Best Phone Plans For Traveling: Stay Connected Abroad

what is a good phone service for traveling

When travelling, staying connected is important for many people. International roaming rates can be expensive, so it's worth knowing what you're on the hook for before you travel abroad. There are several options for phone services for travelling, including:

- International phone plans: Google Fi, T-Mobile and Verizon all offer international phone plans. Google Fi's Unlimited Plus plan offers unlimited data and texting in over 200 destinations, with calls costing 20 cents per minute. T-Mobile's Go5G Plus plan offers unlimited text and up to 5GB of high-speed data, then unlimited data at a slower speed, in over 200 countries. Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate plan offers unlimited talk, text and data in over 200 countries, with data speed slowed after 10GB of monthly usage.

- International add-ons: If you don't travel often, you may prefer to stick with your current phone plan and add an international add-on. For example, AT&T offers an International Day Pass for $12 per day, which provides unlimited talk, text and data in over 200 destinations. Verizon offers a similar option, TravelPass, for $10 per day.

- Local SIM cards: Buying a local SIM card when you arrive at your destination used to be the only way to stay connected while travelling. This can still be a good option, especially if you're staying in one place for an extended period and want to make local calls at affordable rates.

- eSIM cards: eSIM cards are a high-tech alternative to physical SIM cards. You can purchase and download an eSIM on your phone before you leave, then connect to local cell networks and get data while overseas. eSIM provider Airalo offers eSIMs covering a combined 190+ countries and regions.

Characteristics Values
Price $65 for a single line (Google Fi Unlimited Plus)
$90 per month (T-Mobile Go5G Plus)
$90 per month (Verizon Unlimited Ultimate)
International features Unlimited data and texting included in over 200 destinations (Google Fi Unlimited Plus)
Up to 5GB of high-speed data, then slower after that, in more than 215 countries and destinations (T-Mobile Go5G Plus)
Unlimited talk, text and data in more than 210 countries (Verizon Unlimited Ultimate)
Things to know This plan is not intended for international use over 90 consecutive days (Google Fi Unlimited Plus)
This plan also includes in-flight texting and Wi-Fi where available (T-Mobile Go5G Plus)
Unlike the other plans, this plan includes unlimited talk from abroad (Verizon Unlimited Ultimate)

quartzmountain

Google Fi's Unlimited Plus plan

The plan includes international coverage in over 200 destinations, with free texts and calls from the US to over 200 destinations. Data usage is charged at the same rate as in the US in these countries, and voice calls cost 20 cents. Google Fi also offers free data after 6GB of usage per month, with slower speeds after 50GB of usage in a month.

The Unlimited Plus plan also includes 6 months of YouTube Premium, giving you access to ad-free, offline and background streaming of videos and music. Additionally, the plan provides 100GB of Google One cloud storage, allowing you to keep your files safe and easily accessible.

Google Fi's coverage extends to most parts of the world, with high-speed data available in numerous countries. The service is compatible with a range of phones, including Google Pixel, Samsung and Motorola devices.

The Unlimited Plus plan is an excellent choice for travellers seeking reliable connectivity while abroad. With its comprehensive features, international coverage and affordable price, it ensures that users can stay connected effortlessly during their travels.

quartzmountain

T-Mobile's Go5G Plus plan

With the Go5G Plus plan, you get unlimited premium data, which means you'll have the fastest available data on the network, ensuring a consistently high-speed connection. The plan also includes 5GB of high-speed data when travelling in Mexico and Canada, as well as unlimited texting and data in over 210 countries.

One of the standout features of the Go5G Plus plan is the inclusion of various streaming services and subscriptions, such as Netflix and Apple TV+. Additionally, T-Mobile's 5G network is the largest of the Big Three carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon), offering high-speed service that covers 29% of the map.

The Go5G Plus plan also stands out with its two-year upgrade promotion. Traditionally, wireless carriers offer the best deals to new customers, but T-Mobile offers existing customers the same promotions, including the option to get a new phone every two years. This makes the Go5G Plus plan an excellent choice for those who want to stay up-to-date with the latest devices without paying full price.

Overall, T-Mobile's Go5G Plus plan offers a competitive package for those seeking unlimited premium data, generous hotspot data, streaming services, and the option to upgrade their device every two years.

quartzmountain

Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate plan

International Connectivity:

High-Speed Data:

The plan includes 10GB of high-speed data that can be used in other countries each month. This is a generous allowance and ensures that users can access the internet, use navigation apps, and stay connected without experiencing throttling or slow speeds.

Mix and Match Plans:

Verizon allows users to "mix and match" plans for different lines on the same account. This flexibility is beneficial for families or groups with varying needs. For example, a user who travels frequently can subscribe to the Unlimited Ultimate plan, while other lines on the same account can opt for more affordable options like Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Welcome.

Mobile Hotspot Data:

The Unlimited Ultimate plan provides 60GB of premium mobile hotspot data, which is significantly more than what is offered by competing plans. This allows users to connect their smartphones to other devices like tablets or laptops and use them as mobile hotspots without worrying about data limits.

