
Travelling abroad can be daunting, especially when you're faced with the prospect of extortionate data roaming charges. However, there are several ways to avoid these charges and keep your phone bill to a minimum. Firstly, you can turn off your mobile data and rely solely on Wi-Fi. This means you won't be able to use your phone for calls or texts unless you're connected to a Wi-Fi network. Another option is to purchase a local SIM card at your destination, which will give you access to data, calls and texts at domestic rates. Alternatively, you could invest in a portable Wi-Fi pod, which connects to cellular networks and can be a cost-effective option for families. Additionally, you could consider downloading offline maps and apps that work offline, such as translation and conversion apps. Finally, you can contact your mobile provider to discuss international plans or add-ons, which may be a more affordable option for staying connected while travelling.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Turn off roaming | Turn off data roaming in settings |
Airplane mode | Turn on airplane mode |
Wi-Fi | Use Wi-Fi hotspots |
International plan | Purchase a daily international plan |
SIM card | Buy a local SIM card |
eSIM | Purchase and install an eSIM |
Wi-Fi-friendly apps | Use Wi-Fi-friendly apps like WhatsApp |
Offline maps | Download offline maps |
What You'll Learn
Turn off roaming
Turning off roaming is a surefire way to avoid data charges when travelling abroad. Roaming refers to your phone's ability to connect to a foreign provider's network when you are outside of your mobile provider's coverage area. This allows you to continue making calls, sending messages and accessing data, but it comes at a premium.
To avoid these charges, you can turn off roaming on your phone. This will prevent your phone from connecting to foreign networks and incurring charges. Here's how to do it:
For iPhone:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap "General".
- Tap "Cellular".
- Tap "Data Roaming".
- Toggle the button to turn off data roaming.
For Android:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap "Mobile Networks".
- Tap "Data Roaming".
- Toggle the button to turn off data roaming.
By turning off roaming, you will need to rely on Wi-Fi to connect to the internet and use data-heavy apps and services. Many urban areas, hotels, restaurants and public spaces offer free Wi-Fi, so you can take advantage of these to stay connected without incurring roaming charges. However, this means you will need to stay within the Wi-Fi coverage area and may be unable to connect while travelling between hotspots.
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Use Wi-Fi for calling and data
Using Wi-Fi for calling and data usage is a great way to avoid international roaming charges. This method allows you to sidestep international roaming and long-distance charges when calling certain countries, such as the US, as long as you are connected to a Wi-Fi network.
Most urban areas have Wi-Fi hotspots, with hotels, restaurants, and public spaces offering free Wi-Fi. By connecting to these networks, you can call, text, and use data without incurring roaming charges. However, it's important to note that you need to stay within the Wi-Fi coverage area to maintain service, and there may be security concerns when connecting to unsecured public networks.
To make calls over Wi-Fi, you can use alternate messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Skype, or Google Voice. These apps allow you to stay connected with friends and family while travelling abroad, without incurring additional charges.
Additionally, some phones are designed to support Wi-Fi calling as a built-in feature. For example, T-Mobile notes that most BlackBerry and Android phones have Wi-Fi calling, allowing you to make calls to the US without international roaming charges when connected to Wi-Fi.
Furthermore, certain carriers like Google Fi offer the ability to call and text over Wi-Fi in most countries or regions. This feature provides added convenience and flexibility when travelling internationally.
By relying on Wi-Fi for calling and data usage, you can effectively avoid data charges while travelling abroad, as long as you stay connected to a stable and secure network.
Text instead of email
When travelling abroad, it's important to be mindful of data charges, which can quickly add up and result in a nasty surprise when you get your phone bill. Here are some tips to help you avoid data charges while staying connected with your loved ones:
If you're not on Wi-Fi, sending text messages instead of emails can help cut down on data costs. Emails tend to use more data than text messages, especially if they have large attachments. When you're roaming internationally, text messages are typically not covered by your messaging plan or bundle from your home country, so the charges can add up. Be sure to check with your carrier about their text messaging rates for international roaming.
Use Wi-Fi whenever possible
Take advantage of Wi-Fi whenever you can. Many hotels, cafes, and public spaces offer free Wi-Fi. By connecting to a Wi-Fi network, you can surf the internet, send messages, make voice and video calls, and stream content without incurring roaming charges. Remember to use a VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks to protect your personal information.
Turn off mobile data and use alternative messaging apps
If you're not using data, turn it off completely. You can still text and call using Wi-Fi and alternative messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Skype, or Google Voice. These apps allow you to stay connected with friends and family without incurring data charges.
Purchase a local SIM card or eSIM
Consider buying a local SIM card or eSIM at your destination. A local SIM gives you a phone number and access to data and calling services at domestic rates. eSIMs are even more convenient as they are digital and don't require any physical card swapping. You can purchase an eSIM plan for your destination, install it on your device, and instantly connect to a local network when you arrive.
Call your carrier and inquire about international plans
Before your trip, contact your cellular provider to discuss your options. They may have international plans or add-ons that can help reduce data charges while abroad. They can also advise you on any special settings or preparations needed for your specific device.
By following these tips, you can stay connected and avoid unexpected data charges during your travels.
