Author: Carter Lowry

Your phone can help you map, provide information, and help translate. The new convenience of traveling has simplified travel and made the world safer. If you are a digital nomad, it’s a good idea to decide if it’s possible to go abroad in the summer or stay home for an extended weekend or a holiday in Mexico. Similar to preparing for an international trip, designing a passport, and choosing a pack, the phone must also undergo preparation. In addition to your cell phones, you must pay for the trip if it becomes cheaper. Therefore, you will want your phone to be ready for the international cell phone plan you choose.

If you are traveling to Chile, then you will want to have an international cell phone plan.

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A strong desire for freedom often arises in a busy world of daily routines and societal pressures. We become fascinated by the exciting appeal of unfamiliar places, the mysterious call of undiscovered destinations, and the life-changing influence of travel. In these instances, we awaken the spirit of the unconventional traveler — the wanderer who desires to explore the world and embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal freedom.

Similar to understanding which international plugs you need to charge your phone, you must find the right cell phone plan. Your phone requires some preparation before you begin your international travel. So, when you are on your scouting trip to Chile, you will want to learn about the best phone plans.

Suppose you decide to stay with your current carrier that is great. However, you should switch to cell phone providers to save some money traveling. Therefore, your cell phone service may charge you international roaming fees on your travels. 

No matter the decisions, ensure you understand your plan carefully and what triggers will cost you for specific use with your data, minutes, and texts. You will want to know what happens when you go over their allotment.

Before you travel, you will need to know about your cell phones. 

eSIM Cards

An expansion to physical SIM cards for international travel is an option on most phones called an “eSIM.”

A regular SIM card must be inserted into your phone to let cellphone carriers provide you service by delivering access through their cell towers.

No physical card must be inside your phone with an eSIM. It is an embedded SIM “card” phone carrier that can be utilized to provide you with their services. 

Ensure Your Phone Is “Unlocked”

Is your smartphone unlocked? You probably have a “locked” smartphone if you are in the United States. AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon prevent you from using other service providers by purchasing their phones. Therefore, this can restrict your choices for using affordable international cell phones & data plans overseas.

An easy option is to buy a separate cheap, unlocked international phone. You can always tether the phone to provide your other devices with internet service. Therefore, a global smartphone has dual SIM card capability. So you can utilize one slot for a home phone number and one SIM for traveling. 

Another option is to ask your current provider what steps to take to unlock your phone, which may require a fee. Once you have an unlocked phone, you can use SIM cards and international data plans.

Buying Local SIM Cards

If your phone is unlocked, buying a local SIM card when you arrive and using a local prepaid cell phone plan is possible. Depending on the country, service can be cheap—usually, 5 G.B. of data costs about $20 – $50. Depending upon availability, international data speeds with a local mobile cell phone plan are often breakneck with 4G LTE.

Often, you can purchase local SIM card plans at the destination’s airport. Just remember, someone must unlock your phone for it to work! However, you might wonder which plan you need or what these providers offer at what expense. You’ll need to consider these essential questions when considering the best options.

Other Ways To Stay In Touch

Suppose you don’t need your phone 24 hours, seven days a week. You could use VOIP applications like Google Voice, WhatsApp, Signal, and Skype. These are cheap options, sometimes even free if you use the internet at a cafe or your lodging. 

One significant benefit of using Google Voice or Skype is that these services employ a US-based phone number. Therefore, family, friends, or colleagues can reach you on a U.S. number, even when you are abroad. 

As mentioned above, VOIP services must have your phone or computer connected to WiFi. Therefore, you can use their services if you are in a hotel, a coffee shop, or using mobile data from your cell provider. 

What Phones Can You Use Internationally?

Many believe they are golden and will no longer need help with the process. Don’t worry if you think you need more help. Using a phone overseas is more straightforward than it can sometimes sound. The first thing to understand is that companies and countries use their technologies and frequencies. It would help if you had a phone compatible with these technologies.

Verizon utilizes CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). Most other carriers use GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication). Verizon has some GSM phones on Verizon, but they will not work as international cell phones.

The iPhone is one of the most popular phones because it is a world phone and will work internationally. 

Hot Tip: If you bought an advertised “unlocked” or “SIM-free” phone, it should be ready to use on international GSM networks. Every cellphone manufacturer offers a list of popular models of “world phones,” including the iPhone XRS Max and Samsung Galaxy S10.

Unlocked Phones

Many phones you obtain for free or discounted rates are locked. Therefore, they lock the phones to your network contract. Thus, your cell phone provider prevents using your phone on an unapproved international network.

Pro Tip: Ask your cell phone company if they will unlock your phone. They very well might.

The Best International Cell Phone Plans

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all international cell phone plan. Below, we will discuss all the major cell carriers, their plan options, and their pros and cons. Hopefully, this will sort out some confusion about what will work best for you.

Be aware that your needs will differ if you travel short-term versus for a month or more. Verizon’s Above Unlimited plan has restrictions when traveling internationally. What they will sometimes do is severely limit your cell phone service. 

The last thing you want is to come home to racking up a massive bill because you need to know the best ways to talk, text, or use data abroad. 

