere: AT&T charges $20 a day at sea. Keep every line in airplane mode on board and use the ship's Wi-Fi, then switch the eSIM on in port.
Sources
- Verizon: TravelPass
- AT&T: International Day Pass
- Council of the EU: Roam Like at Home extended
- EE: Roaming costs
Carrier prices checked on 2026-09-28. They change, so check your own plan before you travel.
Keep reading
Roaming questions, answered
How do I avoid roaming charges abroad?+
Turn off data roaming on your home line and use a travel eSIM for data instead. Keep your home number on for calls and texts, and use Wi-Fi Calling where your carrier supports it.
How much does roaming cost?+
It depends on your carrier. Verizon's TravelPass and AT&T's International Day Pass both cost $12 a day in most countries. Pay-as-you-go roaming without a pass can cost far more.
Is roaming free in Europe?+
For people with an EU or EEA phone plan, yes: Roam Like at Home lets you use your plan in other EU countries at no extra cost, and the rules run until 2032. UK and non-European plans are not covered.
Is a travel eSIM cheaper than roaming?+
Usually by a lot. A week of typical use abroad often costs a few dollars on a travel eSIM, against $84 on a $12-a-day roaming pass.
Do I get charged for receiving calls abroad?+
Often, yes. Many carriers charge for calls you answer while roaming. Received texts are usually free, but check your plan. Wi-Fi Calling can avoid the charge where supported.
Does turning off data roaming stop all charges?+
It stops data charges on that line. Calls and texts can still be charged, so check your carrier's rates or switch the line off if you do not need it.
Will airplane mode stop roaming charges?+
Yes. With airplane mode on and only Wi-Fi turned back on, your phone cannot roam at all.
Why did I get roaming charges on a cruise or flight?+
Ships and planes use special networks that are not covered by normal roaming deals and can be very expensive. Keep roaming off or use airplane mode at sea and in the air.
Can I keep my number and avoid roaming?+
Yes. Keep your home line on for calls and texts with data roaming off, and let a travel eSIM carry your data.
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