How to Avoid Roaming Charges on My Phone When Travelling

International travel is an exciting adventure, but one aspect that can quickly turn into a financial headache is dealing with hefty international roaming charges. Have you ever returned from a dream vacation only to be greeted by a phone bill that made your jaw drop?

Staying connected is essential, whether it's for navigating unfamiliar streets, sharing your experiences with loved ones or simply staying in touch with work. However, it shouldn’t have to come at the cost of skyrocketing phone bills.

With the advancements in technology, there are now convenient and affordable options to help you stay connected as you travel. Let's explore some useful tips and tricks, so that instead of wondering “how do I avoid data roaming charges?”, you can use your phone overseas without being charged and enjoy your trip!

When Do Roaming Charges Apply?

Roaming charges apply when you use your mobile phone's services outside your usual coverage area, typically when traveling internationally. These charges include:

• Data Roaming Charges: These charges accrue when you use mobile data for anything outside your included data allowance or designated roaming area. Data roaming is often the most expensive type of roaming charge, so even small usages do add up quickly.
• Text Roaming Charges: These apply when you send text messages (SMS) to phone numbers in a different country or outside your plan's included texting area. While receiving texts is usually free, sending texts internationally can still incur charges, so it's best to confirm the details with your provider.
• Call Roaming Charges: These are incurred when you make or receive phone calls to or from numbers outside your local calling area or country. Making international calls can be quite costly, so consider VoIP apps over Wi-Fi to avoid these charges.

Why Are Roaming Charges So Expensive?

Roaming charges are expensive because your carrier doesn't own the networks you use abroad. They pay other carriers for access, and those costs are passed on to you. These wholesale roaming agreements, especially in popular destinations, often involve substantial fees.

On top of network access costs, there's the overhead costs of managing international roaming. Billing, data transfer, and support across different networks contribute to the final price. You're paying for both network use and the convenience of seamless international connectivity.

How to Prevent Data Roaming Charges When Travelling Overseas?

Here are some ideas on how to use your phone overseas without being charged:

1. Purchase Roaming Packages From Your Existing Carrier

Before embarking on your trip, check with your network provider regarding their availability of international roaming packages and other solutions. Some providers offer relatively affordable roaming plans for specific regions, which are often more viable options for short trips to neighbouring countries.

There are various types of packages that they offer — some give you a fixed allowance of roaming data that you can use, while others allow you to roam using the allowance of your regular data plan at an additional cost. Alternatively, there are also ‘pay-as-you-go’ options.

However, the pay-as-you-go plans are typically the most expensive, and if that’s the only option available for you, you probably don’t want to use it. If other options are available, check if any of them are suitable for your needs and if the cost falls within your budget.

Ultimately, roaming plans and packages are still more expensive than the other ways of staying connected, but if the price point is reasonable and you value the convenience more, then it’s definitely worth considering.

2. Disable International Roaming

If you aren’t planning to use international roaming, you can contact your provider to disable it. This means that you won’t have to worry about accidentally incurring any roaming charges at all during your trip!

However, it’s important to be clear which services you are disabling international roaming for — whether it’s just for data, or also for calls and messages. It’s recommended to disable international roaming only for your mobile data and keep it enabled for calls and messages. This will ensure that you can still receive calls and SMSes in case of emergency.

3. Rely On Free WiFi Networks

One solution regarding how you can avoid data roaming charges is to rely on the free Wi-Fi networks that are offered at your destination. Many hotels, cafes, airports, and public spaces offer free Wi-Fi. Prioritize connecting to these networks to avoid relying on your cellular data and incurring roaming charges.

While solely relying on free Wi-Fi means that you wouldn't have to pay a single cent for cellular data, it’s important to note that you will not be able to always stay connected when you are traveling between places.

This could be a good option if you do not need to constantly stay connected. However, if you are opting to solely rely on free Wi-Fi networks, ensure that you have your maps and other essential information downloaded in case you need to access them offline.

Also, an important aspect of public wifi safety to keep in mind is that free Wi-Fi networks are less secure than using your own network, since it’s being shared by multiple people. So, make sure that you do not access any sensitive information while connected to them!

4. Explore Other Mobile Connectivity Options

Get A Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot

A portable Wi-Fi hotspot, also known as pocket Wi-Fi or MiFi, creates your own personal Wi-Fi network. This allows multiple devices, like phones, tablets and laptops, to connect simultaneously. You can rent or purchase these devices, and they usually come with pre-paid data plans.