Verizon

The first option we will discuss is Verizon’s TravelPass plan, which allows you to take regular service on your trip. You will be charged $5 daily per line abroad in Mexico and Canada. You can utilize the services in an additional 130 countries at $10 daily. 

As you activate the TravelPass plan through the Verizon Wireless app. When you do so, you will have coverage, a simple add-on to your regular monthly bill. Your phone will automatically recognize the service and connect to the local signal. Once it connects, your TravelPass will work and renew after 24 hours pass. You will eat up a ton of data if you upload many photos and maps while traveling. Verizon’s 4G speeds are only available for the first 512 MB on the TravelPass. Afterward, your speed will go down to 2G.

Verizon Wireless Above Unlimited Plan

The Verizon Wireless Above Unlimited plan provides unlimited data, no contract, for $95 monthly. You can receive a $ 5-a-month discount by moving to auto-pay. Therefore, this plan is not an add-on but a plan for brief trips abroad. The passes are built-in to the plan instead of charging separate per-use days like the TravelPass add-on.

It includes talk, text, and data while you’re in Mexico and Canada, and the plan comes with 5 TravelPasses monthly. Therefore, you can use TravelPass for talk, text, and data in 130 countries for five days per month with no extra expense. If you exceed the five free days a month, you’ll continue at the standard rate of $10 per additional day.

The same thing will happen as the Travel Pass; once you use 512 MB of 4G speeds, you’ll be throttled to 2G.

For comparison, you will receive the most expensive rates if you pay as you go on Verizon while abroad. Downloading directions on a map or an app could cost you several hundred dollars. Therefore, keep the Verizon app setting in mind to save you some expenses. 

For cruise ships, a basic plan is with your primary service. It will cost $2.99 a minute to call, $.50 to send a text, and $.05 to receive a text. Unfortunately, there are no data capabilities available at sea.

When you travel outside the United States, you want your phone to work like at home. 

Pros:

• No need to worry about unlocking a phone because you’re on the Verizon network.
• The app makes it easy to add international services.
• The Verizon U.S. LTE coverage is well established.
• The unlimited plan includes the 5 TravelPasses 
• Keep your U.S. number at no extra expense.

Cons:

• The service can be pricey at $5-$10 a day as TravelPasses add up quickly, especially with multiple lines and on long trips.
• While 130 locations are covered, many still need to be added. Therefore, you must check to see if you will have coverage in the country you visit. 

Bottom Line: The plan is fantastic for those already on Verizon who want to avoid calling to add an international add-on. Frequent and short trips abroad with the Above Unlimited is a great choice.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile is a great international travel option because its plans simplify things. The One plan provides unlimited data and texting in 210 countries. However, T-Mobile caps your data at a shockingly low 128 kbps. Therefore, even browsing web pages (exclusive of video), you’ll be throttled to 2G speeds. It also charges for international phone calls. So talking on your phone can become expensive quickly.

However, T-Mobile offers International Passes for faster data while you’re abroad to combat these downsides. Its 5 G.B. pass keeps you on the 4G network for ten days with unlimited calling at $35. It also offers 15 G.B. for 30 full days at $50.

Another option is a $5 pass with 512 MB of high-speed data and unlimited calling. Therefore, if you are traveling briefly and don’t believe you’ll be making many FaceTime calls. However, it would help if you also considered other data-consuming apps. Therefore, this can be a simple add-on with enough to get online faster.

The existing T-Mobile plan includes no data on a cruise ship, $.50 for sent texts, and calls at $5.99 a minute. Using your phone for directions, which is very important when traveling abroad, can quickly become extremely expensive.

Pros:

• Your standard plan will provide you with 2G speed data. 
• Expansive coverage in 210 locations, which means almost everywhere.

Cons:

• While it covers many countries, the coverage can be spotty when you get beyond major U.S. cities.
• International phone calls are costly.

Bottom Line: The plan is terrific for people who travel often and want international service included at no additional expense. The program is the cheapest when you are okay with super slow international 2G speeds.

AT&T

The Unlimited & More and the Unlimited & More Premium plan on AT&T allow you can travel to Mexico and Canada with all your talk, data, and text already paid. Its Mobile Share Plus plans permit you to use your talk, text, and data in Mexico.

In 100+ other countries, AT&T offers a daily International Day Pass for $10. However, this charge can add up quickly when you’re on longer trips. The AT&T Passport plan permits you to utilize your typical within-U.S. plan for 30 days. The Passport plan is $60 for 30 days and provides 1 G.B. of data and unlimited texting. You can raise this to 3 G.B. of data for $120 monthly. At that point, you should only go further in emergencies as they will charge you $50 for every G.B. over the 3 G.B. Phone calls are set at $.35 per minute.

If you are going on a cruise, AT&T also covers you with two plans. Its $100-a-month program includes unlimited talk and text. The service also provides 200 MB of data, with additional data costing $2 per M.B. Its $50-a-month cruise package consists of 50 minutes of discussion, unlimited texting, and no data.

No matter which plans you choose, data on cruising is expensive, so subscribe to the onboard WiFi your cruise ship may offer. If you do not select one of these plans, the rates of $3 per minute for talk, $.50 for each text sent, and $6 for every M.B. of data will apply. 

Pros:

• Adding to your account is easy.
• You stay on the AT&T network and will not need an unlocked phone.
• No data speed throttling, which other networks implement.
• No change of your home phone number without paying extra fees.

Cons:

• You must monitor the data usage if you’re on a share plan.
• While many places (over 100) are covered, many still need to be covered.
• The $10 fee every day quickly becomes expensive. 

Bottom Line: The plan is fantastic for people who love data and texting but must be more prominent in making phone calls. It could be better if you are on a shared plan and buying a group International Day Pass. Still, the 30-day plans with unlimited data are excellent for users who mainly need their phones for data or texting.

Alternative Choice: Google Fi

Google Fi has yet to come up as an option as a significant carrier. While Google Fi may not be a mainstream option, it is becoming increasingly popular with frequent travelers.

Google Fi charges international and domestic data at the same rate. It uses T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular, and T-Mobile cell tower. However, your calls will cost $.20 internationally. Unlimited text messages apply while you are traveling internationally.

Its plans cost $20 for unlimited talk and text, and every 1 G.B. of data is $10 monthly. You only pay for the data you use. If you heavily use data, it stops charging you at 6 G.B. Your bill will always be under $80 monthly.

Google Fi offers a few phones but is open to using most phones. Buying a Google Pixel or some Moto phones makes switching between cell networks and hotspots easier.

If you use Google Fi aboard a cruise ship, connect to the onboard WiFi for free calls.

Pros:

• International data and domestic data are the exact charges.
• Google Fi covers 170+ destinations.
• There is no contract; you pay monthly.
• To sign up for Google-Fi, it sometimes offers excellent incentives such as high-dollar gift cards or freebies.

Cons:

• Your coverage at home may vary even with the combination of T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular cell phone towers.
• Some users have found Google Fi challenging to sign up.

Bottom Line: The plan is ideal for frequent travelers with an approved phone or interested in buying a Google Pixel. The T-Mobile/U.S. Cellular cell towers must work well for you in your local area when you’re back home.

Save on your International Cell Phone Plan

No doubt, using your phone outside the U.S. can be pricey as most plans cost more than your domestic service. You can save on your international cell phone expenses by:

Connect to WiFi

It may sound obvious, but it’s one of the most significant ways to save money. Most phone plans can make calls over WiFi for no extra cost, and you can download movies and music or check emails without using cellular data.

Most branded hotels offer complimentary WiFi for a nominal daily rate. When you are in your hotel, enable your phone to connect automatically. Many museums, restaurants, and public spaces outside the hotel offer complimentary WiFi.

Use a Hotspot

There are several significant hotspots designed for traveling. One of the largest brands is Skyroam. You can enjoy unlimited data for as little as $9 a day. The hotspots provide a flat daily rate. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about charges for different areas or overages.

Since a hotspot typically provides unlimited data, it is likely cheaper than your traditional cell phone plan international service. You can connect your digital devices to do everything you need via the internet. It will even provide your phone with a GPS signal. 

The only downfall to utilizing a hotspot is an additional device you must carry when you are out. Some travelers clip the hotspot onto their belts or stuff it in a backpack.

If You Aren’t Using the Cellular Data, Turn it off.

Cell phone plans typically charge you for every day you use, and more days will mean higher payments. There could be some days when you will not need data as much. 

If you shut off your cellular signal by placing it in Airplane Mode, your phone won’t connect to a network. Therefore, they won’t charge you for that day’s usage. While traveling, consider using public WiFi in cafes and restaurants to save on cellular data. 

International Cell Phone Plan

You can access an international plan when you buy an international sim card. The available cellular data plans will determine data speeds. You only need to insert it into the local sim card slot.

Another option is to purchase international cell phone plans. Vodaphone, MEO, and others are great international cell phone plan providers. International SIM cards will allow you to make international calls. However, many times, you can reach these individuals on WhatsApp.

The great thing about using an international SIM card is you will have a local phone number. Therefore, you will appear as a local number with voice calls.

Atypical Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, we can only provide a simple one-answer solution to some people’s needs. Therefore, the best international cell phone plan will be an individual decision. However, you want to avoid making mistakes and only find out once you get your cell phone bill. The best way to save money is to get an international SIM card.

While it is challenging to say the best path, we can tell you about the best digital nomad locations. From there, you can learn about the best cell phone plans in those areas.

You can always check your current provider to see the details of their international plan. You will want to know what international data speeds will be available, too. So ask your provider what international data plan they cover in the nations you visit.

While Google Fi isn’t one of the significant mainstream U.S. carriers, you should pay attention to it as it is one of the most robust options for international plans, especially those who rely heavily on data.

T-Mobile’s plans are healthy for those needing excellent coverage at home and internationally. AT&T’s plan is ideal for trips to Canada and Mexico since both are in the most basic version.

Consider your travel plans — where you are going and how often, and your needs at home. Then, you will need to know whether voice, data, or texting are essential for your travel needs. Understanding your needs makes it easier to decide on the best plans to get you the most coverage for the best price.

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