Discounts and Perks:

Verizon offers various discounts and perks with the Unlimited Ultimate plan. Users can save up to 50% on additional plans for smartwatches, tablets, hotspot devices, or in-car Wi-Fi devices. The plan also includes Verizon's Ultimate Phone Upgrade, providing access to the best phone deals and trade-in offers. Additionally, users can add optional $10/month perks for entertainment, travel, or shopping, such as the Disney Bundle, Netflix, Apple One, or Walmart+ Membership.

Streaming Quality:

The Unlimited Ultimate plan supports streaming quality of up to 4K Ultra High Definition when using the 5G Ultra Wideband network on a capable device or up to 1080p when on Verizon 5G or 4G LTE. This ensures a superior streaming experience for users who frequently watch videos, movies, or shows on their devices.

Enhanced Video Calling:

The plan includes Enhanced Video Calling, which optimises video and audio quality for video conferencing and calling apps like FaceTime, Webex, and Zoom, especially during times of network congestion. This feature is available in select 5G Ultra Wideband coverage areas and requires a compatible device and operating system.

Cost:

The cost of the Unlimited Ultimate plan depends on the number of lines and discounts applied. For a single line with no discounts, the plan is $100/month (plus taxes and fees). However, with Auto Pay and paperless billing, the price decreases to $90/month for one line. For four lines with Auto Pay and paperless billing, the cost is $260/month ($65/line/month) plus taxes and fees.

In summary, Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate plan is an excellent choice for frequent travellers who want seamless international connectivity, high-speed data, generous mobile hotspot data, and access to various discounts and perks. The plan's flexibility, streaming quality, and Enhanced Video Calling features further enhance its value, making it a compelling option for those seeking reliable and comprehensive mobile phone service while travelling.

quartzmountain

AT&T's International Day Pass

If you're looking for a good phone service for travelling, you'll want something that lets you make calls, send texts, and browse the web without racking up a lot of roaming charges. Here's where AT&T's International Day Pass® comes in.

AT&T International Day Pass is a service that allows you to use your AT&T unlimited plan or Mobile Share plan while travelling abroad. It is available in more than 210 destinations across Asia, Australia, Europe, Central America, South America, the Middle East, South Pacific islands, and the Caribbean.

For $12 per day, you can use your talk, text, and high-speed data plan just like you do at home. This daily fee applies to each line on your account using the International Day Pass. If you have additional lines used on the same calendar day, each line will be charged $6 per day. You will never pay for more than ten days per bill, per line.

You will be charged a daily fee the first time you use data, send a text, or make or accept a phone call in an included destination. This activates a 24-hour International Day Pass period, and you won't be charged another daily fee until that 24-hour period ends. The daily fees are calculated and charged to your bill at the end of your billing cycle.

With AT&T International Day Pass, you can stay connected just like you would at home while travelling abroad. You can call, text, and use data without worrying about excessive roaming charges. The pass is easy to use and automatically activates when you use your device in an included country. You only pay for the days you use, and there is no extra charge after ten days per line, per bill.

quartzmountain

Verizon's TravelPass

TravelPass is automatically added to your line if you have an Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Welcome plan. To add TravelPass to your line, you can visit the Trip Planner or International Plans page in My Verizon, or text "Travel" to 4004. Once added, a 24-hour TravelPass session will start automatically when you use your device in a TravelPass country. You will receive a text message two hours after the session starts, notifying you of when the session will end. It is important to note that if you have background data turned on, a TravelPass session can be started even without your active use of the device.

With TravelPass, you can call within the country you are visiting, as well as back to the US. If you call a country other than the US or the one you are visiting, you will be charged as if you were in the US and called that country. You can add an International Calling plan or use International Calling pay-per-minute rates for these calls.

It is important to note that Wi-Fi calling is not included with TravelPass, and Wi-Fi calling to countries other than the US is charged at international long-distance rates. Additionally, if more than 50% of your talk, text, or data usage in a 60-day period is in Canada or Mexico, use of those services in those countries may be removed or limited.

While TravelPass can provide convenience and peace of mind for international travellers, there have been some negative reviews and complaints about the service. Some users have reported issues with the service not working as expected, unexpected charges, and difficulty reaching customer support for assistance. Therefore, it is essential to review the terms and conditions carefully and ensure you understand how the service works before signing up.

Frequently asked questions

Some phone plans with international features include Google Fi's Unlimited Plus, T-Mobile's Go5G Plus, and Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate plans.

If you have AT&T, you can add the International Day Pass for $12 per day. For Verizon, you can add the TravelPass feature for $10 per day or the International Monthly Plan for $100 per month.

eSIMs allow you to add a local SIM card to your phone virtually, giving you better service and more data options. You can buy and download an eSIM before your trip and activate it once you reach your destination.

You can buy a local SIM card at your destination, or make use of free Wi-Fi at airports, hotels, coffee shops, restaurants, malls, and tourist attractions.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment