Best internet options when traveling internationally
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Key takeaways
- The best internet when traveling depends on your destination, length of stay and anticipated internet usage.
- Get international travel internet from your cell phone provider, a SIM card, public Wi-Fi or a hotspot device.
- Mobile phone plans offer various international travel internet payment options, including daily, weekly, monthly or pay-as-you-go methods.
- International data rates for cell phone data start at $10/day or $50/mo.
Internet options when traveling internationally
Reliable internet while traveling is crucial if you need to stay in touch with others, find popular restaurants and lodging or do research on the fly. Internet apps for currency exchange rates and translation help can also make your travel easier.
Depending on your destination and length of stay, these various international internet options are available.
- International roaming plan: Best for quick trips
- Local SIM/eSIM card: Best for extended trips
- Public or free Wi-Fi: Cheapest option
- Separate hotspot device: Best for tethering multiple devices
International roaming plans when traveling
International roaming plans are temporary additions to your cell phone plan activated by contacting your wireless provider.
- Add the international plan by contacting your provider ahead of time and informing them of the locations and dates you’ll be traveling.
- Once you arrive at your destination, you may need to power your device off and on again to activate the international services.
SIM or eSIM for traveling internationally
Using SIM cards or eSIM lets you connect to local networks without altering your cell phone plan or paying roaming charges.
- eSIM: Most newer cell phones have eSIM technology, so a physical SIM card is not necessary. Get an eSIM for your destination country through apps like Yesim or Airalo.
- Physical SIM card: Once you reach your destination, purchase a SIM (a tiny card that you insert into your phone) — they are typically available at airports or local shops.
- SIM and eSIMs are generally prepaid and sold in data increments by the megabyte (MB) or gigabyte (GB).
- Consider your expected phone usage and estimate your data usage over the duration of your trip. For light internet use, 1 GB should last a week or more, but longer trips or gaming and streaming will increase your data needs.
Public Wi-Fi when traveling internationally
Hotels, airports and bus stations often offer free public Wi-Fi — no international roaming plan required.
- Public Wi-Fi is less secure and reliable, so only use this option if your internet needs are minimal.
- It’s highly recommended to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when using public Wi-Fi, especially if you’ll be accessing personal data like banking or travel information.
- Download and set up a VPN on your cell phone from the App Store or Google Play before you travel.
Hotspot devices for international roaming
Hotspot devices from companies like Solis or GlocalMe allow you to connect multiple Wi-Fi devices and offer larger data plans.
- Rent or purchase a separate hotspot device and select a daily, monthly or annual data plan.
- Hotspot devices cost around $150–$200. Data plans start at $6/mo.
- The benefit of using a hotspot is that it won’t drain your cell phone battery and can automatically connect to the best local Wi-Fi networks available in your travel area.
What to consider in an international plan
Before adding international travel internet to your existing cell phone plan, determine the most cost-effective way to stay connected based on the length of your stay.
- Verify that your destination country is covered. The top internet providers and cell phone carriers cover 200+ countries, but coverage varies between providers.
- If you bundle home internet and mobile service, you can add international roaming to your package for the duration of your trip.
- Some home internet providers require you to have active mobile service for 30–45 days before using travel data plans, so be sure to review the terms and conditions of your specific plan.
International travel internet plans by phone carrier
Rates shown are “per line” — when you add multiple lines to the same account, the daily rates for the additional lines are usually half the cost of the first one.
| Provider | Daily rate | Monthly rate | Other options |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | $12/day | $120/mo. | Pay-per-use; Prepaid plans; Cruise rates |
| Verizon | $12/day | $100/mo. | Cruise/In-flight; Prepaid plans |
| T-Mobile | 5 GB included w/ select plans; $5/day; $35 for 10 days | $50/mo. | N/A |
| Spectrum Mobile | Included w/ Unlimited Plus; otherwise $10/day ($5/day in Canada/Mexico) | N/A | Pay-per-use |
| Xfinity Mobile | $10/day (Canada/Mexico included w/some plans; otherwise $5/day) | N/A | Pay-as-you-go |
| Cox Mobile | $10/day | N/A | N/A |
| Optimum Mobile | $10–$35/day; $40–$100/wk; based on country | N/A | N/A |
Customer support for internet when traveling
Most cell phone providers have a dedicated customer support line for international travel. Save your carrier’s number before you leave so you can call them quickly if necessary.
- AT&T international support: +1-314-925-6925
- Verizon international support: +1-908-559-4899
- T-Mobile international support: +1-505-998-3793
- Spectrum Mobile international support: +1-704-731-3001
- Xfinity Mobile international support: 1-720-728-5462
- Cox Mobile international support: No dedicated line. (General customer support: 1-800-234-3993)
- Optimum Mobile international support: No dedicated line. (Dial 611 from Optimum Mobile phone for the general support line.)
International travel internet FAQs
What is international roaming, and how does it work?
International roaming involves using another cell phone network outside your country of residence. You can connect to local networks with your cell phone provider’s international internet plan or a SIM card.
How can I avoid high roaming charges?
Avoid expensive roaming charges by planning ahead — assess your internet needs to choose the right method to access internet and Wi-Fi before you leave home.
Can I use my phone abroad without a roaming plan?
Failing to use an international internet plan can result in much higher fees, as much as $2 per minute, so it’s best to add an international plan if you plan on using your cell phone as your primary Wi-Fi access point when abroad.
How do I make sure my device is compatible with foreign networks?
Newer U.S. cell phones are compatible with foreign Wi-Fi networks but will need to either use an international data plan through your carrier or be unlocked (i.e., not tied to a cell phone provider like AT&T or Verizon) and use an eSIM/SIM card. Older phones may have limited international roaming capabilities.
- In the past, compatibility between U.S. networks using CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) and foreign networks that used GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) was a significant concern. However, CDMA has now become obsolete — several U.S. carriers decommissioned their CDMA networks in 2022. While GSM is also outdated (though still used in some areas), most cell phones now rely on 4G/5G technology.
How can I manage my data usage while traveling?
Monitor your daily data use in your phone settings (for iPhones, go to Settings > Cellular) or use a data management app to set up data thresholds and automatic alerts for specific data limits. Android phones have this alert feature built-in to their operating system settings.
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