This option is especially useful for families or groups traveling together, as everyone can share the same connection. It also provides a more secure alternative to using potentially unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. However, remember to research data plans and costs before deciding if this is the best way to avoid data roaming charges!

Purchase a Travel Data Package from A Local Carrier

Purchasing a local SIM card with a travel data package upon arrival is another excellent way to avoid roaming charges. Local carriers often offer competitive data rates, making this a cost-effective choice. Many international airports and mobile phone stores sell prepaid SIMs designed specifically for tourists.

Before your trip, research mobile carriers at your destination and compare their offerings. Look for a package that provides enough data for your needs at a reasonable price. Then, activate the SIM once you arrive to use your phone overseas without being charged any roaming fees.

Purchase a Travel eSIM

If you're looking for a more modern and convenient option, consider purchasing a travel eSIM. eSIMs are digital SIM cards that can be easily installed on compatible devices without needing a physical card.

Many providers offer travel eSIMs with data plans specifically designed for travelers, allowing you to activate a local data plan as soon as you arrive at your destination. This eliminates the need to find a physical SIM card or worry about swapping SIMs while traveling.

5. Make Use Of Messaging Apps and VoIP Calls

Nowadays, there are many different messaging apps which allow you to stay in touch with your friends and family, as long as they are using the same app and both of you are connected to the internet.

What’s more, these messaging apps not only allow you to send messages via the internet — most of them also support voice and video calls. This means that as long as you have mobile connectivity, you can still keep in touch with your friends and family without incurring additional charges for international calls and messages!

6. Turn Off The Phone Altogether

The most foolproof method when wondering how to prevent roaming charges is to simply turn off your phone entirely. This ensures no accidental data usage or background activity can occur. Of course, this means you'll be completely disconnected, so it's only practical if you truly want to disconnect for a period.

This is also a good option if you are trying to minimize distractions or are in an area with no reliable service. It also helps conserve battery life, which can be useful during long journeys. Just remember to turn your phone back on when you need it.

7. Enable Data Usage Warnings

A data usage warning acts as an early alert, letting you know when you're nearing your limit. This allows you to adjust your usage, perhaps by switching to Wi-Fi, and avoid any surprises on your bill. It's a smart way to manage your data and stay in control.

Most smartphones offer built-in data usage warnings or limits. This helps you track your data consumption to avoid hitting your plan's limit, which can trigger unexpected charges, especially when traveling. Check your phone's settings to set up these alerts.

8. Leverage Travel Apps with Offline Functionality

Offline apps are especially useful for navigation, translation, and accessing local information. They reduce your reliance on data, and help you avoid roaming charges while still providing access to key travel tools.

Many travel apps offer offline access to these maps, guides and other essential information. Downloading these resources before your trip also means you can access them without using any data while abroad. This is a great way to save on roaming charges.

9. Turn Off Sync and App Updates

Background app activity, like syncing and updates, can use a lot of data without you realizing it. Turning these off via your phone's settings is a simple way to minimize data usage and avoid potential roaming charges.

Disabling these features stops apps from automatically downloading updates or syncing data. This can significantly reduce data consumption, especially when you're trying to keep roaming costs down. Most importantly, this will keep you from constantly wondering “how do I avoid data roaming charges”, allowing you to fully enjoy yourself when traveling internationally.

10. Get a Travel eSIM Online

Purchasing a travel eSIM online before your trip can be a convenient way to avoid roaming charges. Many providers offer eSIMs with data plans for specific regions or countries, allowing you to activate your data as soon as you arrive. This ease of use is a major advantage when it comes to the eSIM vs physical SIM card discussion.

Stay Connected Without Breaking the Bank with Nomad eSIM Roaming Plan

Nomad offers data plans in over 200 countries, so you're sure to find one that fits your travel needs and budget. If you’re traveling across multiple countries, there are also regional plans available so you can stay seamlessly connected as you hop between borders. Nomad’s data plans are available from as low as $1.10/GB, making them an incredibly affordable way to avoid any unnecessary international roaming charges.

If you’re unsure about how much data you need for your trip, Nomad also has a Data Calculator that can help you find the most suitable plan for your needs. Do also read our blog post on data-saving tips when traveling, to keep your data usage in check while you’re abroad.

Nomad offers 24-hour customer support, so if you experience any issues with your eSIM, help is always available! Stay connected affordably and skip the roaming fees — explore Nomad’s eSIM plans for your next trip today!