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Turn off data roaming
Turning off data roaming is a surefire way to avoid data charges when travelling abroad. By doing so, you prevent your phone from connecting to foreign networks and incurring costly data roaming fees. This option is ideal if you don't want to bother with changing your cell phone plan or getting a local SIM card. Here are some detailed instructions on how to turn off data roaming:
For iPhone users:
- Go to "Settings".
- Tap "General".
- Select "Cellular".
- Choose "Data Roaming" and toggle it off (it should turn white).
For Android users:
- Go to "Settings".
- Select "Mobile Networks".
- Find "Data Roaming" and toggle it off (it should turn white).
Additional Tips:
- Use Wi-Fi: Rely on Wi-Fi hotspots at hotels, restaurants, and public spaces to stay connected without incurring roaming charges. However, keep in mind that you need to stay within the Wi-Fi coverage area, and your phone won't work while travelling between hotspots.
- Use Alternate Messaging Apps: Apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Skype, or Google Voice allow you to make calls and send messages over Wi-Fi without using your cellular data.
- Use Offline Apps: There are many apps that work without any connection, such as conversion apps, translation apps, and offline maps like Google Maps, CityMaps2Go, maps.me, and HereWeGo.
- Track Cellular Usage: Reset your data tracking when travelling abroad to monitor your usage and set alerts for when you reach a certain limit.
- Stop Background Apps and Automatic Downloads: Many apps use cellular data in the background, so go into your settings and turn off background data for apps you don't need. Also, switch off automatic downloads and updates to prevent unexpected data usage.
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Buy a local SIM card
If you're spending more than a week in a given country, buying a local SIM card will probably be the cheaper and better option. You can buy local SIM cards at your destination from official phone company kiosks at the airport, local stores, 7-11s, news stands, and sometimes even from vending machines.
In most countries, you will need a local address and a valid ID to buy a SIM card. In some countries, like India, you will also need to provide passport photos.
If you're travelling to multiple countries, it's worth noting that a SIM card bought in one country may also work in others. For example, if you're travelling around Europe, a SIM card bought in Spain will also work in other EU countries, like France and Portugal.
To buy a local SIM card, you'll need to make sure your phone is unlocked. Most phones these days come unlocked for international use, but some phones will have a holding period. For example, with Verizon, your phone won't be unlocked for international usage until 60 days after you purchase it. If you're not sure if your phone is locked or not, you can call your service provider or visit a store to verify and, if it's locked, get help unlocking it.
Once you've bought a local SIM card, you'll need to insert it into your phone. SIM cards come in three sizes: standard (15 x 25mm), micro (12 x 15mm), and nano (8.8 x 12.3mm). The more recent your phone, the smaller the SIM card it will use. You can find out which size your phone uses by searching online or asking your phone provider.
To insert the SIM card into your phone, you'll need to locate the SIM card tray. On an iPhone, this is on the right-hand side of your phone and can be opened using a paper clip (or something similar, like an earring or staple). On an Android phone, the SIM card tray is usually located behind the battery.
Once you've inserted your new SIM card, you'll need to confirm that it works. You should see the company's name in the upper left corner of your phone, along with the type of connection you have (3G, 4G, LTE, etc.). Turn off your Wi-fi and try to load a website in your browser. If it loads, you're all set!
If you're staying in the country for longer than a month, you'll also need to know how to refill/top-up/add credit to your SIM card. In some cases, this can be done on the provider's website. In other cases, you may need to head to one of the stores and ask them to do it for you.
Tips for Buying a Local SIM Card
- Research the biggest providers in your destination country before you go, and whether any of them are recommended (or not recommended).
- Assume that the exact plans and packages available will change or may be slightly out of date by the time you arrive.
- Try to learn whether packages automatically renew or stop after the package runs out.
- Most travellers will need a fair amount of data, but few will need a ton of minutes or messages. Aim for 2-3 GB of data for a month.
- Avoid 'Tourist SIM packages', as these are usually overpriced and include a bunch of extras you probably won't use.
- You want a prepaid SIM card, meaning you're paying for the SIM card and adding some money to your account.
- Packages usually include a set number of minutes, messages, and amount of data for a given amount of time (usually 30 days).
- If you don't need to make many calls or send many SMS messages, ask about a 'data-only' SIM card.
- Don't walk away from the shop until you're sure your new SIM card works. It's easier to deal with any problems then and there instead of trying to find a shop to fix a problem later.
- If your package has already run out, be aware that adding more credit could mean that your phone immediately starts to use data at the default rate. The workaround here is to add the package immediately after adding more credit. If you're unable to do this, turn off the data on your phone to avoid accidentally using data at the default rate.
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Frequently asked questions
Turn off your mobile data.
On an iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular or Cellular Data. Turn on Cellular Data, then tap Cellular Data Options and turn off Data Roaming. On an Android, go to Settings > Connections, tap Mobile Networks and turn off Data Roaming.
Connect to Wi-Fi and use apps like WhatsApp, Skype or Google Voice to communicate.
Download offline maps before you go.
Buy a local SIM card when you arrive at your destination.
Contact your mobile provider to see if they offer an international plan.